The "Stigma" of Depression

[FattyBoomBatty]

THIS IS FOR ANYBODY CONCERNED ABOUT THE STIGMA OF BEING TREATED FOR DEPRESSION

I just finished responding to a post in another thread that brought up the unfortunate "stigma" that is associated with depression. Although I think I was pretty in depth in my response, I felt that this was an important enough issue to call attention to with its own thread.

If you look at the sticky threads on the top of this forum, you will notice how many of them emphasize that depression is a disease, a medical issue, with as many biological causes and symptoms as emotional ones. Why is this being broadcasted over and over again to you?

Because of the "stigma".

This stigma comes in many flavors. That depression doesn't exist, that is just laziness, or weakness, or an excuse, or (and this is a big one) that is something to be ashamed of.

But where does this stigma come from? Who is giving a stigma to seeking out help? And why does it feel like such a powerful, overwhelming stigma?

The answer is simple. The stigma largley comes from within the depressed mind itself. Remember, depression is a disease, and therefore is not actually a part of you any more than a tumor is. Clinical depression is a sly and cunning disease, able to actually seem like real part of your personality. It tells you there is no hope, so you believe that there really isn't any. It manipulates memories, perceptions, emotions, and even worse, your own sense of well being.

Consider this (and I used this example before). You and a friend are jogging, and you suddenly take a bad step and break your ankle. You feel the pain, you feel your body reacting to the pain, and you are pretty sure that you have sustained an injury that won't let you get up and jog again. What if your friend didn't believe you and told you to stop being a cry baby and just get up? Who would you listen to? Your own body or your friend?

Before you answer, consider the same scenerio, only this time you think you might be suffering from depression. You feel it, you sense it, and you are suffering. You think about seeking out help, but a friend tell you to "get over it, just ignore it, stop being so weak". Who do you listen to?

And thats where the stigma comes from. A depressed mind is much more likely to feel too much shame in seeking help because of this "stigma". Whereas in the broken ankle situation, your friend's opinion would just be "stupid and wrong" and not a "stigma".

That is why the message of "Depression is a Disease, and needs to be treated" is said over and over. Because the only stigma in seeking help is the one the depression is telling you. Along with feelings of hopelessness and dispair, its got you thinking and believing that there is no way out and that its all your fault for feeling this way.

If you think you might be suffering from depression, recognize that the only stigma in getting help is in your own mind. Don't let things like shame, hopelessness, guilt, and dispair keep you from seeking out help. You do *NOT* need to suffer, it is not a part of you, and it *IS* a disease that can be treated, managed, and cured.

If you are suffering from depression, don't let a false concept of a stigma keep you from getting the help you want, need, and deserve!

[changing]

You are just way too cool for school, FBB. Thanks for posting this! I'm really into the whole emotional-body image-overeating phenomena right now. Reading a lot of self-help books and whatnot, believe it or not.

[FattyBoomBatty]

Thanks Changing,

I really felt the need to post this new thread after reading about "the unfortunate stigma" attached to suffering depression. I feel it is really important for many people to realize that the stigma that they think depression has in today's society is actually only in their own mind.

Yes, there are people with opinions that "therapy, medicine, and self-help books are for the dumb and weak, and depression doesn't exist"

But there are also people with the opinion that Atkins WOL is a fad diet that is unhealthy, doesn't work, and is pure evil (at least you'd think that was their opinion they way they argue about it)

And would you say doing Atkins carries a stigma? No. Because most likely you don't care, because you have found this WOL has helpful and that it works for you, no matter what other people think.

Its harder to not care what other people think when you are depressed because alot of times our self-image and self-esteem is so low and fragile already, that the idea of a "stigma" is enough to make us avoid the thought of treatment all together. When in reality, nothing is right in a depressed person's mind, everything is negative. So why wouldn't the concept of getting help not be viewed through the same veil when depressed? It does. Hence, the concept of stigma, along with other roadblocks depression likes to throw at you on the road to feeling better.

I encourage anybody who thinks they are suffering from clinical depression to not remain silent and seek out help. You will find the world is much more understanding than you think.

[Soonerjules]

Thank you so much for this post. I think I've been blaming myself for my depression for much too long. Thinking I'm wrong and that I'm crazy because people have told I'm weak, lazy, and irresponsible. It's hard to remember that it's as physical as having a tumor, and I have to consistently remind myself every day. You're analogy about the sprained ankle will stay in my mind and help make that reminder a lot easier. I'm getting help now and I'm looking forward to a much brighter future. Thank you.

[FattyBoomBatty]

That is great, Soonerjules! It is especially great that you are looking forward to the future because it means that you know that you are getting better. Keep reminding yourself that you are fighting an illness, not fighting your own nature. So there is no reason to beat yourself up! Just continue getting better!

[ttdriver]

Excellent post!

I think alot of people who've never experienced depression do not / can not understand what its really all about. Its not something you can just "shake off" .. I know I was never fully aware of the effects of it UNTIL I EXPERIENCED IT. I went through a very rough year in 2004 and ended up with major depression right around Christmas time. It was horrible. DEPRESSION HURTS ALL OVER, just like the commercial says. It truly does. And its impossible to explain the pain unless you've been through it.

Fortunately for me, my life has turned around 180 degrees since then and I no longer take any medications for depression ... THANKFULLY ... but I can certainly emphathize with those who do.

Thanks again for posting.

Betty

[DAWNIMMEL]

Has anyone had weight gain on lexapro? I have been on atkins for 3 years. My first few months I lost over 30 lbs. Since I have been on lexapro, I gained it back, still eating atkins. I have been cheat free for three weeks now and this week instead of loosing, I gained 2 pounds. In three weeks I have only lost 2.5 lbs. When I started Atkins in 2003 I was on Celexa. I am seeing an endocrinologist who also deals with Metabolism. I have hashimotos. My synthroid has been increased and still little weight loss. I go back to my endocrinologist on August 30th. I now weigh 145.5 from 117......Dawn

[FattyBoomBatty]

I was on Lexapro for about 2 years, and gained alot of weight during that time. I was given Lexapro for depression, and my doctor specifically gave me Lexapro because it was considered to be "weight neutral" in that statistics show that tested patients didn't gain or lose weight with it. And although I did gain weight, I cannot really blame the Lexapro because I wasn't eating very well during this time period (I had lost a lot of weight doing Atkins, and then went on an eating tear as soon as I started getting treated for depression - gained all the weight back and then some)

If you managed to lose weight while taking Celexa, then Lexapro might not be what is inhibiting weight loss (or at least it may not be the only factor). Lexapro is virtually a purer form of Celexa - condensed at a molecular level (something to do with isotopes). The end result is that you are getting the same medicine with Lexapro as you did with Celexa - just at a lower dose due to the difference in potency.

So what can you do?

First thing's first, start a clean induction. While on Lexapro, I tried to lose weight by going back to Atkins - but I was eating Atkins Advantage shakes and bar, cheese, nuts, and not watching quantity at all. And after a week or two of no significant change, I would stop. This is not the way to do it. Refer to the rules of induction, and stick to them as strictly as you possibly can. Drink LOTS of water, and incorporate some exercise into your routine. DO NOT STOP TAKING THE LEXAPRO. Take a multi vitamin & Omega 3 fatty acids everyday as well.

Try not to weigh yourself until you've done a clean induction for 2 weeks. See how you are feeling, keep track of what you are eating, and try to stay motivated. Check to see if you are in ketosis with ketostix. Remember, if you are in ketosis, you are burning fat. It could be that Lexapro is slowing down the rate you are burning fat, but you are burning fat nonetheless.

If after two weeks of doing a clean induction - with exercise & taking essential dietary supplements, you have had absolutely no change in weight, size, or overall well being, then its time to start investigating into Lexapro's role. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your medicine and its possible effects on your physical health.

But try the clean induction first. I suspect that if I had done that years ago, I would have saved myself alot of time and energy on the fat farm.

EDIT

*This Depression & Atkins thread has been closed due to extended absence of owner. Please feel free to private message any compliments and/or comments to the original poster. If you are the owner and would like to revive your Depression & Atkins please PM the forum mod or an Admin