What is your general perception of people suffering from depression?

Question

Do you think of depression as a mental illness? Or do you think that people with this problem should just wake up to themselves?
I am interested in your opinion.

Answer 1

I am currently suffering severe post-natal depression, bordering on psychosis. There is nothing made-up about this disease, let me assure you. I've been going through hell for the past four years, and I've met a lot of other people going through the same, and sometimes worse.
I am very-proactive when it comes to getting myself better, and I have spent a lot of the past four years working and researching every aspect of the disease and how to beat it. I'm finally making measurable progress in my recovery, and most days I feel pretty good, which is a nice change.
For people suffering depression it's often hard to see a way out, and often they don't seem to want one, but they have a real problem, and they need real help.
I have no tolerance for people who say they're depressed and use it as an excuse for laziness and idiotic behaviour.
And please, if you know someone who is actually depressed, never say to them, "Just snap out of it." And never say, "For God's sake, smile!" If I could just snap out of it, I would have done it a long time ago. And sometimes, a smile is like the Holy Grail - an unattainable myth, beyond my reach.
People with depression, as difficult as we can be to deal with sometimes, need empathy, understanding, and support. We don't need ridicule, accusation, ignorance or abuse.

Answer 2

Depression can be severe enough to be considered a mental illness. It also be handled with someone getting the right motivation. Sometimes depression can be worked out through a person's own self motivation. Then there are those that need a professional to talk to, and possible go on antidepressants.

It is not that easy for some people, as you say, "just wake up to themselves."

Answer 3

I have never thought it a mental illness
that is the depression clinic saying that its a mental illness
if a person is sad they must have a reason even if the reason can't be found it has to be there from the past
if something bad happens in my life ( like a death etc ) i will be sad until the grieving process is finished
some people can't move on as quick but that doesn't make them mental does it?
I don't know about the very very depressed people who would want to hurt themselves
they would have to have a brain problem I think

Answer 4

Depression is a mental illness. I feel it is treatable. How can one get over something they themselves do not have any control over?
My teen suffers from this. The have made great strides in the mental health fields but someday we will have a handle on mental illness's better then we do now.
The ignorance of the general population hopefully will dwindle as well. People can be cruel...

Answer 5

if they want to change their lives, they need to change their lifestyle. Depression as a so called mental illness was pushed on society as a way to sell antidepressant drugs. This marketing tactic is working very well, as evidenced by all of the magazine and television advertisements pushing drugs that are probably harmful for the body. I suppose when you sit on your butt and watch tv all night or lay in bed all day, you are bound to become more depressed. People have always went through periods of being sad or depressed, if you will, but if it reaches epic proportions, it is because of the persons lifestyle. Go out into the great outdoors and do something active. Change your lifestyle.
I guess in our 'got to have it now' society, it is much easier to pop a pill than to change your lifestyle

I'd like to know if there is a connection between these drugs, and the dramatic increase in preemie births in the last 15 years

Answer 6

Depression is a mental illness, there is so much stigma still attached to being mentally ill. I feel very bad for people suffering from this condition. If you were a diabetic you would get treatment, if you are depressed get treatment. It is a very dark and dismal way to live and there are so many things to treat this illness.

Answer 7

Obviously it is bad, and upsetting for the sufferers. The only thing is that there were two girls in my workplace that suffered from it. They were best friends, and they went off from work sick citing 'depression' as the symptoms, they went on the same day and came back on the same day 3 months later. That is the only time I have come across it and it seemed a bit dubious. If you have it, its bad, but it can be too easily used as a tool to gain time off without reproach. By the way, the two girls didnt get to stay in the job for long, 7 days and they were 'released'.

Answer 8

the only people that can answer this question are those who have truly experienced depression. you cant say you've suffered from depression and say its just a matter of snapping out of it... maybe for you...but people just dont understand the crippling affect without experience. it is a mental illness... it can be treated by medication or by counselling, it is so rarely 'cured' by someone thinking they can just snap out of it. its like people having diabetes or some other disease... that can be helped with motivation... which you have to have... to WANT to get help... but you definitely need the help, it cant be done on ur own...

Answer 9

hey listen,people suffering from depression lack intrest in things which previously they had interest and they want to stay lonely all the time.they dont speak nicely and will get irritated fast.they will have suicidal tendency which is very dangerous.yes its a mental illness as they have more stress in brain and are very much tensed and their mind is always disturbed.Even if people try to get themselves out of this prob its very difficult.Family members or friends who find some one in the family having those symptoms as described up should consult a pschyologist as fast as possible.

Answer 10

I think there are different types of mental condition.

Sometimes depression is something that you actually go through to come out somewhere with a clearer perception. Then, it makes sense to encourage depressed people to see the differences that are there in this dark mood from day to day, and to get them to keep on, so that they build texture into their life. That's the way through.