#6 Stigmas and their Truth’s - Depression Edition
Depression is a big topic, and there’s lots of things we are taught - both explicitly(directly told) and implicity (pick up from things like movies depicting depression).
But how do we know if they’re true or not? Especially when depression has the whole “your brain is lying to you” thing going on.
Here’s a list of stigmas and their truths. I’ll list them short and sweet.
Stigma - Depression is a weakness.
Truth: No fuck that.
If you have it and you’re still here it’s the opposite of weak, to resist the voices to leave and take every step to stay - that’s strength. Well done.
Many strong, capable people live with depression and keep going. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Stigma: Depression is just sadness.
Truth: Nope - it’s a serious mental health condition that affects thinking, energy, motivation, sleep and more.
The sadness is just one symptom - depression is way bigger and more intense than just sadness.
Stigma: You should just snap out of it.
Truth: First of all, rude. Second, you can’t simply “will” yourself out of depression.
Some people (inlcuding me for 2 years before going to get help) think it can be fixed by just trying harder, by just being more positive, by just exercising more.
Sure, those things help. But if you have depression, there’s an underlying reason to it that you need help figuring out to actually sort out the root cause.
Depression is caused (ss we will talk about more in depth soon) complex brain, emotional and life factors.
Recovery takes time, support and often treatment - not just a “positive attitude”.
Stigma: Only women get depressed
(Weird one but it came up under stigma’s people think about depression in google so I’m rolling with it).
Truth: FAKE NEWS. People of all genders experience depression.
It often shows us differently in men, like in anger, withdrawal or substance abuse and can be underdiagnosed.
Stigma: Talking about it makes it worse.
Truth: Talking helps.
Expressing your thoughts and emotions reduces isolation and shame and it can be the first step to healing.
If you’re not ready to talk about it, try writing about it in a private book or journal, even in your phones notes.
Letting yourself, tell yourself the truth, makes it easier to tell others.
Stigma: Antidepressants change your personality.
Truth: They don’t change who you are - they help balance your brain chemicals so you can feel more LIKE YOURSELF again.
Stigma: People with depression are lazy.
Truth: Depression causes exhaustion, slow thinking and loss of motivation.
It’s not laziness, it’s a symptom of the illness.
Stigma: Thereapy is only for serious cases.
Truth: Therapy helps anyone at any stage!
You don’t need ot be at rock bottom to benefit from professional support, and the liklihood of reaching rock bottom decreases the earlier you go for help.
Stigma: If someone looks okay, they aren’t depressed.
Truth: Lots of people with depression seem “fine” on the outside while struggling internally.
Depression is an invisible illness. I looked a-okay on the outside for a long time while being clinically depressed. A smile for instagram is easy to fake.
Okay that’s enough for today - I’ve been on my computer for too long and my brain is starting to get sore.
Migranes are a left over thing I’ve still got from my depression days.
I never had them before, but now when I get them it takes me a full 24 hours to recover. The first 12 spent vomiting and having to lay in a dark room in so much pain. Not cute.
Oh I also posted videos online yesterday! It feels weird talking to .. I think 300 people. Maybe it’s more weird writing these to you in the future though.
Hope it’s helping. Let me know if it is/if anyone reads this.
Okay well as always…
I’m really proud of you for staying alive
talk again soon,
lots of love
bren
xx
