In this post, I go over some of the common myths about depression, as well as facts about depression that are important to know. Then, I go into more detail about two of the more prominent depression myths, that antidepressants are a quick fix and the “chemical imbalance depression myth.” My goal is to educate those diagnosed so they feel more understood, less stigmatized, and more aware of the possibilities to feel better. I also hope to educate those around people with this illness to more fully understand what that person’s experience is and how they can help.
If you would like to know more about depression myths, how to help a loved one who has the diagnosis, or how to get help for yourself, please feel free to contact me or schedule a consultation anytime.
Depression Myths 
In this section, I review some myths about depression and then explore two of the more common misunderstandings.
Common Myths About Depression
Here are some of the more common myths about depression, followed by the facts about depression to debunk them:
1. Myth: Depression is just sadness.
- Fact: This diagnosis is a complex mental health condition that involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in daily activities. It can also include physical symptoms like fatigue, changes in appetite, and sleep disturbances. Sadness may come and go and is a natural reaction to certain events and occurrences, but the diagnosis goes beyond a mood, runs deeper, and is harder to shake. This is one of the myths about depression that many people hold until they have an episode themselves.
2. Myth: You can just “snap out of it.”
- Fact: These symptoms are not a choice; people can’t simply will themselves to feel better. It often requires therapy, medication, and support from others. People with the diagnosis often hope for a quick fix themselves, but it takes time and effort. The good news is that many forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment, tend to start to bring relief relatively quickly.
3. Myth: Only weak people get depressed.
- Fact: This diagnosis affects people of all strengths, backgrounds, and personalities. It is a medical condition, not a character flaw or sign of weakness. In my practice, I have seen a wide variety of people with this diagnosis, and often, the only thing they have in common is depressive symptoms and deeply sad mood. This is one of the myths about depression that reduces the support that people feel and can make symptoms worse.
4. Myth: This diagnosis is always caused by a traumatic event.
- Fact: While traumatic events can trigger things, it can also occur without any clear reason due to genetic, biological, or environmental factors. In fact, sometimes the cause of symptoms remains elusive, even after improvement is seen. This is why many therapy approaches I choose focus on the present and future, not spending too much time analyzing the past if it doesn’t seem fruitful.
5. Myth: Antidepressants are a quick fix.
- Fact: Do antidepressants work? The short answer: Medication can be helpful, but it often works best in combination with therapy and lifestyle changes. Recovery takes time and varies from person to person. Some people do not get relief from medication. More about a closely related chemical imbalance depression myth later.
6. Myth: Talking about it makes it worse.
- Fact: Open conversations can reduce stigma, help individuals seek support, and provide relief. Therapy can provide hope, and even when topics in therapy do create a little sadness, the fact that treatment often works to bring improvement brings contentment afterward. Many people avoid treatment due to depression myths like this one, but often, they are glad they changed their minds.
7. Myth: People who seem happy can’t be depressed.
- Fact: Many people hide their struggles behind smiles and appear functional, often called “high-functioning.” Sometimes, there are real periods of relief from symptoms, but these periods may be short. This is a very common presentation in my practice—another of the depression myths that cuts down on the actual support a person receives.
8. Myth: This diagnosis only affects adults.
- Fact: Children and teenagers can also experience symptoms, though they may look different, such as increased irritability, social withdrawal, or academic decline. Younger people may not realize what is going on with them and may look for quick fixes, changing their social lives or interests.
9. Myth: It will go away on its own.
- Fact: While some mild cases may improve over time, an untreated illness can worsen and lead to serious consequences, including self-harm or suicide. Of all the myths about depression, this one is important to recognize—people around the person who is depressed need to take action.
10. Myth: People with depression are just lazy.
- Fact: This diagnosis often saps energy, motivation, and focus, making even simple tasks feel overwhelming. This is not laziness—it’s a symptom of the illness.
Next, we go over another commonly held untruth: the chemical imbalance depression myth. After that, we’ll go into more detail about whether antidepressants work.
The Chemical Imbalance Depression Myth
The chemical imbalance depression myth refers to the idea that the illness is caused solely by a “chemical imbalance” in the brain—specifically, a deficiency of neurotransmitters like serotonin. This has been widely promoted in the past. However, this theory is oversimplified and outdated.
Chemical Imbalance Depression Myth vs. Fact
- No Single Cause:
- Biological, psychological, and social factors influence this multifactorial disorder.
- Brain chemistry is one piece of the puzzle but not the full picture.
- Serotonin and Neurotransmitters:
- While low serotonin levels might play a role in some people’s depression, studies have shown not everyone with depression has a serotonin deficiency. This alone refutes the chemical imbalance depression myth.
- Antidepressants like SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) can help alleviate symptoms for some, but they don’t work for everyone.
- Brain Structure and Function:
- Brain imaging studies suggest differences in certain brain regions (e.g., the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex) among people with this illness.
- Chronic stress can also affect these brain areas.
- Genetic and Environmental Factors:
- Genetics can increase susceptibility, but life experiences (e.g., trauma, chronic stress, social isolation) also play a major role, knocking down the chemical imbalance depression myth.
- Inflammation and Hormones:
- Emerging research suggests that chronic inflammation and hormonal imbalances might contribute in some individuals. This shoots down the chemical imbalance depression myth for some, but not everyone with the illness has one.
Why the Chemical Imbalance Depression Myth Persists
- The chemical imbalance depression myth theory was easy to explain and understand.
- Pharmaceutical companies heavily promoted the idea of marketing antidepressant medications.
- The chemical imbalance depression myth provided a biological explanation, helping reduce the stigma around depression being seen as a personal weakness.
Do Antidepressants Work? The Truth
Closely related to the chemical balance depression myth is the question of whether antidepressants work. The answer is complicated, but here is a start:
- Fact: This illness is a complex condition with no single cause.
- Fact: Effective treatment often requires a holistic approach, including:
- Medication (if needed)
- Psychotherapy (e.g., CBT, DBT)
- Holistic approaches and lifestyle changes (exercise, sleep, diet)
- Social support
- Fact: While brain chemistry is involved, it is not merely a chemical imbalance—it’s a condition shaped by genetics, life experiences, brain function, and more. See more about the chemical imbalance depression myth detailed above.
Thus, while antidepressants aren’t a “quick fix,” they can be effective for managing symptoms when combined with therapy, lifestyle changes, and other support systems. Also, they typically take 4–6 weeks to reach their full effect.
Here’s a breakdown of the path to antidepressants working:
- Initial Effects: Some people might notice improvements in sleep, appetite, or energy levels within the first 1–2 weeks, but mood improvements usually take longer.
- Trial and Error: Finding the right medication and dosage can take time, as everyone responds differently.
- Not a Cure-All: Antidepressants help manage symptoms, but they don’t address underlying causes on their own. Therapy and self-care are usually essential parts of treatment.
Facts About Depression
While the above covers myths about depression, some facts about depression are important to know:
Key Facts About Depression
1. It is a Medical Condition:
- This illness is a real, diagnosable mental health disorder, not just a passing mood or temporary sadness. This is one of the facts about depression that seems to be lessening but persists.
2. It’s More Than Just Feeling Sad:
- The illness involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest, and physical symptoms like fatigue, changes in appetite, and sleep disturbances. You can see how closely this one mirrors the depression myths above.
3. It’s Common:
- Over 280 million people worldwide suffer from this diagnosis, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
4. It Can Affect Anyone:
- It doesn’t discriminate—it can affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. I go over the depression myths and facts regarding how it affects children later
5. Women Are More Likely to be Diagnosed:
- Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed, though men are less likely to seek help. Whether men actually have the diagnosis less often than women may belong in the depression myths category – it may just be that they don’t seek help.
6. There Are Different Types:
- These include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and Postpartum.
7. Symptoms Vary from Person to Person:
- While sadness is common, some may experience irritability, physical pain, or even a lack of emotion entirely. This is one of the facts about depression that drives my practice. I create a unique treatment plan for each client.
8. It Can Lead to Physical Health Problems:
- It is linked to chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and weakened immune function. This is why treatment
9. It’s Treatable:
- With proper treatment, including individual therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, most people can improve their quality of life. There are even ways to address what is at first called “treatment-resistant depression.”
10. Suicide Risk is Higher:
- Untreated symptoms are one of the leading causes of suicide worldwide. Another reason it is vital to understand myths and facts about depression so you can best help the people in your life.
11. Exercise and Sleep Play a Role:
- Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and good sleep hygiene can significantly improve symptoms of depression.
12. Social Support is Crucial:
- Strong relationships and support systems can help prevent and manage symptoms. This is why it is important to understand depression myths and facts fully!
13. Stigma Prevents People from Seeking Help:
- Many people avoid treatment due to societal stigma, misunderstanding, or fear of judgment. This is another reason why I wanted to create this post so people could fully understand myths and facts about depression.
14. Early Intervention is Important:
- The earlier it is identified and treated, the better the outcomes. Treating major depression is easier when it is caught early.
Myths About Depression vs. Facts in Children
With children and younger adolescents, the myths about depression are a little different than what we see in adults. This section goes over how this diagnosis presents in kids and the depression myths regarding younger people.
Myths About Depression in Children
Myth 1: Children can’t get depressed; they’re too young to understand real sadness.
- Fact: It can affect children of all ages, even toddlers. It’s not just about feeling sad—it’s a mental health condition that impacts mood, behavior, and physical health.
Myth 2: Children with depression are just being lazy or seeking attention.
- Fact: This isn’t a choice or a sign of laziness. It’s a medical condition caused by a mix of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.
Myth 3: Children will “grow out of” depression as they get older.
- Fact: Without proper support and treatment, childhood symptoms can persist or worsen over time, increasing the risk of long-term mental health issues. This is one of the depression myths that teachers, parents, and pediatricians need to be keenly aware of.
Myth 4: Only children from “bad” homes or traumatic experiences get depressed.
- Fact: While trauma can contribute, children from stable, loving homes can also experience symptoms due to genetic or biological factors.
Myth 5: If a child is depressed, they’ll always appear sad.
- Fact: Depression in children doesn’t always look like sadness. It can show up as irritability, anger, trouble focusing, physical complaints (like stomachaches), or changes in sleep and appetite.
Myth 6: Talking about depression with a child will make it worse.
- Fact: Open, age-appropriate conversations about mental health can help children feel understood and supported. Ignoring the issue often makes things worse. This is one of the facts about depression that makes teens hesitate to get help.
Myth 7: Therapy is only for adults.
- Fact: Therapy can be incredibly effective for children. Child therapists use age-appropriate tools, like play therapy, to help kids express and process their feelings.
Overcoming Myths About Depression in Kids
Parents, teachers, pediatricians, and anyone working with children must understand the myths and facts about depression and be willing to help a child in distress.
Summary and My Work
I provide therapy in an integrative psychological way, braiding together powerful and effective treatment approaches based on the unique needs of each client. You can see more in my posts about cognitive behavioral therapy for depression, acceptance and commitment therapy, behavioral activation, supportive therapy, and more. Couples therapy and family treatment is also enhanced by understanding the myths about depression first.
If you still have questions about depression myths and how they may affect you or a loved one or how to get help for yourself, or one or more of the facts about depression resonated with you regarding yourself or a loved one, please feel free to contact me or schedule a consultation anytime.
