Depression: Myths, Misconceptions, and Common Mistakes

Depression is surrounded by so many myths that people often go years without seeking help — or seek it in the wrong place. Dr. Saulitis identifies several key misconceptions he encounters in practice on a regular basis.

Myth 1: "Depression has a recognisable face"

The common image of depression is someone lying in bed, unable to get up, crying. In reality, there are no specific, universal symptoms. Some people lose their appetite entirely; others overeat. Some cannot sleep at all; others sleep constantly. One patient arrives overwhelmed by racing thoughts; another describes their head as "full of cotton wool." Some patients smile throughout the consultation — that does not mean they are not depressed: it is a mask. This is precisely why trying to identify depression by one or two features almost always leads to the wrong conclusion.

Myth 2: "It is not an illness — just laziness or weakness"

One of the most harmful mistakes is explaining depression in moral terms: "they are lazy," "they have let themselves go," "they just need to pull themselves together." These explanations have nothing to do with reality. At the root of the condition is a disruption in neuronal function — a concrete biochemical process. The neurons are not receiving what they need to function properly, or they are operating under toxic conditions. This is not a matter of willpower.

Myth 3: "Once you come out of depression, the danger is over"

This may be the most dangerous misconception of all. As a person begins to emerge from depression, physical functions recover first: appetite returns, sleep improves, energy comes back. But cognitive functions — thinking, awareness, reflection — recover later. In that interval, the person already has the energy to act, while thoughts of guilt and hopelessness are still very much present. It is precisely during this window that the risk of suicidal action is at its highest. Neither patients nor those close to them typically understand this.

Myth 4: "The neurons are working better — time to push harder"

Another common mistake during recovery: the person begins to feel better, and they — or those around them — immediately ramp up the workload, returning to the old pace or taking on more. This is a trap. When neurons are only just beginning to recover, the load should be gradually reduced, not increased.