End the Stigma! Learn some real facts about depression!
Depression is sadly not serious to many people. They say things like:
"Everyone has bad days."
"Just get over it."
Or even, "But nothing bad has happened to you."
They don't realize that many people struggling with depression know that their symptoms are not always reasonable. The struggle with depression though is incredibly serious even if it is not always reasonable. We're going to discuss some things you should be aware of about depression to help you understand the seriousness of this disorder.
There are many different kinds of depression. Last article we discussed 3 different types, Major Depressive Disorder (MAD), Seasonal Affective disorder (SAD), and Perinatal or Postpartum Depression. While the symptoms vary they can share some common symptoms.
These symptoms can include:
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Loss of interest in daily activities
- Appetite or weight changes
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Suicidal thoughts and/or tendencies
(helpguide, webmd)
This is not the limit of symptoms someone with depression may experience. Also, some may experience a few but not all of the symptoms.
Here are some other basic and broad facts about depression.
- [Depression] affects over 18 million adults (one in ten) in any given year (hopefordepression)
- [Depression] is the primary reason why someone dies of suicide about every 12 minutes – over 41,000 people a year (hopefordepression)
- [Depression] causes 490 million disability days from work each year in the U.S (hopefordepression)
- [Depression] affects over 300 million people worldwide, regardless of culture, age, gender, religion, race or economic status (hopefordepression)
- The most commonly diagnosed form of depression is Major Depressive Disorder (adaa)
- Women are twice as likely as men to have a depressive episode (healthline)
- Brain chemistry, hormones, and genetics may all play a role [in causing depression] (healthline)
However, there is a lot of hope for depression! People who struggle with depression have many ways to get help! The most common ways are medication and psychological counseling. While medication can be helpful it is important to note that "Psychotherapy was found to have a significantly lower rate of relapse (26.5 percent) than medications (56.6 percent) (healthline)."
If you are wondering how you can help someone struggling with depression, here are some awesome ways you can be a great support!
- Listen, but don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell (healthline)
- Understand that the lack of emotional connection has nothing to do with you
- Please don't accuse them of being lazy, they could be seriously struggling with the physical symptoms of depression (helpguide)
- Sincerely asking what they need without offering advice (helpguide)
- Strongly encourage your loved one to get help (helpguide)
- Try and live your life in a healthier way and encourage them to do it with you (helpguide)
Please remember that you are not responsible for putting your own health at risk to help a loved one struggling with depression. If they are seriously struggling with suicidal thoughts and tendencies, please contact your local suicidal hotline and contact a mental health professional. There is no shame in needing help.
Learn more:
“Depression.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression.
“Depression Symptoms and Warning Signs.” HelpGuide.org, 16 Feb. 2020, www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-symptoms-and-warning-signs.htm.
Depression: Facts, Statistics, and You. Healthline, 2018, www.healthline.com/health/depression/facts-statistics-infographic#6.
“Facts about Depression.” Hope For Depression, www.hopefordepression.org/depression-facts/.
“Signs of Clinical Depression: Symptoms to Watch For.” WebMD, WebMD, 17 Sept. 2019, www.webmd.com/depression/guide/detecting-depression#1.
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