I Am A Citizen Of The WORLD

another cure for depression

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWxnN249RqQ&feature...

Thanks Javaneh

You seem like a very sensible lady, and thanks for taking the time to reply at length the way you did :)

Craig

For a start I wouldnt say my opinion is more valueable but it certainly comes from a place of knowledge on both counts.

Anyway I should also say that that I am practiced  in many alternative therapies as I do not believe that medicine is the only approach to dis ease.

Severe depression is literally a killler. When things are that severe many, most ppl are not able to function in their normal lives.. that may mean work, family, social and personal life. It varies from individual to individual and for many it can be so bad that they havent the motivation to eat, attend to personal hygiene etc. Sleep is often disturbed and that doesnt help with day to day functioning. Its also a fact that severly depressed ppl are too depressed to kill themselves.. the risk period for suicide is all most always as they begin to recover! That tells us something does it not! 

Interestingly most ppl make some effort to attend therapy. I figure this is because there is some instinct within in them that motivates them to get help. Of course if they have been sectioned or hospitalised they are compelled to attend therapy. Often also, its one of the few places where they are understood and can talk freely and openly in confidence. Its not easy to communicate with a depressed person or as a depressed person.

As for meds.... it provides some refuge from the anger or hurt that has sent them into a depressed state of mind. It allows time to pass. It is not an answer alone ..def not. I always encourage ppl to seek other help, therapy etc but this is difficult as its all costly and most non functioning ppl are unable to work. It also has to be at a time when they are likely to be most open to it.

On a very personal note, having taken meds for the first time in my life, I would not recommend them for any length of time above 6 months. Meds have side effects, demotivate, and provide illusionary refuge from lifes problems as the issues are still there when one re emerges from the hell of depression.

On a prof note, I have seen ppl with such severe depression that nothing is of any real value.... the only solution is time and  I have seen ppl with depression that becomes psychotic and has led to murder and the only solution here is meds.

I dont know if that answers your questions?

I think so few ppl understand depression. I certainly have a new perspective on it.... interestingly my own depression was triggered by my job. I'm not sure what that means yet... other than I need a new job!

Javaneh

javaneh

Thanks for your input. I knew you were a professional, and so your opinion has much more value than Ayhab's or mine of course.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but somebody who is non-functional due to depression is probably not coming in to see you, right? If somebody is so far down that they can't even muster up the motivation to take a shower or brush their hair/teeth, how are they going to get in their car and drive to see a therapist? And also, isn't it true that the only way out for people that bad off is time... waiting it out until something in their situation changes? My impression (and I have read a lot of studies) is that medication doesn't actually have a very good track record for dealing with severe depression. At least, as far as anti-depressants and similar drugs go. On the other hand, powerful sedatives, traquilizers, and so on do have an impact... but that's not a treatment for depression, is it? It's just a method of making the symptoms less severe, in the short term.

I guess what I'm saying is that bubby's advice is good for the majority of people who are suffering from types of depression where advice actually matters :)

For what it's worth, I'm quite biased against medical approaches to depression, alcoholism, addictions and so forth. I've known people who have gotten (much) worse instead of better after beginning to see psychiatrists who decided to treat them with speculative drug cocktails. It's pretty effing grim to know somebody who used to be depressed, and then becomes delusional after they seek treatement.

Now you guys have finished arguing

I want to say again that I have expertise in depression both as a professional of too many yrs and as someone who has been through a time of 'clinical' depression, as distinct from having a bad week or month.

Actually Bubbly gave some very good advice here ... great way to keep depression from becoming severe or making someone non functional. Very different if someone is severe non functional..... these things alone will not crack it. Buubly's suggestions are great advice for someone who has a reactionary depression or a mild to mod depression. If they have bi polar, psychotic depression, and I could go on but wont, these suggestions wont help without meds, or even ECT.

Depression varies between individual and the causes are very individual. Everything Captain says is also accurrate. Craig you are also right, there is a place for everything and everything is of some benefit, depending how severe the depression is.

Dont suppose that helps :)

Javaneh.

PS Ayhab

SPIRITUALITY: Regular meditation, prayer and yoga help you cleanse your inner self. Spirituality is not religiosity. It enhances calmness and brings peace.

This that Bubbly said there can't be streesed enough. Depression is a spiritual malady. Attempting to deal with depression as a purely medical problem is a disaster waiting to happen.

Ayhab

I am not a used car dealer, I own some share in a new car dealership[not that is any of your damn business].

Of course it's my business, since you offerred your expert opinion on the matter of being a car salesman in another thread. You want to present yourself as an expert and then claim your credentials are no-one's business?

I am an educator by trade...

That's pretty sad. I feel sorry for your students. I wonder if they ever get depressed about having such a judgmental and manipulative bully as their instructor? Do you offer them advice on what they should do about it?

...and due to the fact that my mother , ever
since my father passed away has had some problem with depression, and
due to the fact that my own son is a medical doctor, I have done hours
and hours of research and study on depression with his help.

And in your arrogance, you believe that you are the only one who has any first hand experience with depression, and that you are the only one who has any MD's in the family, eh? Or that you are the only one who has ever researched depression? I could pick apart the comment you made and point out where it differs pretty substantially from the most current research on depression - particularly in regards to brain chemistry - but I didn't because this was bubbly's post, and not yours. But I would suggest that ifyou think your comment represents a consensus of opinion on depression in the field of pyschology that you need to update your information. When did you do your research? The 1980s? I read an article in a medical journal just a few months ago which discussed studies which show regular physical excercise has a greater benefical effect than anti-depressants in a majority of patients being treated for depression. I've also read studies which indicate therapy alone does more for people with depression than medication alone. It isn't as simple as you suggest.

With that said little man, what part of my quote bothered you the
most? was it the facts that it contained? Or was it the part that says
people who deal with depression need to seek a professional help?

It was the fact that it was very bad advice, and was disuised as expert opinion. Bubbly > Ayhab. Deal with it.

Get a life Craig and stop trying to follow me around with your stupid remarks. Your ignorance is astonishing dude.

Following you around? Dude, I was in this thread before you were :o

Edit: bolded teh parts which demonstrate Ayhab's credentials for offering advice to people on how to deal with depression :P

Carig

I am not a used car dealer, I own some share in a new car dealership[not that is any of your damn business].

I am an educator by trade, and due to the fact that my mother , ever since my father passed away has had some problem with depression, and due to the fact that my own son is a medical doctor, I have done hours and hours of research and study on depression with his help.

With that said little man, what part of my quote bothered you the most? was it the facts that it contained? Or was it the part that says people who deal with depression need to seek a professional help?

Get a life Craig and stop trying to follow me around with your stupid remarks. Your ignorance is astonishing dude.

-YT 

ayhab

You are a psychologist now? I thought you were a used car dealer and human rights activist?

Ms. Bubbly

You stated[You don’t need a doctor or even medicine to overcome it and beat the blues].

All due respect depression is a complex problem with body that DOES in fact need a medical expert for help. According to National Mental Health Association depression has several causes:

Excerpts:

Health experts' understanding of depression has come a long way in the last few decades. In many cases, depression doesn't have only one cause. It often results from a mix of biology, psychology, and stressful or traumatic events.

Reasons for depression include:

• Biology. Researchers still have a lot to learn about exactly why people become depressed. But some experts say depression often results from an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters. Antidepressants work by affecting the levels of these chemicals — bringing them back into balance.

There's also a genetic connection. If depression runs in your family, you have a higher chance of becoming depressed.

Having other general health conditions or diseases can increase your risk of depression. For instance, if you have a heart attack, you have a 65% risk of becoming depressed afterwards. Conditions such as cancer, heart disease, thyroid problems, and many others increase your risk of becoming
depressed.

Your gender makes a difference, too. Women are about twice as likely as men to become depressed. No one's sure why. But the hormonal changes that women go through at different times of their lives may be a factor.

• Medications and substances. Many prescription drugs can cause the symptoms of depression. Alcohol or substance abuse is common in depressed people. It often makes their condition worse.

Source: National Mental Health Association: "Depression: What You Need to Know." National Institute of Mental Health: "The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America." Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth edition.

End Excerpts

What you have outlined are most certainly helpful, but victims of depression are highly recommended to seek advice of a medical doctor who has experience in dealing with the disease. Otherwise condition worsens and might lead to manic depressive[bipolar] condition that is life threatening at times.

Regards

-YT 

Laugh away depression

Great to see laughter suggested to help depression.  When things get tough it is easy to foget to laugh. As you laugh your brain releases endorphins which are anti depressant chemicals in your brain. I know some people with depression don't feel like laughing - they can try the simple exercises used in laughter yoga which help you to laugh as exercise so that with practice you get a great deep belly laugh that makes you feel fantasitc.

Depression is a killer

Its a very serious illness affecting most of us at some point in our life time.

I cant agree either as a professional or more importantly as a sufferer of clinical depression  that the above will cure depression but it is a brilliant way to avoid it or help a mild to moderate depression from developing into a severe depression.

Great advice thanks for posting

Javaneh

Looks like good advice!

And timely, too :)

add couple more...

Jeleousy kill you before harming others,

Be part of solution and not add to the problem,

have tolerance to listen to your opponent and try to see things from his/her point of view

life saver words "thank you"," sorry", "excuse me", "please "..etc . will make miracles, use it more often  

Very nice

I feel better already.