Depression is a common condition that affects people for many reasons, including people affected by cancer. In this blog, editor Matt exposes some of the myths surrounding the illness.
Depression is a common mental health condition that affects around 1 in 10 people. It can develop gradually or very quickly. Depression can be triggered by any number of factors. For some people it may not be clear what has caused it.
Living with cancer, or knowing somebody close who has cancer, can bring with it many different emotions. Some people may feel very low at times and this may continue or get worse. It’s sometimes difficult to recognise depression and it may be those around you who notice symptoms and suggest that you might need help. We have more information about depression that you may find helpful.
In this video, Alfie talks about his experience of coping with depression after his cancer diagnosis.
Public awareness of depression has grown enormously in recent years. This has been led by widespread publicity surrounding cases like Robin Williams or Tyson Fury. However it’s sometimes still treated as a taboo subject, or misrepresented when it is discussed.
A couple of my friends and relatives have talked openly about having depression, but judging by the statistics, the chances are that there are more who don’t feel like they can speak up. Staying silent can be damaging for someone with depression, and any feelings of embarrassment or denial can come from a misunderstanding of the condition.
Below, we bust some of the myths you might regularly come across about depression, and give information on where you can find out more about the reality of the illness:
Depression is just feeling sad
Although feeling low is a common effect of depression, it tends to be a more consistent and long-lasting feeling than most people will experience when they go through a difficult time.
The mental effects of depression also go beyond feeling sad, with impatience, difficulty concentrating and a lower sexual desire also common symptoms.
The illness can have physical effects too, such as difficulty sleeping, feelings of fatigue or changes in appetite.
I need to deal with this alone
Although there are effective self-help methods for dealing with depression, most people find talking to someone an important step towards recovery. This could be someone close to you, or a professional such as a doctor, cancer nurse or counsellor. There are also organisations that can help people with depression, and give information on people you can talk to about how you’re feeling.
The only treatment is taking anti-depressant drugs
Many people benefit greatly from taking anti-depressant drugs, which are often prescribed to help treat depression. However, for a lot of people it is often important to talk to a specialist about their feelings and to try other treatments, as well as taking medicine.
Some people might take anti-depressants but not find them effective, while others could find that talking to a specialist is enough to help them out, without needing to take anti-depressants at all.
People’s experiences of depression vary widely, so there is no catch-all cure. As well as offering anti-depressant drugs as an option, doctors can also suggest a variety of other treatments which lots of people find helpful, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, support groups and physical exercise.
People should get over it
Depression is a real illness that is best treated by qualified health professionals. It has a major effect on a person’s life, which can sometimes be difficult to describe. It often involves a loss of interest in activities that used to bring joy, or even a struggle to get out of bed in the morning.
It is not something to be ignored or embarrassed about, and someone who thinks they might have depression shouldn’t feel like a burden when asking for help.
If you would like to find out more about this, or if you ever need to speak to someone but don’t know where to turn, you can call our support line on 0808 808 00 00. Or you could visit our online community, where there will be people affected by cancer who have had similar experiences that you can talk to.
If you are feeling very low and thinking that you can’t go on, you can call the Samaritans’ 24-hour confidential helpline on 08457 90 90 90, or visit their website.
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