Destiny, Chance, Fate. What is life about?
Introduction
Is depression real, or is it only in the mind?
Is it a disease of the soul?
Is it true that everybody gets it sooner or later?
At what point does a depressed mood become an illness?
Should I see a psychologist or a psychiatrist?
Should I take medicine or not?
Is depression heritable?
How do I know if I have depression?
Why do some get depressed after trauma while others do not?
Is it really the evilest existence?
In this book, you will learn about possible reasons preventing your recovery if you are struggling with major depression and do not seem to be getting better. You will find answers to the above questions and much more. This book offers a revolutionary way to conceptualize DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND MENTAL ILLNESS, drawing a clear picture of what they are and leaving aside what they are commonly believed to be.
Several years ago, as I began to hunt for and collect information about major depression, I ran into a lot of conflicting arguments, misconceptions, misbeliefs, disbeliefs, biases, you name it. All these factors have contributed to people interpreting depression in a variety of ways. Nowadays, the word “depression” can mean so many different things to different people. From sadness, disappointment, grief, pessimism, and fear to low self-esteem, lack of motivation, lack of willpower, anger, insecurity, and even laziness.
For several years I have wanted to do something to stop the incredibly large amount of speculation that could not be more detached from reality. And most importantly, I want to help people become aware that…
“Not all depressions are created equal!”
I have come to the realization that there is a big need for a more effective approach to address this topic. An approach that will facilitate the understanding that the depression most people know about has almost nothing to do with the disease very few have heard of.
At present, not having clear boundaries between psychology and psychiatry is a serious issue. This lack of clarity is misguiding people to talk about complex biological disorders as if they were only psychological or environmental issues.
I know depression as a disease. I live with it. I go to bed with it. I have known it for almost three decades! I have priceless, authentic, firsthand experiences I wish to share so more people can learn about the facts surrounding this ravaging malady. My goal is to show clinical depression from a different angle, from the inside out, which is the only way we can aim to describe it authentically.
I am convinced that if most of us get an accurate understanding of what this illness is about, we will be able to help our loved ones or ourselves more promptly and effectively. By learning the right information and getting the appropriate tools, we may be able to prevent, conquer, and even maintain the sickness out of our lives. I am determined to put all the knowledge I have gained about depression through all these years at the service of the victims of this pervasive disease. Maybe you, who are reading this book, are looking for guidance and moral support from someone you can identify with. Someone who knows how savage this disease can be and understands what you are going through. Someone who has walked in your shoes before, someone who can reassure you that it is possible, based on my own experience, to conquer this major disease. I want to be that someone.
According to the World Health Organization, around 280 million people suffer from depression worldwide. We would agree that a public health issue of this magnitude should call for massive actions from health authorities and the scientific community. So many millions of people would benefit from the development of evidence-based methods of diagnosing unipolar depression and other so-called mental disorders. They would also benefit from the development of innovative medical treatments that would ideally cause fewer negative side effects than some of the current ones. More importantly, many lives could be saved if more advanced measures were implemented.
To demonstrate how significant the lack of accurate information on depression is, I am presenting a compilation of several conversations and exchanges from people in chat rooms on depression. Here they have candidly expressed their own unique concepts of depression:
1.- “Keep on trucking, trying to make everyone have the exact same cookie cutter biochemistry. These variations in chemical imbalances are the defining blueprints of a personality, not a sign of abnormality. What exactly is abnormal? Who decides what normal is? The majority?”
2.- “I have often said that if every counseling patient won a big lottery right before entering a counseling session, 90 percent would have their immediate problems relieved, most of their sadness lifted. Money doesn’t solve every problem, but it does relieve a lot of burdens preoccupying a lot of Americans today.”
3.- “I honestly feel as though people are depressed because they live in a depressing world. If anything, people who are generally happy are some of the most seriously ill.”
4.- “I see the DIFFERENCE between SADNESS and DEPRESSION as: 1st is an EMOTION, and 2nd is TRYING TO HIDE that emotion...”
5.- “Pretty sure there is an overwhelming correlation between income inequality and these higher rates of depression. I am surprised the number of people called depressed isn’t bigger. What are the numbers? 80 percent of Westerners don't even have $1000 in the bank. There is a large majority of people who either don't realize or are willfully ignorant of the fact that they will never be able to retire, let alone comfortably. Or maybe they do realize this, which is why they are eating/drinking/medicating themselves to death.”
7.- “I have been told by a trustworthy person that depression and anxiety can be the result of a spirit.”
8.- “You only really know what depression is when you've experienced it, or at least that's my experience... So, I guess you are better able to tell the difference if you've had it too. I will never use the word 'depressed' so lightly since having it anyway.”
9.- “Depression, like so many mental illnesses, is not mathematics; it just doesn't work that way. Otherwise, it would be very simple to solve everything with just one treatment. I think it's perfectly fine that you've found your answer and it works for you. I don't dismiss theories, thoughts, or opinions just because they differ from mine. Some people get better when involved in a religion, a hobby, or alternative approaches. I believe in whatever works.”
10.- “It is unfortunate that people ill with depression are told that everything is in their head, which only makes them feel worse.”
Throughout this book, I will demonstrate that except for the last three statements, all the other opinions are based on bias and ignorance, unfortunately.
To my readers who are currently fighting this disease called depression, I want you to know I am aware of the virtually indescribable misery major depression and anxiety are causing you. I know how isolating it feels to see everybody around you breathe freely, smoothly, without minimal effort, while you are gasping for every single breath you take. I have written this book with you in mind.
Chapter 1: Destiny, Chance, Fate. What’s Life About?
I.- REALITY HIT ME HARD
One summer morning in the early nineties, the light of dawn seeped into my bedroom. A gentle breeze also drifted in through the open window, carrying with it the melodic exchanges of birdsong. Their singing and the smell of that gentle breeze transported me back to the worry-free beach days of my childhood when, together with my siblings, I ran merrily along the shore, experiencing the pleasurable sensation of my feet touching warm sand.
Far from comforting me, these happy memories made me feel homesick. Adverse circumstances I will talk about later forced me into leaving home to stay in this place where I had to share spaces with other people, at least temporarily. Anyway, the day had dawned crisp and clear, so I decided to embrace the hope that it would be a rather uplifting one. This good weather suggested it was going to be a better day for me. Nothing indicated I should prepare for what was about to happen.
I got out of bed and tried to take a shower when I realized there was no hot water. I cannot stand showering in cold water, so it seemed like not showering at all was the only choice I had. I was about to change into my clothes for the day when it dawned on me that I could shower in the next room. I asked for permission and got lucky with a positive answer. At least, I thought I was lucky.
I took a hot shower, feeling very pleased. Upon finishing, I wrapped myself in my big white towel, came out, and headed to my room. As I was walking out, I heard a shrill voice behind my back. She sounded enraged. When I turned around, I saw an older woman standing by the window, eyes wide and red, like fire. Her body posture showed she was agitated. She was yelling and screaming insults. I soon realized the insults were meant for me. I froze for a moment, trying to understand what was happening. Suddenly, she charged toward me. I held the towel tightly around my body and hurried to my room. I could feel her following me. I rushed into my room and locked the door behind me. Immediately after, I let my body fall on the bed. My heart was pounding, and it felt like it was about to jump out of my chest. I stayed there for quite some time, trying to regain my composure.
This incident pulled me back to reality. A cruel reality I had been trying not to think of since I’d wound up here. My eyes moved from the dull white walls to the nurse’s button beside my bed, to the plastic pitcher of water … and came to rest on the chart at the end of the bed listing my psych meds.
I had never in my life thought of the possibility of ending up in a psych ward. I guess most people wouldn’t think of the possibility, either. I had always heard this kind of place was for “mental” patients, or what is colloquially called “crazy.” I had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, but I was certainly not crazy. Nonetheless, since MDD is listed as a mental illness, it automatically makes me a mentally ill person. You may be thinking it doesn’t make any sense. Let me tell you, when it comes to mental illness, a lot of things don’t make much sense. You will learn about this as you continue reading.
II.- THE MANIFESTATION OF THE NIGHTMARE
By telling my story, I intend to go beyond the theories of how MDD feels to the actual experience of living through a serious case of the disease. Believe me; there’s a whole world that separates them. First, I would like to tell you about how I got to the psych clinic. I am going to start with the day that marked the beginning of the nightmare.
It was morning, and I was giving a class to a group of children as part of my school training. In those moments, I felt physically and emotionally exhausted, like a car that had consumed every single drop of gas from its tank. I didn’t feel I could continue moving. If I could, I would have lain down on the floor to rest.
Upon finishing my class, I went to the bathroom. I got my face wet and put cold water on my head. But I didn’t feel better. Instead, I was on the brink of collapse. A bitter cry came from deep inside me. Realizing I no longer had any control over my emotions made me feel so much anguish. I worried someone would see me in that state. What would they think of a young adult girl who cried uncontrollably? I needed to calm down before someone knocked on that bathroom door. But how to do it if I couldn't appease myself? I stayed in there for several minutes until I managed to draw strength from somewhere and forced myself to act as if everything was fine.
I was supposed to go back to my office work, but I realized I just couldn’t keep going feeling like this. I went home instead.
My mom was surprised to see me back early.
“Evelyn, why are you back so early? Did anything happen?”
“No, mom. I just came back home because I wasn’t feeling well.”
“Your stomach again?”
“No, it's not my stomach this time.”
“So, what's wrong with you, darling?”
“I’m not sure. I don't know exactly what it is. I have been feeling very tired these days, and it stresses me because I can't do a good job.”
“How exactly do you feel now?”
“I feel nervous, stressed out, my muscles are tense, and I just feel beyond exhausted. All I want to do is relax, but no matter how hard I try, I just can't feel at ease.”
“How long have you been feeling like that?”
“Long ago. But it wasn’t this bad. It’s been getting worse as months go by.”
“Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“I thought I was just tired, and it would go away if I dedicated time to rest. But I just can’t feel rested!
Mom gave me a sleeping pill she herself took at nighttime. It made me sleep for a few hours. When I woke up, I felt just as bad. Again, I started living my internal struggle to free myself from that physical tension and the emotional anguish stuck in my chest.
It was evening already; I was lying in bed in a fetal position. I heard people talking in the living room and recognized a voice. It was Mayra, one of my sisters, talking with friends. I wasn’t following their conversation. I was not interested, but I could hear the noise they were making, and it was bothering me. The volume of their voices began to rise gradually. Each time, they felt closer to my ears. It became so disturbing I felt like covering my ears tightly with my hands. But I could still hear the loudness. I tried putting more and more pressure on my ears, but it didn't help. I took a pillow and put it around my head, but that didn’t help either. Then I added another pillow. Same thing. Their voices boomed like powerful speakers right next to my ears. It seemed all the noises around me managed to penetrate any barriers. The volume kept increasing, and it began to hurt. It started feeling like the noise was drilling into my eardrums.
In my despair, I jumped out of bed and ran to the backyard, trying to flee from that torment. I sat on the floor and put my back against the wall for support. My heart was racing, my body was rigid, and I was having difficulty breathing.
My mom came over right away. She saw me on the ground, completely defenseless, like a dying dog, panting in agony.
“Oh my God! Sweetie, what happened? What is going on?”
I couldn't even answer. It felt like I was being strangled, and I was fighting with all my might trying to free myself.
Mom got desperate and started screaming for help. “Mayra! Rosie! Yuri! Go find your brother Walter. Tell him to go get a taxicab. Evelyn has got really bad. We must take her to the hospital. Hurry up!”
At the ER, they gave me a shot of tranquilizers, and it made me sleep. The following morning, I saw the psychiatrist. She asked me several questions about myself and my lifestyle. She told me she thought I was stressed out and that I needed to slow down. She prescribed some medication and told me I had to take it for seven days straight. She emphasized that I must stay home and sleep. She prohibited me from going places or visiting anybody; I must take the medicine and rest exclusively.
I took the medicine and rested for the first three days. After that, I was feeling better, and now that sense of total despair was gone. I felt good enough to not stay in bed. Not obeying the doctor’s recommendations, I got up and started cleaning my house. I kept doing all kinds of house chores instead of resting. The problem with me was that I couldn’t fail at doing something if I felt I could do it.
The relief was palpable on the following day, so I got up and went back to work. The energy I had recovered allowed me to continue doing what was really important to me, being able to go back to work and school. I threw away the medication because I felt I didn’t need it anymore.
The next weekend I was at home having breakfast. I remember spreading creamy avocado on a piece of bread. I have always loved avocados. Man, that food tasted so good; I was enjoying every single bite. In the middle of this delightful experience, I felt like the top of my brain was pulled down like a lever pulled violently. Almost instantly, I lost all strength in my body. I felt like a puppet when they cut the strings off. I hunched back and started shivering. Deeply disturbing emotions took over my whole being. Immediately after, my body started to reject the food I was eating. In the blink of an eye, I was uninterested. Then I even disliked it, and a little after that, I could no longer stand it. The rejection went to such an extent that I couldn’t even swallow the food I already had in my mouth. I spit it out, using my fingers to remove it faster.
My family rushed me back to the ER for a second time. Once there, like on the previous occasion, they gave me a shot of a tranquilizer, I slept through the night, and the next morning I got to see the psychiatrist again, the same one I had seen previously. I was sincere with her. I told her I had taken the medication only three days instead of seven, as she had prescribed, and I hadn’t really dedicated the time to rest during that week. I went back to work instead.
The doctor reprimanded me for not having followed her instructions. She commented that my problem seemed more complex, and so I would need to get serious and compromise to do as I was told. The diagnosis this time was major depressive disorder.
At this point, I understood my health issue wasn’t simple and it would need some time to resolve. I also reflected on all the trouble I had been causing my family. I wondered whether they would need to bring me to the ER again. I thought maybe it would be better to stay at the hospital so Mom wouldn’t need to bring me back again. Also, staying there would make me comply with the treatment time the doctor had recommended.”
III.- KEY QUESTIONS THAT NEED CLEAR ANSWERS:
1.- IS MENTAL ILLNESS “REAL” ILLNESS?
Some people believe mental illness is not real and illnesses that fall under this umbrella are made up. They say mental illness of any kind is a complete lie created by special interests. The argument is that the pharmaceutical industry wants to convince more and more people that they have an illness of this nature so they can make extensive profits from the sale of their psychotropic medications. Logically, the more people diagnosed with mental illness, the more consumption of medication, and the more money they can make.
This theory could explain why the number of diagnosable mental disorders has been steadily on the rise for several decades (from 106 disorders in 1952 to 180 in 1968, to 265 in 1980, to 365 in 1994, to 400 + disorders listed in the 2013 DSM-V).
Others have suggested that some individuals pretend to have a mental illness because they want attention, or they prefer to blame their made-up illness for their failures, because they are lazy and don’t want to go to work, or simply because they want to take some time off.
This argument could explain why mental illness (depression) is the leading cause of disability around the world.
On the other hand, people who do, in fact, suffer from mental illness become outraged when they hear these rude and dismissive comments. They feel offended when critics disrespect their suffering and minimize the seriousness of their disease. Moreover, people suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) who received treatment with antidepressants and got better, as a result, have disproven the argument that states, “There is no evidence that medication works” because it did work for them. If it hadn’t been for the medicines, they wouldn’t be alive.
2.- IS MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER (MDD) A DISEASE OF THE SOUL?
Many people believe human beings have a soul. Others don’t believe we have one. Consequently, the definition of the soul can vary, depending on each individual. The definition of disease, however, is very clear. A disease affects an organism’s body, organs, tissues, or cells.
If we have a soul, it certainly isn’t made out of matter. Therefore, there’s no such thing as diseases of the soul or spirit.
3.- HOW IS MDD DIAGNOSED?
In Psychiatry, unlike other branches of medicine, doctors don’t have quantitative medical tests at their disposal to assist them with the diagnosing process when it comes to mental illness. They can’t do blood tests, X-rays, or a urinalysis. Nor can they culture microorganisms. Consequently, psychiatrists are not required to provide conclusive evidence to back up their diagnoses; they are just expected to follow the standard criteria listed in the DSM-5. The diagnoses are mainly based on interviews, symptoms, and observation.
However, we need to acknowledge that the process of diagnosing an illness based on symptoms can sometimes be fallible. One of the issues with this model of diagnosis is the fact that two people can show the same symptoms but for different reasons, just like two people can show different symptoms for the same reason.
Some people have argued that psychiatric diagnoses are not as objective as their physiological counterparts but are rather more like opinions and, therefore, subject to implicit biases even when propounded by competent psychiatrists or psychologists.
Let’s consider the case of homosexuality. For many years, homosexuality was listed as a mental illness in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. In 1974 the American Psychiatric Association removed the diagnosis of homosexuality from the DSM-2.
I have seen some people share their anecdotes about the time when they were diagnosed with a mental illness. Some talked about getting two different diagnoses from two different doctors. Others stated they were given two or even three different diagnoses, at different times, by the same doctor.
These examples lead us to the realization that even when we get diagnosed with an illness of this nature, it doesn’t always mean we totally, conclusively, and undeniably have the illness.
4.- SHOULD I TAKE MEDICATION OR JUST TALK THERAPY?
Many disciplines are involved in studying, researching, and treating major depression and anxiety, which is good. Nonetheless, this can also turn out to be very confusing because we don’t always know exactly what each professional can do for us. (Medical and non-medical). People wonder who they should see first and why.
Below are listed some of the various disciplines and professionals around anxiety, depression, and mental illness, in general:
1.- Psychiatry
2.- Neurology
3.- Neuropsychiatry
4.- Psychology
5.- Neuropsychology
6.- Clinical Psychology
7.- Psychotherapy
8.- Psychoanalysis
9.- Counseling
10.- Social Worker
11.- Psychiatric Nurse
12.- Any Medical Doctor whose specialty is not Psychiatry
(We don’t need to see a psychiatrist exclusively to be prescribed psychiatric medication.
I wonder why. Would it be okay for a heart surgeon to operate on brains?)
13.- Mental Health Professionals
(It’s not clear who else is included in this category).
Case Study
Jenny was a hardworking woman, the mother of a little girl whom she adored. Her boyfriend and the father of her daughter bordered on being lazy and unmotivated. Jenny was hopeful he would soon become responsible and start helping more.
Time passed by, but the boyfriend still wasn’t helping much. One day they had a serious argument and broke up. He left home. Jenny was convinced it was the right thing to do, although she was hoping he would change and decide to become a better father and partner. In the back of her mind, Jenny envisioned her daughter growing up with both parents.
After some time, she heard some gossip. Jenny’s boyfriend was living with a close friend of hers. This caught Jenny by surprise. She froze! After all, they had been together for quite some time, and he was still her child’s father. But now he was in a relationship with her friend. That seemed too much to handle. Jenny felt devastated.
A few weeks passed, and Jenny fell into a depression, as most people would call it. Her family got worried and advised her to see a doctor.
After talking to Jenny for a few minutes, the doctor diagnosed her with depression and proceeded to prescribe medication.
Jenny was surprised by what the doctor had just told her. Back home, she decided not to take the antidepressant medication. She made the decision to become better on her own because she felt it was under her control. Sometime later, Jenny began to feel normal again.
Maybe we should try to answer this question: Was Jenny suffering from a disease, or was she having a reactive emotional crisis?
These are the typical stages most of us go through when facing an unfortunate event: First, we feel devastated. Then we fall into a depressed mood (the time we stay in this stage varies depending on the seriousness of the event and the person’s temperament). If there’s no physical impediment, the next stage is recovery.
In a situation like Jenny’s, when the affected person feels he/she can help themselves, they can go ahead and find their own resources to tame their emotions, as Jenny did.
On the other hand, if we feel we need emotional support, we can talk to anybody we trust and feel can help us, like family members, close friends, the clergy, etc.
Finally, if we feel the situation is overwhelming or almost out of our control, it is advisable to seek professional assistance.
I should say there was a tragic side to a story like Jenny’s. Because she was told she had this major disease, she will always believe she did have it. Because she was apparently able to beat it all by herself, without medication, she may become judgmental of people who can’t bounce back on their own due to physical impediments. She may, in good faith, advise ill people not to take the medical treatment they actually need. This is the way misconceptions regarding MDD are created.
5.- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PSYCHOLOGIST AND A PSYCHIATRIST?
When talking about these two professionals, we usually think of them as if they were the same, without making any distinction. We commonly hear things like this, “She should go see a psychologist or a psychiatrist.” Or “He should look for a psychological or psychiatric treatment.”
It is crucial that we know the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist before we start looking for a good fit for us.
Psychiatrists attend medical school and become doctors (M.D. or D.O.) before undergoing specialist training in mental health. Because they are physicians, they are licensed to prescribe medications. Psychiatrists tend to treat complex and severe mental illnesses, the ones believed to have organic roots.
Because psychiatrists study psychology too, they understand the links between mental and physical problems. Psychiatrists can provide a wide range of treatments, from verbal-based psychotherapy to general medical care, including checking your physical health.
A Psychologist is a practitioner who studies behavior and the way in which the mind works. They aren’t medical doctors, and for that reason, they can’t write prescriptions. Psychologists tend to treat conditions that are not believed to have organic components.
Psychologists may also hold a master’s or Doctorate (Ph.D.) level qualification in psychology. In this case, they can call themselves doctors (Dr.), but they aren’t physicians.
Currently, there is a controversy over the use of the word “patient” by non-medical doctors when they talk to or about the people they are providing talk therapy. Because dictionaries define the word “patient” as a person who is receiving medical treatment, and the only ones who can provide medical treatment are medical doctors, those who are not a physician shouldn’t use the word “patient.” This is a key point in the search for clarity. In the past, whenever I heard the word “patient,” I immediately linked it to a physician.
To this end, several psychologists and therapists I’ve heard in the media use the word “client” instead. I’ve read that some other psychologists and therapists don’t like the idea of using the word “client.” In this case, I would say they’re free to pick another word that would please their sensibilities. But let’s leave the word “patient” to the physicians and help stop the confusion. Please.
6.- WHAT’S THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THE WORDS DEPRESSION, DEPRESSED, AND ANTIDEPRESSANT?
It is imperative that once and for all, we break the paradigms surrounding the words depression, depressed, and antidepressant. We must address that such words are totally misleading.
The word depression is absolutely out of place when it comes to this life-threatening disease. This word doesn’t convey the gravity of the ailment at all. The word depression sounds almost like an insult to the ones who have undergone the fury of this malady and the incapacitating suffering it inflicts on its victims.
I must say, it’s shameful that in the 21st century, this killer plague is still identified with a name that sounds so insignificant compared to the real extent of the turmoil.
In his book Darkness Visible William Styron rates the word depression in a very descriptive way.
“… a noun with a bland tonality and lacking any magisterial presence, used indifferently to describe an economic decline or a rut in the ground, a true wimp of a word for such a major illness.”
As a person who has survived clinical depression, I can say this pervasive disorder truly has little to do with sadness. And it has nothing to do with low self-esteem, weakness of character, lack of willpower, loneliness, or self-destructive behavior, as is usually suggested. This ailment is as catastrophic as it is difficult to understand.
Whoever thinks it’s an exaggeration to say that a severe case of MDD is like a conglomeration of all evil that is capable of putting the strongest men and women ON THEIR KNEES has never had an experience of this kind. And for this reason, they lack the understanding that can only be obtained through personal, cognitive experience.
This malady is totally disabling and, indeed, beyond comprehension. Trying to have someone else understand it can be compared to trying to teach colors to a person who was born blind.
On the other hand, it’s also inaccurate to call the patients depressed people. We are not sad people! Unhappiness is not a synonym for major depressive disorder. Rather, pathological sadness is a consequence of the disease but is not the central issue. Those who live with this organic disease know that the opposite of depression isn’t happiness. It is energy. It is vitality that this apocalyptic malady drains from the core of our brains and, consequently, from our whole being, making it difficult for us even to exist. The correct way to identify people with this illness is to say, “People with depression, the illness,” and not “depressed people.”
Likewise, the word antidepressant sounds like anti-sadness medication. It is far from being that. Other nerve problems and neurological diseases are also treated with antidepressants. For example, chronic pain syndromes and neuropathic pain, migraine, and premenstrual syndrome, in addition to eating disorders, anxiety, and panic attacks, among others.
The above words are obstacles on the path to the fundamental understanding that major depression and generalized anxiety disorder are actual physical diseases. Choosing to handle these issues from a different angle has been preventing seriously ill people from figuring out what exactly was happening to them and from taking the appropriate treatment for their condition. Consequently, many young people are ending their lives without having a chance to know their tribulations had a cause and, as such, were coming from their biology. It’s my duty to make it clear that patients of this kind shouldn’t be expected to find themselves a solution to their suffering. What they need is a cure.
The time to amend these disgraceful, semantic flaws is overdue. We need to come up with new nomenclatures that will strongly convey the seriousness of this disease. Otherwise, more and more people, especially young, will continue dying as victims of bias stemming from a lack of accurate information.
“When it comes to basic meat and potatoes of human medical misery, there’s nothing else like depression.”
Dr. Robert Sapolsky
I reached out to social media, and in a chat room, I found a couple of comments about depression from actual sufferers of the illness. Here, they raised their voices to say how the misconceptions were directly affecting them:
Person A.- “Each time depression is used in place of sadness, I feel that the mental health community gets a little less credit like our diagnosis is equal to your everyday sadness. It makes me feel like I am not as strong as you. I can assure you that I am stronger than I have ever been. So please, next time you catch yourself thinking you are ‘so depressed,” try to think of another way to describe how you really feel.”
Person B.- “As someone who lives with depression, I take offense when a peer thinks they are ‘depressed’ because their boyfriend ignored them for a day or they received a bad grade on a test. Depression does not go away when we make up with our significant other or do extra credit to raise our grades. Depression lingers for weeks, months, or even years. Maybe what you are feeling is stress, sadness, or fatigue, but please do not use a serious medical diagnosis I fight every day as a synonym for sadness.”
