There are misunderstandings and myths about mental health out there, which make living with depression and other mental illnesses a lot harder.
Time to Transcend the Stigma
DECONSTRUCTING THE MYTHS
MYTH
TRUTH
All teens get depressed. It’s a part of growing up.
Feeling sad or unhappy is a normal part of growing up. In fact, it’s a normal part of the ups and downs of life, no matter how old you are. Depression, however, is more than just feeling sad. It’s feeling miserable or upset to the point where it gets in the way of your day-to-day life for two weeks or longer. Depression is an illness like asthma or diabetes. It can affect people at any age, and it needs to be recognized and treated.
If you’re depressed, it just means you’re going through a tough time at the moment
Tough times—like a break up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, or your parents’ divorce—can lead to depression. The tough time itself is not necessarily the only factor involved. A physical illness, feelings of loneliness or isolation, being bullied or abused can all lead to depression. Sometimes depression can have no obvious cause at all, but it could be the result of biological or genetic factors.
We all deal with stress differently. Some of us have stronger coping skills or support systems to help us through tough times, but no matter how well equipped we are to handle stressors in our life, sometimes we still need extra help. So whether you’re going through a tough time or experiencing depression, it’s important to talk to someone and get the help you need.
It’s normal for teens to want to spend a lot of time on their own
Sometimes it’s nice to chill out and have some alone time. However, if someone isn’t spending as much time with friends and family as they used to, or if they’ve dropped out of the crowd or aren’t doing the things they used to enjoy, then it might be a sign they aren’t feeling great and are at risk of depression or are already depressed. Isolation is a key symptom of depression.
Telling an adult that a friend is depressed is betraying that friend’s trust. If someone wants help, they’ll get it themselves.
Depression saps energy and self-esteem, so it can get in the way of a person’s ability to ask for help when they really need it.
If you’re worried about someone, it’s far better to share your concerns with a trusted adult like a parent, teacher, supervisor or counselor or other mental health professional. No matter what you promised to keep a secret, someone’s life is more important than a promise.
People who are smart or emotionally strong don’t get mental illnesses
Mental illnesses, including depression, can affect anyone. It doesn’t matter how smart a person is. It doesn’t matter if a person has a strong character, if they’re old or young, or what gender they identify as.
It has been found, however, that some individuals are more resilient to developing a mental illness than others. Being optimistic, having good problem-solving skills, high self-esteem, having close relationships with people you can turn to for support, and being involved in school or community activities you find meaningful can help decrease your risk of depression. It’s important to note that these things don’t guarantee you won’t get depression, but they do reduce the risk.
You’re born either an optimist or a pessimist. You can’t change how you think.
One of the most effective treatments for depression is called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT involves targeting negative thoughts you might be thinking, like “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not going to get better”, and changing those negative thoughts to positive ones. CBT helps you learn different and more positive ways to respond to what’s happening in your life. In severe cases, medication may be required alongside CBT to correct chemical imbalances in the brain.
All depression needs to be treated with antidepressants
For mild to moderate depression, the first choice of treatment should be counseling or talk-therapy. The issues you’re facing might be worked out through talking about the issues. However, if your depression is severe, your counselor or other mental health professional will probably refer you to a psychiatrist for further evaluation to determine if medication is warranted. It’s important that you get along with and trust your counselor and psychiatrist so you can work with them to find a treatment plan that works for you.
Talking and listening to your friends and family will be enough to treat depression
Talking and listening to your friends and family is a really important way to deal with the day-to-day ups and downs of life. However, if you think you might be experiencing depression, it is important that you seek professional help. Talk to a trusted adult, your doctor, or your school counselor about the choices available.
People who are depressed need to wake up and stop feeling sorry for themselves.
People don’t choose to be depressed. Depression is an illness, and as such, it can be treated with the right help from mental health professionals. It’s not something that people can just “snap out of.” Knowing how to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression in yourself and others, and getting help early can help reduce the long-term effects of the illness.
A medical doctor is the best person to speak to if you think you might be depressed
A medical doctor is a good person to talk to about depression and the treatments available, but not all doctors will necessarily be as good as others in diagnosing, talking about and treating depression. It might be more helpful for you to speak with a trained counselor, psychiatrist or psychologist about your depression. Your doctor can refer you to one of these.
If you’re having difficulty talking to people you know about how you’re feeling, call a crisis line: Lines for Life’s Suicide Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or their Youthline (1-877-968-8491) are both anonymous, free 24-hour helplines. They also offer texting and online chat options if speaking on the phone is too uncomfortable or you’re otherwise unable to do so. For more resources, check out our crisis helpline directory.
Binge drinking is just a normal part of growing up and does not have an impact on depression.
Binge drinking can put you at greater risk of depression because alcohol is a depressant. If you are depressed, alcohol consumption and binge drinking can exacerbate the symptoms.
Often times, drinking isn’t just about partying and feeling good, but also about escaping the feelings and things you’re going through in your day-to-day life. If you’re interested in finding healthier, more sustainable coping mechanisms, check out our Developing Coping Strategies article.
People who have depression can’t hold down a job
If left untreated, depression can affect a person’s social life, grades, work, interests and a whole variety of things. However, with the right treatment and support, a person with depression can have a normal job and get on with life.
What are some myths you’ve heard about depression? Let’s talk about them in the comments below!
Information for this article was provided by:
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Dr Jane Burns – Director of Research and Policy, Inspire Foundation
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VicHealth Public Health Research Fellow, Nossal Institute for Global Health
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National Institute of Mental Health