queencitybuckeye;685604 wrote:That's only a guaranteed cure for someone with a room temperature IQ.

Like CC...

ccrunner609;685393 wrote:lace up a pair of running shoes......go out and put in a run out on some quit country road. Depression gone.

100% degree. I had bouts of it over the years and the only think that really "cures" it was exercising. Not only physically will ya feel better, you et healthir and mentally it is a HUGE boost

The meds are no good. I suffered from anxiety, which is treated with the same drugs as depression. Be careful on it. It made me loopy (see February 2009 breakdown on JJHuddle.com). These are mind altering drugs that don't cure shit. It's a temporary fix and not worth it.

Depression is a mental disorder and needs to be treated that way. You need mental escape, mental securities, not drugs. Surround yourself with positive people. When you start to feel down, call someone who can make you laugh and/or pick you back up.

Go to a therapist and talk about what's depressing you, not your doctor.

I will NEVER touch anxiety/depression medications again. What are you on? If you say Paxil, go to the nearest toilet and flush it away.

Also don't drink more than a beer or two on the shit.

thedynasty1998;685648 wrote:I don't want to sound simple minded, but I understand depression with the loss of a loved one, or extreme financial difficulties, or problems with kids. But for other who just struggle finding happiness, what is it that causes depression?

http://depression.about.com/cs/brainchem101/a/brainchemistry.htm ---- actually chemical disorder in the brain.

friendfromlowry;685807 wrote:http://depression.about.com/cs/brainchem101/a/brainchemistry.htm ---- actually chemical disorder in the brain.

So, are people born with the chemical disorder, or are there situations through one's life that cause it to surface?

I've had problems with depression and especially anxiety over the past 5-6 years. I've been on Paxil and Zoloft...they suck. Anti-depression meds have terrible symptoms...not to mention they take weeks to work and it can be a struggle to find the right one for you. And to echo snotbubbles -- God help you if you try and drink while taking those meds. I also have seen a couple different counselors between my EAP guy at work and at school. Currently, I don't see anyone or take anything...but I debate that every day.

Every day is different I guess. Some days are easy, others really challenge you, but I understand that's routine for everyone. The exercise works to an extent. It helps to distract you and get your mind off things and you do feel better after. I think ultimately everyone needs a goal to work towards to...something to work towards and keep your focus. If you've ever seen the movie 'Little Miss Sunshine' -- the teenage boy on that movie is a good example. He had some mental issues but his goal was to become an Air Force pilot. I became a lot happier when I switched schools and someday hope to be in medical school.

I think that you are going to have to find what works best for you. I can understand seeking advice from others that have suffered from depression but as you can clearly see, there is no cut and dry answer here. Meds have worked for some and not for others. If they are working for you (which you seem to think they are) don't listen to someone that tells you to flush them down the toilet. But if they do not work for you don't keep taking them just because they worked for another person. You need to pursue various methods of treatment until you find the mix that helps you. It sounds like you are on the right track. Just keep working at it. If you feel talking to a professional will help then you need to make sure that happens. Don't stand by while your doctor makes decisions for you.

Until you find what is truly going to help you be sure to stay as positive as possible and focus on what does make you happy. There are bound to be some good things in your life that you can turn to during this time (family, friends).

thedynasty1998;685820 wrote:So, are people born with the chemical disorder, or are there situations through one's life that cause it to surface?

I'm pretty sure they're born with it, and how much it actually surfaces throughout life is variable. That's what I think anyways. I'm sure if you researched the bowels of the internet you'd find out for sure.
From my understanding, depression can be divided into two categories: the chemical brain disorder which you cannot control, and what happens in life that makes you feel depressed. So, in essence, it's "being depressed" vs "feeling depressed." Obviously, feeling depressed is a result of a stimuli...divorce, losing a job, losing a loved one, etc. The intensity of the depression will change/lessen over time...and how you respond to the situation determines how you will feel. But with endogenous depression, the direct stimuli is missing. There's nothing specifically causing you to be depressed...you just are. That's why I was always so hesitant to see a counselor. It was just hard to talk about, hard to describe. It was even more difficult trying to explain it to someone who wasn't familiar with how depression worked.
A few months ago a girl at my work was talking about how her grandpa was really down because his wife (the grandma) just passed away. She thought her grandpa would benefit from being anti-depressants. I silently disagreed -- these meds work by correcting the chemical disorder in the brain. They don't correct tragedy in your life. The pain and misery of losing a loved one is still naturally there.

sleeper;685531 wrote:Whatever you do, don't turn to "God" or drugs for help. They are both equally as damaging and likely both as costly(in $ terms).

Skyhook79;685537 wrote:One good rule of thumb is to never take advice from sleeper.

Precisely. Drugs are a great way to get a "feel-good" vibe running through you.

Fab4Runner;685833 wrote:I think that you are going to have to find what works best for you. I can understand seeking advice from others that have suffered from depression but as you can clearly see, there is no cut and dry answer here. Meds have worked for some and not for others. If they are working for you (which you seem to think they are) don't listen to someone that tells you to flush them down the toilet. But if they do not work for you don't keep taking them just because they worked for another person. You need to pursue various methods of treatment until you find the mix that helps you. It sounds like you are on the right track. Just keep working at it. If you feel talking to a professional will help then you need to make sure that happens. Don't stand by while your doctor makes decisions for you.

Until you find what is truly going to help you be sure to stay as positive as possible and focus on what does make you happy. There are bound to be some good things in your life that you can turn to during this time (family, friends).

Paxil worked great for me. I didn't have anxiety the whole time I was on it. The issue is the other shit it does to your mind. It controls you. So my "flush it down the toilet" advice is more directed to the side effects, which are far worse than the disorder that the drug is prescribed to treat.

friendfromlowry;685839 wrote:So, in essence, it's "being depressed" vs "feeling depressed." Obviously, feeling depressed is a result of a stimuli...divorce, losing a job, losing a loved one, etc. The intensity of the depression will change/lessen over time...and how you respond to the situation determines how you will feel. But with endogenous depression, the direct stimuli is missing. There's nothing specifically causing you to be depressed...you just are. That's why I was always so hesitant to see a counselor. It was just hard to talk about, hard to describe. It was even more difficult trying to explain it to someone who wasn't familiar with how depression worked.
A few months ago a girl at my work was talking about how her grandpa was really down because his wife (the grandma) just passed away. She thought her grandpa would benefit from being anti-depressants. I silently disagreed -- these meds work by correcting the chemical disorder in the brain. They don't correct tragedy in your life. The pain and misery of losing a loved one is still naturally there.

Very good post! I didn't know it until you said it, but these are my exact feelings.

Im on lexapro and was on zoloft the zoloft gave me some weird thoughts so got away from that stuff. The lexapro actually seems to be working for me. Im actually having better thoughts then before. To give a short background i had an accident at 18 and lost one of my best friends. I lost six real close relatives in the last few years and had to move in with my dad and help take care of him cause of his stroke and now alzheimers. I dont regret taking care of my father and think its one of the most proudest moments of my life. I do think it is another reason for my depression though. I am pretty sure i can narrow down all my problems it just sucks that i actually let it get this far. I was being a man about it and thought i could handle anything. It turns out help is something we all need sometimes. So dont be afraid to ask for it when you need it trust me it prolly helped me more then anything else.

I take Sertraline. Helps both the depression and the OCD.

O-Trap;686840 wrote: and the OCD.

Ohio Chatter Disorder?

dwccrew;686859 wrote:Ohio Chatter Disorder?

Yesh.

Googling some alternative ways at looking at depression this morning and came up with some interesting and varying results. Lots of psychiatrists and researchers are finding that depression IS heavily (not a majority, but enough to take notice of) misdiagnosed. Alot of instances cited are people(s) just being unhappy; and that being unhappy doesn't always equate to being depressed. I would imagine that there is no way to statistically define these instances, that is to say, I haven't tried to find that information yet. Might do that here in a little bit.

At any rate, how would doctors be able to determine which way to narrow down a more accurate diagnosis is more reliable? Also, if there was a straight-determining factor, how would they break the culture of instant prescriptions?


I'm finding all the information that I've read very interesting!

Ive done a lot of research myself and found a lot of good information about it too. I was sure exactly what was going on with myself until i started reading more about it. I actually have severe depression according to a test I took. Not sure if its really that severe but I do know It sucks not being the person I used to be. Not wanting to do stuff is not fun. It actually got so bad I wouldnt leave my house at all. I just had to fight it and start taking control but did need some help,.

CenterBHSFan;686978 wrote:At any rate, how would doctors be able to determine which way to narrow down a more accurate diagnosis is more reliable? Also, if there was a straight-determining factor, how would they break the culture of instant prescriptions?

That's the bear of it. The symptoms can be so variable it's hard to distinguish what's real and what's not. I would especially examine the patient's history and social life. If a middle-aged man with no prior history of depression or psychological issues presents to my office, complaining of feeling depressed...I'd look for outside influences. Generally huge life changes will set these off (moving to a new home, switching jobs, losing loved ones). However, if someone in their 20's presents, with a relatively stable/supportive life, that would set off a some white flags. The difference probably is age. I don't think you can live a full life and wake up one day at age 45 and say 'Okay, it's time to finally do something about my depression.' I think they try to look for a pattern -- they not only want to know what you're doing but HOW LONG you've been doing it. If I can say 'Yeah for the past year or two I've really lived an isolated life, I use to really like basketball and swimming and HGTV but now I don't and my eating and sleeping is sporadic and I sometimes wonder what it'd be like if I wasn't around or dead' -- I think that's what practitioners are looking for. Changes in behavior, eating, sleeping, lost of interest, fatigue, and especially the thoughts of suicide.

As for what McBurg93 said, it sounds like his depression is more extrinsic. He's been through a lot of adversity (especially with death and the deterioration of his father's health) and hasn't "properly handled it". No one wants to admit they're struggling - they want to be strong and make it seem like everything's okay. But sometimes everyone needs help. I forget exactly what he said he did for his depression, but I think counseling would really help, and maybe he just needs help with taking care of his father. Mcburg, do you have siblings or other family or even home health that can or do help with the care of your father?

I don't think I'm depressed, but recently i've been super stressed at work. to the point where i'm constantly nauseous, get achy headaches all the time, can't sleep worth a shit (waking up often thinking about shit), and feel tired for no reason. I think it's just a phase, but it's been like 3 weeks of this and i'm starting to really feel it.

j_crazy;694804 wrote:I don't think I'm depressed, but recently i've been super stressed at work. to the point where i'm constantly nauseous, get achy headaches all the time, can't sleep worth a shit (waking up often thinking about shit), and feel tired for no reason. I think it's just a phase, but it's been like 3 weeks of this and i'm starting to really feel it.

IMO, no job is worth all that shit if it continues.

I go through funks every now and then that may last for a few days or a couple weeks but normally I snap out of it. It's usually work that drags me down. That is why I get away as often as I can. My girl and I take trips, vacations several times a year even if just for the weekend. Really helps me level out. I never battled depression until my dad passed away in 06. There was not doubt I was depressed for about a year. It totally sucked and I am very glad I came out of it. My girl helped me alot!!