It is rather strange and somewhat ironic how several mild disorders and diseases have been well recognized and identified while dangerous and widespread disorders like depression are not even considered as an actual condition by some individuals. The main reason people wonder about depression and mental illness is because of the symptoms associated with the condition. Additionally, the word “depression” can also be used to simply describe the emotion of being sad. It is simple another time like “happiness”. However, it should be understood that the emotion and the disorder are two completely distinctive meanings. However, even if people understand this, the question of “is depression a mental illness” remains.
The symptoms associated with the condition, particularly initially appear to be somewhat mild and normal in manner. We all go through emotional ups and downs and the signs of the disorder may well be misinterpreted as an “emotional down”. In fact, even if someone has recognized the depression mental illness and is well aware of it, they may not be able to differentiate the depression symptoms from the usual blues. What should be understood however is that depression is in fact an actual mental disorder. While it may be difficult to understand unless they have god forbid, been through a bout of the disease themselves, it should be known that it is a disorder that completely alters your perception and way of thinking which is the primary characteristics or most mental disorders.
People with depression have a very irrational and flawed mentality towards everything. They simply lose the will to carry on with their day to day tasks and their life goes in to a slump where they’d rather not do anything. Our very basic nature urges us to carry out tasks and live a life in order to maximize survival and live comfortably. It makes us strive towards the fundamental requirements of life such as companionship. A person with the depression mental illness on the other hand, tends to believe that all these aspects are somehow immaterial or irrelevant. Losing interest in these aspects culminates when the person decides that there is no longer a purpose to live. This is the peak of depression symptoms and can very well occur in anyone diagnosed with the condition if treatment is not administered to alleviate the symptoms.
Based on this, it can be concluded that depression is in fact a very real medical and mental illness that requires prompt treatment in order to be cured.