Depression is real, and it doesn’t just hurt, it sucks. Ask any of the 19 million Americans who have it.
Or, if you prefer, you can just ask me.
Depression is classified as a mental illness or mood disorder, “not something that you have made up in your head,” according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Trust me—you can’t just “snap out of it,” and it doesn’t just go away.
Despite the fact that depression is recognized as a medical condition, 22 percent of Americans see depression as a personal weakness, not a mental illness, according to a 10-year retrospective study by Mental Health America. That same study revealed that only 63 percent of Americans would be comfortable interacting with someone receiving treatment for depression.
So what’s the deal? Is it okay to be diagnosed but not okay to do something about it? Is it expected to be a completely private condition? Should a person with depression suffer in silence so the people around them don’t become uncomfortable?
Unfortunately, in many cases, that’s exactly what happens, according to PSYweb.com.
“Despite the availability of effective treatment, most depressive disorders go untreated and undiagnosed,” its Web site said. “Studies indicate that general physicians fail to recognize depression in their patients at least half of the time.”
This says to me that depression is not only overlooked, but also that it’s not taken seriously. How can people who may be clinically depressed feel comfortable seeking treatment when even doctors are failing to recognize this medical condition in their patients at least half of the time?
It took getting fired for me to seek treatment for my depression, but at the time I didn’t know that I had it. I was in counseling for over a year before I accepted my diagnosis and even longer before I sought treatment. Even now I sometimes feel ashamed of my depression despite my knowledge of its medical validity.
If you know someone who is or might be depressed, please don’t give them a hard time or flippantly tell them to “get over it.” The last thing they need is for their condition to be dismissed.
Be aware that depression is real, and it’s awful. Trust me—I would know.
If you or someone you know suffers from depression, please visit these sites for more information:
Information: National Institute of Health
Treatment: Mental Health America: Factsheet: How do I find treatment?, National Institute of Mental Health: Getting Help: Locate Services
Depression Myths: Mental Health America: Breaking Down the Myths about Depression
In crisis? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline‘s 24-hour toll-free crisis line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)