Still A Stigma - Overcoming Barriers To Treatment: Depression

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Still a stigma

Finally, there's stigma. Many people still erroneously see symptoms of depression and seeking treatment as a sign of weak character, lack of fortitude, or an inability to pull oneself up by the bootstraps. Because depression can be a source of shame, people with this illness may suffer silently. But by not getting treatment, they remain stuck on a destructive course that leads to more pain, a poorer quality of life, and, at worst, suicide.

This description is stark, but there's hope. Therapy and medications can help tremendously, and given the advances in our understanding of this condition, it seems likely that people with depression will soon have even greater treatment options. Public awareness about depression is growing, partly as a result of national public service campaigns, and perhaps funding for the development of new treatments will follow suit. As more and more people seek treatment, it may also be easier for families and friends of those suffering from depression to be more active in encouraging them to get help.

Last updated:	January 23, 2007