Hi, loves!
Today, I want to discuss the common misconceptions I see floating around regarding depression. Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, alongside anxiety, so it’s pretty crazy to me that these misconceptions are still so common! Hopefully this blog post will help a few people differentiate the truth and myths about depression.
1.) Everyone with depression has a bad life
I’m going to start off with what I believe to be the most common misconception when it comes to depression. A lot of people believe that someone with depression has to have a ‘bad life’, e.g. financial difficulties, bereavement, suffered a traumatic event. This simply isn’t true. Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain that isn’t always caused by an event in life, just like some physical illnesses aren’t caused by anything specific. Someone can seem to have the perfect life and suffer from depression. Depression doesn’t discriminate – it can effect any race, gender, ethnicity, religion. It’s an illness of the brain, which is an organ.
2.) Everyone with depression has suicidal thoughts
This is a common disbelief held by many people. Although many people who suffer from depression experience suicidal ideation, not everyone does. Just because someone shows all the signs of clinical depression, doesn’t mean they want to die. Some people diagnosed with depression want to die, some don’t. However, someone not experience suicidal thoughts does not make their illness any less serious. Everyone deserves help, despite the ‘severity’ of their illness.

3.) Men don’t experience depression
I think this misconception has become less common recently as more awareness is being raised around social media regarding men and mental health, but it’s still a huge misconception widely believed across society. Infact, the stigma surrounding men and mental illness leads to a lot of men feeling afraid to speak out about their issues, which can actually make their depression worse. Sadly, the highest suicide rate in the UK is for men aged 45-49. Men with depression are at huge risk of suicide and they need/deserve help. Having a mental illness does not make anyone less of a man.
4.) People with depression always seem sad
This is completely untrue. Your ‘happiest’ friend is often the one who’s suffering with depression. Your friend who laughs the loudest is often the one with the biggest inner turmoil. Your friend who cracks the most jokes is often the one who goes hope and cries themselves to sleep. Remember to look out for everyone, even your ‘happiest’ friends. Not everything is as straightforward as it seems, and everyone needs a little support from those around them every now and then.
5.) Depression is an emotion
This is WRONG. Sadness is an emotion, but depression is an illness just as valid as any physical illness, such as diabetes. The brain is an organ, so when the brain is poorly it can be extremely dangerous. Sometimes, the brain becomes poorly and that leads to clinical depression. The brain needs looking after just as much as any other organ, and sometimes that requires medication. Depression is much more intricate than feeling sadness.
6.) Depression is just feeling sad
This is similar to my last point, and probably something I’ll do a whole blog post focusing on at some point. I have a lot to say regarding this point, but for now I’ll just say this: depression isn’t as simple as just feeling sad. Depression can be feeling so numb, being unable to escape the dark clouds surrounding you. Depression is different for everyone, but it certainly isn’t just sadness.
I really hope this post helped some of my readers understand depression better and help eradicate some of the common misconceptions surrounding this awful illness. If you’re struggling, my comment section is always there for you to vent/rant. I’ll also leave some numbers for helplines in the UK down below if you’re struggling at any point.
Lots of love,
Soph. xx
Mind: 0300 123 3393
Samaritans: 116 123
YoungMinds (adolescent service for children/teenagers and parents/carers): 0808 802 5544
Addiction helpline: 0845 769 7555
Beat (adult): 0808 801 0677
Beat (under 18’s): 0808 801 0711
This was an interesting read and it’s sad to know how depression and anxiety still have so misconceptions around them.
☼ Eena | cabin twenty-four
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It’s very sad but I unfortunately think it will always be that way as they’re such complex illnesses and many people are quite ignorant/uneducated! Thank you so much for your lovely comment 🙂 xx
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An excellent post. I think mental health is something that always seems to be brushed off especially with the perception that depression means you always have to be sad. Which is certainly not the case and just because your happy or smile for a moment means you’re cured.
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100% agree! you can have a moment of smiles and still have a mental illness. thank you for the comment x
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This is such an important post. I feel like these misconceptions are the underlying cause of the stigma that surrounds mental health, a stigma that prevents so many from reaching out for the help that they need. Thank you for sharing!
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Definitely agree! Thanks so much for the comment x
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Such an informative post! I think your first point is particularly noteworthy. Especially when a famous person comes out with having depression. There’s so much misconception around “well they have loads of money and a gorgeous house, what have they got to be depressed about?” when it just doesn’t work like that!
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I 100% agree! Depression doesn’t discriminate on age, gender, religion, ethnicity, race etc, it literally can affect anyone as it’s a chemical imbalance in the brain! The brain is an organ that can get poorly just as easily as any other organ in the body. Thank you very much for your great comment xx
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A really informative post. I think your first point is particularly noteworthy. Especially when famous people come out with depression. Money and lifestyle doesn’t really make any difference x
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Yeah, that’s exactly the point I was getting at! It’s sad to see famous people feel invalidated about their illness. Thank you for the comment x
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Well said about depression✨👏 A valid thoughts of society and clarified well✨👏Great work, Keep up !
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Thank you for your lovely comment! x
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Thank you so much for your kind words! 🙂 Yes, I have an E-Mail subscription and a ‘follow’ button at the right hand side of my blog – https://girlvsworld.home.blog/ 🙂 xx
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