4 Things We Get Wrong About Depression

Photo credit

“Depression is one of the biggest contributors to a global disability, with hundreds of millions of people affected by this condition around the world. The science of depression has advanced over the last decades. But there are still several things we tend to get wrong. Here are four of the biggest misconceptions about depression.

Myth 1: Depression is caused by one thing.

Recently, scientific research has called attention to the idea that serotonin may not play a central role in depression. This has increased interest in other pathways that may better describe how depression develops. These alternate explanations range from excessive stress to an elevation in brain inflammation. But while it’s tempting to try to pin depression on a single molecule or even a single pathway, it’s far more likely that what we call “depression” is actually pretty varied, a destination that can be reached along many different roads.

Myth 2: Depression is a disease of the mind, not the brain and body.

While we’ve heavily refined our ideas of mood based on modern science, there’s still a pervasive and archaic undercurrent of belief that depression represents a reflection of a nebulous “mind” that is located somewhere outside the body. In truth, our thoughts, behaviors, and moods are a reflection of our brain state, and our brain state is a part of and a reflection of the state of our body as a whole. This is what makes the brain, and especially mental health preventive care, so significant, because, in reality, it should be something we engage in across our lifespan. Dietary changes that prioritize a Mediterranean style of diet, regular exercise, and even getting outside with regularity are all simple steps that could significantly help to decrease the epidemic of depression being experienced today.

Myth 3: Anti-depression interventions are only useful after a diagnosis.

Often, the first time we think about something like depression is when we experience significant mood symptoms that may be interfering with our quality of life. In fact, in order to be diagnosed with clinical depression, interference with our usual daily activities is a requirement. But most of the time, depression doesn’t just pop up overnight. Unfortunately, once it’s officially diagnosed, the treatments for depression carry high rates of side effects and are not effective for a sizable proportion of those receiving care.

Myth 4: Pharmaceuticals are the only interventions with evidence for benefit in depression.

In Western society, we’ve become accustomed to the idea that every medical problem should be targeted by a specific drug. When it comes to depression, some people do benefit from rapid pharmaceutical intervention with antidepressants, and working with a qualified mental health provider is an important step for those with significant mental health issues. Yet it’s also important for us to recognize that the most commonly prescribed antidepressants fail to work in around one-third of cases and that they carry a high rate of side effects.

Summary

• Depression is unlikely to be caused by a single molecule or brain pathway.

• Depression is a reflection of what happens in our bodies and brains.

• Preventive care for depression is under-appreciated but may be extremely valuable.

• While pharmaceuticals are necessary for some, there's growing evidence for non-drug interventions in depression.”

Read the whole article at Psychology Today

#Depression #Myths #Interventions

💬 What is something about depression that you want more people to know about?