MYTH: You Can "Snap Out Of Depression"

FACT: NO. Let's get really clear about this: You cannot snap out of it. To "snap out of" depression is a physical impossibility. It makes about as much sense as asking someone to "snap out of" diabetes or an underactive thyroid gland.

MYTH: It's "All In Your Head" Depression is nothing, but the blues.

FACT: NO. Clinical Depression is far more than the low mood that everyone experiences now and then, that passes after a visit from friends or a day in the park. 

Depression lasts for weeks, months or even years. While it lasts, it affects how you think and how you feel, both emotionally and physically. 

MYTH: "People who are depressed always feel sad." You have to cry a lot or feel sad to be depressed.

FACT: NO. There are several symptoms that are needed to diagnose clinical depression, not just sad feelings. The elderly and children particularly may not appear sad when depressed. Rather, they may be angry and irritable, withdrawn, sleep poorly or complain of chronic fatigue.

Other symptoms of depression can be irritability, lack of energy, change in appetite, substance abuse, restlessness, racing thoughts, reckless behaviour, too much or too little sleep, or otherwise unexplained physical ailments.