Depression Disconnect

GeneSight Mental Health Monitor Shows Misunderstanding of Depression and Treatment

New poll shows 83% of people with depression agree life would be easier if others could understand their depression

SALT LAKE CITY, April 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a new nationwide poll, the GeneSight Mental Health Monitor found that 83% of people with depression agree that life would be easier if others could understand their depression. Yet, most people who have not experienced depression may not be able to understand the challenges, including its treatment.

“Depression is one of the most misunderstood disorders. When people misinterpret patients with depression as ‘lazy’ or ‘dramatic,’ they are vastly underestimating and misunderstanding the debilitating symptoms of major depressive disorder,” said Mark Pollack, M.D., chief medical officer for the GeneSight test at Myriad Genetics. “That is why we are working with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, so that loved ones can offer more empathetic support and people with depression won’t feel so alone.”

For Mental Health Awareness Month (May), GeneSight and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) have partnered to raise awareness and understanding for how a person who has major depressive disorder feels, and why it can be so hard to seek treatment.

Lack of Understanding and Empathy about Depression

Three out of four people living with depression said they desire support from their loved ones including just listening or saying supportive things like: “How can I help?” or “Do you want to talk about it?”. Instead, nearly half of those with depression said they were more likely to hear statements like: “You need to get over it/snap out of it” or “We all get sad sometimes”.

“Depression is a serious but treatable medical condition that affects how a person feels, thinks, and acts. Though typically characterized by feelings of sadness, depression symptoms may appear as irritability or apathy,” said Michael Thase, M.D., professor of psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine and the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, and DBSA scientific advisory board member. “We must work together – providers, patients, family and friends – to continue to reduce the impact of stigma. Misunderstanding the disorder may lead to people feeling embarrassed and/or unwilling to seek the treatment they need.”