Study Highlights Believing Biological Cause of Depression May Lead to Less Stigma

What we learned: A new study published in the Journal of Mental Health investigated attitudes about depression among 319 participants. Of those included in the study, nearly 50% had lived experience of depression and others had a loved one with depression. The goal of the study was to determine how beliefs about the cause of depression impacts stigma and people’s willingness to get care.

The Frontlines: Depression affects more than 16 million people in the U.S. any given year, and attitudes about living with a mental illness can impact whether or not people seek help. Here’s what the study found:

• The belief that depression had primarily biological causes led to participants thinking depression had serious consequences and was long-lasting, but also thought it was more treatable
• Having lived experience or believing depression has a biological cause was associated with less negative attitudes about those with mental illnesses
• Those who had lived experience or a loved one with depression who believe depression is a neurobiological or genetic disorder were least likely to report stigma

A Mighty Voice: Depression isn’t just caused by biology. Our contributor, Shawn Henfling, reminded readers that there’s still a lot we don’t know about the cause of depression. “Is it possible that some kind of imbalance is to blame or, more accurately, contributes to mental illness? Yes. But … the awful and unfortunate truth of mental illness is that we don’t know.” You can submit your first person story, too.

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From Our Community: 

What’s an “invisible” symptom you experience?

Add your voice: Join the Distract Me group on The Mighty by downloading our app or comment below.

Other things to know: For more insight on living with depression, read more from other Mighty community members who have been there:

• 10 Things I’ve Learned in Living With Depression
• 9 Common Symptoms of Depression — as Told By Memes
• 25 Texts to Send a Loved One Living With Depression

More helpful thinking: If you’re struggling with depression, know you’re not alone and help is available. For depression resources, visit the Anxiety and Depression Association of America’s website.