Common reasons people avoid treatment.

Are you struggling with depression? Are you getting treatment for it? If not, you're most definitely not alone. Approximately two-thirds of people with major depression never seek the treatment that they need. The consequences can be devastating: personal suffering, missed work, broken marriages, health problems and, in the worst cases, death. The World Health Organization ranks depression as one of the world's most disabling diseases. Yet with treatment, 80% of people with clinical depression improve, usually in a matter of weeks.
 
So what keeps us from seeking help?
 
If you feel depressed and are trying to deal with it on your own, see if any of these reasons ring true to you. If they do, then follow the experts' advice to get the help you need.
 
Reason 1 - "If I give it time, I'll snap out of it." Although a case of the blues passes with time, clinical depression may linger indefinitely if not treated. People can't just snap out of being clinically depressed. Often, in fact, depression has a biological origin. And like other medical conditions, it often requires treatment to control or heal it. Waiting for depression to simply pass can be harmful for a number of reasons. Depression left untreated can become more severe. The longer the delay in treatment, the more difficult it may be to control, and the more likely it is to recur when treatment is stopped. There also is growing evidence that untreated depression can contribute to or worsen other medical problems such as heart disease, obesite, diabetes, Alzheimers and cancer.
 
Reason 2 - "I don't want to take antidepressants for the rest of my life." Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form of talk therapy that focuses on the here and now. This helps you look at your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to try to improve your quality of life and reduce your depression. See a therapist (psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker) as well as your regular doctor. If you do need a medication, it most likely won't be for life. Learn all you can and don't rely on stories you have heard from others who have taken antidepressants. Every person reacts a little differently to them.
 
Reason 3 - "I don't feel sad all the time. Why do I need treatment for depression?" You don't need to feel sad or cry all day to be clinically depressed. Often people with depression see their primary care physicians for problems such as muscle pain, sleeping difficulties, or fatigue, not knowing those are signs of depression. Sometimes these symptoms accompany sadness; other times they don't. ‘Masked depression' occurs when, for whatever reason, people don't feel in touch with a sense of sadness or abnormal mood. They may be more apt to report something like apathy, blah mood, or not feeling like themselves. In these cases, a doctor may diagnose depression based on other symptoms, particularly decreased interest in or loss of pleasure from favorite activities. If you are experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain, or loss of interest in once-loved activities, don't rule out depression as a cause. See your doctor.
 
Reason 4 - "I'm embarrassed to talk to my doctor about it." Often the shame of having a mental health problem keeps a person from seeking help or even talking about suffering from depression" But depression is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a medical condition, much like diabetes or high cholesterol, which requires treatment. It is also a very common condition. Depressive disorders affect nearly 19 million people in the U.S. every year, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, sexuality, or socioeconomic status. So there's a good chance your doctor won't hear anything from you that he/she hasn't heard numerous times before. Remember that virtually everyone experiences depression at some point, and your doctor will not divulge confidences that you share with them.
 
Reason 5 - "I'm afraid of having to talk about painful subjects in therapy." Depressed people can wisih to avoid treatment for fear of having to undergo a probing examination of their psychological pain. Unfortunately, in some cases, getting into painful discussions is necessary for healing, others benefit greatly from just vocalizing within the patient's comfort zone. A good doctor won't push you to open up too quickly or at a level you are not comfortable with. Find a therapist you feel comfortable with and ask him/her as many questions as they ask you. Find out what therapy will be like. Although painful discussions may be necessary in time, your therapist cannot force you. What you reveal is up to you.