Three Common Reasons People Give for NOT Seeking Treatment for Depression

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1.  One reason people give for not seeking treatment for depression is that this is the type of thing one just rides out. They believe they will just “snap out” of the depression or that they can “will” it away. They convince themselves that their depression will disappear if they read just one more self-help book on the subject. They read these books but don’t change a single thought or behavior.

2. Depressed people avoid treatment for fear of having to undergo a probing examination of their psychological pain. Their excuse is that they will have to share this pain with someone they don’t know very well or even at all, rendering treatment all the more unbearable.

3. Another reason people give for not pursuing treatment for depression is the shame factor. Unless someone is going through a divorce, dealing with a death or experiencing some other major trauma, our society unfortunately continues to view depression as a sign of personal weakness. People therefore forego seeking help out of sheer embarrassment for even having these depressed feelings.