Depression: Myths and Facts

October 28, 2025

3 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the most common mental illness in the world. However, some people don't consider it a disease. Let’s take a look at the most common facts and myths about depression.

Key takeaways

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the most common mental illness in the world.

Who this is for

People exploring Mental health through depression, antidepressants.

Why it matters

This piece helps you get oriented quickly, then move into a collection or series if you want to keep going.

Article author

Dr. Viačaslaŭ

Psychiatrist

Myth: depression is when you're in a bad mood and don't want anything If you're just sad, it does not mean you are depressed. Depression is a serious illness that can be recognized by the "depressive triad":

Problems in the emotional sphere (nothing makes you happy, nothing brings pleasure)
Altered perception of the world (there is only a negative image of oneself, the world, the future, and everything around)
Motor disorders (pronounced lethargy or overexcitation)

In addition, depression often causes a loss of appetite, sleep disorders, constant feelings of fatigue, headaches, back and abdominal pain, and constipation. The person may be unable to be in society, work, or socialize.

Every year about 800,000 people around the world commit suicide due to depression.

Fact: Stress is one of the leading causes of depression Stress can trigger a mechanism for affective disorders. Experts believe that it is much more dangerous to be exposed to stress repeatedly than just once. This leads to chronic depletion of defense mechanisms.

Myth: A depressed person is always sad and often cries This is not necessarily true. A depressed person is typically indifferent, detached, and does not express any emotions — whether negative or positive. This is why people who are close to the depressed person often do not notice that something is wrong.

Fact: Exercise can help Studies have proven that regular moderate exercise can alleviate symptoms of depression. Group exercise is more helpful than individual exercise.

Myth: Depressed people must find something they are passionate about This is only true if the depressed person is moping. People with depression aren't lazy, they don't get depressed by choice, and they can’t get rid of the depression on their own. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are physical changes in the brain, an imbalance of neurotransmitters and hormones in the body that cause depression.

Fact: Heredity is not a sentence If you know that someone in your family has suffered from depression, you can try to avoid it by watching for early symptoms and taking action such as reducing stress, consulting with specialists, etc.

Myth: Depression affects women more often This is partially true. According to research depression does occur twice as often in women as in men, but this is because women are more likely to seek help. Men are less likely to talk about their feelings, and some depressed men may be irritable, angry, or restless, which are not necessarily symptoms of depression. Men often try to cope with depression with alcohol.

Fact: Depression is often confused with dementia in old age Health problems, the awareness of old age, and fear of death can trigger depression in older people, and it can affect physical health. For example, it can cause memory problems, confusion, and delusions, and doctors may mistake these problems for signs of dementia.

Myth: You must be on antidepressants for life Medication is only one of the tools to treat severe forms of depression. Medications should not be taken forever, but 3–4 months until a steady-state with gradual withdrawal of the drug. Along with this, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is needed when people in a group with a specialist learn new ways to think and behave.

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