How is depression viewed by society and the world around us?

Depression is usually viewed as a sign of weakness by the society. People tend to push you around and manage to land more frustration on you by blaming, mentioning past mistakes and making you feel guilty, which actually only makes an already bad situation worst.

They, if they haven't lived it themselves view it as just being upset or something they do not understand how serious matter it is.

Some people think that depression is a nightmare that can be easily gotten out of once you snap out of it. Some people view depression as suicide-obsessed people who think they're worthless. Depression in psychology meaning means that someone who has a lot of self-doubt and where the person feels helpless, sad or unimportant.

I think depression gets more and more attention by society in a positive way. Now it´s recognized as an illness, but unfortunately many people don´t want to talk about their illness and hide it, because they think it´s embarassing. It isn´t

Unfortunately, It's often overlooked because of people not speaking up. Don't be afraid to talk about your problems, there are more people out there who would be glad to help you out. You don't need to feel alone.

That's a big question, and one that is thought over A LOT. Depression, is viewed, wrongly, as something that you have let happen, that you should be ashamed of. It is avoided and found as something wrong to talk about. But your depression is a part of you and should be acknowledged and managed : )

Depression is viewed like a mystery, it is hard to understand, and it is surely harder to go through, some people say that depression is for weak people, but the truth is that it can hit any of us when we less see it coming.

I would say it's viewed as a taboo subject, as society often considers that it's not a real problem, that it's all in the person's head. But it is an increasing problem and that is why this planet needs kind, empathetic people to help those going through a hard time.

It's becoming more recognised and valid thanks to communities with compassion like ours. However in the UK (as my most to hand example), funding is being cut to mental health programs and some ignorant members *cough*Piers Morgan*cough* are misinterpreting what it's like to live with depression and show we still have some ways to go as a whole society. On the other hand, the cuts to mental health have revealed allies to people struggling in these situations and re fighting these choices. On a last note, depression still has a long way to go when it comes to representing everyone; due to sexism men are still somewhat invalid to depression, low income communities also lack the resources to deal with mental health issues. We just need to keep fighting and keep looking for ways to improve and calling out problematic behaviour- for everyone's sake.

Depression still has a stigma that causes some people to avoid treatment - or even talking about it. Fortunately, views of depression (as well as mental health in general) are changing and society is become more accepting of the decision to seek help.

I can't completely speak for everyone in our society about how depression is perceived but I can explain It for what I have seen. I have met people that simply do not believe in depression and see it more as an excuse to not do anything or slack on things at least that is the way they do see it. As well as people that truly don't think it is possible to truly be clinically depressed and not have a reason behind you feeling sad and not well. I have also seen good parts in our society that are very self aware of mental health awareness and highly care about people with depression and spreading awareness of it.

That is a very broad question. Many people think depression isn't a real illness.others think only the weak can get depressed. Others think depression is controllable.. As in whether or not you want it is your choice. And there are the people who believe depression is a real illness,anyone can get it and it isn't controllable. Is any of this right? It just depends on who you ask. Someone in California could share the same opinion as someone in Japan. I would not say it is the location that makes up the difference but simply the society, how that person was raised and what they've learned..etc

It is seen as an alien topic something that people can just get over but it is a very dark and long painful process but having the right people around you can make life better for you.

Society still views depression as either sadness or as weakness. We can shape how the world around us feels about it, though, by surrounding ourselves with people that are either educated about mental illness or open to listening and reducing the stigma surrounding it. If you surround yourself with supportive people, then in your world, depression will be viewed as a symptom of mental illness, something to be cared about instead of dismissed or looked down on.

Very negatively.. generally... people just say pull yourself together but many depression suffers will understand that it can take a lot more than that and sometimes people never get better...

Depression is difficult to understand for people with no experience in the matter. In my experience, society's view on depression depends on the knowledge of each individual. Some people don't know anything about the subject but still have their own ideas about it. Depression can be mistaken for a sign of weakness and a lot of people don't think it's something that will ever affect them. Some people would describe depression as "sadness", which is only a small part of the illness (and doesn't always have to be part of it at all). Because depression somehow taboo, most will usually have no idea of how many people in their surroundings are suffering from the illness. I think it is important to get the word out there. Let people know how to help friends, family, collegues et.c. who are suffering. Let society know that it is ok to be depressed and seek help for it. On the other hand, most people who really understand depression, know the seriousness, are accepting and want to help.

Depression is an tough topic. Unfortunately, also if depression and anxiety disorders are extremely common, is still difficult to talk about it and for this reason a lot of people is suffering in silence. Fortunately times are changing and the world is starting to open his eyes to this reality :)

Depression is sometimes seen as a stigma and is often a taboo term in society and the world. Sometimes, this is one of the reasons why those with depression do not confront their issues or discuss them. The world we live in is fast paced and some symptoms of depression cause victims to feel tired or unmotivated. This can be seen as being lazy by others.

It's not just the stigma of depression a bigger concern for me is that so many people who quite possibly have an invisible illness which is also another stigma have been shoved into this category of having nothing more than depression,when I think of all these benefit cuts and a much wider picture I wonder what even this site is trying to achieve especially after reading some of the stuff on here people are depressed about.

Depression is viewed as a terrible disease, and people often dont understand the the pain and the suffering that comes from it. They also don't understand how you have days where you just can't get out of bed because you feel so miserable in that particular moment. It can destroy people, but also lead your Life in a better reaction because you know what true suffering feels like.

Depression is viewed as a problem that people are afraid to address. Just like an addict needs attention for an addiction, a person with depression needs attention.

it depends on the person, I see it has something normal that can happen to anyone. It something that can be over come

Sadly, we live in a society where depression is seen more as an attention seeking act than a mental illness. However, different societies have different people who think in a different way; so some societies may understand mental illness.