Depression: 6 facts about the disease that will dispel the myths you believe in

Been battling from birth. Managed to somehow survive 67 years . Harder as one ages. Good luck to all .

Marialina Blado I read your comment and what I heard is a scream for help. I am not a psychologist or licensed psychiatric expert of any sort, but since you opened the door, I will offer my two cents. You can take it or leave it, it's your choice, your life, but here's what I think. I hope it helps you. What I hear is someone who says their problems are so enormous that no one else could possibly have survived them, but you have. To me that says you have strength. Use it. Only you can fix your problems. First, you say you have a boyfriend who hits you. Dump him. The police won't tell you that, but you should. Any woman who allows herself to be abused is playing the victim. No one should have to take abuse from anyone, EVER! DUMP HIM. A man who strikes his woman has no respect for her and if that's true, you have no need for him. Toss out the things in your life that weigh you down, him included. It's easier to move forward when you're not dragging excess weight. He is dead weight. DUMP HIM! You say you have no money. Are you able to work? If yes, do you have a job? If no, get one. If you work and money is still an issue, consult social services. Help is out there. You say you have no friends. Make some. Join a club, church group, etc. Do something that allows personal interaction. Volunteer. Friends will come because you will meet others with common interests. You walk around in a fog asking "Why me?" Stop it! That is a victim's mentality. No one said life was fair. It's not. If it were, we'd all be young, beautiful, rich, and healthy. Stop playing the victim. Count your blessings. What is good about you and your life? There are probably more things on that list than you think. First, you're alive, you have a roof over your head, and you have your wits about you. I'm sure there are other things good about you. Help yourself. It won't necessarily be easy, so take baby steps, but even toddlers can walk across a room, no matter how slowly, they get there. It is the same with your life. It's time to take control of your life, step by baby step and stop complaining. Complaining changes nothing and breeds negativity. That's toxic. YOU must be the instrument of change in your life. If you do nothing to bring about change in your life, then nothing will change. It's all up to you. If your life is a living hell, then change the things that make it so. Issue by issue, unburden yourself of the negativity. Only you can free yourself. Do not label yourself negatively and then live up to that label. Be your authentic self. Believe in yourself, the survivor. Be someone who deserves better and go out and get it. A quiz site is not the best place to seek answers to personal problems. I suggest you look for more than just my advice concerning your troubles. Better you should seek professional help to improve your life. Good luck!

Clearly depression isn't the same as laziness. If it was, I would have been depressed for 41 consecutive years and getting more so each year.

Julia Rose I see we have another passive-aggressive coward who will talk ABOUT people behind their backs, but is not adult enough and lacks the courage to direct their criticisms TO the person in question; namely me! Oh, and by the way, your use of cutesy abbreviations, in a vain attempt to cover your low-brow vulgarity, doesn't pass muster either. We all know what you mean, so quit hiding behind abbreviations, be an adult, and just say what you mean. Use your words. The abbreviation does not sanitize your intent and is as vulgar as using the actual words. It lowers you into the gutter and belies your attempt to appear superior to me. I'd say you are quite a piece of work, but none of it good.

Depression is a very serious problem that many people underestimate

So informational! Everything including medicine should be used to combat this disease. I sold drugs for this medical condition. No shame or guilt.

Peter R Wolf Good luck to you and congratulations so far. You are a success story.

I suffer from bipolar depression and I can tell you it is much more difficult to treat than bronchitis. I've suffered from it since I was a teenager and I've used a plethora of medications. It's not easy to live with but it can be done with periodic checkups and medication adjustments or changes.

I have been battling depression for forty years. Apparently I suffer from one of the worse forms of depression, and I do get tired of people telling to stop taking medication or to snap out of it, or people see me being so called normal and thinking that I must be okay and that is the hard part because I am trying to hide how I am really feeling, I even told someone who told me to snap out of it, if they ever tell anyone who has cancer to snap out of it, we do struggle through life

Had it most of my life (sometimes with paranoia) but I've finally come to terms, I am now committing suicide but in a way that no one will recognise and therefore try to stop me - it will take a few years but I haven't got many left anyway having reached my allotted span.

William Laughlin, Very well stated.

Depression is a serious illness..🙏

Very insightful thanks Bonnie

Very happy they took the time to post this info. It’s very important!

Irma Rivera, shocking to hear your story. Thank you for sharing.

Multiple concussions when a teen are the root cause of my depression. If it weren't for drugs developed by Big Pharma I wouldn't be alive today.

There is no "cure" for major depressive disorder. It can only be managed with psychoactive drugs and therapy.

VERY INTERESTING ISSUE!!

I am bipolar which is a branch of Depression although only recognised as such in the last 50 years or so. The "trigger" in my case was the death of my Father when I was 14. I wasn't diagnosed until some 7 years ago and obviously will be on meds for the rest of my life and what a difference they have made although I did try to commit suicide 2 years ago - a very black period in my life. The Disorder is also hereditary - both my Mother and Grandmother were Bipolar and it does concern me that my son and daughter could be and if they aren't their own children could be as it is known to skip generations. I do not mind who knows I am bipolar and have written letters and an article in the Cape Times (Cape Town) and have also lectured the 1st year medical students at Stellenbosch University about my experiences. There are many celebrities who are bipolar. The more those of us who are bipolar talk about it the better.

These answers are too simplistic. Depression is often misunderstood, This is not a subject for quiz trivia sites.

Very important points.

So any people have the wrong idea, and/or just don't understand!!