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“No convincing evidence” that depression is caused by low serotonin levels

bmj.com

91–100 of 625 posts

Re: “No convincing evidence” that depression is caused by low serotonin levels

#91

Depression is caused by a shitty life. Most people with depression are trapped in an abusive relationship, though often it is with themselves. They're trapped by fear of admitting failure and making changes.

This is deeply untrue.

Re: “No convincing evidence” that depression is caused by low serotonin levels

#92
post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm puzzled by those who disagree with this statement. How is it surprising that depressing circumstances would lead to depression?

I would recommend reading some history books before saying these are depressing circumstances.

Just because some people have suffered through worse doesn't mean that you can use that to invalidate someone else's suffering.

Re: “No convincing evidence” that depression is caused by low serotonin levels

#93
post #57

There's a significant population of science denying cranks and so those who want to raise legit concerns about the quality and alas, often motivation of medical studies are easily grouped with those. But: 1. There's no such thing as good / bad cholesterol. This is complete baloney and Pfizer lost a staggering amount of money when a drug raising good cholesterol got as far as human trials -- and failed them. There is…

> The diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in adults but most especially in children is extremely suspect. Go on… (I’m adult diagnosed, for disclosure, but please do go on and tell me how suspect my diagnosis was, how I shouldn’t have been diagnosed as a child, how my medication is harmful. Go on and tell me about my life which you know better than I do.)

e: [deleted]

Re: “No convincing evidence” that depression is caused by low serotonin levels

#94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm puzzled by those who disagree with this statement. How is it surprising that depressing circumstances would lead to depression?

Major depressive disorder isn't the same thing as feeling sad about your job.

If being down about your job causes symptoms of depression that last more than 2 weeks, then it's the same thing. Psychiatrists diagnose based on symptoms. Worse, its usually what you say your symptoms are, with words and talking. They don't scan your brain. I've been seeing psychiatrists for almost 30 years. The good ones take plenty of interest in your situation, lifestyle, and other non-chemical non-medical factors. Psychiatrists don't distinguish between so-called 'situational' and 'clinical' depressions. Laypeople do that. If you get diagnosed by a clinician, that is the part that makes it clinical - it isn't a different kind of condition.

Re: “No convincing evidence” that depression is caused by low serotonin levels

#95

I have a completely unscientific, subjective theory that some significant portion of depression in the population as a whole is caused by the economic circumstances that some people live in. Things like being trapped in a dead end job to keep healthcare benefits in the USA, living in a never ending treadmill of debt.

I know plenty of depressed rich people. I understand your theory but spend a week in the Hampton’s and you’ll see some real sad souls.

[deleted]

Re: “No convincing evidence” that depression is caused by low serotonin levels

#96
post #57

There's a significant population of science denying cranks and so those who want to raise legit concerns about the quality and alas, often motivation of medical studies are easily grouped with those. But: 1. There's no such thing as good / bad cholesterol. This is complete baloney and Pfizer lost a staggering amount of money when a drug raising good cholesterol got as far as human trials -- and failed them. There is…

There's no such thing as good / bad cholesterol.

This is untrue. There is lots of data to suggest elevated LDL is a risk of cardiovascular disease and that high HDL lower risk.

Pfizer's drug failed because of safety issues, not because "There's no such thing as good / bad cholesterol".

Re: “No convincing evidence” that depression is caused by low serotonin levels

#97
post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not society. It actually starts with the individual. In order to have nay kind of decent society, each individual needs to recognize that they are responsible for themselves and their own society. Going outside, exercising and consuming nourishing foods are the literal starting place. Then seek to find things you like doing and become competent in them. Find a good wife or husband. Don't cheat on them. Don't tak…

While this is true in terms of finding a solution to depression, I do think that the societal norms of our society are extremely conducive to these sort of depressive behaviors. E.g. many societies are setup to make these kinds of behaviors (self isolation, dopamine seeking hedonic treadmill type behavior, etc) very difficult to engage in without being chastised

I see your point, and my argument supports it. Who creates "societal norms" other than the individuals that make up society? It starts with individual action to reverse the dwindling spiral.

Re: “No convincing evidence” that depression is caused by low serotonin levels

#98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in adults but most especially in children is extremely suspect. Go on… (I’m adult diagnosed, for disclosure, but please do go on and tell me how suspect my diagnosis was, how I shouldn’t have been diagnosed as a child, how my medication is harmful. Go on and tell me about my life which you know better than I do.)

I think OP is just saying that 'ADHD' is not that valid of a diagnosis, in terms of any kind of underlying 'pathology'. The fact that many people appear to benefit from the use of 'medication' (i.e. amphetamines and derivatives, from Adderall to Desoxyn(methamphetamine) to Ritalin), is mostly unrelated to any 'diagnosis'. Personally I think all drugs should be legal and people should be able to take whatever they thi…

You got it. The shakiness of this entire thing also shows in how the medication for ADHD is chosen: by trial and error. For real.

Re: “No convincing evidence” that depression is caused by low serotonin levels

#99

Too tired to type a cogent paragraph. Just that I have seen lives ruined by SSRIs.

Comments like this caused me to not try them for waaay too long. Many many many lives have been positively transformed by them, too

Re: “No convincing evidence” that depression is caused by low serotonin levels

#100

I have a completely unscientific, subjective theory that some significant portion of depression in the population as a whole is caused by the economic circumstances that some people live in. Things like being trapped in a dead end job to keep healthcare benefits in the USA, living in a never ending treadmill of debt.

All quintiles of the US population make more money (inflation adjusted) than they did 20, 40 or 60 years ago.

Yet there are more depressives around than ever.

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