Show This Video to Anyone Who Doesn’t Believe Depression Is a Medical Condition
Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. An estimated 350 million people of all ages from all over the globe live with depression.
Yet, it’s still a highly misunderstood condition.
A particularly harmful misconception about clinical depression is that it’s the same as feeling a bit down.
“Clinical depression is different,” says the narrator in the animated video below. “It’s a medical disorder and it won’t go away just because you want it to.”
Like a broken arm, depression is not something a person can just snap out of or brush off. The animated video below, by Helen M. Farrell and Ted Ed, attempts to clear up some of the misconceptions and spread awareness about causes and treatment options for depression. It also gives tips on what people can do to support loved ones who live with this mental health condition.
So next time someone tries to say depression isn’t a medical condition, just go ahead and send this video their way.
Watch the video below:
h/t Metro
Melissa McGlensey is the former News Editor at The Mighty. Her writing can also be seen in Ms. Magazine, on the Ms.Magazine blog and in The Huffington Post’s Good News, Comedy and Impact sections. Melissa is also a New York City comedian who does sketch, improv and stand up. She is passionate about social justice, politics, Thai food, literature, disability rights and more. She is currently in a long-distance relationship with her cat, Sneakers, who lives in California. You can follow her on twitter at @OhHeyMeliss.
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