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Myths and
Misconceptions about Depression
In spite of depression being a common illness, many myths
and misconceptions are associated with it. Partly, the stigma attached to
mental disorders, including depression, is responsible for some of these
misconceptions. Such a stigma prejudices the public against people with
depression. Attitudes like ’they are unpredictable; they talk and express
ideas in a weird manner; they are themselves to blame; they will not recover
or improve even if treated’, are still widely prevalent. Also, there is
inadequate understanding among general practitioners and primary health care
physicians regarding appropriate diagnosis and treatment of depression. For
these reasons, a large number of persons suffering from depression do not
seek help for treatment.
Myth: Depression is a problem of the western
industrialized world and not of developing countries.
Fact: Depression affects all people in all cultures
across the world. However, in some countries ‘sadness’, particularly in old
age, is considered ‘normal’ and not a disease to be treated by a doctor.
Myth: Depression is due to the influence of
witchcraft, magic or sorcery.
Fact: Depression is like any other medical illness.
It is caused by the interaction of biological and environmental influences,
and manifests in psychological and physical symptoms.
Myth: Even if depression is an illness, what can we
do about it? We cannot treat it the way other diseases can be treated.
Fact: Depression is a treatable disorder. There are
many drugs available even in developing countries which are effective and
affordable.
Myth: Spending scarce resources for treating
depression is wasteful expenditure when there are so many other communicable
and noncommunicable diseases needing attention and which are still not under
control in developing countries.
Fact: Depression causes considerable suffering
among patients worldwide. The burden caused by psychiatric disorders has been
underestimated in the past. At present, out of the 10 leading causes of
suffering worldwide, five are psychiatric conditions, including depression.
By 2020, depression will become the second largest cause of suffering -- next
only to heart disease.
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Myth: There are not enough, and there never will be
enough trained psychiatrists in developing countries to look after all the
cases of depression. The situation is hopeless and will never improve.
Fact: The number of psychiatrists is gradually
increasing in the developing countries. Moreover, all cases of depression do
not have to be treated by psychiatrists. General practitioners and primary
health care physicians can satisfactorily treat this illness with some
training.
Myth: Depression is one’s own creation.
Fact: This is completely false. The sufferers
cannot be blamed for the illness.
Myth: Today’s competitive world predisposes a
person to depression.
Fact: Yes, the world today is very competitive.
This may lead to some anxiety and business loss can lead to a person being
temporarily sad. However, a person should be able to handle such situations
in daily life.
Myth: If a person is depressed, there has to be an
external factor bothering him.
Fact: External factors are not always necessary to
make a person depressed. It is now known that chemical changes in the brain
can lead to depression without any external precipitating factor.
Myth: Once depressed, a person remains depressed throughout
his/her life.
Fact: In most cases, depression lasts for a limited
period. Adequate treatment leads to complete resolution of the symptoms and
the person can return to a normal state of activity and health.
Myth: There is no need to go to a medical doctor
for treatment. One can cure depression by will power, a holiday, or at times
by taking a peg or two of alcohol to lift one’s spirits.
Fact: Many communities continue to believe in such
home remedies. Will power cannot cure depression. A depressed person
experiencing lack of pleasure in his surroundings will not enjoy his holidays
either. Alcohol may worsen the depression. Depression should be treated with
prescribed medicines and social support of the family and community.
Myth: Drugs used for treating depressions are
addictive.
Fact: Drugs used for treating depression are not
addictive or habit forming. When depression is in remission, the drugs can be
slowly tapered off and stopped.
Myth: When a depressed person expresses suicidal
ideas, he does not mean to act upon them.
Fact: Suicide is a major risk during the course of
depression. The individual usually gives an indication of his suicidal
intention before attempting suicide and this must be taken very seriously.
Myth: If an individual is suspected to be harbouring suicidal ideas, one should not talk about
depression, death or suicide.
Fact: If the discussion about suicide is done
sympathetically and tactfully, it gives an opportunity to the individual to
express his/her ideas and feelings clearly and to receive appropriate care.
In most cases, this prevents suicide.
Myth: A depressed person should be in a sheltered,
protected environment for the rest of his/her life.
Fact: Once treated successfully, the person returns
to his/her normal self, and can resume all personal, social and occupational
activities.
Myth: If you have everything in life, all material
comforts, you cannot suffer from depression.
Fact: Though low socioeconomic status may be a
contributing factor for depression, it can affect people across all
socioeconomic levels. Many rich and famous people have been known to have
suffered from depression.
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