This is a really important post, not only for people who are suffering from depression but for the family and friends of sufferers. Family and friends are often the ones who say "you'll be right after a good night's sleep" or "you just need some vitamins, or you just need counselling". It is really important to distinguish between depression caused by external factors and clinical depression. I think the latter should have a different name...."biochemical brain imbalance" or something to distinguish it from the kind of depression which everyone has from time to time and to encourage people to get medical help for a medical problem. My medication works brilliantly for my depression and I thank God everyday that I don't have to live with feelings of clinical depression thanks to medical science. Thanks for the great post.R
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There's absolutely a stigma and it absolutely contributes to people not seeking treatment. I have a friend with severe depression and things were very dodgy for a while. Thankfully, she found treatment and these days, we talk about her disease as comfortably as we talk about mine. I have rheumatoid arthritis and need treatment for that in order to live my life the way I want. She has depression and needs treatment for the same reasons. I can't "overcome" my disease with a stiff upper lip and some willpower and neither can she.
Thanks for writing this post. It's a valuable point of view and hopefully one that will help others seek treatment.