What do you think about depression?

Question

I was going to put this in a poll but it's too complicated of a topic.

What do you think of depression?

Do you think it's as serious a disease as cancer or aids or those other diseases that people "get" (oh he's sick).

Do you think people take it lightly because it affects the mind, not the body (which isn't true, it affects both, greatly. It's just that most people's perception is that it affects just the mind).

Do you think most people just think it's someone being "Sad" or feeling sorry for themselves?


Personally I think it's definately as serious as other diseases. What sucks is that people don't think so because they don't understand it so a lot of times instead of being there for you, having the disease chases away all your friends and those who cared about you so you have no support and it makes it even worse.

I've found so many times that people say with an annoyed tone "oh geez what are you depressed about now?" when it's more like some THING triggers the depression and not that you are depressed about something. It's like herpes. If someone has an outbreak of herpes though, no one says "Oh geez what are you herpe'd about now?"

Answer 1

I agree with you. I suffer from depression and it definately is just as serious because depending on how severe it is it can cause just as much damage to your body and your life as cancer or aids or something. People often don't take it seriously, i think, because they don't know about it. They don't understand it, it scares them and so it is easier to brush it off than to actually try to deal with it. A lot of people are also self-centered so they may not even notice that something is actually wrong.

Answer 2

Here's what I think of depression. I freakin' hate it. Ever since I had problems with my ex-wife cheating on me and I started drinking a lot my mood and my self-esteem haven't been the same. I have since quit drinking, I've been sober for almost 21 months now. I've also been on a number of different medications like zoloft, wellbutrin, seroquel, and a few more. Not all at once mind you, but there were a few that I've taken together. I don't think that the doctor really knows what he's doing sometimes because I don't really feel that any of these meds are helping. All I know is I want the real me back. I don't want this dark, negative, self-loathing version of myself around anymore. I just want to be me. As for people just being sad or feeling sorry for themselves.........I wish that's all it was. I would have made myself better without seeking help from medical professionals. As for not affecting the body...........that's a load of BS. Ever since I have become depressed, my energy levels have bottomed out and I don't feel like doing anything. I go to work and do my job, but then I just come home from work and do absolutely nothing. I need a kick in the *** to get me going. I think that my biggest problem is the lack of energy. If I'd get out and do more, I wouldn't have time to feel depressed.

Answer 3

Depression Sucks.

There needs to be more understanding about this. more people need to realize how serious it is, not only the patients who suffer from it, but the people who are actually *around* those patients. for example, i have depression but no one truly understands what i go through so i live each day in silence. very painful, and it's not a nice way to live. i don't talk about it with my mom or my best friend because they don't really understand. my other friends don't really care. so i just ask myself, why bother? so if there were more understanding on this subject, maybe i (and many others who suffer from Depression) wouldn't have to live in the dark all the time. it's a very lonely feeling.
I completely agree with you! if only other people felt the way that we do..because i (and i'm sure many other people as well) am so alone and i have nooo support. i think people don't realize how serious it is because they think it's all in the "mind". Forget about all those Cymbalta commercials explaining the opposite, right?

depression is a real disease and SHOULD be treated as such.

Answer 4

Depression isn't a disease, it's a form of mental illness. Don't let that frighten you, it doesn't mean "crazy". It can be managed and in many cases overcome. How successfully can depend on the type of depression present. Situational depressions are probably the easiest to reconcile. Chemical imbalances may be more difficult and require life-long medication and psychological counseling.

It may be misunderstood by many and not taken seriously as you suggested. Situational depression comes and goes, so some may believe it's not that serious. Unfortunately, a true clinical depression is unpleasant to be around and can be almost as energy-draining for loved ones as it is for the one affected and doesn't go away on it's own. So it's important that we recognize the early signs of depression, or at least know when "something's" not right, so steps can be taken to treat the depression and it's symptoms. I support you 100%.

Answer 5

I don't dwell on my condition, even though it probably affects me a great deal. Though, the really bad stuff is history. What depression has most affected me to this day, is that when I avoided feeling bad, I had shut down the parts of me which are responsible for feeling good... and therefore I recall having been able to feel a wider range of emotions, plus the pills dull that a bit. However, I wouldn't change any of it... what can be a mistake when you end up OK? The good news is, it helped me become a wiser person.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

I agree its a serious problem. Ive had it and know its not to be taken lightly.

People that say its nothing and get over it really upset and anger me! as it isn't its common in my family and my Girl friends family as well so i know all about it.

The World Health Organization (WHO) apparently said that by the year 2020 it will be the 2nd most common disease 1st been heart attacks.

Answer 8

I wouldn't quite call it a disease, I'd call it an illness, mainly because disease implies (to me) that it can be transmitted. People don't really focus on depression as much as other illnesses, probably because not as much is known about how it caused etc. This is also portrayed by the stereotypical "emo" character, who slashes their wrists and writes poetry. It really frustrates me when depressed people are just called emos and not taken seriously, especially by friends and peers. The typical emo character is also seen to be weak and overly emotional, and doesn't evoke sympathy, and as depressed people are being categorised as being emos, this just proves people's ignorance.

Answer 9

What do I think of depression? I think it sucks. It's miserable not being able to lift your spirits despite good things happening around you. It's a drag to only be able to see the down side of life!

As an illness, I think it should be taken as seriously as asthma or diabetes. There's no stigma surrounding these illnesses, and mental illness should be no different. It's sad that a person who sees someone depressed would roll their eyes and tell the depressed person to "find a hobby" or "pull yourself together." But would that person look at an epileptic having a seizure and say the same thing? Would you look at someone having an asthma attack and go "oh for hell's sake, snap out of it!"

You're absolutely right, there is still so much misinformation being spread about mental illness, and so many people are still holding on to these puritanical beliefs that somehow a depressed person brought it upon themselves (eg, punishment for sins). People fail to understand that the human body as a whole is imperfect, therefor even the brain is subject to problems!

It's tragic to see people who really feel like they have nowhere to turn, and that friends and family have pretty much abandoned them b/c of lack of understanding. I was one of those people myself. I'm bipolar w/ comorbid ADHD, and I started to have symptoms very early in my childhood. My mom's family members all just thought I was a little hellion, and my own parents REFUSED to accept the possibility that I could have ADHD! In high school I was hospitalized for depression and put on medications, and just as I started to feel better my parents pulled me out of the program and stopped my meds. Ten years later I still struggle to accept my illness, even though my mother has since been diagnosed as bipolar and has started to accept hers. It's a constant struggle, and people on the outside have NO idea how badly their support and love are needed!

If you do suffer from depression and have a hard time finding support, look for support meetings for your local chapter of NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill). They usually hold meetings for people w/ similar conditions, and there will be people there that can offer you love and support b/c they've been where you are and can offer a fresh, inside perspective!

Last, but not least, do NOT be ashamed of your condition! I believe in God, and I believe He made us ALL the way we are for His own reasons, and I don't believe He makes mistakes! Sometimes it's hard to cope w/ the fact that your mood for each day depends on whether or not you take your medicine, but try and be grateful that medication is an option for you! If I were living in my great-grandmother's time, I'd be living in an asylum w/ her, locked away from "civilized" society. Though sometimes it seems better, we really are blessed to be alive now!

I know I seem like I'm rambling, but I just want to say that just like diabetes, asthma, or epilepsy, people w/ depression can still lead full, healthy lives w/ treatment!

Answer 10

Depression is bad.
But it doesn't even COMPARE to the way Anxiety affects a person. You can trust me on that because I was diagnosed with accute anxiety; Panic attacks, chills, undulating, some people even hit themselves.
It feels like you're 2 seconds away from Armageddon.
Anxiety is WAY worse than depression as far as the physical symptoms.