Myths About Depression

   A lot of people experience and view depression in different ways. I've heard people say that depression is for weaklings. This is a lie and something dangerous to believe. If this were true, then nearly everyone in the world would be weak. We all go through depression in our lives. Some experience it more intensely than others
     Another thing I hear people say is that people who have depression should get a hold of themselves and stop feeling sorry for themselves. They view depression as an extreme form of sadness. If this were true, then we would get better over a quicker period of time. But this is not true. Depression doesn't just affect the mind. It also affects the body. Loss of appetite, little to no motivation, extreme difficulty sleeping, and high blood pressure. These are just a few physical symptoms that manifest. People in the midst of depression cannot simply just feel better automatically. This can last up to weeks, months, even years. Now I'm not saying that people in depression shouldn't be trying to get better. They should but they usually need the help of a therapist. People who don't understand depression criticize way too harshly and they are incorrect. People will always judge what they don't understand.
       Now this next myth is something I believed at the beginning of my depression. I thought that all I needed was antidepressants and then I would be as right as rain. I was clearly wrong. Antidepressants help treat the symptoms but not the actual problem itself. It's not a cure-all, as my good friend once told me. I didn't believe her at first but I should have because she's been through depression herself. Dealing with the actual cause of depression is up to you and you alone. Me, I easily get overwhelmed these days because my emotional reservoirs are so quickly drained from depression. I seek help from Jesus and that is the only thing that makes depression bearable for me.
       Many people easily get frustrated dealing with depressed individuals. It takes a ridiculous amount of patience, love, and caring. Clinical depression has changed my life and is making me into a better person. It also takes a ridiculous amount of patience on my part because I want this to end so badly and yet I still don't have all the answers or solutions to resolve what's making me depressed. It's a process and it will take time. The roots go deep. All the way back to age 3 for me. It's like pulling weeds. It's really hard work but once it's done, you feel a lot better and it feels like the world was just lifted from you.