Depression [Forum Archive]

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Depression

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Posted by: viet_jon

What is it?

A Physical illness?

or a character flaw?

Posted by: goandykid

in some cases a chemical imbalance

in others, a bad mood

Posted by: Nate K

A character flaw that is strongly influenced by a physical illness.

Posted by: oaktownboy

depends...people sometimes are down or "blue," but this is usually temporary..depression is a mental illness/chemical imbalance and could have contributing physical factors

Posted by: Rocco32

It's not a character flaw. It's usually genetic and can have a chemical imbalance but usually needs some psychological factor or trauma to trigger it. Usually the causes of depression come from childhood and the person doesn't understand that or why until they get some help and deal with the root of the problem. Even cases that deal with a chemical imbalance, dealing with their past by talking to a trained professional can most times help the chemical imbalance without taking any drugs.

Are you depressed?

Posted by: fufu

I have my ups and downs, I just wait the downs out knowing that eventually I'll feel better. Largey I think it can be decided on what you choose to think about.

Posted by: drew_c

I agree with a lot of the above.. I don't know a lot about chemical imbalances and the like but from what I've learned about depression through books and my own experience would suggest that most of the time it is self inflicted and can be cured once a person comes to realize they are the root of their own suffering.. Whether you need a pill, a book, or a doctor to help you realize this and do something about it would just depend on the personality I guess

Posted by: shiznit2169

The way i view depression is that i think people tend to have mood swings and they often get down on themselves depending on the situation or anything that occurred that could somehow be related to their past experiences. I'm sure we all go through ups and downs in life but some are a bit more severe than others.

The mind is a powerful tool so more often than not, depression or mood swings will be because of your negative thoughts and low self-esteem. Just gotta keep your head up and strive to be the best you can be.

Posted by: Nate K

How you feel is directly related to how you percieve life. How you percieve life in controllable. Most of that chemical imbalance talk is not applicable.

Posted by: hardasnails1973

Depression can be caused from environmental, emotional, phyiscal, mental, chemical, nutritional stress which as we know can lead to a devasting cascade of events as many of us have experienced all ready. What came first the imbalances or stress is difficult to say, but both issues need to be addressed in order to enhance recovery. Addressing the root cause whether it be phyiscal or mental, lifesstyle changes needs to be identified. Just sticking you on antidepressant and sending you on your merry old way is not the right answer but further examination of hormonal imbalance needs to also be explored because they usually run together. An alteration in inuslin, thyroid, adrenals, testosterone, estrogen can be mistaken for depression as well. As following up with counseling by a trained professional is also a postive thing as well. Oprah actually had a good topic yesterday on depression..YES I WATCH HER LOL occassionally that is.

Posted by: viet_jon

yes Rocco, at times I get pretty depressed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate K

How you feel is directly related to how you percieve life. How you percieve life in controllable. Most of that chemical imbalance talk is not applicable.

that's unfair to say. Most grow up without ever being depressed, so the general undepressed person can say that. But if you've never suffered from it, you wouldn't understand what it's like.

also, I'm not talking about the occasional "BLUES" here. Everyone gets those.

I'm still undecided on what exactly it is. Physical? or Mental?

I have days where I'm depressed for unreasonable reasons. And deep down, I know this...........but as hard as I try to think positive, I just can't snap out of it. It's as if my brain won't allow it. This is why I think it's a physical illness.

but on the flip side, some of my most deeply depressed days, whether I know I'm being reasonable or not, somehow I can snap out of it by thinking positive, and using reason and logic. This leads me to believe it cannot be purely physical, and that my mind state is a big part of it.

Posted by: hardasnails1973

depression can be induced by negative thoughts, and not ever giving your self time to unwind. WE need to exam the lifestyle we choose may be not now, but also in the past which could creep up on us with out any warning. ALot of psychologists are seeing people in there late 20 early 30 with depression not because of there current situation, but rather there past as being pushed as athletes, peer pressure and living up to other expectation for acceptance. This could be a possible indication of the gene splicing theory as trouble has mentioned previously. Just simple alterations in one diet can induce depression. It does not take much to alter ones chemistry with out them knowing its too late.

Posted by: viet_jon

I seen a documentary yesterday, called Fighting The Dragon.

It showed studies of brain scans, where the frontal cortex, the region that controls reason and logic, that brain activity in that area is very minimal in depressed patients.

I feel the same way. As if reasoning and logic is out the window. So to dismiss depression being purely a mind state is incorrect.

Posted by: viet_jon

one more thing:

I just want to say that I didn't start this thread to bitch and whine about my problems. Everyone has problems, crying gets me know where.

rather, I started this because I want to understand it more, and hear other peoples opinions. The more I understand it, the easier it is to fight it.

and also, for other people who suffer from depression that don't seek treatment. There's a stigma attached to depression, which most people hate to assosciate with it. No one really wants to be known as mental.

Posted by: Rocco32

There's a good book called "I don't want to talk about it" by Terrence Real if your interested in learning more. I'm depressed to, have been most of my life. I just started seeing someone about it 2 weeks ago. I highly recommend talking to someone qualified about this.

Posted by: hardasnails1973

Roco you took the first part in healing is admiting that these needs to be addressed and I commend you on that. Alot of people feel ashamed of going to see a therapist, but some times its good to just get an unbiased opinon from a qualified source. Now your next step you need to look at possible hormonal imbalances that may be a resuilt of or even possible cause of your depression which needs to be done with a physician that is open minded and willing to treat you as a person and not just a set of numbers. There are several posts by fubu that may help to you examine your lifestyle patterns which could be affecting your depression. Sleep apnea is widely over looked at possible cause of depression, weight gain and hormonal imbalances. Sleep is essential with out melatonin you can not make serotonin and vice versa. With liver dyfunction common among athletes depression could result. Emotional stress can put strain on the liver as well. Liver/brain/gut pathways all work in hormony with one another if one is out they all are affected. Rocco you may want to seek accunpuncture as well because it has been proven to help relieve stress combined with therapy. If you aint getting any or if you are getting it too much it can also cause alterations in neurotransmitters. Sex is a great therapy, but too much of a good thing can be a bad thing as well. Moderation with every thing in life. With typical mentality as being a weight lifter "more is better" and its hard to get out of this train of thought. I still find it difficult and find my self wrestling with this concept as well, but i am doing better.

Posted by: KelJu

Depression can be a character flaw, but it usually is neurological. Neurotransmitters control sex drive, happiness, energy level, sleep, blood pressure, and the list goes on. If for some reason you lack the proper amount of a neurotransmitter, you will have problems, usually depression.

The best thing a person can do is educate themselves, and then learn techniques for dealing with the unbalanced brain chemistry. Medication helps some people, but lifestyle changes helped me. Medication never helped, but my situation is slightly different.

Nothing pisses me off more than ignorant assholes that say mental diseases only exist in someone's head. That is as dumb as the world is flat. The chemical reactions taking place in your head is who you are. There is a physical explanation for why people suffer from depression. You can actually see it in a microscope.

Posted by: Trouble

It's no character flaw. Its purely chemical in nature.

It can result in changes in behavior, and these can be self-defeating when there are extenuating circumstances - chronic stress with no action to alleviate or modulate or otherwise remove its contribution - that can worsen the depression and result in a downward spiral of general health. For instance, a lack of fresh air and time spent in the outdoors even on cloudy days, can result in a shortage of naturally produced vitamin D3. This can contribute to sleep problems and worsen a shortage of dopamine or serotonin, or both, that feed back in the chemistry of depression. Thus, the actions under depression can be debilitating unless an adjunct therapy, like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is used.

I am beginning to think that this might be a very good idea for you, Jon.

Posted by: Nate K

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trouble

It's no character flaw. Its purely chemical in nature.

It can result in changes in behavior, and these can be self-defeating when there are extenuating circumstances - chronic stress with no action to alleviate or modulate or otherwise remove its contribution - that can worsen the depression and result in a downward spiral of general health. For instance, a lack of fresh air and time spent in the outdoors even on cloudy days, can result in a shortage of naturally produced vitamin D3. This can contribute to sleep problems and worsen a shortage of dopamine or serotonin, or both, that feed back in the chemistry of depression. Thus, the actions under depression can be debilitating unless an adjunct therapy, like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is used.

I am beginning to think that this might be a very good idea for you, Jon.

It has everything to do with character. The character influences action. No character isn't the right word...more like conciousness.

Posted by: Nate K

Quote:

Originally Posted by viet_jon

I do have experience with depression, much more than most. I understand what it is like. My interest in health (lifting, eating, etc.) is what kept me from going mad. Mental, physical...it's all directly related to each other. You can't snap out of it because it's not easy.

Posted by: Trouble

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate K

It has everything to do with character. The character influences action. No character isn't the right word...more like conciousness.

I can feed you a simple supplement that can snap your conscious on and off like flicking a light switch.

This has nothing to do with character. If you are saying it has to do with personality..you mean, it has to do with how we view our reality and our control over it.

I see your point, but you must know this: your personality is the sum total of billions of brain cells, with their electochemical circuitry and reactions that feed what we know as consciousness - our perceived reality.

Posted by: Nate K

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trouble

I see your point, but you must know this: your personality is the sum total of billions of brain cells, with their electochemical circuitry and reactions that feed what we know as consciousness - our perceived reality.

Agreed, but these electochemical circuitry and reactions work just fine in the VAST majority of people if you let them.

Posted by: hardasnails1973

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate K

Agreed, but these electochemical circuitry and reactions work just fine in the VAST majority of people if you let them.

Unless you are a Jedi master then we may have control over the complexity electric circuitry of the human brain. I mean through meditation and relaxation we can alter certain chemicals, but if they binding to the receptors or not that is something that can be altered through proper nutrition or drugs. One can have all the neurotransitters they want but if they are not docking they are not bioavailable, this is where fatty acids and proper cell membrane fluidity are important. Over the time I am starting to see that depression is more an alteration of biochemistry in the brain due to lifestyle of not so much today, but rather an accumulation of what happened from birth leadig up to the present. I am seeing more of my freinds starting to have there mid life crisis not in 50's but more so 25-30 years early. In a way i guess it is a good thing if they take heed and make necessary lifechanges if not they may not get make it to 50. Basically what is happenining is that people are getting a freindly wake up call to either lifestlye now or to continue on the path to possible selfdestruction later down the road.

Posted by: Nate K

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardasnails1973

Who said we have direct control over the reactions in the brain?

Posted by: DOMS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocco32

There's a good book called "I don't want to talk about it" by Terrence Real if your interested in learning more. I'm depressed to, have been most of my life. I just started seeing someone about it 2 weeks ago. I highly recommend talking to someone qualified about this.

This is spot on. Go see a good psychiatrist. A good psychiatrist is like a good mechanic. You get an oil changed every 3000 miles, why not take better care of something more important?

Posted by: viet_jon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trouble

It's no character flaw. Its purely chemical in nature.

It can result in changes in behavior, and these can be self-defeating when there are extenuating circumstances - chronic stress with no action to alleviate or modulate or otherwise remove its contribution - that can worsen the depression and result in a downward spiral of general health. For instance, a lack of fresh air and time spent in the outdoors even on cloudy days, can result in a shortage of naturally produced vitamin D3. This can contribute to sleep problems and worsen a shortage of dopamine or serotonin, or both, that feed back in the chemistry of depression. Thus, the actions under depression can be debilitating unless an adjunct therapy, like CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is used.

I am beginning to think that this might be a very good idea for you, Jon.

I can't afford that.

but I'm getting better lately. Deloading weeks are bad though. My head was spinning last week.

Posted by: schatzi

Depression is not joke. I have a friend who suffers depression. I can only say that the only way that you can avoid it is to entertain yourself. Go out with your friends because you just need someone whom you can really talk to and make you laugh. If you yourself doesn´t want to be helped, then it is a great problem.

Posted by: Trouble

Quote:

Originally Posted by viet_jon

I can't afford that.

Google search: free online cognitive behavioral therapy.

http://www.jmir.org/2002/1/e3/

This article proves that this approach, in use now for >5 yrs, works. The website http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/ is one of many such programs available on the web.

No valid excuses left, Jon; Just Do It.

Posted by: viet_jon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trouble

Free? wicked.

I thought you meant one to one therapy.

Thnkx, I'll check those out.

Posted by: maniclion

My stepmother thought she was suffering from depression back in 1991, she went to all kinds of doctors because she never had energy and felt worn down all the time. As time passed she eventually went into such a slump she had to quit her job and stayed home most days. Doctors finally decided to scan her and found cancer on her adrenal glands a few months later she had died, I was 13. So don't tell me depression is a character flaw or figment of a persons imagination or any thing else particularly because it can be any number of things from hypochondria to a severe problem in your system like cancer or syphilis...

Posted by: Ahsan

Well, I am also suffering from depression. Don't get me wrong here. I am not whining or giving some excuses. It's been like 1 1/2 month since I last went to gym. My diet is crappy before my diet was okay. I just want to know one thing. Whenever I am depressed after few mins of my depression like 45 mins to 1 hrs I start feeling dizzy & drowsy also, Why is that? Any help will be appreciated.

Posted by: Trouble

Ahsan, the autonomic symptoms you report typically accompany depression as sign of a larger health issue.

Something isn't right, and its not just the effects of depression. You need to see your physician about this condition soon. I would not use the word 'depression' when you talk to your doctor. That term is a finding that he should make from your description of symptoms. Find descriptive words that describe how you feel and make you mention the acute episodes of dizziness and sudden lethargy. Think about the conditions that preempt these acute episodes. Look for patterns, write them down. Take these notes with you to the doctors if necessary.

Posted by: Ahsan

Trouble, I have been suffering through this for like more than 2 months & since then everything is going wrong; My college, diet & even relationship with my gf. So you mean it's not depression, right? Anyway thanks for your help & I'll contact the physician as soon as possible. Thanks again. Sometimes I know the reason why this happen & sometimes it's without any reason.

Posted by: Ahsan

Another thing I am not feeling like this all the time. It often happens but not always.

Posted by: Vieope

I am not depressed anymore, I never went to a doctor to get a proper diagnosis but since I thought that suicide was a nice idea, I guess I was depressed.

Posted by: Trouble

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ahsan

Trouble, I have been suffering through this for like more than 2 months & since then everything is going wrong; My college, diet & even relationship with my gf. So you mean it's not depression, right? Anyway thanks for your help & I'll contact the physician as soon as possible. Thanks again. Sometimes I know the reason why this happen & sometimes it's without any reason.

Yes, I believe that there is much more going on than just depression. I can't say more, because you haven't give many details and I don't know your history, but I do know that sudden dizzyness and malaise isn't a normal subset condition for depression.

If you go to "student death" (College Student Health Clinic), make sure you don't tell them you're simply depressed. They see many patients a day; standard procedure maybe to give you a stock antidepressant. If you are given standard SSRI meds, it may adversely affect (worsen) your blood pressure regulation problems. If your blood pressure is low-normal at rest, see your physician and ask for a tilt-table test.

Posted by: Trouble

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vieope

I am not depressed anymore, I never went to a doctor to get a proper diagnosis but since I thought that suicide was a nice idea, I guess I was depressed.

Is this a joke post?

Posted by: Ahsan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trouble

Well, to be honest I haven't approached anyone considering this issue. Since I haven't acknowledged anyone about it therefore I have never ever taken any kind of medication or any drug to overcome this problem of mine. So the point is that dizzyness & drowsiness while being somber started naturally without any reason but I'll try to contact a good physician as soon as possible.

Posted by: schatzi

Hi Ahsan,
Dizziness? Maybe this is the result of eating not regularly. Maybe you are having a diet to the extent of not eating enough for the day. Our body needs food to works the internal processes... This is only my foresight.

Posted by: Ahsan

Quote:

Originally Posted by schatzi

Hi Ahsan,
Dizziness? Maybe this is the result of eating not regularly. Maybe you are having a diet to the extent of not eating enough for the day. Our body needs food to works the internal processes... This is only my foresight.

Well, It started when I was on my diet. I am not on my regular diet or regimen anymore because of the gloominess. Thanks anyway for your opinion, mate.

Posted by: hardasnails1973

Dizziness could be as you mention result of imbalanced blood sugar from improper eating or as mentioned before it could be a symptoms of something more indept such as other imbalances in the endocrine system. I have heard stories of dr putting people on paxil because dog died, but later it was found out to be a thyroid/adrenals imbalance. Try not to be your own dr, but get with a well open minded phyiscian that is willing to explore other areas then just say its all in your head. Other wise you end up a dog chasing its tail so to speak. Might want to look into glucose tolerance testing from dr if you continue to have the dizzyness. Dr i am with now is excellent except it took over 2 years to find him and my fucken insurance ran out. Talk about timing huh LOL.

Posted by: Brachiisaurus

My family has a history with depression and bad anxiety.
I have always been a pretty upidy (is that a word?) kind of guy. I have always been able to find happiness when I was sad or whatever.

But since I moved for college, I just can't feel happy for any length of time.
I know what makes me depressed. I don't like school ( even though I go to a nice community college), I moved away from all of my friends, and shit just seems to keep happening to me.
Mostly it's a lot of small things adding up, but some things are bigger.

I just don't every have anything to look forward to. That's the worst for me. I have no goals, and I barely ever workout anymore. I am constantly bored, and I despise my routine.
I missed my family's thanksgiving because I was working. I never go out where I live because no one knows each other, because we are all in a community college.

I have self-destructive thoughts a lot. I sometimes think about suicide...but usually just imagine it, I never really want to. I get frustrated really quickly as it is, and lately (over the past several months) its even worse.

Is this depression? Or am I just feeling sorry for myself?

I have a friend that I went to highschool with who goes to another college, who feels the same way I am feeling.

Posted by: Strongwarrior

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocco32

It's not a character flaw. It's usually genetic and can have a chemical imbalance but usually needs some psychological factor or trauma to trigger it. Usually the causes of depression come from childhood and the person doesn't understand that or why until they get some help and deal with the root of the problem. Even cases that deal with a chemical imbalance, dealing with their past by talking to a trained professional can most times help the chemical imbalance without taking any drugs.

Are you depressed?

This is very interesting, I never thought of it that way...

Posted by: Strongwarrior

Quote:

Originally Posted by schatzi

Depression is not joke. I have a friend who suffers depression. I can only say that the only way that you can avoid it is to entertain yourself. Go out with your friends because you just need someone whom you can really talk to and make you laugh. If you yourself doesn´t want to be helped, then it is a great problem.

Of course deppression is not joke. A lot of times people think of deppression as something that it's not a big deal, people say ''grow up, be a man'' like if those words are going to fix everything...People actually commit suicide because of depression. Depression, when it's severe, it's extreme emotional pain and suffering..It can be devastating, and you have the strong desire to kill yourself. I used to suffer from severe depression, it lasted many years...I'm ok now, thank God, but I'll never forget it, it was like I was losing my mind, now it's different, I enjoy everyday of my life, I've learned to enjoy the simple, stupid things in life. It has to do with chemicals in the brain. No, I didn't use anti-depressants, I was against that.

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