Misunderstandings About Depression

The words “depressed" and “depression" are undoubtedly two of the most carelessly used in the English language.  They are tossed about like bowling pins at a juggling competition, by those who understand very little about depression.  Perhaps one reason that the facts about depression are so poorly misunderstood is that those who think they might be suffering from it are afraid of being stigmatized as whiners and complainers.  So they neither talk to anyone about depression nor seek treatment for it. ​

“They canceled my favorite drama TV show.”  

“Boy, am I depressed.”

“The price of gas is really depressing me.”

“I'm turning 40 next month. What a depressing thought.”

Go ahead and add your own cry of pain to the list, and then stop and ask why, if you are truly clinically depressed, you were watching a dramatic TV series, or driving around trying to save $.02 per gallon, or were even able to think as far ahead as next month.

The words “depressed" and “depression" are undoubtedly two of the most carelessly used in the English language.  They are tossed about like bowling pins at a juggling competition, by those who understand very little about depression.  Perhaps one reason that the facts about depression are so poorly misunderstood is that those who think they might be suffering from it are afraid of being stigmatized as whiners and complainers.  So they neither talk to anyone about depression nor seek treatment for it. 

Depression Vs. The Blues

True depression can surface in many ways, and have many underlying factors, but all diagnosed cases of clinical depression have one thing in common--their duration.  Depression is not the same as having the blues for a few weeks when a friend moves away or beating up on yourself because someone else got the promotion you were after.  It's perfectly natural, and even healthy, to have negative reactions to those kinds of experiences, but if you can continue on with your daily life and feel good about other things, you are not depressed.

The most significant things about depression is that it lasts for at least three
months, and even if the sufferer is able to overcome one bout, others a certain to occur.  Those who are able to talk about depression with a medical professional will find that their emotional paralysis and inability to take any interest in their lives, or even-self loathing, are all classic symptoms and sure indications that they are clinically depressed.

Another thing about depression is that, if left untreated, it can cause the victim's emotional and even physical health to deteriorate dangerously.  Depression normally begins as the"blahs", when someone may just feel mentally fuzzy and not have much physical energy.  At this stage a person who does not know much about depression may thing he or she is coming down with a cold or the flu, or just needs a break for the normal routine. 

Depression May Be Hard To Recognize:
If that person's family or friends also lack information about depression, and especially if the person is normally laid-back, they may not notice much difference until the person has become so withdrawn that it is obvious something is wrong.  

If you think you might be becoming clinically depressed, you owe it to yourself to get information about depression as soon as your can.