Can you 'beat' depression?

[illykitty]

I don't think one can beat clinical depression on their own, or at least, it's probably rare.

Personally, I'm not sure I'll ever be "normal". My depression started when I was really young and it feels so "embedded" in me, it's very hard to get rid of. I've tried medication, CBT and other therapies and nothing has really worked so far. CBT is ok for my social anxiety, it's something I see the thought patterns of more clearly, but not so much for my depression. My depression often doesn't seem to have thought patterns, or often they're painfully true thoughts, or it's just feelings I can't reason with. I really don't know what causes it.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

It's too broad of a question to answer with a yes or no, as depression comes in many forms, and many levels of severity. Generally speaking though, exercise, proper diet, working on self-defeating attitudes, and changes in environment can go a long ways. In a way, you can "beat it" in that you don't let it control you, even if it is clinical depression.

 

[Jumi]

Someone I know just got back up from clinical depression that lasted maybe 2-3 years. She's now getting off the meds she was on, but it's a slow process.

 

[Aštra’el]

Depression is a tremendous waste of emotion.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Depression is a tremendous waste of emotion.

Its a potent feeling no doubt. I think it's a matter of navigation through the onset and duration of those strong enotions as opposed to locking up and taking a fetal position in its wake. The latter is easier, but at times hindsight seems to bring about thoughts that things could have gone better in some instances.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Depression is a tremendous waste of emotion.

It depends on how you handle it and what you do with it.

 

[psychoslice]

Depression is a tremendous waste of emotion.

It certainly is, but try to tell that to one who is suffering, as in my case with schizophrenia, that its a wast of emotion.

 

[Aštra’el]

It certainly is, but try to tell that to one who is suffering, as in my case with schizophrenia, that its a wast of emotion.

It depends on how you handle it and what you do with it.

Everyone experiences suffering... some more than others. It doesn't change my subjective opinion that depression is a tremendous waste of emotion. It might appear to some that there is exception to those who pour that negative energy into various forms of creative expression and self improvement... but that's less about harnessing depression and more about turning extreme feelings of pain, anger or sadness into sources of great motivation and inspiration, to ultimately improve their situations or states of mind.

 

[psychoslice]

Everyone experiences suffering... some more than others. It doesn't change my subjective opinion that depression is a tremendous waste of emotion. It might appear to some that there is exception to those who pour that energy into various forms of creative expression and self improvement... but that's less about harnessing depression and more about turning extreme feelings of pain, anger or sadness into sources of great motivation and inspiration, to ultimately improve their situations or states of mind.

Yes in hindsight that is true, but when one is in a deep depression, such as clinical depression as I once had, its just not that easy to say, Oh well, I'll just stop this way of thinking, Ha.

 

[Aštra’el]

Yes in hindsight that is true, but when one is in a deep depression, such as clinical depression as I once had, its just not that easy to say, Oh well, I'll just stop this way of thinking, Ha.

No, and when your mother dies or your lover gets killed in front of you, you don't just say "Oh, I shall just will my pain away so that it might disappear this instant". Some emotions are powerful enough to consume your mind and soul, and can take you down into an abyss that might require a great level of time, determination and fortitude to ascend from and overcome. Still, this does not excuse the act of giving up and just wallowing in misery without making sincere attempts to take back your life and mind and soul.

 

[Jumi]

Depression is not only an emotion, it's a lack of energy. Depressed, you tire in no time flat from anything that requires effort. It also limits problem solving capabilities. If you are sad or traumatized you can still have lots of energy to better your lot even if you fail at it. But if you're depressed, not so much. For depression you need something simple that makes you feel energetic on your own, then the depression solves itself.

 

[psychoslice]

No, and when your mother dies or your lover gets killed in front of you, you don't just say "Oh, I shall just will my pain away so that it might disappear this instant". Some emotions are powerful enough to consume your mind and soul, and can take you down into an abyss that might require a great level of time, determination and fortitude to ascend from and overcome. Still, this does not excuse the act of giving up and just wallowing in misery without making sincere attempts to take back your life and mind and soul.

And again this is true in hindsight, just like any part of our body that can have whatever problems, be that heart, kidney, diabetes, and to the extreme cancer, the brain is no different, just like trying to tell your heart stop, and do the right thing and stop playing around, so it is with the brain, or the workings of the brain.

 

[illykitty]

Myth debunking: Depression is not just an emotion, it can be a physical problem as well. Some of the culprits might be chemical imbalances, thyroid problems and now there's also a link to inflammation.

This article explains talks about the latter: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37166293

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Myth debunking: Depression is not just an emotion, it can be a physical problem as well. Some of the culprits might be chemical imbalances, thyroid problems and now there's also a link to inflammation.

This article explains talks about the latter: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37166293

I'm not arguing against their findings, but it doesn't really seem to be a new way of thinking about it given that's been long established that chronic pain, including inflammation, can cause depression. I also hope the treatment they are looking for doesn't turn into something that causes issues like narcotic pain pills are prone to causing.

 

[Lucia Touchstone]

The best thing is talking to a professional. They know the ins and outs. Good luck.

 

[HakkaMex]

Clinical depression is from hormonal imbalances for most people, you can't just change your body's hormone levels at will so no you can't beat it. There's a reason why the medication they prescribe for it acts on dopamine or serotonin receptors. It isn't perfectly studied and we still don't know how it works exactly, at least not in terms of broad medicine, a psychiatrist who specializes might have better insight.

However, one issue is that there's an over-diagnoses of depression. A lot of people suffer from dysthymia (basically a mild depression) or normal grief and are prescribed medication when that isn't the best option. I've personally found that the best way to get over being down is just to keep busy with school work or whatever. It's when I think that the existential dread sets in lol. Then again, I'm just sad a chunk of the time I'm not clinically depressed so I can't say that's a strategy that can beat it for someone who really is depressed. Also, I'd guess that part of the reason why meds don't work for everyone is that the cause of their depression is both hormonal and a life-stress. The medication may help with the hormonal part but won't remove whatever underlying issue is causing them problems if they have one.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Clinical depression is from hormonal imbalances for most people,

Even that is too general. Yes, some people with clinical depression have these imbalances, but many don't. Some are facing adverse life circumstances, some have negative coping methods making things worse, and some are just in a bad environment. It's why so many therapists anymore resort to behavior monitoring and changes as a core goal of working with depression, while resorting to medication as a crutch to help "jump start" the treatment by helping the client initially feel better which helps the client to feel more motivated to make the necessary changes in their life to ameliorate their depression.

However, one issue is that there's an over-diagnoses of depression.

People aren't diagnoses with clinical depression unless it's an ongoing thing, and normal grief will not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of depression.