Depression is not a cough and cold that can be ignored , it is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, decreased energy, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, and poor concentration. Moreover, depression often comeswith symptoms of anxiety. These problems can become chronic or an individual’s ability to take care of his or her everyday responsibilities. At its worst depression can lead to suicide .
According to WHO Mental Health and Substance Abuse Report 2008 depression is the leading cause of disability for both males and females, the burden of depression is 50% higher for females than males In fact, depression is the leading cause of disease burden for women . Many research have shown that people are unaware of the depression and form myths about the same such as-
- DEPRESSION IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD
Depression is chronic and needs to be managed. Depression has its fierce face and one cannot shut it off. General people might not aware of the risk that this depression cause and make fun of or get frustrated by their behavior, though it takes time but can be cured.
2. MEDICATION IS THE ONLY WAY TO CURB DEPRESSION
People believe that only medication can help patient to get out of depression but there are others ways too like therapies Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBI).
3. DEPRESSION IS GENETIC
While there is a genetic component in depression, research shows it’s slight. Those who have a family member with depression may have a better understanding of the signs and might be more sensitive to changes in their own behavior and emotions.
4. DEPRESSION IS EQUIVALENT TO SAD
Feeling sad and feeling depressed are two different phenomena. People who are sad can overcome easily by talking to their friends and family and can switch their mood into happy but it’s totally different in depressed person case they can feel anxious, tense, empty and experience other negative emotions. Depression also does not go away with time or encouragement from friends and loved ones like sadness do.
5. DEPRESSION IS A WEAKNESS
Depression is a weakness considering these many people do not want vocal about their depressing behavior or feeling of depression. This myth about depression is the most believable fact among humans, which has disastrous consequences too.
Depression is a serious psychological disorder, that needs to come into the knowledge of people so that it can treat equally as other diseases this can be achieved by increasing mental health literacy and the acceptance of people suffering from depression so that they can seek advice and support in the early period of the discomfort. There are a number of cases in which a person’s depression lead to suicide and India has witnessed the same, it is a Wake-up call and an urgency to adhere to the knowledge of depression.
