Friends of Robin Williams said they were stunned by his suicide. Many said they never saw him sad. After all, how could a man who made his living making people laugh be depressed?
According to experts, depression is a terribly complex, and often misunderstood illness. Many people associate it with showing or feeling sadness and therefore believe a person who seems happy could never suffer from depression.
An estimated one in nine Americans suffers from depression. It is the leading cause of disability for Americans between the ages of 15 and 44, and the #1 cause of suicide, claiming 34,000 lives annually.
Major depression is defined as a severely depressed mood that continues for two weeks or more, interfering with one’s daily functions. Other forms of depression range from dysthymia, a minor but chronic depression that can last for years; to postpartum depression, that affects women shortly after childbirth; to bipolar disorder, that involves severe mood swings.
Here is a look at some of the most common myths about depression:
All of these misconceptions about depression can lead to the misunderstanding of the disease. If someone is feeling depressed, the worst thing to do is to ignore it. As previously stated, it took the life of someone that brought joy to millions of people’s lives, Robin Williams. But, if handled correctly, it is something that everyone can overcome and get back to enjoying life.
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