Myths and Facts
Myth: Hard Work Beats Depression
Depression affects nearly one in six people at some point in their lives, so folk remedies and half-truths about this common illness abound. One such idea: throw yourself into work and you'll feel better. For a mild case of the blues, this may indeed help, but depression is a different animal. Overworking can actually be a sign of clinical depression, especially in men.
Myth: It's Not a Real Illness
Depression is a serious medical condition -- and the top cause of disability in American adults. But it's still confused with ordinary sadness. Biological evidence of the illness can be seen in brain scans, which show abnormal activity levels. Key brain chemicals that carry signals between nerves (shown here) also appear to be out of balance in depressed people.
Fact: Men Fly Under the Radar
A depressed man, his loved ones, and even his doctor may not recognize depression. That's because men are less likely than women to talk about their feelings -- and some depressed men don't appear sad or down. Instead, men may be irritable, angry, or restless. They may even lash out at others. Some men try to cope with depression through reckless behavior, drinking, or drugs.
Myth: Depression Is Just Self-Pity
Our culture admires will power and mental toughness and is quick to label anyone who falls back as a whiner. But people who have clinical depression are not lazy or simply feeling sorry for themselves. Nor can they "will" depression to go away. Depression is a medical illness -- a health problem related to changes in the brain. Like other illnesses, it usually improves with appropriate treatment.
Fact: Anyone Can Get Depressed
Poet or linebacker, shy or outgoing, anyone from any ethnic background can develop depression. The illness is twice as common in women as in men, but it may be that women are more likely to seek help. It's often first noticed in the late teens or 20s, but an episode can develop at any age. Tough personal experiences can trigger depression, or it may develop out of the blue.
Fact: It Can Sneak Up Slowly
Depression can creep up gradually, which makes it harder to identify than a sudden illness. A bad day turns into a rut and you start skipping work, school, or social occasions. One type, called dysthymia, can last for years as a chronic, low-level illness – a malaise that silently undermines your career and relationships. Or depression can become a severe, disabling condition. With treatment, many feel substantial relief in 4-6 weeks.
Myth: Help Means Drugs for Life
Despite the buzz about a "Prozac Nation," medication is only one of the tools used to lift depression. And asking for help does not mean you'll be pressured to take prescription drugs. In fact, studies suggest that "talk" therapy works as well as drugs for mild to moderate depression. Even if you do use antidepressants, it probably won't be for life. Your doctor will help you determine the right time to stop your medication.
Myth: Depressed People Cry a Lot
Not always. Some people don't cry or even act terribly sad when they're depressed. Instead they are emotionally "blank" and may feel worthless or useless. Even without dramatic symptoms, untreated depression prevents people from living life to its fullest -- and takes a toll on families.
Fact: Family History Is Not Destiny
If depression appears in your family tree, you may have an elevated risk yourself. But that does not mean you are certain to develop the disorder. People with a family history can watch for early symptoms of depression and take positive action promptly -- whether that means reducing stress, getting more exercise, counseling, or other professional treatment.
Myth: Depression Is Part of Aging
Most older people navigate the challenges of aging without becoming depressed. But when it does occur, it may be overlooked. Seniors may hide their sadness or have different, vague symptoms: food just doesn't taste good anymore, aches and pains worsen, or sleep patterns change. Medical problems can trigger depression in seniors -- and depression can slow recovery from a heart attack or surgery.
Fact: Depression Imitates Dementia
In older adults, depression can be the root cause of memory problems, confusion, and in some cases, delusions. Caregivers and doctors may mistake these problems for signs of dementia, or an age-related decline in memory. Getting treatment lifts the cloud for the majority of older people with depression. Psychotherapy is particularly useful for people who can't or don't want to take medication.
Myth: Talking Makes Things Worse
People were once advised not to "dwell on" problems by talking about them. Today, there's evidence that guided discussions with a professional can make things much better. Different types of psychotherapy help treat depression by addressing negative thought patterns, unconscious feelings, or relationship troubles. The first step is to talk to a mental health professional.
Fact: Positive Thinking May Help
The old advice to "accentuate the positive" has advanced into a practice that can ease depression. It's called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). People learn new ways of thinking and behaving. Negative "self-talk" and behavior is identified and replaced with more upbeat thoughts and a more positive mood. Used alone or with medication, CBT works for many people.
Myth: Teens Are Unhappy by Nature
Although many teens are moody, argumentative, and intrigued by "the dark side," prolongued sadness or irritability is not normal for teens. When unhappiness lasts more than two weeks, it may be a sign of depression -- which develops in about one in 11 teens. Other signs a teen may need help include: being constantly sad or irritable even with friends, taking no pleasure in favorite activities, or a sudden drop in grades.
Fact: Exercise Is Good Medicine
Very good studies now show that regular, moderately intense exercise can improve symptoms of depression and work as well as some medicines for people with mild to moderate depression. Exercising with a group or a good friend adds social support, another mood booster.
Myth: Depression Is Tough to Treat
The reality is most people who take action to lift their depression do get better. In a large study by the National Institute of Mental Health, 70% of people became symptom-free through medications -- though not always with the first drug. Other studies show combining medication and talk therapy is even more effective.
Fact: It's Not Always Depression
Some life events cause sadness or disappointment, but do not become clinical depression. Grief is normal after a death, divorce, loss of a job, or diagnosis with a serious health problem. One clue of a need for treatment: the sadness is constant every day, most of the day. When people are weathering difficult times appropriately, they can usually be distracted or cheered up for short periods of time.
Fact: Hope for Better Days Is Real
In the depths of depression, people may think there's no hope for a better life. This hopelessness is part of the illness, not a reality. With treatment, positive thinking gradually replaces negative thoughts. Sleep and appetite often improve as the depressed mood lifts. And people who've seen a counselor for talk therapy may be equipped with better coping skills to deal with the stresses in life that can get you down
Physical Symptoms of Depression
Sleep Problems
Depression is a mental illness, but it can affect your body as well as your mind. Sleep problems, for example, can be a symptom of depression. Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep is common in people who are depressed. But some people with depression may find that they sleep too much.
Chest Pain
Chest pains can be a sign of a heart or lung problem. If you experience chest pains, see your health care provider to rule out any serious cause. But sometimes chest pains can be a sign of depression. There's also a link between depression and heart disease. Depression can increase your risk of heart disease. Plus, people who've had heart attacks are more likely to be depressed.
Fatigue and Exhaustion
If you feel so exhausted that you don't have energy for everyday tasks -- even when you sleep or rest a lot -- it may be a sign that you're depressed. Depression and fatigue can feed off each other. According to one major study, people who are depressed are more than four times as likely to develop unexplained fatigue, and people who suffer from fatigue are nearly three times as likely to become depressed. Depression and fatigue together tend to make both conditions seem worse.
Muscle Aches and Joint Pain
Pain and depression are closely linked. Living with chronic pain can increase the risk of depression. And depression itself may lead to pain because the two conditions share chemical messengers in the brain. In fact, people who are depressed are three times as likely to develop chronic pain.
Digestive Problems
Our brains and digestive systems are strongly connected, which is why many of us get stomach aches or nausea when we're stressed or worried. Depression can get you in your gut too -- causing symptoms of nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation.
Headaches
People with depression often complain of chronic headaches. One study showed that people with major depression are three times more likely to have migraines and people with migraines are five times more likely to become depressed.
Changes in Appetite or Weight
Some people lose their appetite when they feel depressed. Others can't stop eating -- it soothes their frustration or misery. The result can be weight gain or loss and, with weight loss, lack of energy. Depression has been linked to eating disorders like bulimia, anorexia, or binge eating. In women, the link between depression and anorexia or bulimia is especially strong.
Back Pain
Chronic back pain may contribute to depression. But depression may increase a person's risk of developing back pain, too. People who are depressed may be four times more likely to develop intense, disabling neck or back pain.
Agitation and Restlessness
Irritability and restlessness may be related to sleep problems or other symptoms of depression. Depression increases the risk of alcohol or other substance abuse, which also can contribute to irritability and restlessness. Men are more likely than women to be irritable when they're depressed.
Sexual Problems
If you're depressed, you might lose your interest in sex. Severe depression, especially, can have an impact on sex. People who are depressed are more likely to use alcohol and drugs, both of which can reduce your sex drive. Some prescription drugs -- including ones that treat depression -- can also take away your sex drive and affect performance. Talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
Exercise
Research suggests that a regular exercise program not only keeps you fit, but also releases chemicals in your brain that may make you feel good, improve your mood, and reduce your sensitivity to pain. Although exercise alone won't cure depression, it can help reduce depression over the long term. Keep in mind that if you're depressed, it can be hard to get the energy to keep exercising. But know that exercise can improve energy, ease fatigue, and help you sleep better.
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