'Faking it': Exploring adolescent perceptions of depression (in)authenticity and 'attention seeking'

CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents framed a dichotomy between so-called 'real' and 'fake depression', with hostility directed at peers perceived to be 'fake depressed'. Perceptions of depression inauthenticity were confused and inconsistent. Public and self-stigma towards depression inauthenticity enforced barriers to help-seeking. While future research should investigate to what extent these observations based on online forums mimic stigma in real-life settings, our findings have highlighted the needs for 'fake depression' stigma to be addressed by adolescent depression literacy and stigma interventions. Recent movements towards reconceptualizing depression as a dimensional construct may help to challenge these stigmatizing views of a dichotomy between 'real' and 'fake' depression.PRACTITIONER POINTS: There is widespread stigma concerning perceived inauthenticity related to depression in these online adolescent communities, with vitriol targeted at peers perceived to be so-called 'fake depressed'. Adolescent depression literacy and stigma programmes should tackle stigma towards perceived inauthenticity and promote the message that all adolescent distress deserves attention and help. This involves challenging perceptions that only supposedly 'authentic', diagnosed, or diagnosable, depression is worthy of attention and support. Prevention Programmes should work to mitigate barriers to help-seeking posed by misunderstandings that distress which is kept secret is more 'authentic', and tac...
Source: The British Journal of Clinical Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Source Type: research