Depression is a serious mental health condition that causes sufferers to find no joy in life and, if left untreated, can result in suicide. However, it is a condition that has to some extent become mythologized in the media thanks to TV shows like 13 Reasons Why and the archetype of the tortured, depressed artist. To help separate the fact from the fiction of this devastating condition, here are four key facts to know about depression.
1. Depression is treatable
The first and most important fact to know is that depression is treatable. It may not seem like it currently, but there are several options available to help you beat your depression. Medication, such as Prozac (fluoxetine) and Lexapro (escitalopram), will help in rebalancing the mood-stabilizing chemicals in your brain, which will relieve the symptoms of your depression. If you’d like to deal with any underlying causes of your depression, you could join a treatment program like counselling Calgary (or somewhere local to you). A treatment program will treat the physical symptoms of depression using medication, as well as providing you with a safe space in which to talk through your problems and build coping methods to help you deal with any future depressive episodes.
2. There are different types of depression
Depression isn’t a one-size-fits-all diagnosis — patients can suffer from several different subtypes of depression. The most common kind of depression is major depression, in which sufferers experience persistent depression regardless of the reality of their life. Bipolar disorder is another well-known, though not as common, type of depression, in which sufferers experience a depressive episode followed by a manic phase. Depression can also occur in specific situations; post-natal depression, for example, can affect women who have recently given birth, due perhaps to the hormonal changes experienced during pregnancy and the physical and mental toll of childbirth.
3. Depression isn’t just restricted to adults
Though childhood is often characterized as a happy, carefree time, the sad truth is that an increasing amount of teenagers and children are being diagnosed with depression. This is perhaps due to children and teenagers being increasingly exposed to the harsh realities of life through the internet and social media, presenting a huge amount of peer pressure. There are, however, treatment programs available that specialize in the treatment of teen depression.
4. You don’t need a reason to become depressed
Sometimes it’s obvious why a person has been diagnosed with depression — they might have split up with their partner, or a close family member might have passed away. However, depression can also arise seemingly for no reason. This is because, in cases of clinical depression, the mood-stabilizing chemicals in your brain fall out of balance, causing you to feel depressed even if your life appears to be going well. Whatever the case may be, it’s important never to judge someone who is suffering from depression, treating them instead with empathy and kindness.