The Truth About 8 Depression Myths
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Chris Illiades, MD on November 16, 2022
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Shedding Light on DepressionDepression is the most common mental health disorder in America. Nearly one in five Americans will suffer from depression at some time in their lives. Still, there are many myths surrounding it. One myth is that depression is a sign of weakness. The reality is that it's a real disease that needs—and benefits from—treatment. Here are eight more myths you can put to rest.
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Myth 1: Everyone With Depression Feels SadFeeling sad, or down, is common with depression. However, you can have other signs of depression without sadness. You might lose interest in fun activities or have trouble concentrating. Your sleep or eating habits might change. Some people feel guilty or worthless. Others think about suicide. Women are more likely than men to feel sad. Men are more apt to feel irritable, angry, frustrated or tired. They also might abuse drugs or alcohol or act recklessly.
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Myth 2: Antidepressants Don't WorkAntidepressants are the most common drugs used to treat depression. It is very common for people to have to try several antidepressants before they find the right one. This does not mean that the drugs aren't effective. It just means that they work differently for different people. Another reason for this myth is that antidepressants take time to work. You might not feel the full effect for four to six weeks.
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Myth 3: Talking About Depression Doesn't HelpAntidepressants are an important treatment for depression. Still, they're not always the best treatment. Talk therapy, called psychotherapy or counseling, is also effective. With mild to moderate depression, working with a therapist may be more effective for you. Most studies show that talk therapy and antidepressant medications used together work better than antidepressants alone. So, if antidepressants alone aren't helping you, ask your doctor about adding talk therapy.
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Myth 4: Shock Therapy Is an Outdated Treatment for DepressionShock therapy might sound scary, but it can be a very effective way to treat severe depression. In fact, it has an 86% success rate with severe depression. Today, it's called electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The treatment shocks, or stimulates, the brain. During ECT you are asleep and will not feel anything. ECT is one of the quickest ways to treat severe depression. Side effects can include confusion and memory loss, but these are usually temporary.
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Myth 5: Antidepressants Are Not Safe for Children and Young AdultsThe idea that antidepressants make young people think about suicide came from research about a decade ago. It found a 2% increase in suicidal thoughts and attempts among youths taking antidepressants. This led to a required warning on antidepressant labels. But, further studies have found that the benefits of antidepressant treatment outweigh the risks. When young people taking antidepressants are followed carefully, the risk for suicide is low. However, untreated depression is the leading cause of suicide in young people.
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Myth 6: Depression Is a Normal Part of AgingIt's true that illness and physical problems sometimes come with age. Depression does not have to be one of them. About 6% of people older than 65 have depression in any given year, and when it does occur, it needs to be treated. However, seniors often don't complain about depression, and depression is sometimes mistaken for dementia. Not recognizing depression in seniors can be dangerous. The suicide rate for people over 85 is double that of other Americans.
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Myth 7: Depression Is Normal After the Loss of a Loved OneGrief is normal. Depression is not. The two do share many symptoms. And, grief triggers depression in some people. However, grief and depression are not the same. The symptoms of grief, which may include intense sadness and withdrawal, come in waves. Grief is interrupted by periods of feeling normal and having fond memories of a loved one. Grief decreases over time and doesn't make you feel hopeless or worthless. Depression is more constant and long-lasting.
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Myth 8: Depression Can Always Be CuredEighty percent of people with depression get better with treatment. That's not a myth. But you cannot assume that you're in the clear once you feel better. Experts say that you have about a 50% chance of having another episode of depression at some point. For many people, depression is a chronic disease which may go away but then return. The most common reason for a depression relapse is stopping treatment so be sure to stick with your recovery plan.
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The Truth About 8 Depression Myths