Self-Management of Depression

Family and friends are one's immediate support system. Individuals with depression may avoid sharing their symptoms with their family or close friends due to the perceived stigma. Some don’t share their feelings to avoid burdening others, and there's also a fear of being perceived as weak and needy. Unless you have a very critical and judgmental person who is not accepting of depression as an illness, your family and friends would appreciate your efforts to reach out and be candid about your depression. You must educate your family about depression using scientifically based information. Local chapters and websites for organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) have information for family members and friends regarding depression. Information about depression is also available on the National Institute for Mental Health website. You also have to advocate for yourself in how you want to be trea...

Myth: Depression is a character flaw and is a sign of weakness. Fact: Depression has nothing to do with strength of one’s character. It happens due to a complex interplay of biological and environmental risk factors and is a treatable condition like any other physical illness. With all the attached stigma, seeking help for depression is a sign of courage and not weakness. Myth: Depression is just “having the blues.” Fact:  Depression is more just feeling sad or down in the dumps. The sadness is more persistent and pervades your day-to-day life and it, along with other symptoms of depression, makes it harder for you to function at your normal levels. Myth: You can just “snap out” of depression. Fact: Telling people with depression to just “snap out of it” never helps as depression, like other physical illnesses, takes time to heal. While treated episodes of depression lasts about three months, untreated depression may last from 6 to 13 months. Myth: Depressi...