6 Things People Get Wrong About Depression

“I can slip in and out of Depression quite easily” 

-Adele, 2016

She did mention this quote in a different context, but it is important to know the context and make a judgment. Let us forget the context of when she said this and objectively understand this statement. Depression is an enduring mood that is hard to overcome. To manage it, you need time, support, and therapy. Telling someone who has a broken leg to start running is like telling them it’s impossible until they heal properly. 

Read More: Depression: Symptoms, Causes, Types and Treatment

Think of depression as a floating iceberg in the sea. It appears to be melancholy on the surface, but behind the surface is a vast, invisible structure composed of false beliefs that keep it in place. Myths like “you can snap out of it” and “depression is just sadness” obscure the actual complexity of the illness. Similar to how we only see the tip of the iceberg, the majority of people are unaware of the severity of depression, which leads to stigmatization and increased difficulty in treating it.

Read More: Do you hide your Sadness with Smiley Emoji?

Therefore, let us understand 6 things people get wrong about depression: 

1. “It’s just sadness”

The signs of depression, a complicated mental health condition, go well beyond sadness. It may manifest as weariness, bodily pain, or even a sense of emptiness. Thus, it’s a profound emotional numbness rather than merely feeling depressed. Similar to mistaking a flickering light for a power outage, you are merely observing the tip of a much larger problem. According to the WHO, depression has a major impact on physical health and adds considerably to the worldwide burden of disease.

2.”People with depression are always sad”

A lot of people with depression pretend they’re “fine” on the outside by hiding it with humour or regularity. Depression is more than just a passing mood. When left untreated, episodes can linger for weeks, months, or even years. It feels like having an emptiness inside while donning a clown mask.

3. “Depression only affects women”

Men and women are affected by depression, but because of social pressure, men are frequently less likely to declare it. Instead of sadness, men who are depressed may exhibit impatience or hostility. Every year, more than 6 million men in the United States experience depression. Similar to turning on a light in a dark place, you can see sooner if you accept it.

4. “Successful people can’t be depressed”

Depression affects people equally. Even persons who appear content or successful may experience mental health issues. Imagine a comic (like Indian comedian Kapil Sharma) who makes everyone laugh but who, behind the scenes, is carrying a lot of emotional baggage.

5. It’s a sign of weakness”

Depression is not a sign of weakness in the person; rather, it is a mental health issue. Like blaming someone with high blood pressure for not being able to control their blood sugar on their own without medicine. Not just those with severe symptoms, but anybody struggling with depression can benefit from treatment (60% of patients who start psychotherapy report feeling some improvement). Open communication about depression can result in support and treatment as well as a stigma reduction. Anybody can be affected by it, regardless of their ability or level of resilience.

6. “Only adults get depressed”

People of all ages, including kids and teenagers, can suffer from depression. In India, young individuals of both sexes between the ages of 20 and 29 had the highest rates of depression. It’s like believing that grownups are the only ones who get the flu—everyone, regardless of age, is impacted.

Read more: 10 Popular Misconceptions on Mental Illnesses

In order to promote a deeper understanding of depression and build a more sympathetic, caring community, it is imperative to recognize and address common misconceptions about the illness. Myths like “it’s just sadness” and “successful people can’t be depressed” discourage people from getting the mental health treatment they need and add to the stigma associated with it. For instance, individuals who are depressed could be reluctant to talk about their feelings or ask for help if society still views depression as a sign of weakness. This could result in their suffering lasting longer.

These false beliefs also cause patients to downplay their symptoms, which slows down the diagnostic and healing process. Imagine someone instructing you to walk on a broken leg; without adequate care, the injury worsens, just as depression worsens without therapy. We can remove these barriers by acknowledging that depression affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. This enables more people to get the counselling, support, and medical care they require.

By refuting myths, we promote open dialogue and normalize asking for assistance—just like taking off a clown mask to show the underlying true feelings. If we do not address these misconceptions, we will face dire repercussions, including ongoing stigma, untreated cases, and an increase in mental health problems across all demographic groups. For millions of people impacted by depression, dispelling these myths can light the way to recovery, just like turning on a light in a dark room reveals the reality.