It’s easy to understand why depression is a myth for most people. Unlike cancer which has physical symptoms that you can easily relate to, the symptoms of depression aren’t easy to recognize.
What exactly is depression?
Depression, also called depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a mood disorder that affects your basic activities. It affects how you sleep, think, handle situations and the way you relate to others. Depression can also make you suddenly lose interest in things that would normally bring you pleasure.
See Also: Social Media Causing Depression and Anxiety: Is It True?
Why You Think Depression Is A Myth
Quite a lot of people think depression is a myth and you just might be one of them. Below are some possible reasons why.
You have never been a victim
This, I believe, is the number one reason why you think depression is a myth. Experience is the best teacher and this is particularly true in this case.
There are over 300 million people worldwide suffering from depression. They all have their respective stories to tell.
These people believe depression is real simply because they have lived through it or are still experiencing it. They understand what it means to not be in control of your mood, to suddenly hate the things you used to love and to have sudden suicidal thoughts.
You have no personal relationship with someone experiencing depression
A mother who had to watch her child go through depression will never think of depression as a myth. You, on the other hand, would believe depression is a myth because you have never watched someone you know go through the agony of depression.
It’s usually easy to disprove a thing or not believe in it when it has no direct effect on you.
You confuse sadness with depression
As humans, it is perfectly fine to feel sad at various times- your favorite team lost a perfectly fine match, your favorite designer ruined a dress you love, your relationship isn’t going all too well.
In each of those situations, it’s perfectly fine to feel sad for a few days. Depression, however, is totally different.
Unlike sadness, depression does not stay for a few days. It stays for weeks or months and even years. And the crazy thing about it is that you can feel depressed without a single reason.
You have zero idea what depression means
It is quite easy to consider depression as a myth when you have no idea what it means.
A kid believes Santa is real simply because the kid doesn’t fully understand the things that are going on. The same principle goes with depression but with a little adjustment.
Instead of believing like a kid, you don’t believe depression exists because you do not understand what it is.
See Also: How to Deal With Depression: 22 Things You Need to Try Today
Don’t be ignorant of the truth. Just because you say something isn’t true, that doesn’t make it any less true. You might consider depression a myth, but it’s not.
If you still can’t comprehend, talk to people who have gone through it. Try to get a feel of what it truly means or do a little research and get your self up to date.