Common Misconceptions About Depression Symptoms
There are a lot of misconceptions out there surrounding the topic of mental health. For individuals experiencing depression and other mental health issues, these common myths can make it difficult for them to understand the symptoms they are experiencing and get the help they need. Stigmas can not only make it difficult for individuals experiencing depression to seek help, but according to Mayo Clinic, they can also cause the following effects:
- Lack of understanding by those surrounding you
- Discrimination in the workplace, school, or elsewhere
- Harassment and bullying
- Inadequate health insurance coverage
- The belief that you are not enough or that you can’t overcome your situation
Misconception #1
Many people with depression should “get over it” or just “push through” their symptoms of depression. This mentality can make it difficult for people to seek out proper treatment because of the stigma that surrounds mental health. This mentality can also perpetuate the shameful feelings that people feel when it comes to discussing mental health issues. Overall, just pushing through mental health conditions is not a healthy way to cope. Depression is treatable with the right resources and knowledge.
Misconception #2
It’s harmful when people equate the emotion of sadness with the mental health condition of depression. Depression is a serious disease that is far more complex than just experiencing the emotion of sadness. Depression can present itself in a number of ways, including the following cognitive and physical symptoms:
- Chronic fatigue or exhaustion
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies
- Unusual sleep patterns
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Low motivation
- Difficulty concentrating or thinking
- Extreme weight fluctuations
Misconception #3
Some people believe that antidepressants are an easy fix for major depressive disorder (MDD). This is not the case, as many individuals who experience depression are classified as treatment-resistant. Although some patients do reach remission through traditional forms of treatment like talk therapy and prescription medications, many others only get suboptimal results and can benefit from the effective and non-drug treatment option, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Misconception #4
People tend to believe that individuals experiencing depression present their symptoms in a specific way. The stereotype is that those with depression just lay in bed all day, sleep too much, and are unable to function.
Although some depression patients might experience symptoms like this, the range of severity and type of depression symptoms is large. People that you see every day at work, school, or in social settings may be suffering from depression. It’s important to check up on the people you love often and ask about their mental health.
An Effective Mental Health Resource–drug free!
At Brain Body Balance TMS, we offer the latest technology in TMS that can effectively treat depression in as quickly as 10 days! Our express TMS therapy only lasts between 15-20 minutes per session and most people notice a difference in just a few sessions with significant improvement of depression symptoms after 10 treatment sessions. TMS is administered while you are fully awake and sitting comfortably in a reclining chair. There is no down-time and the treatment is safe for qualified individuals.
