Can depression change your personality?

People developing depression in their lifetime, it's important we bust these myths!
While the stigma around mental health is lifting, there's still a fair bit of confusion around what depression actually is.

 

Myth 1: Depression is just a case of "having the blues"!

Everyone feels sad at different times about different things.
But when we talk about depression, we're talking about something that is much more serious than just being sad.
People often feel sad because of an upsetting experience or memory, but it comes and goes.
Depression, on the other hand, is a chronic illness associated with physical differences in the brain, a person's brain chemistry, and hormonal imbalances.
When you have depression, you don't necessarily even feel sad you may feel irritable, tense, empty, or simply numb.
Depression can also cause many other symptoms, such as sleep issues, poor concentration, lethargy, and loss of appetite.

 

Myth 2: Surely you can just "snap out of it"…

While it can be difficult to see someone wrestle with depression, keep in mind they are not feeling this way by choice and they can't solve it simply by changing their attitude.
Just like any illness, depression requires suitable treatment, whether it's psychotherapy, or alternative therapies.

 

Myth 3: Depression is only caused by trauma!

Sometimes depression is triggered by a major event, such as a death, job loss, or break up.
But it's quite often not caused by any external event at all.
Many people who have depression can't even pinpoint when their depression first began.
Unfortunately it's something that can happen to anyone, at any time, with no rhyme or reason but it's also something that can be successfully treated.

 

Myth 4: Antidepressants are the only answer!

Depression is a complex condition, and it's different for everyone.
While it's true that anti depressants can help some people, others respond better to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and in fact for up to 80% of people, a combination of the two has the best results.
Also, things like healthy food, exercise regimes, meditation, and music therapy can have a big impact too.

 

Myth 5: If your parents have depression, you will too!

Older research suggested quite a strong hereditary link with depression, but more recent research states that while having a parent or grandparent with depression does slightly increase your risk, it's only by about 10-15%.
Of course, it's good to be mindful of hereditary factors, but really, having a family history of depression doesn't guarantee you'll develop it too.

 

Myth 6: Real men don’t get depressed!

This is a particularly dangerous myth because, just like women, men can develop depression at any time.
Unfortunately, many men hold onto the belief that depression is a kind of weakness, and shouldn't be spoken about.
This reluctance actually means depression is even more dangerous for men than women, as they're less likely to seek help.

In fact, suicides are most prevalent amongst middle aged Caucasian men and most have a direct link to depression.
In a nutshell, depression does not discriminate, and can affect you no matter how strong you are.
It's nothing to hide, or feel ashamed of and there are lots of support and treatment options available.