Debunking myths about depression

As a counsellor, it is quite easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of theory, different perspectives, methodologies and general blurb that is available about depression. When depression is also something that society shudders about and, seemingly, the majority of us feel ashamed about, it becomes even more difficult to gain an overall perspective on it.

That said, I am just about to finish a really good book on depression (The Noonday Demon - Andrew Solomon). Depression, as explained in this book, is something we as humans have suffered from since we first took shelter in caves. Today, it would be very easy to see depression as a modern ailment or a symptom of the wealthy few.

In reality, it is neither of those two things but also part of those two things. Confusing huh? It is certainly perceived as a middle-class problem but it is not only suffered by the middle classes and the melancholy, which is quite often used in conjunction with depression, has its roots in ancient Greek history,

This book explores the genetics as well as the triggers, the heredity aspects and the non-heredity disposition of sufferers. In the book, it looks at the wide range of available treatments, their effectiveness and how effective treatment for one sufferer is not necessarily beneficial for another. Some examples include Electrical Convulsive Therapy (yes it still exists), prescription medication, talking therapies and herbal remedies.

It is comforting to see such a wide range of potential treatments and it is also frustrating to see the difficulty of practitioners as well as clients, in working out which treatment is best suited to a sufferer.

So what about the sufferer? The person who has lost all zest for life, who no longer has the motivation to wash, to eat, to get out of bed. The person who outwardly seems to have it all - the partner, the job, the lifestyle, the family, the car, the holidays etc. etc? The person who feels grey inside, emotionless, scared, agitated, ashamed and knows they are not operating as they used to. 

Well, perhaps most importantly, it is important to state that they did not choose to be this way. They are unwell and, as with a broken limb, they are not likely to be able to “fix” the depression themselves.

So, stop being so harsh on yourself.

Of equal importance is the fact that as bad as you feel at this moment, it is unlikely you will always feel this way!

Yes, being depressed is not pleasant, for you or your nearest, but it is rarely permanent. It may feel as if the depression is permanent, but it rarely is.

Of importance also is the feeling of shame that can lead sufferers to mask and deny they are feeling depressed. That stiff upper lip or I just need to pull my socks up and get on with it attitude. Remember, you did not choose to be depressed. As we would have sympathy and understanding for someone with an illness, pneumonia, for example, your depression warrants the same care, concern and sympathy.

So, you can spare yourself the shame and guilt you might be feeling.

So what about the cure, the answer? Well, I am sad to say there is no magic on or off switch but there is a way of managing depression. Having said that, it is wise to remember that very few depressions are short term and the treatments take some time but they can be effective. Effective if we seek them and work on them. This is not the easiest thing for a person who is unmotivated to do, because they are depressed, but it is necessary. The slightest effort, as difficult as it may be, offers the chance for real and sustainable progress against this horrible disease.

Drug regimes have proved to be effective and despite my reservations about trying to medicate against a set of feelings they have their place. Something that stays with me is the effectiveness of a varied approach. So the prescription from the doctor can be effective, at least in the short term, but when it is coupled with therapy then the effectiveness is increased. The medication can help to combat the lethargy, apathy and appalling lack of interest - all of which are important. Important and horrible when we are prey to them. To use an analogy though, they can be a sticking plaster solution though. They stop the wound from bleeding but the wound is not treated.

So with counselling/therapy, the sufferer is able to look at causes, some causes are not only because of immediate circumstances e.g. death of a loved one, redundancy, or trauma. Quite often they are more deeply rooted e.g. low self-worth, poor parenting, being poor or economically challenged, etc. When a sufferer is able to recognise the causes this can help them by offering the opportunity to change how they respond to them. Respond differently to the way that has, up until now, led to depression. Quick and easy? Most definitely not but depression is also not either of those things.

An advantage of counselling is that the counsellor can offer the client a space where they can recognise the onset of the feelings of depression and thus be better able to take the steps that work for them to counter or at least diminish the symptoms of the depression. It means that a depression can be countered earlier and by recognising this the sufferer is less likely to experience the depression as severely as if they had not recognised its onset.

So, to finish up, what are some important points I have learned about depression?

• You are not to blame for feeling depressed.
• It is not likely you will always feel this way.
• It is okay to feel depressed - it is an illness.
• There is help, effective help, available.
• You deserve the help that will let you get past the depression.
• Be kind to yourself, accept that you are depressed and seek help. A better future is available but it will take effort. Put in the effort and you will be rewarded with the results.