depression

[Codrus]

 

[purpledove]

I often wonder why regular GP ( Family doctors ) do not encourage people, especially kids to do this more.. Less pills, more exercise and positive thinking..

Having seen lots of patients who had been on anti-depressants then months to years after are suffering lots of side effects- I wonder the same thing.

But i guess, there are others who have more strength in fighting bouts of depression than others. Maybe too, support system & determination to fight it plays a big role in some scenarios. It's a case to case basis, of course-- as not all are the same.

 

[Tanya1989]

Bi polar here too

 

[Skyeye]

I have terminal bone cancer and so far I have managed not to be depressed! I keep busy with busy work and I think this is more helpful than loading your blood with anti-depressants. BTW, I worked for 35 years in the paramedical field so I have seen it all and this may be helping too.

 

[retro]

I have terminal bone cancer and so far I have managed not to be depressed! I keep busy with busy work and I think this is more helpful than loading your blood with anti-depressants. BTW, I worked for 35 years in the paramedical field so I have seen it all and this may be helping too.

Yup, you're right... people can just choose to be happy. Give me a fucking break here. Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain... we're not talking about being sad, it's a legitimate medical condition that is best treated by specialized meds designed for that purpose. People can certainly learn to deal with the feelings, but they don't have any control over them... to claim otherwise is to insult those of us that deal with it.

 

[itsmeJonB]

Depression makes you lethargic
Dunno if you've ever been lethatgic before but its near impossible to do busy work when you are

 

[purpledove]

I have terminal bone cancer and so far I have managed not to be depressed! I keep busy with busy work and I think this is more helpful than loading your blood with anti-depressants. BTW, I worked for 35 years in the paramedical field so I have seen it all and this may be helping too.

I am sorry to hear you have bone Ca. Kudos to you despite what you're going through that you're able to keep yourself strong :thumbup

Yup, you're right... people can just choose to be happy. Give me a fucking break here. Depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain... we're not talking about being sad, it's a legitimate medical condition that is best treated by specialized meds designed for that purpose. People can certainly learn to deal with the feelings, but they don't have any control over them... to claim otherwise is to insult those of us that deal with it.

Sorry to intervene. But I don't think he's trying to insult those who take meds and suffer depression. Kudos to him as despite the fact he's suffering from Terminal Cancer, he's not allowing himself to have depression get the best of him. He's able to manage it and from what am reading from his post, he had seen the many side effects it has on people that is making him able to stop himself from using medications to treat his depressive symptoms.

I myself have had bouts of feeling down ( I think everyone does) esp that i had been through a lot the past 3 1/2 years. Due to my situation, I went for medical leave from work and MD insisting i take anti-depressants. Just like Skyeye, bcoz of what i have seen with patients and it's side effects- i declined to be prescribed such medications. I have survived so far without any medications and just like him- i look for other means to sway myself away from being eaten up by my being down times. I keep myself busy and make myself interact with friends esp those with positive outlook in life. I have made my son also my inspiration to give meaning to my life. When i see him smile, it makes me be happy and contented in life

That said, doesn't mean that i fail to acknowledge the truth in life that others just like yourself have to take medications to deal with such symptoms. It's a case to case basis and as i mentioned on my previous post.

 

[purpledove]

I take Wellbutrin for severe depression. Much like Pete I was REAL surprised to be diagnosed with SEVERE depression. None the less, I'm not ashamed or anything, and the medication helps a great deal.

Just curious- is there such a diagnosis as SEVERE depression or is it Major Depression ?? :unsure:

 

[retro]

Sorry to intervene. But I don't think he's trying to insult those who take meds and suffer depression. Kudos to him as despite the fact he's suffering from Terminal Cancer, he's not allowing himself to have depression get the best of him. He's able to manage it and from what am reading from his post, he had seen the many side effects it has on people that is making him able to stop himself from using medications to treat his depressive symptoms.

I myself have had bouts of feeling down ( I think everyone does) esp that i had been through a lot the past 3 1/2 years. Due to my situation, I went for medical leave from work and MD insisting i take anti-depressants. Just like Skyeye, bcoz of what i have seen with patients and it's side effects- i declined to be prescribed such medications. I have survived so far without any medications and just like him- i look for other means to sway myself away from being eaten up by my being down times. I keep myself busy and make myself interact with friends esp those with positive outlook in life. I have made my son also my inspiration to give meaning to my life. When i see him smile, it makes me be happy and contented in life

That said, doesn't mean that i fail to acknowledge the truth in life that others just like yourself have to take medications to deal with such symptoms. It's a case to case basis and as i mentioned on my previous post.

There's a distinct difference between "feeling down" and a fucking chemical imbalance in someone. If you don't understand the difference, then you're obviously in the wrong profession. Like I said, some people are able to make themselves cope with medication, but it doesn't fix the underlying problem. The implication in his, and seemingly your, post is that people should just be able to make themselves happy... and it doesn't work like that for the vast majority of people that suffer from depression, biploar, BPD, and a whole host of other mental illnesses.

 

[retro]

Just curious- i know it's related to PTSD but is there such a diagnosis as SEVERE depression or is it Major Depression ?? :unsure:

There is major depression disorder, which is what I was diagnosed with first. There are also severe cases of depression. ICD-9 classified them with the same code, but they are distinctly different diagnosis with ICD-10.

 

[Darrell]

Just curious- i know it's related to PTSD but is there such a diagnosis as SEVERE depression or is it Major Depression ?? :unsure:

Doctor calls it severe. I'm not licensed by the CA Board of Medicine, so I don't argue.

 

[HK]

Is all depression a chemical imbalance though?

Obviously I understand from your point of view Retro, and for those with similar disorders, depression is something you have very little significant control over. For many, it takes years to find anything that helps, be it drug-related or otherwise.

But, people can be severely depressed for non-chemical reasons. Someone diagnosed with a terminal disease is certainly at risk for depression, not just feeling down. People who suffer life-changing events too. Saying that they manage to keep themselves busy and avoid sinking into a depression is not a damning judgement of people who can't do the same - it sounded like nothing more than someone expressing their own potential experience with depression, or the ability to keep it at bay.

I don't see anyone suggesting that people with depression can just snap themselves out of it. I just see a guy saying that despite some incredibly depressing circumstances, he's coping.

 

[retro]

Is all depression a chemical imbalance though?

Obviously I understand from your point of view Retro, and for those with similar disorders, depression is something you have very little significant control over. For many, it takes years to find anything that helps, be it drug-related or otherwise.

But, people can be severely depressed for non-chemical reasons. Someone diagnosed with a terminal disease is certainly at risk for depression, not just feeling down. People who suffer life-changing events too. Saying that they manage to keep themselves busy and avoid sinking into a depression is not a damning judgement of people who can't do the same - it sounded like nothing more than someone expressing their own potential experience with depression, or the ability to keep it at bay.

I don't see anyone suggesting that people with depression can just snap themselves out of it. I just see a guy saying that despite some incredibly depressing circumstances, he's coping.

That's why I was trying to make a distinction... I must not have done a very good job of it. There are certainly environmental and emotional factors, but for things like bipolar, BDP, or other distinct syndromes, it is as a direct result of specific medical conditions.

 

[purpledove]

Doctor calls it severe. I'm not licensed by the CA Board of Medicine, so I don't argue.

Gotcha Maybe an MD's layman's term. Thx

Is all depression a chemical imbalance though?

Obviously I understand from your point of view Retro, and for those with similar disorders, depression is something you have very little significant control over. For many, it takes years to find anything that helps, be it drug-related or otherwise.

But, people can be severely depressed for non-chemical reasons. Someone diagnosed with a terminal disease is certainly at risk for depression, not just feeling down. People who suffer life-changing events too. Saying that they manage to keep themselves busy and avoid sinking into a depression is not a damning judgement of people who can't do the same - it sounded like nothing more than someone expressing their own potential experience with depression, or the ability to keep it at bay.

I don't see anyone suggesting that people with depression can just snap themselves out of it. I just see a guy saying that despite some incredibly depressing circumstances, he's coping.

:homo: Good points too HK :thumbup

 

[purpledove]

There is major depression disorder, which is what I was diagnosed with first. There are also severe cases of depression. ICD-9 classified them with the same code, but they are distinctly different diagnosis with ICD-10.

I know about the ICD diagnosing be it's 9 or 10 as we use that everyday. I know too there is Major Depression which is not my Qn.... And of course am not getting into the Axises to make make a query here as that would make things too complicated as you're going into.

There are severe cases of depression hence the specific ICD codings. Not going in those details to discuss those as i was juz curious with Darrell's knowing what he had gone through :nod:

 

[Darrell]

Gotcha Maybe an MD's layman's term. Thx

Right, because I'm too stupid to comprehend major as opposed to severe right?

 

[purpledove]

There is major depression disorder, which is what I was diagnosed with first. There are also severe cases of depression. ICD-9 classified them with the same code, but they are distinctly different diagnosis with ICD-10.

There's a distinct difference between "feeling down" and a fucking chemical imbalance in someone. If you don't understand the difference, then you're obviously in the wrong profession. Like I said, some people are able to make themselves cope with medication, but it doesn't fix the underlying problem. The implication in his, and seemingly your, post is that people should just be able to make themselves happy... and it doesn't work like that for the vast majority of people that suffer from depression, biploar, BPD, and a whole host of other mental illnesses.

I perfectly understand about chemical imbalances and also those who suffer depression without those chemical imbalances.

I am hoping though that to have a healthier discussion, you would not counteract by mentioning the highlighted words. That is not acceptable as you don't know me at all.

Sorry am not gonna go down your level of thinking :ninja

 

[purpledove]

Right, because I'm too stupid to comprehend major as opposed to severe right?

L0L. :24: I don't believe there are stupid people ( my belief of course & that's another discussion ) Medical field people are juz trained to mention things in layman's term

 

[Darrell]

L0L. :24: I don't believe there are stupid people ( my belief of course & that's another discussion ) Medical field people are juz trained to mention things in layman's term

Severe isn't a layman's term for major. IJS.

 

[rback33]

Dude.. depression and anxiety are the worst. By nature I am a very cheerful happy person on the outside. But all I wanna do is sleep... and my anxiety..... OMG I went through months into years of puking every morning...., with no reason to be anxious.. then throw in a divorce and an unexpected pregnancy.... my doc told me I held out longer than he thought I would... the meds help some...especially with anxiety... I can tell when I miss one or two... but it sux. I do find that exercise helps more than anything, but it's often difficult to be motivated to do THAT.... Summer is the worst time for mine for some reason...not sure why...