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How I Beat Depression

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Re: How I Beat Depression

#21

Post by rip747 »

dia80 wrote: post #10
rip747 wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

what you describe is emotionally based, not chemically based. There is a HUGE difference.

That's a false dichotomy. Ultimately all thoughts / brain function rely on "chemicals". The idea of purely "chemical" mental distress is also severely strained - consider "there is a 0% chance your current feelings are influenced by your environment / past". It's all a bit more of a spectrum. There is serious money behind the chemical mental-distress-as-an-illness interpretation. If it's a medical problem then you ne…

no... what you've saying is false. There is a HUGE difference in feeling sad about a traumatic or past event versus the chemicals in your brain not working properly.

also this conversation is about true clinical depression and the difference between it and just feeling sad; it's not about some conspiracy theory of how every doctor wants us to be on meds or the fact that flushing medication down the toilet is poising our water supply.

please stay on topic if you want to continue the converation

Re: How I Beat Depression

#22

Post by cdjk »

roflc0ptic wrote: post #17
richardlblair wrote: post #14

I'm really happy that these posts are getting onto the front page. They are very important. I want to add one thing. Working with a doctor is important, but work with a psychologist as well. Especially if you are resistant to going on meds (and I don't blame you if you are...). A good psychologist may be able to offer you treatment options that better suit your needs. Also, if you aren't getting what you need from yo…

Medications obviously aren't for everyone, and certainly there's no one size fits all medication, but as someone who tried several medications that interfered with my clarity of mind, finding Wellbutrin has made a real difference for me. It works along a different pathway than other anti-depressants. It's known to increase focus. Rather than feeling like I was experiencing the world through gauze, I feel more... like…

Feeling "more like yourself" is one of the more common descriptions of what it feels like to be on a medication that's working. I'm glad you found something that worked and you're feeling better.

Re: How I Beat Depression

#23

Post by sbhere »

borski wrote: post #18

This is a really important post. Something I've noticed is that more people climb in the Bay Area than anywhere I've ever been before. I wonder if its at all related to the stress and personalities contained there?

The West is also a great place for climbing (geographically speaking) - far better than many places I've lived... but I'll also vouch for climbing being a great activity. Ultimate Frisbee as well.

Re: How I Beat Depression

#24

Post by starpilot »

rip747 wrote: post #4

this is the biggest misconception when it comes to clinical depression... that you can or did beat it. You can never or will never beat clinical depression, only suppress it. Beating something is finite and means that it can never happen again. The author gives great advice in the article about what steps he did to suppress this bout of depression, though if he doesn't stay the course chances are it will come back. T…

> Beating something is finite and means that it can never happen again

Since when does beating an illness mean permanent immunity? You can beat cancer and have a recurrence. There's nothing in the definition of clinical depression saying that it's a permanent illness.

Re: How I Beat Depression

#25

Post by eragone »

rip747 wrote: post #4

this is the biggest misconception when it comes to clinical depression... that you can or did beat it. You can never or will never beat clinical depression, only suppress it. Beating something is finite and means that it can never happen again. The author gives great advice in the article about what steps he did to suppress this bout of depression, though if he doesn't stay the course chances are it will come back. T…

I came here to say something similar - you do not "get over" clinical depression caused by a biochemical imbalance in your brain. It does not get fixed without making biochemical changes to your brain.

The advice the author gives is very sound advice (exercise, for example, does indeed induce biochemical changes in your brain), but without first becoming convinced of the advantages of getting treated, and taking the time to understand how those treatments effect you and how you need to actively participate in them, the rest of his suggestions are near impossible to follow through on.

The stigma around psychological and psychiatric care do not help the situation; however, the numerous stories on these issues here on HN I do hope shed some light on those that are still suffering without help to know that there always is a chance to get better, and it can be as easy as calling your doctor or telling your friend you need help. Or even talking to one of us here who have been suffering from depression and suicidal ideations for many years - I certainly would be more than happy to talk with anyone who is struggling with these issues.

Re: How I Beat Depression

#27

Post by dia80 »

rip747 wrote: post #21
dia80 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a false dichotomy. Ultimately all thoughts / brain function rely on "chemicals". The idea of purely "chemical" mental distress is also severely strained - consider "there is a 0% chance your current feelings are influenced by your environment / past". It's all a bit more of a spectrum. There is serious money behind the chemical mental-distress-as-an-illness interpretation. If it's a medical problem then you ne…

no... what you've saying is false. There is a HUGE difference in feeling sad about a traumatic or past event versus the chemicals in your brain not working properly. also this conversation is about true clinical depression and the difference between it and just feeling sad; it's not about some conspiracy theory of how every doctor wants us to be on meds or the fact that flushing medication down the toilet is poising…

It's a little brash to dismiss published evidence as a conspiracy theory. You may think it flawed but then please at least make an intelligent criticism.

Who gets to decide what is "feeling sad" with a cause and what is idiopathic "chemical malfunction". Care to offer any references? Objective diagnostics?

I included the bit about antidepressants to caution swallowing the prevailing medical model hook line and sinker with out pause for thought as to it's assumptions. Pretty sure that's on topic.

Re: How I Beat Depression

#28

Post by darkxanthos »

eragone wrote: post #25
rip747 wrote: post #4

this is the biggest misconception when it comes to clinical depression... that you can or did beat it. You can never or will never beat clinical depression, only suppress it. Beating something is finite and means that it can never happen again. The author gives great advice in the article about what steps he did to suppress this bout of depression, though if he doesn't stay the course chances are it will come back. T…

I came here to say something similar - you do not "get over" clinical depression caused by a biochemical imbalance in your brain. It does not get fixed without making biochemical changes to your brain. The advice the author gives is very sound advice (exercise, for example, does indeed induce biochemical changes in your brain), but without first becoming convinced of the advantages of getting treated, and taking the…

Except exercise _does_ make biochemical changes in the brain. One example: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3311131/

Re: How I Beat Depression

#29

Post by ohwp »

Maybe this will help someone: A lot of times suicidal thoughts are not about a death wish but about a wish for silence in your head. I think realizing this can make a difference. Whatever the case: don't be ashamed, get help.

Re: How I Beat Depression

#30

Post by dkarl »

I would say the suggestion to work with a doctor should be struck and replaced with a suggestion to work with a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. Doctors (other than psychiatrists) are not trained to deal with mental illness beyond diagnosis and prescription. You'll need to see a doctor if you want to try drugs, but the only reason to have an ongoing relationship with a doctor is so you can try different drugs if the first one they prescribe you doesn't work.

Your doctor might provide helpful counseling, but then again, so might a teacher, clergyman, friend, or any other untrained person. (I suppose these are all worth trying if you know one who might help you.)

Psychotherapists, on the other hand, dedicate their professional lives to EXACTLY what you want: relief of suffering from mental illness. It isn't an exact science, and your therapist's particular background, talents, and personality make a big difference, so it isn't like there's a professional qualification that guarantees good results, but at least their professional goals, training, and experience aim at what you need instead of at something else entirely.

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