Depression is an Illness, Not a Weakness

Major depression is an illness and not a weakness or failure. This video shows you how depression develops in the brain. I also talk about how long depression lasts. Depression is more than sadness or a temporary funk. Since it's beyond your control, you can't simply stop being depressed.

I discuss the kindling effect and how it can make your depression worse. I also discuss depression statistics in the United States.

According to the last statistics, recovery from depression typically begins within 3 months of onset for two in five individuals with major depression and within 1 year for four in five individuals.

40% of people start to recover within 3 months of the onset of symptoms.
80% within a year

The length of a depressive episode is in the range of 5–6 months, with approximately 20% of episodes becoming chronic (i.e., lasting beyond 2 years).
Estimates of recurrence range from ~ 50% within the first year to up to 85% during a lifetime.

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Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, perhaps these videos can help prepare you for your discussion with your doctor.

[angelshanafelter]

"Depression isn't always sadness, sometimes it's anger." Wow, I have never heard that before.

[kendigjl]

This lady is giving out the best information for mental health that I've ever heard.

[jr-mdgx]

I never thought I had an illness until i had to walk out of my job, spent 24 hrs in bed still in uniform, and went days without eating. The worst episode I'd had. Ever. And it happened while I was a month from marrying my childhood sweetheart, and employed at the best job I'd had yet, with the most amount of money in my bank account, the fittest I'd ever been :/ its debilitating at times.

[nickdipietro]

She feels like that very nice high school teacher who’s very nice and wants you to succeed 😁😁😁

[rickredmond]

You have a gift for communicating and simplifying deep and complex concepts and information so that the average non-mental health professional can understand it more easily. Great stuff!

[melissajohnson]

The biggest breakthrough I ever had when dealing with my mental health was when my therapist asked me if I would be ashamed if had cancer and received treatment for it. It wasn't until that moment that actually looked at my major depression and panic disorder as a illness that needs treatment instead of punishing myself for making life hard for no reason.

[krisd]

One thing that sucks is not feeling like you can be open about it with your employers or teachers for fear that they'll think your weird or won't take you seriously

[janets]

I have had dysthymia with episodes of major depression since I was five years old. I am now 59. I've always felt that "I am Depression" rather than "I have depression." I've recently hit upon the concept of "overidentifying" with depression and it's really rocked my world. My therapist and I are going to delve into what that means, and I'm very hopeful. Thanks, Dr. Marks!

[classiql]

"Things that are EMOTIONAL still come from an ORGAN that has TO FUNCTION correctly"

[gabrieldunne]

It's very important to me to tell you this. I am 38 years old, I have been through depression, and at least 15 years of alcoholism. This year, I decided to quit drinking, and my whole brain changed. The enterily system switched. I see know infinite possibilities ahead, but I can't stop blame myself for the time I wasted. You have a very important gift, and I so glad that you can share it with us all.
I'm sorry if my English is bad. I'm argentinian.

[serena]

Clinical depression is a very serious illness and can be deadly if not treated. I have been on treatment for depression since the age of 23 and am now 66 years old. I had two major depressive episodes in my life and each time it took me close to 18 months each time to recover. My doctor told me that I must take my meds for the rest of my life. This is the hand I have been dealt. I have a family history of major depressive illness. Without my meds I could not live a normal life. I have been episode free for 36 years. If you can get the correct diagnosis and treatment it is a God send. Blessings to all who suffer from this awful illness.

[janellephoenix]

What upsets me about Depression is that it's a problem that no one knows how to cure and so people try to distract you from the bigger issue at hand.

I like to compare it to a house fire.
Everyone points out the pretty little details of the house (i.e. the cute little shutters, beautiful rose bushes, etc.) While failing to see the larger issue: the house is on fire!
Distraction is fine short term but if you don't deal with the larger problem it's catastrophic and fatal in the end.

[TexicanGrillMaster]

I had a major depressive episode about a year ago. After about a month and a half I visited a psychiatrist and was prescribed Prozac. On day 25 of taking it I started feeling much better and afterwards recovered and I felt like myself again. Prior to that it was pure hell. Anyway the point I wanted to make was my in-laws and wife were not very supportive when I was severely depressed. They made me feel as if “I could just think wonderful thoughts “ and I would have been healed. As much as I could I tried to explain to them it’s not that I don’t want to get better it’s that I “can’t “…. In retrospect I get resentful thinking about it. Thank You Dr. Marks for your videos. Very informative

[nomalangamamabolo]

Thank for educating us, I’m just diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety...

[TODDZEN]

Thanks for your insightful talk. Even Therapists can lack empathy for a Depressed person. That is my personal experience. I had a Therapist tell me "If your looking for Compassion I am not your guy". I cancelled the Therapy right away.

[yelitzagalan]

Watching this video honestly brought tears to my eyes, because often times we do get stupid comments from people. Like to just cheer up, or "you'll get over it", or you're just being lazy. Sometimes even though we know those things aren't true, we can beat ourselves up even more. This video also helps me understand why usually over the years left untreated, depression can go on for longer periods of time and even become more chronic.

[robertwatson]

Great video,
I’ve been so embarrassed about my depression I’ve kept it under wraps for years until now, when I had some bad news regarding my job.
Had a meltdown and now off sick, feeling guilty about this, but I don’t feel like returning to it anytime soon.
This in turn is making me worry money etc.
I have contacted my doc and seeking therapy enough is enough

[darlenefrye]

Thank you for explaining Depression. I have battled it on and off for decades. Being treatment resistant makes it even worse.

[sasha]

I struggle with depression for a long time this is a horrible thing to deal with especially people who dont understand what u going through sometime I feel like disappearing 😪😪😪😪

[PattymacMakes]

Dr. Marks, I love how you so clearly present such a complex and difficult topic. People fail to realize we are one big chemistry set walking around, and things can get out of whack. As complicated as the systems are, I amazed we get around as well as we do. It's pretty miraculous as far as I'm concerned. Very interested in your follow up videos.