Perception is central in treating depression

Many people with depression may not seek treatment for their condition because they believe their symptoms are not so bad when compared to the suffering of others, according to a new study out of the University of Warwick. The situation could prevent people from receiving a prescription to buy Paxil, which may help some.

For the study, researchers surveyed groups of depressed patients about how they perceived the suffering of others. The results showed that, independent of objective measures of symptom severity, individuals who believed many people suffer from depression ranked their own symptoms as being not very severe, while those who believed they were alone in their fight against depression were more likely to say their symptoms were very severe.

The researchers said the findings have important implications for the treatment of depression. If a person perceives their symptoms as common, they may be less likely to seek help, even when they could benefit.

On the other hand, people who feel that their symptoms are unique may be more likely to dwell on their negative feelings and overstate their problems. Helping people develop healthier perceptions of their condition may lead to better treatment outcomes.