Depression is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses in the United States and worldwide.

One out of every four women and one out of every ten men will experience depression at some point in their lives.

Although depression is very common, there are many myths about it. Keep reading to get some details.

Depression myths and reality

What is the definition of depression?

Myth: Feelings of sadness or regret are equivalent to despair.

Depression is a serious mental illness that can lead to disability.

Many people have experienced sadness at some point in their lives, such as the death of a loved one or the loss of a job. Those feelings will diminish over time.

Depression is a unique condition. Symptoms of depression in diagnosed individuals can last for weeks, months, or even years.

Depression can make you feel sad, guilty, useless, tired, irritable, or angry depending on your mood. It can do simple tasks like eating, sleeping, and doing more challenging tasks.

If you are suffering from depressive symptoms, you should seek help.

What are the consequences of depression?

Myth: Everyone suffers from depression in the same way.

Fact: Depression comes in many forms and people respond to it in different ways.

Depression is not just a disease. Depending on criteria such as age, gender, and living conditions, it can cause different symptoms in individuals.

Depression is a problem that is affecting more and more people. Others, such as postpartum depression, may develop depression as a result of life events.

There are several types of depression, including:

• Major depressive disorder with or without psychological symptoms
• Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) is a chronic form of depression.
• Depression after childbirth
• Seasonal Effective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a type of premenstrual dysphoric

What Causes Depression?

Myth: Only after a negative incident you get depression.

Facts: Depression manifests itself in many different ways.

Unemployment, the death of a loved one, or trauma can all lead to depression. However, they are not the only factor.

According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, depression is caused by biological, environmental, genetic, and psychological factors.

If your family has a history of depression, you may have depression. If you have a major illness such as cancer or heart disease, you may be depressed. Depression can also be caused by a drug or alcohol addiction or a side effect of certain medications.

Myths about anxiety and depression: Synonyms for anxiety and depression.

Fact: Although anxiety and depression are closely related, they are two different disorders.

Irritability is a symptom that causes both anxiety disorder and depression. Both make it harder to sleep, eat or do other things. However, these are two different diseases with different origins and symptoms.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, many people with clinical depression also have a history of anxiety. However, it is also possible to have one without the other.

Bipolar disorder and drug abuse are two other mental health problems associated with depression. Examples of physical conditions that can increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, and chronic pain.

Who suffers from depression?

Myth: Depression is a disease that affects only adults.

Fact: Depression can affect people of any age.

Although depression is common in adults, it affects millions of children and adolescents. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, more than 3 million American teens between the ages of 12 and 17 experienced episodes of depression in 2017.

What is the treatment for depression?

Myth: Depression heals on its own.

Facts: Treatment is important to overcome depression and prevent complications.

Ignoring your depression symptoms will not help you recover from your illness. This can make your problem worse.

Depression, if left untreated, can develop into major health problems such as sleep and eating disorders, as well as drug abuse. It can also lead to suicidal thoughts or behaviors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 47,000 Americans committed suicide in 2017.

To prevent these problems, treatment is essential. There are several treatment options available:

• Therapy: Talking to a specialist can help you find the root cause of your depression. Interviews and group sessions are available. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy, interpersonal therapy, and problem-solving therapy are all examples of different therapies.
• Medications: Medications are often used in combination with therapy. Medications used to treat depression include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotic drugs.
• If medications and counseling do not help, try brain stimulation, another option is a brain stimulation exercise called electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). These therapies provide electricity to specific parts of your brain.