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Cognitive behavioral therapy is also very effective in many cases (and can work on its own without medication, depending on the situation).
I am noticeably less depressed (dysthimic, really) than I used to be and Seligman's books were part of the difference.
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I'm a huge fan of CBT. Recent studies have shown that if a person is dedicated to CBT it can actually have the same positive effects on the brain as medication, without the negative effects of medication. It is important to note, however, that the person must commit.
and its also important to note that just because it worked for your buddy doesn't mean its going to work for you. it also means that just because it worked one time doesn't mean its going to work the next time. the best thing to do is to be monitored by a doctor so you can get the medical help right away if you need it.
There is a huge movement in north america to through drugs at everything. In Europe they take an entirely different approach on a lot of front and are seeing more success than us in those areas (ADD immediately comes to mind)
I'm not against medication, but I am against rushing to medication. I'd much rather someone try various forms of therapy first. CBT is just one of them, and happens to be working at a rate equal to or greater than prescription medication.
Edit: I wanted to thank you for the reply. Discussion surrounding the topic is critical to progression.
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I can't say you haven't beaten depression because I just don't know you but for me believing that I've beaten it is dangerous. It's the same kind of logic behind why addicts say they're recovering and not recovered. The disease is still there and can show itself at any time but for now it's in "remission" I suppose you could say. A lot of people feel like admitting they can't beat depression is a sign of weakness and…
"but for me believing that I've beaten it is dangerous". Is it really that dangerous? Does 'beating' it mean you forget how to cope? I don't know your situation, but I would strongly advise contemplating the truth that lies behind self-fulfilling prophecies. As Confucius put it “He who who says he can and he who says he can’t are both usually right”. I'm not trying to condense the issue into a soundbite, but rather i…
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I've suffered from MDD and tried to kill myself several times, the last attempt was very serious and I almost did die. Now, almost a decade later and I think I can say I have "beaten" depression. The cure? Time, therapy, loving intimate relationships and judicious use of psychedelics.
I'm curious about the psychedelics, can you share more? What drugs? How often?
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I've suffered from MDD and tried to kill myself several times, the last attempt was very serious and I almost did die. Now, almost a decade later and I think I can say I have "beaten" depression. The cure? Time, therapy, loving intimate relationships and judicious use of psychedelics.
I'm curious about the psychedelics, can you share more? What drugs? How often?
In summary, there are a great deal of published resources about psychedelics, but they tend to be inaccessible to those without a good deal of psychedelic experience coupled with a penchant for reading academic or esoteric literature. Thus, for largely sociological reasons, most 'typical' modern users of psychedelics are not at all schooled in academic knowledge about them. On the other hand, the vast majority of systematizing, intelligent, intellectual types do not have sufficient experience with these compounds to really understand or effectively critique the literature about them.
So I'll mention a few quality sources that, if you study them, will almost assuredly arouse your curiosity:
* The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide (published book)
* The Antipodes of the Mind (published book)
* The Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (not just about psychedelics)
* Tryptamines I Have Known and Loved (published book, of particular edification and interest are the essays that precede the synthesis portion of the text)
* The research done by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)
LSD has proven itself to be quiet beneficial in social situations many times in my life. For example, while 'up' on a moderate dose of high quality LSD, I watched a very attractive guy play guitar and sing at a house show. This led to me having an amazing fantasy experience days later where I finally started to deeply connect to my sexual desire for other men. This precipitated my decision to affirm my bisexual inclinations and pursue them, thus overthrowing years of internalized shame and confusion regarding this issue.
DMT and other very potent tryptamines have also proven to be potentially valuable in my experience. For example, while under the influence of a powerful dose of an orally administered research chemical tryptamine, I literally was able to relive my previous suicide attempt and forgive myself for such self destructive violence in a very deep and healing way. Words literally can't describe the true magnitude of the experience and the positive after effects are still in my life and personality years later.
Not very often but not infrequently either.
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I'm curious about the psychedelics, can you share more? What drugs? How often?
If you explore my previous comments and submissions you'll find some information about these matters. In summary, there are a great deal of published resources about psychedelics, but they tend to be inaccessible to those without a good deal of psychedelic experience coupled with a penchant for reading academic or esoteric literature. Thus, for largely sociological reasons, most 'typical' modern users of psychedelics…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I've suffered from MDD and tried to kill myself several times, the last attempt was very serious and I almost did die. Now, almost a decade later and I think I can say I have "beaten" depression. The cure? Time, therapy, loving intimate relationships and judicious use of psychedelics.
I'm curious about the psychedelics, can you share more? What drugs? How often?
There is some research suggesting ketamine is useful for depression. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketamine
There are legal substances which are similar ketamine which some people argue have similar properties.
I cannot verify and do not advocate.