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Depression lies

wilwheaton.net

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Re: Depression lies

#11

Post by jhuckestein »

one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year

This is something that frightens me. What is a "diagnosable mental disorder"? I'm willing to bet this statement was far from true 50 or a 100 years ago. Not because I think people got more depressed or anxious, but rather because we're looking harder to "diagnose" things.

I think there's a big danger, especially in psychological afflictions, to always "look for" problems with yourself.

This may be a cultural thing as well. Until I came to the US (I'm from Germany), I never asked myself "Am I depressed?", "Is this what depression feels like?" when I was aving a down day. I also never considered that I may have/have had ADD now/as a kid but now people tell me I should "get that checked out" all the time.

Re: Depression lies

#12

Post by jpeg_hero »

luriel wrote: post #3
huggah wrote: post #2

We have an incredible capacity for denial and self-deception. For years, I would periodically drop into severe depression; I would stop sleeping, stop eating, stop answering my phone or email. I wouldn't leave my room for weeks on end; on a few occasions I was so successfully reclusive that people worried that I disappeared or died called the police to investigate. A few times I almost did die; I think the biggest re…

Knowing you "have a problem" doesn't mean you or anyone understands the problem or what to do about it. And even if you know what to do, doesn't mean you can do it either, the psychological, social or just practical barriers can be impossible to climb. Medication has a statistical significant effect, but is often marginal at best, and most of the effect is placebo. And this assumes an accurate diagnosis, and don't co…

> Medication has a statistical significant effect, but is often marginal at best, and most of the effect is placebo.

The point of the author's post is that medication made a huge difference for him

Hey's saying: if you have a problem, there might be help for you too.

Your comment was just negative side talk.

Re: Depression lies

#14

Post by diffeomorph »

huggah wrote: post #2

We have an incredible capacity for denial and self-deception. For years, I would periodically drop into severe depression; I would stop sleeping, stop eating, stop answering my phone or email. I wouldn't leave my room for weeks on end; on a few occasions I was so successfully reclusive that people worried that I disappeared or died called the police to investigate. A few times I almost did die; I think the biggest re…

I had the same problem. My depression had been latent since early HS but it really manifested when I began college, and my grades were horrible as a result despite having been a model student until then(well, until the last year of HS; college only hastened its development). I'm 29 and I've since gotten treatment but the effect on my professional development has been incredibly damaging. It's less a stumble out of the gate than a foot shot.

I know intellectually that I've achieved as much - or possibly more - than my typical peer because I've worked through my problems and traumas and come out the other end alive and healthy, but they're still the ones with the comparatively advanced careers, living in nicer cities, and taking care of their young families while I'm still working saw jobs in the midwest and living, alone, in a studio apartment.

But I'm alive, and I'm able to finally live a normal life, which is priceless.

Re: Depression lies

#15

Post by donniezazen »

huggah wrote: post #4
luriel wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Knowing you "have a problem" doesn't mean you or anyone understands the problem or what to do about it. And even if you know what to do, doesn't mean you can do it either, the psychological, social or just practical barriers can be impossible to climb. Medication has a statistical significant effect, but is often marginal at best, and most of the effect is placebo. And this assumes an accurate diagnosis, and don't co…

True. It took a few years between accepting that I had a problem and finding a solution to it. For many people, it takes a lot longer; some never "solve" their problem at all. But knowing is a necessary first step, and for me, it was the hardest and the one that would have benefited most from posts like this.

What was your solution, if you don't mind sharing?

Re: Depression lies

#16

Post by donniezazen »

paulerdos wrote: post #13

I wonder how depressed people in the 3rd world manage to survive.

They have larger life threatening problems to deal with like earning their livelihood. There are always people around you and even if they can't help you they keep you distracted.

Re: Depression lies

#17

Post by EricDeb »

luriel wrote: post #3
huggah wrote: post #2

We have an incredible capacity for denial and self-deception. For years, I would periodically drop into severe depression; I would stop sleeping, stop eating, stop answering my phone or email. I wouldn't leave my room for weeks on end; on a few occasions I was so successfully reclusive that people worried that I disappeared or died called the police to investigate. A few times I almost did die; I think the biggest re…

Knowing you "have a problem" doesn't mean you or anyone understands the problem or what to do about it. And even if you know what to do, doesn't mean you can do it either, the psychological, social or just practical barriers can be impossible to climb. Medication has a statistical significant effect, but is often marginal at best, and most of the effect is placebo. And this assumes an accurate diagnosis, and don't co…

I'm not sure that the abbreviated sentiment that medication has little more effect than a placebo is useful in the realm of mental disorders. Depression/anxiety/ocd are very complex because they deal with the brain/mind, which is poorly understood. To suggest that antidepressants only have a placebo effect despite working in animal models of depression, severe depression, certain depressive subtypes, and less severe conditions in rats and monkeys is not helpful for many sufferers (like the author) who might otherwise benefit.

Re: Depression lies

#18

Post by navs »

paulerdos wrote: post #13

I wonder how depressed people in the 3rd world manage to survive.

Well I lived in Fiji for a good portion of my life. Those that only lived and ever lived in Fiji considered depression as a condition formed from lack of exercise or not knowing God. I'm making a very generalised statement but this is based off my interactions with members of my extended family. When I did go and see a doctor about depression, I was given Prozac. When I compare things to New Zealand, where I currently live, I find people here are more considerate of depression. My university here has been of great help, helping me get in touch with the right doctors. The professors here acknowledge my depression as a legitimate illness unlike Fiji where many of my professors simply dismissed me as lazy.

I'm currently on Effexor and having a very hard time but I'm glad here in NZ I can find people to talk to, even if they are paid to talk to me.

Re: Depression lies

#19

Post by navs »

btilly wrote: post #5
huggah wrote: post #2

We have an incredible capacity for denial and self-deception. For years, I would periodically drop into severe depression; I would stop sleeping, stop eating, stop answering my phone or email. I wouldn't leave my room for weeks on end; on a few occasions I was so successfully reclusive that people worried that I disappeared or died called the police to investigate. A few times I almost did die; I think the biggest re…

I think the biggest reason I never committed suicide was that I didn't have the willpower for even that. One of the most dangerous periods for depressed people is shortly after they start treatment. They are still depressed, but suddenly have the energy to commit suicide, and a certain fraction of them do. My wife lost a cousin that way. :-(

Also consider that many SSRIs actually list suicidal urges as a side effect. In my transition from Celexa to Prozac to Effexor, I've found that transitioning period to be particularly bad. Not to go into too much detail but I've done things of late I never did before and my doctor has said it's likely my change in medication. They say things need to be at their worst before they can get better. That's my mantra.
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