What are myths about depression?
The following are myths about depression and its treatment: • It is a weakness rather than an illness. • If the sufferer just tries hard enough, it will go away. • If you ignore depression in yourself or a loved one, it will go away. • Highly intelligent or highly accomplished people do not get depressed. • People with developmental disabilities do not get depressed. • People with depression are “crazy.” • Depression does not really exist. • Children, teens, the elderly, or men do not get depressed. • There are ethnic groups for whom depression does not occur. • Depression cannot look like (present as) irritability. • People who tell someone they are thinking about committing suicide are only trying to get attention and would never do it, especially if they have talked about it before. • People with depression cannot have another mental or medical condition at the same time. • Psychiatric medications are all addicting. • Psychiatric medications are never necessary to treat depression.
