Depression is an illness not a weakness. There are lots of myths about depression of which this one is very important. Coping with depression and getting on with your life is an art. Every time a patient has recovered I am amazed by how my patients are able to go on. Not that they will ever forget having had a depression but they usually show a remarkable resilience.
Fortunately there are a lot of famous people who have suffered from depression and who use their fame to enfeeble these myths by disclosing their illness and their coping with this disease.
Dick Cavett
Lord Stevenson, the chairman of Halifax Bank of Scotland and one of the most powerful men in the UK
Olivia Newton-John has gone public over her battle with depression.
Celtic captain Neil Lennon has said he is recovering from depression, which has affected him throughout his football career.
Sinead O'Connor made a special guest appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show on Thursday 4th October (USA transmission). Oprah sought Sinead out to to help her address bipolar disorder with the hope that they will be able to enlighten and help millions of viewers worldwide who might be suffering, undiagnosed, from the debilitating effects of this condition which Sinead herself has experienced.
GAIL PORTER has told of her "embarrassment" at dealing with depression. She is an Edinburgh presenter 36 years young.
Drew Allison Carey (born May 23, 1958) is an American comedian, actor, and game show host.
“I was depressed for a long time,” Carey revealed.
In fact, both at 18 and in his early 20s, Carey attempted to take his own life by swallowing pills.
In this video ex All Black John Kirwan talks about his personal battle with depression and his role fronting a New Zealand depression awareness campaign.
Michelle Ryan has revealed that she asked to be written out of EastEnders for four months - so that she could recover from depression.
Jennifer Capriati can't remember where she was when she first had thoughts of killing herself.
TWENTY years after he won Wimbledon, Pat Cash has told how depression almost drove him to suicide.
Related websites about myths reviewed by Dr Shock:
8 myths of depression
Myths and Misconceptions about Depression (WHO site)
Breaking Down the Myths about Depression on Mental Health America
Celebrities and depression another list:
Celebrities and Depression, another article with other famous people having suffered form depression.
2 comments:
"Depression is treatable, and more than 80 percent of individuals with depressive disorders improve with treatment".
What about the 10-20 percent of us who remain chronically depressed? How do we explain that to our family's, friends, collegues and our insurance company's? No one ever hears about us.
I feel like I am doing something wrong all the time. Why does everyone else get better and not me?
You read about treatment resistant depression, but usually they are referring to someone whose depression isn't managed after 2-4 treatments.
What about the people who have truly treatment resitant depression. For me the statment "depression is a treatable illness" has been the myth I have had the hardest time dealing with.
It has let me down time and time again. Not sure how, or even why, but I am still trying. After trying 30 plus different medications, inpatient ECT, weekly, and for a couple years twice-weekly, therapy, an outpatient day program, and a couple psycho-educational groups all to no avail it has become increasingly clear that some depressions are not treatable.
After 6 years in a MDE (and numerous shorter MDE's prior to this)I am trying to accept I may be depressed forever. I am trying to learn to live my life with, and in spite of, severe and chronic MDD. I just wish the medical community would let me know that I'm not the only one out there in this situation, that sometimes depression is not treatable. For some of us that myth only lends to our feeling like we are not trying hard enough.
You're right. Not everyone suffering from depressive disorder get well. That's another myth demythologized.
Thanks and regards Dr Shock
Post a Comment