Myths of Depression Prevention

Depression that lasts for more than two weeks is classified as a mood disorder, and persistent depression can deeply affect your life. More than 18 million Americans suffer from depression annually, ranging from mild to severe episodes and varying in frequency. Symptoms manifest differently in every individual. Common misconceptions about depression may deter some people from seeking treatment.

You Will Get Over It

• Many people believe that being depressed makes a person appear weak-minded and that depressive episodes will resolve themselves eventually , if left well enough alone. While everyone suffers from depressed mood from time to time, extended episodes of depression require treatment and will not resolve on their own. Major depression involves episodes that last two weeks or more. These episodes are not an indication that someone is weak or that they cannot handle the daily stresses of living. Rather, they are indicative of a chronic mental condition that may require therapy, medication and lifestyle changes in order for you to recover. Some people may need lifelong treatment to prevent recurrences.

It's All in Your Head

• Severe depression affects the mind but has physical symptoms, too. Mentally, a person suffering from chronic depression might have diminished interest in everyday activities, and he or she will feel excessively sad, hopeless, irritable, restless, and/or annoyed, with or without an identified trigger for these emotions. If you are suffering from chronic depression, you also may have physical symptoms such as sleep disturbances, weight loss or weight gain, feelings of physical weakness, feelings of exhaustion or fatigue, and chronic, unexplained headaches or back pain.

Getting Through Depression without Medication

• Many people believe they can conquer depression without medication or antidepressants as long as they have someone to lean on during down times. However, this may lead to more frequent and longer bouts of depression. While it is true that having family and friends around during depressive episodes is vital for your overall recovery, you may need antidepressants to make a full recovery. Dr. Vivian Burt of UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine asserts that people suffering from major depression recover better when the use of antidepressants and talk therapy are combined.

Depression and Menopause

• Some women believe that when enduring menopausal symptoms, depressive episodes are nothing more than the mood swings that often accompany the condition. Mood swings are indeed a symptom of the onset of menopause, but if your depressive episodes are long-lasting, consider seeking treatment.

  Dr. Burt argues that the cause of your depression should not define whether you receive treatment and that, when suffering from extended episodes of depression, you should get treatment to remedy the condition before long-term consequences occur. Depressive episodes likely will end after you become post-menopausal. However, while you are experiencing excessive and frequent depressive episodes, they will still require treatment.