Breaking the Stigma: 5 Common Myths About Depression, Debunked

Even though depression is one of the top causes of disability and one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States, lots of misconceptions still surround this illness.

Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, Venice Sanchez, MD, and our mental health team at Sydea Medical Practice in Newport Beach, California, want to debunk some of the myths about depression to reduce the stigma surrounding depression and living with a mental illness. 

Myth #1: Depression isn’t an actual illness

Depression is often written off as self-pity, self-inflicted, or something that’s a personal choice or personality trait. But, in actuality, it’s a very real and complex medical condition. 

To be diagnosed with depression, there are several criteria you need to meet, including having both emotional and physical symptoms, having symptoms that last longer than two weeks, and experiencing significant changes in how you feel, think, and act. 

Depression develops due to several environmental, biological, and psychological factors, so this mental health condition isn’t a choice or self-inflicted. 

Myth #2: Medication is the only treatment for depression

Antidepressants are incredibly effective for helping to manage your depression. They alter your brain chemistry and make it much easier to navigate through your depressive symptoms. However, they’re not the end-all, be-all treatment for several reasons. 

Medications like antidepressants can take up to six weeks to begin working, so it’s best to supplement with talk therapy. In addition, antidepressants are rarely a lifelong solution. Going to therapy can help give you healthy coping mechanisms and all the tools you need to manage your depression, which should eliminate the need for medication down the road. 

Myth #3: A family history of depression guarantees developing it

Having a family history of depression certainly raises the risk of developing it yourself; however, it’s not a guarantee. While experts know that genetics plays a role in depression development, the extent of that role isn’t fully understood. 

It’s ok to be aware of your family history risk for depression, but it’s better to focus on risk factors that you can control. You can lower your risk of developing depression by avoiding alcohol and drug misuse and caring for your physical health through optimal diet, exercise, and sleep habits. 

Myth #4: Men don’t deal with depression

It’s commonly thought that depression is an illness that mostly affects women, but that’s simply not true. Depression can affect anyone, no matter your gender, but it can manifest differently in men and women. 

Men with depression may struggle more with anger and substance abuse and may be more hesitant to talk about their feelings due to cultural stigmas surrounding masculinity and male emotions. Since men don’t often exhibit obvious depressive symptoms or seek help for the condition, it can make it seem like men deal with it less often.

However, studies show that men are actually more likely to die by suicide when depression is a factor. If you’re a man currently struggling with depression, please don’t wait to seek help that’s readily available to you. 

Myth #5: Talking about depression makes it worse

It’s often been said that talking about depression reinforces negative thought patterns, but this is a misunderstanding. In fact, the opposite is true. When people are stuck in depressive moods and thought patterns, talking through it from another person’s perspective can actually provide hope and clarity.

Several talk-based therapy techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), have proven very effective at helping those with depression work through and combat mental health symptoms.

If you’re living with depression, know that what you’re feeling and experiencing is real and valid. Our team also wants you to know that help is available to you at our practice. Schedule an appointment today for compassionate and expert mental health care by calling our office or using our online booking feature today.