Is depression a sign of weakness?

Question

Many many thanks for your responses, at least a dozen of them could be best answer.
I am depressed, and believe it was due in part to my own weakness. My counsellor told me to ask what other people thought, and I am truly amazed at the results. I'm also heartened at your open mindedness and supportiveness. Thanks again. xx

Answer 1

Depression has nothing to do with willpower. Depression occurs when your serotonin and dopamine levels drop too low to keep your mood up and when the middle portion of your brain literally shuts down. Functional MRI studies of the brains of people with major depression has shown just how seriously shut down the middle sections of their brains are. Sorry, you can't will that away.

Sometimes it's a matter of time, such as after the death of a loved one, and the brain comes back online with a corresponding increase in serotonin and dopamine. However, there are other times when people just can't seem to snap out of it. They're unable to function and they need help. A good therapist can sometimes help and often medications that increase the availability of those neurotransmitters in the brain can help.

Answer 2

It sure feels that way, doesn't it?

No, depression is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign that you are over stressed, that you are unhappy and dealing with issues that you feel are either too big to be resolved or unresolvable. Depression hits when you have let something bother you for far too long, when you feel overwhelmed or pressured and begin to believe there is no way to aleiviate any of it.

Unfortunetly "depression" has become the new hot term. No one gets "sad" or "upset" or even "moody" anymore. Everyone is depressed, because there are pills that fix depression. Why bother sitting down with people and speaking your mind, why bother dealing with your problems when there are all these nice little over the counter pills that make all the problems go away?

There are two types of depression, in my opinion: the "good" kind and the "bad" kind. The "good" kind of depression is the kind you get after a break up or a fight or a stressful day at work. It is the kind of depression that makes you sleep in a little on Saturday, watch a good movie or blow things up in a video game. It has a clear source and is easily release, relieved, erased by doing something that gives us pleasure. This kind of depression an indication that you are still alive and sane, because if you NEVER got bothered by anything you'd be locked away. A stagnant existance is a boring one.

Then there is the "bad" depression. This is the kind that NEVER goes away, no matter what you do, and is caused not by anything and everything. "Bad" depression is the kind that makes you never want to get out of bed, that keeps you locked in your house and makes you miserable even when you are doing something you usually enjoy. This is the kind you need medication for, because that is not healthy.

Depression is natures way of telling you to relax and take it easy, to slow down before you hurt yourself. But when slowing down is just as upsetting and unpleasant as speeding up, you need help. It is no "weakness" to admite you are human and might need help. The "weakness" is allowing others to dicate how you handle your own "mood swings" and taking the easy way out of a bad day.

~~ Abe

Answer 3

Never think depression is a sign of weakness. It is more of a disease. It isn't something that can be just pushed aside or overcome just because you know you have it. It takes time to correct.
Depression is often the result of a chemical imbalance and is normal when it comes to super traumatic experiences.
Everyone has experienced it from time to time in their lives. All at different levels, lengths and how it was overcome.
Some just need time and someone to talk to, some will need to include medication. Some will deal with it on their own in quiet meditation.
No it isn't a sign of weakness at all.

Answer 4

Depression is no more a sign of weakness than any other illness. Would you ask if cancer was a sign of weakness? If you have depression and people treat you like you're weak then they don't understand what depression is.

Many influential or famous people have suffered from depression, here's a couple who are thought to have had depression:
Abraham Lincoln
Diana, Princess of Wales
Harrison Ford
Jim Carey
Winston Churchill

...and many, many more! Do you think these people are weak?

Answer 5

NO! It is a mental illness caused by low seritonin levels in your brain. I think society has equated depression with weakness. But it is a real illness. Do you think of a person with cancer as just being weak? No, they have a sickness that cannot be controlled. It can be treated, even cured...just like depression. But it is definately not a sign of weakness. And neither is depression.

Answer 6

dont listen to the second guy... little K*NT

depression is not a sign of weakness... simply put it is an imbalance of chemicals in your brain, but this does not just happen, it has happened for a reason

to beat depression, you can use anti-depressants, which dont always help and you can get hooked on them... try what i did, and it worked... eat right (ish!) i found that bananas and especially oranges really helped me when i felt down...

also work out, i did weights and attended a gym, if you dont fancy that, then go for a walk to the park or even around your garden.... but trust me when i say GET OUTSIDE! it is one of the most important things in tackling depression


anyhoo, really hope this helped... if you need any help at all dont hesitate to email me :-)


gd luck

Answer 7

No it is not. It can be a chemical imbalance in your brain and/or a situational problem (i.e., losing your job, death of a loved one, financial problems) that can cause the depression. Everyone has suffered from depression at one time or another in their life.

If you're really suffering, maybe you might want to talk to a psychiatrist or even a friend or family member. Take care of yourself, OK?

Answer 8

Depression is a medical condition. It is no more a sign of weakness than someone who has diabetes.

It is the easiest of all mental illnesses to treat but left untreated, it can be debilitating. Why should anyone suffer when they don't have to?

Answer 9

No, its a medical condition. It is neither a sign of weakness or strength. Some incorrectly think that one can cure oneself of depression by will power, it doesn't work, I've tried.

Answer 10

No, a lot has to do with genetics. Please see your doctor if you are depressed, and talk about possible treatment. You actually need to be diagnosed, too, there could always be some medical reason that you are feeling the way you are feeling, such as medications, hormones etc.