Is depression a made-up disease?

In this guide, the information will be provided answering “is depression a made-up disease?” Debunking this notion and discussing in detail what depression is. 

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a serious and severe medical condition that affects how you feel, how you think, and how you behave negatively. It is also, thankfully, treatable. Depression triggers feelings of disappointment in things you once enjoyed and/or a lack of interest. It can contribute to several physical and emotional issues and can reduce your ability to work at work and home.

There is more to depression than just feeling down or having a bad day. You may be depressed when a sad mood lasts for a long time and interferes with normal, regular functioning. 

Is depression a made-up disease?

No, depression is not a made-up disease. Many people falsely assume that depression is mere distress or even character failure. Yet depression is, in reality, a complicated mental health condition. It has social, psychological, and biological roots, and in several ways, it can be managed.

Don’t write it off as usual if you think you might be experiencing depression. Speak to your doctor instead. They will help you get the help you need for your condition to be treated.

Overall, at any point in their lives, about 1 out of every 6 adults will have depression. Every year, depression affects approximately 16 million American adults. Anyone can get depressed and, at any age, and in any form of a person, depression can occur.

Can someone fake depression?

Unfortunately, it may often contribute to the presumption that the individual is faking their condition when people see a person who has depression laughing or acting well. Going only by outward appearances, it’s very simple to think that the illness of an individual may not be true or serious.

It is important to note, however, that you see only a single moment in time. What matters most in deciding whether a person has depression is what the life of that person is like generally, and whether the disorder is too serious to attend work or other duties.

Symptoms you can’t see may include having trouble falling asleep the night before, having trouble finding the energy to get up, and having trouble focusing on everyday tasks.

Although it is undoubtedly possible to fake depression, note that depression itself appears to be an invisible disease.

You can not snap out of Depression

No one chooses to depress themselves. Some people erroneously assume that when you allow yourself to wallow in your sorrow or disappointment, it happens. With optimistic thinking or a change of mindset, they can believe it can be cured.

Depression isn’t, in fact, a sign of self-pity, weakness, or laziness. It’s a medical disorder in which environmental or biological influences adversely influence the chemistry, function, and structure of your brain. Make an appointment with your doctor if you believe that you’re experiencing it.

Talking about Depression can help a lot

It’s a common misconception that talking about depression just strengthens unhealthy emotions and keeps you focused on life’s negative experiences. But for many people, it is much more damaging to be alone with your feelings than to work them out.

It can help to speak about your feelings to a compassionate, trustworthy, and non-judgmental listener. You may be able to have a compassionate ear for your loved ones. But a licensed therapist is best qualified to offer the help you need in certain situations.

Signs and symptoms of depression

Depression signs include:

• Prevalently or all the time, feeling depressed or nervous
• Not wanting to do things that used to be entertaining
• Feeling irritable, easily disappointed, or restless
• Having problems falling asleep or staying asleep
• Waking up too early or getting too much sleep
• To eat more or less than normal or to have no appetite
• Experiencing issues with aches, pains, headaches, or stomach that do not change with care
• Having difficulty focusing, remembering facts, or making choices
• Feeling tired, even after a good sleep
• The feeling of remorse, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Thinking about committing suicide or getting injured

Causes of depression

It is unclear the exact cause of the depression. A combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors can activate it. Everyone is different, but the following considerations can increase the chances of an individual being depressed:

• Getting relatives of blood who have had depression
• The experience of traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or sexual assault, a loved one’s death, or financial difficulties
• Going through a big change of life, even though it was scheduled
• Having a medical problem such as stroke, cancer, or chronic pain
• Take certain drugs. If you have concerns about whether your drugs could make you feel sad, speak to your doctor.
• Using drugs or alcohol

Scientific Research on Depression

As a systemic disorder, evidence to support depression comes in the form of biochemical changes that are observed in depression patients. For instance, depression can all be affected by inflammation, neuroendocrine control, platelet activity, autonomic nervous system activity, and skeletal homeostasis.

Based on 29 previously published research, a meta-analysis performed at the University of Granada and published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry analyzed improvements in the bodies of depressed individuals. Depression has been found to cause an imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals that can eventually kill the body’s cells, also known as oxidative stress.

Aftercare was given to these patients with depression, their malondialdehyde levels, a biomarker signaling oxidative stress, went back down to safe levels. Furthermore, their zinc and uric acid levels have been shown to rise back to normal levels after treatment.

Physical symptoms in Depression

Research may help explain why people with depression sometimes complain of physical symptoms, such as too much or too little sleep, tiredness, and changes in appetite. It is speculated that this could also help clarify why depression patients appear to have shorter lifespans.

We also know that certain medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism, can lead to depressive symptoms.

Depression is not necessarily a problem of the mind, but rather a complex condition linking the mind and body with both biological and social causes.

Treatment of Depression

Of mental illnesses, depression is among the most treatable. About 80% and 90% of individuals with depression ultimately respond well to therapy. Some relief from their symptoms is received by almost all patients. Depression therapy may help to alleviate symptoms and shorten how long the depression lasts. Therapy can involve obtaining care and/or taking medication. You can be assisted by a doctor or a trained mental health professional to decide which care is best for you.

Medication 

Brain chemistry may lead to the depression of a person and may affect his or her treatment. For this purpose, to help change one’s brain chemistry, antidepressants might be prescribed. No sedatives, “uppers” or tranquilizers are these drugs. They’re not developing habits. In general, antidepressant drugs have no calming effect on individuals who do not experience depression.

Within the first week or two of use, antidepressants may show some change, but maximum effects may not be seen for two to three months. If, after several weeks, a patient feels little or no improvement, his or her psychiatrist may change the medication’s dose or add or substitute another antidepressant. Other psychotropic drugs can be effective in certain cases.

Psychotherapies

Psychotherapy, or’ talk therapy,’ is often used alone for mild depression treatment; psychotherapy is also used along with antidepressant drugs for moderate to serious depression. It has been found that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is beneficial in the treatment of depression. CBT is a method of therapy based on solving the current problem. Intending to modify thoughts and attitudes to respond to challenges in a more constructive way, CBT allows an individual to identify distorted/negative thinking.

Psychotherapy can only involve the individual, but others can be included. Family or couple therapy, for example, can help address problems within these close relationships. Community therapy brings together people with common diseases in a supportive atmosphere that can encourage the person to understand in similar conditions how others cope.

Coping and Self-Help

To help reduce the effects of depression, there are a variety of things people can do. Regular exercise helps produce good emotions for many individuals and enhances mood. It may also help alleviate symptoms of depression to get adequate quality sleep regularly, eat a balanced diet, and avoid alcohol (a depressant).

Depression is a true condition and there is assistance available. The vast majority of people with depression will resolve it with proper diagnosis and care. If you have signs of depression, seeing a family doctor or therapist is the first phase. Nowadays many online platforms are also open that connect you with mental health professionals and help you. Speak about your questions and request a comprehensive assessment. This is a start to address the criteria for mental health.

In this guide, the information was provided answering “is depression a made-up disease?” Debunking this notion and discussing in detail what depression is. 

BetterHelp: A Better Alternative

Those who are seeking therapy online may also be interested in BetterHelp. BetterHelp offers plenty of formats of therapy, ranging from live chats, live audio sessions and live video sessions. In addition, unlimited messaging through texting, audio messages and even video messages are available here.

BetterHelp also offers couples therapy and therapy for teenagers in its platform. Furthermore, group sessions can also be found in this platform, covering more than twenty different topics related to mental health and mental illness. The pricing of BetterHelp is also pretty cost-effective, especially considering the fact that the platform offers financial aid to most users.

FAQs: Is depression a made-up disease?