Depression: When Everything Seems Fine on the Surface

Misconception: "You can tell when someone is depressed"

Reality: Karim himself shared this belief: imagining someone who no longer gets out of bed, who becomes emotional for no reason, and who completely stops functioning. Yet he manages to get up every day to go to work, goes out, and sees people. This widespread misconception is one of the main reasons why diagnoses often come late—especially for men, who are less likely to seek medical advice and tend to downplay what is happening. Depression does not always look like what we imagine. It can take the form of an inner emptiness, unusual irritability, fatigue that rest cannot fix, or a gradual loss of interest in what—and who—matters.

Misconception: "Antidepressants are addictive"

Reality: His primary care doctor suggests an antidepressant, alongside psychiatric follow-up care. Karim initially resists—not because he refuses treatment, but because he doesn't truly understand what it entails. What psychiatrists regularly explain is that antidepressant treatment does not necessarily cause addiction, does not alter your personality, and is not a lifelong commitment.

On the contrary, it is a tool to help you get better, with a specific duration, clear goal, and an end date when the time comes.

Misconception: "Treatment works immediately"

Reality: The effect is not instant. It takes two to four weeks to notice a change, sometimes longer. Meanwhile, daily life goes on: work, social interactions.

What Karim takes away from this period is the importance of having told one or two trusted individuals—not necessarily to explain everything, but so as not to be alone on difficult days.

Misconception: "Treatment solves everything"

Reality: The results are gradual: it is neither a radical transformation nor a surge of euphoria, but rather a progressive sense of rediscovering a taste for life. The glass wall is still there on some days, but it is less thick. And that is partly thanks to the medication.

However, medication does not resolve what may have contributed to the depression in the first place.

That is the work of therapy, which Karim begins a few weeks after starting his medical treatment. Combining treatment and psychological support works better than either one alone.

Misconception: "It's not serious enough to talk about"

Reality: Waiting for it to pass on its own takes a toll on health. Karim lost several months functioning on autopilot, thinking it was just temporary.

"I would have sought help sooner if I had known that what I was experiencing was a recognized condition. I thought it wasn't serious enough to bother anyone," Karim concludes.

The stories featured on this site are personal accounts intended for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for medical consultation and should not be interpreted as medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation. If you experience any symptoms or have a medical concern, we encourage you to consult your primary care physician or a qualified healthcare professional.