Myths About Depression
We throw the word depression around casually.
Let's use the analogy of how a rich dessert can produce a mood change vs. the condition of diabetes.
The effects of the dessert are a temporary change in your blood sugar. Diabetes is lasting and serious.
Sadness is time limited and a reaction to something specific.
Depression is longer term, biological, and often inherited.
PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSION CAN'T FUNCTION.
This is an inaccurate image many people have.
Most depressed people work, raise families, date, take vacations, etc.
But they do it all at less than full capacity.
People can HIDE depression. And even when it shows, it's amazing how no one will say anything about it.
MOST DEPRESSED PEOPLE KNOW IT AND GET HELP.
If only this were true.
2/3 of depressed people never get help.
But when they do, 80-90% are effectively helped.
But try to ignore it, attribute it to just the way I am or have gotten so used to feeling depressed that it feels normal.
MOST DOCTORS WILL RECOGNIZE DEPRESSION.
Sadly, this is false.
A survey by Consumer Reports showed that 50-80% of emotional problems are never diagnosed by doctors.
And even when they are apparent, 75% never make a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Do not rely on your doctor to have much training or info on depression or anxiety.
Educate yourself, read everything you can!
