Mental Health Stigma: When Your Family Says Depression Is Not Real
If you have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder or believe you may be living with depression, it can be painful to hear that your parents and your family believe depression isn't real. Having an open and honest conversation with them about the symptoms you're experiencing may be helpful, but it can also lead to further invalidation.
Friends, support groups, and mental health professionals can provide a safe space to talk about your symptoms and your experience. In addition, you might consider working with a therapist to discuss your family's position on these matters and how to move forward. You're not alone, and depression is a real and serious mental illness, impacting over 280 million adults worldwide.
What is depression and its mental health impact?
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) defines depression as major depressive disorder (MDD) and other depressive disorders, mental health conditions that affect over 280 million people worldwide. The ADAA explains that depression is characterized by having at least five out of nine common symptoms. Below are several of the symptoms that those with MDD may experience:
Symptoms of depression
- An overwhelming and pervasive sense of sadness that doesn't go away
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Difficulty with social interactions
- Fatigue
- Recurrent thoughts of suicidal ideation
- Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Pronounced increase or decrease in appetite
- Significant memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Text or call 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Support is available 24/7. If you are experiencing trauma, support is available.
Recognizing the mental illness: Major depressive disorder
When these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, they may meet the criteria for major depression. For many people, untreated depression can last a long time, even years. If you believe you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, make an appointment with a mental health professional. Symptoms of depression may also be associated with other mental health conditions, like bipolar disorder.
You are not alone in your depressive disorder
If you're experiencing these symptoms, you may know that depression is more than sadness a lack of motivation, or simply going through a hard time. It may help you to know that you do not have to work through these symptoms alone. Your experience is real, and support is available.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text 988 to talk to a crisis provider over SMS. They are available 24/7 to offer support. 988 also offers an online chat for those with an internet connection.
Depression is not real: How to react when your family says "depression is not real"
If you feel comfortable discussing your mental health with your family, there may be some communication strategies you can employ to help them understand. Some family members may struggle to be caring and might act insensitive toward you. They may have their own challenges with stigma and denial regarding mental illness. If they don't understand mental illness, they could feel frightened or confused when you try to describe your emotions and experiences.
Addressing the stigma about mental illness in family conversations
Your families may struggle to believe that an "invisible" illness exists and can have mental and physical impacts. Although they may be kind people that you love profoundly, their beliefs may cause you to feel alone in your condition. To combat these beliefs, consider the following steps.
Share mental health resources
When tackling difficult conversations with people who don't understand depression, try to be aware of various resources you can use to combat misinformation. For example, the American Psychiatric Association explains why depression is a real mental health concern with serious impacts. While health websites can be useful resources for learning about certain conditions and treatments, the internet is not considered a reliable source for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you believe you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, make an appointment with a licensed mental health professional.
Speak openly and honestly when your family says “Depression is not real”
Even though it might be difficult, try to be open and honest with your family members about the symptoms you're experiencing. Suppose your family is not open to viewing resources or having an open conversation about depression. In that case, you might also seek support elsewhere or consider family therapy to discuss these challenges further and have a professional to back you up.
Find professional support for symptoms of depression
When family members aren't supportive, reaching out for professional support may be beneficial. Therapy can be a beneficial way to address depression and alleviate the symptoms you're experiencing. Mental health professionals are well-versed in medically reviewed studies that recognize the impacts depression can have on a person’s health as well as which treatments are most effective. They can offer treatment advice, and diagnosis, and help you cope with your symptoms. if visiting a therapist's office to attend in-person sessions seems insurmountable, you may prefer to try online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp, where you can talk to a provider from home.
Efficacy of online therapy with mental health professionals for people with depression
Online platforms can connect you with a therapist specializing in your unique goals and symptoms. You can also connect with multiple therapeutic modalities, depending on your preferences. Online therapy is often customizable to your needs, and you can stop or change therapists anytime.
One study explains that online therapy can be effective in treating depression. The study's participants experienced a notable reduction in depression symptoms sustained long-term after treatment.
Takeaway
What happens if you don't do anything about depression?
Some people may be able to work their way through depression on their own without getting treatment, but in some cases, if you don’t do anything to acknowledge or work through depression, it may continue or worsen. Moreover, the extreme sadness and other symptoms associated with a depressive episode may make it more challenging for a person to manage their condition on their own. For example, losing interest in activities and not getting enough sleep — which may be symptoms of depression — can make it hard to function and interact with others.
What is depression?
Depression can be a serious mental illness that may affect 264 million people worldwide. This mood disorder is also a common condition among older adults. Contrary to popular misconceptions, depression can be more than just “feeling sad,” and it generally isn’t something that people can “turn off” or “snap out of.”
What are the symptoms of depression?
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has observed that depression is often characterized by an overwhelming and pervasive sense of sadness that doesn’t go away. This sadness can be accompanied by feelings of worthlessness, fatigue, and recurrent thoughts of suicidal ideation*. Even if you don’t make specific plans for suicide, people with severe depression may spend a lot of time thinking that everything would be better if they were dead or that they don’t want to exist anymore. People with severe depression may also experience a lack of interest in activities they used to enjoy and a pronounced increase or decrease in appetite.
*If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 988 and is available 24/7.
Depression is not real?
Depression can be a very real and serious mental illness that can become debilitating. Everybody may feel a bit sad from time to time, but people who live with depression are usually experiencing something much deeper than passing sadness. Depression is generally not something people can control or “opt out of” at will; that’s why it can be important to seek treatment and support. Depression can also worsen symptoms of existing medical conditions, potentially causing significant distress.
What is the best type of therapy for depression and major depressive disorder?
Your therapist can work with you to construct a tailor-made treatment plan for your depression. A visit to your doctor's office can get you started on the right treatment for your case. While medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy (often abbreviated as CBT) or other kind of psychotherapy may be recommended for the treatment of depression, some people benefit from other approaches. For instance, individuals in couples therapy may learn strategies to manage their symptoms, whereas those who do not respond to first-line treatment options may benefit from electroconvulsive therapy and other brain stimulation therapies.
What is cognitive behavioral therapy?
CBT is a form of psychotherapy (often referred to as “talk therapy”) that usually encourages you to take an active role in your own recovery by deconstructing the negative thought processes and behaviors that can contribute to depression. Many people with depression experience habitual negative responses that encourage self-defeating thinking. Over time, these thought processes can contribute to depression and make you feel hopeless. By deconstructing these automatic negative reactions, CBT can help you recognize your thought patterns and cultivate positive responses. CBT can also empower you to break free from common cognitive distortions that may contribute to depression, such as all-or-nothing thinking and overgeneralization.
What is the root cause of mental health concerns, for people with depression?
It is believed that there’s no single cause of depression. The cause of the mental health condition varies from person to person, depending on factors such as biological factors, psychological factors, and environmental factors. It is essential to consult a mental health professional to know more about the condition.
What are the top symptoms of depression?
The top symptoms of depression include persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, feeling worthless, anhedonia, changes in sleeping patterns, concentration difficulties, and more. Talk to a mental health professional near you if you feel like experiencing symptoms of depression.
How many people think depression is not real?
Some people believe that depression is not a real illness. One 2019 national survey conducted by Universal Health Services suggests that one in four Americans believe that clinical depression and other disorders, such as anxiety and an eating disorder, weren't a form of mental illness. Believing in this myth can have a significant impact on the seeking of mental health treatment for a condition that affects over 280 million people worldwide. Learning about depression through reliable sources, such as the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) can contribute to a better understanding of depression and its impact on daily life. Those who do not address depression may be at an increased risk of developing other physical and mental health conditions, such as substance use disorder, which may also raise one's risk of self-harm and suicide attempts.
Is it true that we all have mental health?
The American Psychological Association defines mental health as "a state of mind characterized by emotional well-being, good behavioral adjustment, relative freedom from anxiety and disabling symptoms..." as well as the ability to cope with life stressors. While we all may encounter challenges, changing emotional states such as a low mood or a happy mood, recent findings suggest that half of the world's population will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime.
Those who experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a more severe form of premenstrual syndrome, may also be more likely to develop depression. Other types of depression include perinatal depression, perimenopausal depression, and seasonal depression in the winter months.
Is depression a choice or disease?
The National Institute of Health lists the possible causes of depression to include genetic, biological, environmental, and psychosocial factors. Exposure to trauma and difficult early life experiences, especially in childhood, are also risk factors for the development of depression, which is considered a common yet serious mental illness. To diagnose depression, a mental health provider must assess at least five out of nine symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). One of these symptoms, which is considered a main criterion, is a depressed mood or anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure). In addition, people who experience depression usually have physical symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, weight gain or weight loss, digestive problems, and other symptoms, such as low self-esteem and impaired concentration. Symptoms must be present for at least two weeks and significantly interfere with day-to-day functioning to be characterized as a major depressive episode.
Is depression a lack of serotonin or dopamine?
While serotonin imbalances have been considered a biomarker for depression for many decades, justifying the use of certain medications, current findings suggest that the connection may be more complex. However, the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to reduce symptoms of depression in many people supports the role of serotonin as a contributing factor. Clinical trials also indicate that other neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and glutamate play a role in depression. Whereas dopamine is associated with motivation and reward, serotonin is linked with emotional processing, which may contribute to a sad mood.
How is depression treated? Depression treatment usually involves a combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy as a first-line treatment. These approaches may also be used for persistent depressive disorder, which involves mild to moderate depression symptoms over at least two years. CBT focuses on addressing unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaving that contribute to making a person feel depressed, for example. While many people with depression benefit from these approaches, other treatments are also available for people with severe symptoms or who do not respond to standard treatment. Other methods include brain stimulation therapy, such as electroconvulsive therapy.
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