A recent study conducted in Finland reveals that people frequently receive inaccurate information regarding depression, which makes it challenging for them to understand the reasons behind their distress. The researchers point out that most mental health diagnoses, including depression, are descriptive rather than explanatory. A diagnosis of depression, for instance, merely describes a range of psychiatric symptoms without identifying the underlying cause.
Jani Kajanoja, a postdoctoral researcher and medical doctor specializing in psychiatry at the University of Turku in Finland, emphasizes that depression should be viewed similarly to a headache. Both are medical diagnoses that describe symptoms but do not explain their causes. Just as a headache diagnosis does not elucidate the cause of head pain, a depression diagnosis does not clarify the cause of a depressed mood. This form of circular reasoning, where psychiatric diagnoses are treated as if they explain symptoms, complicates people’s understanding of their mental health issues.
The study, conducted by the University of Turku and the University of the Arts Helsinki, analyzed publicly available information on depression provided by leading international health organizations. Researchers examined websites of influential English-language organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, and prestigious institutions like Harvard and Johns Hopkins Universities.
The findings show that these organizations often portray depression as a disorder that causes symptoms or explains their causes, which is misleading. None of the organizations presented depression as a mere description of symptoms, which would have been accurate. This portrayal perpetuates a misunderstanding of mental health problems, making it harder for individuals to comprehend their distress.
Kajanoja explains that presenting depression as a uniform disorder causing depressive symptoms is a form of circular reasoning that obscures the true nature of mental health issues. This misrepresentation hampers people’s ability to understand their condition.
The researchers suggest that this problem may stem from a cognitive bias where people tend to perceive diagnoses as explanations, even when they are not. Professor and Neuropsychologist Jussi Valtonen from the University of the Arts Helsinki underscores the importance of mental health professionals avoiding this misconception in their communication. Instead, they should help individuals understand that a diagnosis is a description of symptoms, not an explanation of their causes.
This study highlights the need for clearer communication in mental health to avoid reinforcing misconceptions and to aid individuals in comprehending their mental health conditions accurately.
