Depression (ritual, moral, America, experience, spiritual)

[Doc]

It has been an intriguing topic to me lately! I have known several people that have it and one or two that have overcome it. First off, from past experience through others and myself, there are several kinds. We all experience it sometimes but for some, it can be come a medical issue. One kind is anxiety, workoholic/perfectionist, overwhealmed and stressed, and also perhaps moral for some which would be overbearing guilt for small things usually triggered by living in the past. How do you think are healthy ways to overcome it? Do you feel medication is the answer or perhaps counselling or spiritual intervention. I over came my guilt through spirituality where I know someone else who could only get out of a life long depression through medication alone. Apparently, this affects over 20 million americans, yet I am sure the number is far greater. I am trying to become an expert at this topic, because I do not want to live my young life like one person I know who had it for almost 30 years. They would go almost 8 month stretches at a time with anxiety and stress. They have been cured for almost 6 months and plans to never get off of this medication. I want to learn as much about this to help others who I may encounter with problems. If you have any past experiences or other comments, feel free to post them here.

[Amalcas]

I'm dysthymic, myself. Dysthymia is a less severe, yet more persistent, form of depression. I first started getting erratic symptoms at five-/six-years old, and recognised it at ten or so. As a dysthymic, I am an insomniac, and experience a "normal" day every month or less. My dysthymia somehow seems to make me less sad than.....numb. I haven't been more than minorly irritated for at least 2 years. All I ever feel is...tired. Dead, bone tired. It just saps so much will power to function as a human being, that, when I get home, I have none left.
I almost wish I was bipolar (like my sister.....).

[SoulTYPE]

I still battle it today. I find this a good place to talk about it, because most the people here understand or have experienced it too.

[cardero]

I think depression can come in two forms. In one form it is a preference; in other words there are actually people who choose to live a depressing life and the other form is an imbalance to our human system. A cure for either one is to involve or over compensate yourself into things that make you happy or at least find things that you enjoy doing. Medicine is not a cure for depression. Especially if depression comes in the form of an imbalance to your metabolism. You do not treat an imbalance with a chemical imbalance. It is interesting that Doc’s topic comes at a time when people usually get depressed..around the holidays.

[Ceridwen018]

All forms of depression are caused by some imbalance in the human system, like all other emotions. Whether or not they require medical attention depends on what kind of depression it is, of course.

Some people have genetic tendencies for depression, one way being, their bodies do not naturally produce the correct balance of chemicals needed in the brain. If these people need medication to function healthy lives, they will need that medication for the rest of their life, because genetically they are incapable of making that balance themselves.

When something bad happens to us, such as a loved one dying, etc., we enter what psychiatrists call a 'grief period', aka, we become sad. This grief period and sad feelings are caused by the same things which cause depression, (chemical imbalance), however, for most people it is simply a temporary phase. This momentary chemical imbalance within the brain is completely normal, however it can also lead to clinical depression, depending on the person. For instance, some people who are genetically inclined to depression might be able to produce the correct balance of chemicals in their brains, but their bodies might not be able to pull themselves out of a grief period as well as someone who is not inclined to it. Often, those people will need medication to get them back on track. Healthy people who do not have genetic inclinations can also get clinical depression, however. If something happens to a person which is incredibly traumatic, their grief period could be much more intense, and therefore much more difficult to pull out of, than someone who experienced a lesser tragedy. It is quite possible for a healthy person's system to be thrown so out of wack by something that they are incapable of recovering for themselves, simply because the hole was 'dug too deep', so to speak.

Psychiatry is still a relatively new field of medicine--less than 100 years old. As a result, we still have much to learn and study, and this is made evident in our limited knowledge of medication. Although we've certainly come a long way from the first popular treatment, being to induce a siezure in hopes that it would 'restart' the brain, today's medications are still not perfect. A patient usually requires a full year of medication before they are able to make it on their own, and even then most require more treatment. Again, it all depends on the individual person.

I feel that people with depression should also seek the help of a counselor. Medicine can manipulate chemicals in the brain, but in order for that medication to be successful, let alone create a lasting affect, the patient has to want to get better.

[FyreBrigidIce]

This is my own personal battle and feelings about depression. One of the problems I suffer is that I take comments as a personal attack upon first hearing or reading them and do not begin realizing that they are not personal attacks until I am in the middle of my reaction. My post below is generalized and not aimed towards anyone in particular unless I state otherwise.

I have had depression all of my life. Some episodes last one day while others last a few months. I can not exactly define which form of depression I have. All my doctor told me was that based on my symptoms I have a chemical imbalance. My depression effected how I performed at my former job. When I was laid-off I was able to stop taking the medication. When they called me back to work I was back on it the first week there. Some people tend to believe that some depression sufferers use it as a crutch. I am not one of those people. If I was using it for a crutch I would not be trying to find a less stressful working environment, nor would I care if I finished college. Instead I would be trying to get Disability so I could sit on my tush all day doing nothing. Medication does help some people. I am not on my medication now because I do not have any medical insurance to cover it and my former Supervisor knew before I told her. On the medication I do not feel overwhelmed by everyday activities that people without depression can handle without mood swings. I am able to think first before reacting. Instead of feeling helpless I am able to focus on one thing at a time and try to find alternatives and ways that I can regain control over my situation.

I do agree partially with carrderro about finding things that you enjoy doing. However, some people can be so depressed that they are unhappy doing anything and medication can help with that. I was in that position before I went to the doctor. Medication is not for every depression sufferer nor is it always a permanent option. There are some people who can be off the medicine for awhile before needing to go back on it.

Depression has many versions and does not affect everyone the same way. Most of the information I got was from WEBMD website, as well as links to other sites that discuss Depression.

I tried to condense this post without going into deep detail because it would take a lot of room. If anyone wants to discuss it further, feel free to PM me or contact me in Yahoo or e-mail.

Brandy

[Lintu]

I too have dealt with depression for quite awhile. I remember having panic attacks as young as about 8 years old. Eventually, the stress and anxiety (I think) led to all-out depression. After having mono when I was about 20, I set into a long-lasting depression that finally ended around last May. I tried a medicine for a bit, but I hated the side effects, and I didn't think I could afford both the medicine and the doctor's visits. I have recently sunk back into a depression of some sort. I'll be okay for most of the day, and then all of a sudden be in a state of desperation and despair. I can't just do things I like because a lot of time I just feel numb towards the things I used to enjoy. A lot of times, though, I am only numb thinking about those things, but once I do them I kind of wake up again. I feel that right now is an important time for my religious inquiry. I really need a strong faith and a strong community to back it up.

[kreeden]

Depression is a term that covers many things . Most people do not understand what it is ! { not saying that I do , mind you }

However , serious depression is much more then " feeling sorry for one's self ". And at times , a person needs professional help ! If a person is seriously depressed , some little " feel good " activity will not help . The problem is much deeper then that . A deeply depressed person just doesn't care . Really and truely don't care . Often to the point where they don't even care that they are depressed . { I think that most know thatr saomething is ' wrong " , but either don't understand what , or are to the point where they don't even care that something is wrong } .

If any of you are at that point , please , force your self to see a professional .

[Amalcas]

That's apathy, which many experience, but not all. If you read my previous post, I experience a strange sort of apathy, which I suspect is more common than actual apathy in depression. I care, I truly care, but I cannot find the will within myself to do anything. I am currently seeking help, though I truly do not wish to take medicine.

[Bastet]

I was depressed for about 7 years, and suicidal for about 12 months in the middle of that. I did it the hard way, with no counselling, no medication, and pretty well all on my own. It's not the course I'd recommend lol. If the tools to help you are there, then use them!! No point trying to be a hero and suffering for longer than you need to. These days I know the signs to look out for, and if I feel myself on the edge of that hole, I'll do something about it. It's not a place I want to go back to. Ever.