7 Depression Myths and Misconceptions Debunked

Despite it being a common mental health condition worldwide 01, several depression myths are still broadly believed by those with and without the illness. People who experience depression may face stigma attached to having a mental health condition, making them reluctant to seek help and support.

Today, Jonathan Rottenberg debunks seven myths he believed before his depression diagnosis and treatment.

I have an Ivy League education. I consider myself well-informed. And yet, when I got depression and needed to figure out what to do about it, I didn’t have the answers. I felt misinformed by the media and the “common knowledge” I’d heard before. It slowed down my diagnosis, treatment, and my ability to heal.

The depression myths we must stop believing

1. Depression always happens for a reason

While trauma and stress can contribute to depression, including situational depression, depression may not have a noticeable trigger.

When I began to experience depression, it didn't make sense at all. I was young and living in a great city. I had a job that I liked, friends, and a happy relationship with my childhood sweetheart.

Since I had the things many people long for, I didn't think I could also have depression. My inner monologue was in denial, insisting that I had nothing to be depressed about. I didn't seek help but chastised myself when the feelings wouldn't go away.

Eventually, I learned that this common depression myth isn’t true. Depression isn’t always down to a string of bad luck or a traumatic event. Some people who face great stress will never experience depression. Meanwhile, some people with depression may have no significant stress in their lives.

2. Depression equals being sad

Many people - including me, before my experience proved otherwise - think that depression is feeling (and acting) very sad all the time. I thought the condition felt like being enveloped in a blanket of sorrow.

But instead of feeling miserable, I felt tired, empty, weak, and slowed down. It was like I was sick with a cold. Other people may feel irritable, angry, or bored.

I didn't know that clinical depression and the many ways it can present was so complex. Some people experience heightened, extended sadness. But don't ignore other depression symptoms if you, or someone else, don’t.

3. Having depression is your fault, a character flaw, or a sign of weakness

Before my diagnosis, I assumed depression was down to "weakness" or an attitude problem. Why would anyone "allow themselves" to be depressed? They need to learn, or so I’d thought, how to suck things up and get some willpower.

Over time, I learned the opposite to be true. It takes great strength to endure depression.

Many depression myths only reinforce the stigma surrounding the condition. We hear them, we believe them, and they make those living with the illness feel worse about themselves. If we continue to spread these misconceptions, more people with depression may blame themselves and feel ashamed to ask for help.

4. Talking about depression or suicide will just make things worse

If you see depression as a character flaw, you'll believe it's something to be embarrassed about. I felt that way, so I concealed my depression from most of my friends and family. It was my dirty secret. I thought that talking about depression would only make it worse.

As it turns out, keeping quiet about your depression will not make you "forget" about it or make it go away. While talking about depression may not be a cure, it can lessen shame and bring you closer to others. It may even help you understand your condition better.

5. You should fight depression by yourself

Another pitfall of depression is feeling completely alone. I didn't think other people could understand what I was going through and was better off not asking for help.

However, believing that I needed to "find the strength" to fight depression alone stopped me from getting the help I needed. I wish I’d known back then that depression can feed off loneliness and that building a social support system is vital for healing.

6. Thinking positive thoughts or exercising will make depression go away

This depression myth says that our lifestyle and thought patterns dictate whether we get depression or not. If we don’t exercise, we need to. If we do, we’re probably not exercising enough. Oh - and we can change our outlook overnight by only having positive thoughts.

We're promised quick fixes for anything and everything these days, and we still hold hope even when these quick fixes fail to deliver.

Of course, mindfulness and a healthy lifestyle are helpful for people with depression, but they’re not a cure.

Depression can last weeks, months, or even years. The length of depression symptoms can depend on anything from lifestyle factors to how well someone responds to a management plan.

Living well with depression takes patience, support, and the help of a mental health professional. Don't give up if healing is taking longer than you wanted.

7. Depression stops you from leading a fulfilled, productive life forever

Living with depression is frustrating, but the above is one of the most frustrating depression myths.

In recovery, you may feel as though you have no future. I remember lying in my hospital bed, thinking my life was over. I thought I'd never find happiness or be able to contribute meaningfully to society.

But, although you may have episodes throughout your life, depression isn't a permanent state of being. My depression was incredibly destructive, but it didn't mean my life was over. After my depression lifted, I started a family, found a new career, and made new friends.

In my research, I've learned that I'm in good company. Many people often go on to live fulfilled and productive lives with a depression diagnosis.

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Sources

1. Back to contents.

   Depressive disorder (depression). World Health Organization (WHO), 2023. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression. Last accessed October 10th, 2024.

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Date of preparation: October 2024
D: COB-GB-NP-00519 (V1.0) / T: COB-GB-NP-00521 (V1.0) / M: COB-GB-NP-00520 (V1.0)