Five common myths about depression debunked
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS HAS IMPROVED BUT, AS COUNSELLOR LYNN CRILLY TELLS LISA SALMON, THERE’S STILL MORE WORK TO BE DONE
IT’S a hard truth that whatever your background, depression doesn’t discriminate. It can hit for absolutely no reason, or creep in when you’re forced to cope with tough life events.
The illness affects around 300 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation. But despite being relatively common, there are still many misconceptions about it.
“Depression can affect people from all different walks of life, regardless of social background, age, gender, sexuality or ethnicity,” says counsellor Lynn Crilly, author of Hope With Depression (Hammersmith Books, £16.99).
“It’s a deep-rooted, debilitating and destructive mental illness that affects both the sufferers and their carers alike, and ‘facts’ are often quoted in relation to depression that are actually myths, which can prevent people from getting to grips with depression.”
Here, Lynn tackles some of the common myths about depression...
1. IT’S OBVIOUS WHEN PEOPLE HAVE DEPRESSION
MANY people with depression hide it very successfully, or at least try their very hardest to. They may be so good at concealing how they really feel that only the most alert loved ones may see what’s really happening behind that smile.
This is where knowing someone well, and knowing what’s normal for them, is vital.
If they start showing unusual behaviour, perhaps sleeping or eating in a way that causes concern, dig deeper to see if depression or another mental illness could be the cause.
2. ANTIDEPRESSANTS ARE THE ONLY TREATMENT
SOME people see antidepressant medication as something to be feared (and often avoided), because of concerns about its side-effects and whether it could lead to an addiction. Those concerns should certainly not be ignored, but neither should they put people off seeking medical help for depression.
The best person to advise a patient about whether medication is suitable for them and what the effects of taking it might be is their GP. However, that’s not to say all responsibility should be handed to a medical practitioner. The patient themselves, along with their loved ones, should ask about side-effects and remain alert to any potential problems they may cause.
Medication is also only one line of treatment. It’s not always needed and therapy or counselling can also be very effective, while other alternative therapies may also
be helpful.
3. DEPRESSION MAINLY AFFECTS WOMEN
WHILE the number of women known to be suffering with depression is greater than the number of men, we also know men are much less likely to come forward to seek help for their symptoms, and in our ‘macho’ society, perhaps find it harder to talk about their state of mind.
However, the shocking fact that the biggest cause of death among men under the age of 50 is suicide clearly shows that men are also suffering with mental illness, and they need to be right at the centre of the conversation about it.
This myth that ‘real men’ don’t get depression must also be scotched. Unfortunately, many men still believe depression is a kind of weakness and shouldn’t be acknowledged. This makes the illness even more dangerous for men than women, as again they are less likely to ask for help.
4. THERE’S NO LONGER A TABOO ABOUT DEPRESSION
MAKE no mistake, huge strides have been made in the way depression is recognised and understood. The younger generation of royals have led their own campaign, Heads Together, to help break the stigma around mental illness and change how wider society understands depression and other related illnesses.
Suddenly it seemed awareness about these conditions had been placed firmly under the spotlight, and a real shift seems to have occurred in how mental illness is viewed at work, by the media, and in wider society.
However, the battle is not won. People are still wary of admitting they have a mental illness, worried they’ll be judged, excluded and even potentially put their careers at risk.
There are still misconceptions about what mental illness really feels like, and there’s still a long way to go in society’s understanding of the issues.
5. YOU CAN’T HELP PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSION
YOU can’t wave a magic wand and make the depression disappear, but you can support and care for someone with the illness and show them acceptance and understanding, and in doing so you’ll help make their journey
Many people with depression hide it very successfully, or at least try their very hardest to... Lynn Crilly
through depression easier to bear.
Plus, appropriate professionals, teachers, youth workers and employers can play a very important role in ensuring they deal with depression appropriately, just as they would a physical illness. Society as a whole can help and support people with depression, by showing tolerance, acceptance and true understanding to those who suffer with it.
MAINTAINING healthy relationships, both with the people closest to us and within our wider support network, is essential for our wellbeing.
Research shows that people with strong interpersonal connections are healthier, happier and live longer. Relationships with family and friends bring love, meaning and purpose to our lives, while our broader social network brings us a sense of belonging.
However, relationships can also be tricky to navigate, and unhealthy habits and patterns can cause problems like anxiety, trust issues and low self-esteem.
If we don’t pay attention to our relationships and invest time in maintaining healthy connections with the people in our lives, this can have the opposite effect of becoming damaging to our wellbeing and mental health.
It’s often said that relationships require give and take and it’s true that finding a healthy balance in our relationships is important. But what do we need to balance?
We need to balance our own needs, wishes and desires with those of the other person.
If you’re a “people pleaser” or someone who has a tendency to sacrifice their own needs for the needs of others then, over time, this can lead to feelings