Dropping the Depression Stigma
Recent celebrity suicides have opened up discussion about depression stigma

The deaths of two prominent celebrities in June, Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, have left many people with more questions than answers. These two wildly successful people both battled depression, and they both ultimately took their own lives. In the aftermath of these losses, more people have begun to open up about the sometimes debilitating condition that is depression, and it’s becoming clear that we need to drop the depression stigma.

Depression and Suicide Rates

It’s an incredibly difficult topic to bring up for many individuals and families, but loved ones should watch for signs of suicidal thoughts in a depressed person.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:

“Over 50 percent of all people who die by suicide suffer from major depression. If one includes alcoholics who are depressed, this figure rises to over 75 percent.”

In the United States, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death across all age groups, according to the suicide prevention organization SAVE. It is the second leading cause of death globally for teens and young adults (ages 15-24).

Those statistics might take your breath away, but research points to some good news as well: Treatment for depression brings relief to the vast majority of sufferers. According to the American Psychiatric Association:

“Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 80 percent and 90 percent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. Almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms.”

However, too many people don’t seek help because of the depression stigma. Many people incorrectly assume that they can handle it on their own.

Depression Defined

So, what is depression? It goes well beyond occasional sad feelings or even the more overwhelming emotions that come with grief over a major loss.

Some key symptoms of depression include:

• Loss of interest in activities you previously enjoyed
• Experiencing feelings of worthlessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling lethargic and lack energy
• Compromised ability to make decisions
• Feeling isolated and lonely
• Having thoughts of suicidal thoughts

If a number of these symptoms persist for two weeks or more, your therapist or doctor might issue a diagnosis of depression.

Depression Causes

The causes of depression vary widely from person to person, and it’s not as simple as blaming one chemical in the brain or one life event.

Causes can include:

• Genetics
• Hormones
• Impaired processes in the brain centers that regulate mood and emotion
• Stress or trauma
• Physical health issues
• Poor nutrition
• Lack of sleep for an extended period
• Substance abuse

A piece from Harvard Medical highlights the deep complexity of depression (see source link at the bottom of the page for the full article):

“Researchers have learned much about the biology of depression. They’ve identified genes that make individuals more vulnerable to low moods and influence how an individual responds to drug therapy. One day, these discoveries should lead to better, more individualized treatment, but that is likely to be years away. And while researchers know more now than ever before about how the brain regulates mood, their understanding of the biology of depression is far from complete.”

No two depression cases look exactly the same, but therapists and medical professionals know a lot more now than ever before about effectively treating the condition.

Seeking Help

As noted above, many people living with depression don’t seek help.

I believe the stigma surrounding depression is one major hurdle that prevents people from getting better through treatment. In our individualistic American society, we often think we should be able to “tough it out” and that seeking talk therapy or medical intervention is a sign of weakness.

In my work as a therapist, people often express frustration or surprise at their depression. “I have always been pretty strong and together,” they say, “being depressed is just not me.”

In our sessions, their shame is evident. I work to help them understand that overcoming depression is not simply mind over matter.

You can’t wave a magic wand and make it go away. You can’t just tell yourself to snap out of it. Depression is real, and asking for help is not weak. In fact, seeking treatment is one of the most intelligent and strong actions you can take. It’s about taking back control over your mind, your emotions and your quality of life. You deserve to feel better, and treatment can help you feel better.

If you were experiencing high blood pressure or diabetes, you wouldn’t hesitate to see your doctor and follow his or her advice, so why should depression (or any mental health issue) be any different? Your body is telling you it has a need, so it pays to listen. Ignoring it won’t make it go away.

Depression is more common in a given year than cancer or heart disease. Each year, 16.1 million adults will experience a major depressive episode. The number of people living with cancer sits at 15.1 million and the number is slightly lower for heart disease. Do you know someone affected by cancer or heart disease? It’s just as likely you know someone affected by depression. In short, you are not alone.

Resources

If you are living with depression, there are a number of resources available to you, including:

• Your medical doctor
• A trained therapist
• Organizations dedicated to depression and mental health (see this list to start)
• Books on depression (see this list for ideas)
• Most importantly, if you have thoughts of suicide, reach out. Call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Both are available 24/7.

In future blogs, I will discuss ways to cope with depression and mood disorders. From exercise to mindfulness, several methods have been shown to improve mood and symptoms of depression.

(Sources: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, SAVE, APA, Centers for Disease Control, Harvard Health Publishing)

My practice serves teens and adults in the central Denver area. If you are depressed, individual therapy can be a great place to begin your treatment. Talk therapy has been shown to be effective for many patients with depression, on its own or in combination with medical interventions.

Sincerely,