Don't let depression dictate your life

[jess3254]

The thing about the neurological causes of depression, such as imbalances of chemicals and hormones in the brain, is that though they can be controlled through medication, they don't address any other contributing factors. Medication won't bring back a family member who has passed away, or the love of a former partner.
At the same time, counselling or dealing with issues such as these won't restore chemical balance to the brain.

Which is why treatment entails both counseling and medication (SSRIs, TCAs etc). The medication used requires modification though. (There's a difference between reactive depression and endogenous depression, mind you.)

But, the theories and possible causes proposed for clinical depression are fairly complex, and quite simply, we don't know the answer yet. I know most people do not understand the nature of the illness.

I must emphasis that there is a difference between Clinical Depression (however there are various types of clinical depression - refer below**) and Depressed Mood. And in some patients, there is no stimulus which acts as a candidate for depression that is identified (endogenous depression). I have read so much research on this, that I am convinced there is some sort of biological basis for types of Clinical Depression, although psychological factors contribute, too. I am trying to dispel this notion that patients with depression can necessarily control their thoughts. This is the way I see it; just like I couldn't control the production of my cancer, they can't control the development of their depression. I've heard the most disgusting comments from people about depression. It's not as simple as "THINK POSITIVE!!!!1111" But I believe most mental illnesses have physiological causes. (Poorly articulated, sorry)

Depression first, then self-esteem. Though of course low self-esteem is both a cause and a symptom of depression.

That was a rhetorical question. No one truly knows the answer to that, unfortunately. Although if you have some research references to this, please link. I'd love to read them, I am quite fascinated by this topic

***There are different types of clinical depression. This includes reactive depression, where someone gets severely depressed due to their circumstances, such as a death of a family member. Then there is endogenous depression, where someone is constantly depressed without any obvious trigger. Then there's chronic depression, post natal depression and bipolar disorder. I believe the last 4 have a biological basis.

[enwiabe]

Jessie, I sincerely hope you get into med. You're going to make such a good doctor.

[excal]

Yes, yes she would!

(She lives in a family of people in medicine though, so it's not surprising at all!)

[cara.mel]

Does anyone look back on their depression and think differently of it now?
Back when I was 15 and "depressed" after breaking up with a boyfriend I was truly feeling low, didn't want to wake up, didn't feel like doing anything, on the verge of doing something stupid etc. But now when I look back on it I don't see it as depression, I see it as me overreacting and being a drama queen.
I wonder why though. I think it might be a result of my parents drilling into me that teenagers do not have the emotional depth to feel things as complex as love, passion, or indeed, depression.

When I think back about it I reclassify it from feeling bad/alright/must be normal to some form of moderate/severe depression, as since then I have read about it and stuff
Jessie, is this a fair call when I was really bad for 10 months, and then another 6 months a year later, am I overreacting or is that right. As in for the first time during the second half of this period (eg month 5-6 ->), not being able to do anything, being continuously disappointed each day at the expected outcome I woke up again, finding maths not fun, feeling physically what I described in that other thread nearly every day, seeing everyday objects and using your imagination to create ways that they could assist in ending it, etc etc
(obviously the 2nd time was a walk in the park compared to the first one, but I stopped handing in school work and doing work in class etc, so I consider it a relapse of sorts)
no one ever told me I was so I just assumed the problem was all my fault and I was a bad person and I wasn't trying hard enough

You are truly leet and know so much more about these things than I ever will

[humph]

Depression first, then self-esteem. Though of course low self-esteem is both a cause and a symptom of depression.

That was a rhetorical question. No one truly knows the answer to that, unfortunately. Although if you have some research references to this, please link. I'd love to read them, I am quite fascinated by this topic

Heh. Sorry, no, all my knowledge is basically scrabbled from various sources I've read on the interwebs, experiences of my own and of friends, and my mother, who's a mental health social worker.

I certainly agree with you that it's an ignorant statement to make that people who have depression should just think positive, that there's enough of an element of control. That's the point of organisations like BeyondBlue and all that; to make sure people understand that depression genuinely is an illness.

[dusty_girl1144]

The thing about the neurological causes of depression, such as imbalances of chemicals and hormones in the brain, is that though they can be controlled through medication, they don't address any other contributing factors. Medication won't bring back a family member who has passed away, or the love of a former partner.
At the same time, counselling or dealing with issues such as these won't restore chemical balance to the brain.

Which is why treatment entails both counseling and medication (SSRIs, TCAs etc). The medication used requires modification though. (There's a difference between reactive depression and endogenous depression, mind you.)

But, the theories and possible causes proposed for clinical depression are fairly complex, and quite simply, we don't know the answer yet. I know most people do not understand the nature of the illness.

I must emphasis that there is a difference between Clinical Depression (however there are various types of clinical depression - refer below**) and Depressed Mood. And in some patients, there is no stimulus which acts as a candidate for depression that is identified (endogenous depression). I have read so much research on this, that I am convinced there is some sort of biological basis for types of Clinical Depression, although psychological factors contribute, too. I am trying to dispel this notion that patients with depression can necessarily control their thoughts. This is the way I see it; just like I couldn't control the production of my cancer, they can't control the development of their depression. I've heard the most disgusting comments from people about depression. It's not as simple as "THINK POSITIVE!!!!1111" But I believe most mental illnesses have physiological causes. (Poorly articulated, sorry)

Depression first, then self-esteem. Though of course low self-esteem is both a cause and a symptom of depression.

That was a rhetorical question. No one truly knows the answer to that, unfortunately. Although if you have some research references to this, please link. I'd love to read them, I am quite fascinated by this topic

***There are different types of clinical depression. This includes reactive depression, where someone gets severely depressed due to their circumstances, such as a death of a family member. Then there is endogenous depression, where someone is constantly depressed without any obvious trigger. Then there's chronic depression, post natal depression and bipolar disorder. I believe the last 4 have a biological basis.

can i just ask....
i know my mum has bipolar.... and doctors have said that its likely i have bi polar too due to my behaviour in the recent years lately.
if u know much about bipolar could you let me know about it. much appriciated
i dont really wanna look it up... beacuse of the fear that i do have it

.xxx.

[cara.mel]

can i just ask....
i know my mum has bipolar.... and doctors have said that its likely i have bi polar too due to my behaviour in the recent years lately.
if u know much about bipolar could you let me know about it. much appriciated
i dont really wanna look it up... beacuse of the fear that i do have it

.xxx.

My aunt is diagnosed with it (I don't believe I have it myself, but all of these 'illnesses' tend to be related to each other). I do not know much about it though apart from the fact she was told it doesn't set in until at least 20s. Oh and you need to experience both sides of it, so if you're as happy as a lark up at 3am occasionally then I'd say it's possible. Otherwise it's just normal depression I guess.

Also, regardless of whether you have it or not, I have found that finding out you have something is the best feeling in the world. There are now other real people in the world who understand you, and are willing to share their experiences etc (:

So I'd say pursue it, but maybe wait until after VCE

[dusty_girl1144]

can i just ask....
i know my mum has bipolar.... and doctors have said that its likely i have bi polar too due to my behaviour in the recent years lately.
if u know much about bipolar could you let me know about it. much appriciated
i dont really wanna look it up... beacuse of the fear that i do have it

.xxx.

My aunt is diagnosed with it (I don't believe I have it myself, but all of these 'illnesses' tend to be related to each other). I do not know much about it though apart from the fact she was told it doesn't set in until at least 20s. Oh and you need to experience both sides of it, so if you're as happy as a lark up at 3am occasionally then I'd say it's possible. Otherwise it's just normal depression I guess.

Also, regardless of whether you have it or not, I have found that finding out you have something is the best feeling in the world. There are now other real people in the world who understand you, and are willing to share their experiences etc (:

So I'd say pursue it, but maybe wait until after VCE

yeah i might wait till after....

but still it haunts me.... i already have a medical condition and another illness will just make me feel a bit outta place i guess?  :uglystupid2: :idiot2:
like in primary school and some of high school... i didnt fit in AT all... i was like lonely to the max.
you know from experience something like this is the best thing to know...?
im afraid *guys* might run away... therefore thats another reason LOL 

[cara.mel]

Well it depends on whether you want to find out or not I guess.
From my experience, my whole life I wanted an answer as to why I was different and now I have one =)
I didn't fit in either, I can count the number of times I 'went outside' (ie saw friends outside of school) from years 7-12 in total using my fingers (I think I just made it onto needing both hands ). And since then I have lost contact with virtually all of them, I occasionally talk to someone in year 10 this year on msn/almighty facebook chat but that's it

Also, yes some people will run away but those ones aren't good enough for you in the first place so it doesn't matter. There are people out there who will accept you for who you are.

Oh and I say wait until after for two reasons: time should be precious atm, and it might mess with your head for a while trying to come to terms with it/accepting it depending if it is anything and if so, what it is. You don't need to take that risk at this point in time

[costargh]

One of my teachers has bipolar (the collective student body has diagnosed her though). We set it as the feisty side in her

[jess3254]

I PM'd you both

One of my teachers has bipolar (the collective student body has diagnosed her though). We set it as the feisty side in her

Eh that's probably not bipolar disorder. Unless you witness her having manic episodes where she is completely inappropriate and exhibits behaviour like rapid, pressured or unintelligible speech, grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, hyperactivity, excessive optimism and inappropriate sexual activity (eg. removing clothes in public) for a week, and then being normal the next week. And then perhaps having a depressive episode the week after.

(Contrary to popular belief, bipolar disorder isn't "sad one minute, angry the next, happy the next", that's just mood swings. It's actually manic for one week, normal the next week, and having a depressive episode after that for 2 weeks.)

Diagnosis criteria:
-There must be two or more episodes of mood disturbance, one of which must be mania.
-Manic episodes must last for at least one week and be severe enough to markedly disrupt social and occupational functioning. The manic episode is accompanied by increased energy and includes a number of the symptoms outlines above.
-Depressive episodes must last at least 2 weeks.

[xox.happy1.xox]

like in primary school and some of high school... i didnt fit in AT all... i was like lonely to the max.
you know from experience something like this is the best thing to know...?
im afraid *guys* might run away... therefore thats another reason LOL 

Aww... *hugs dusty*, we had the same problem in primary school! I was the token 'loner', and everyone would laugh at me because I had no friends. Then there was this one girl, who always talked to me, and didn't care that I was alone or anything. I always used to go to bed crying because someone could possess such positive attributes towards me. Then, at graduation, I was the only one smiling; I guess because I didn't want to see any of them ever again.

I had the same problem with boys as well. I asked this guy out in primary school, and he sprinted like a cheetah was chasing him, and I broke down there and then. I was depressed then. The same thing happened in high school, though

Counseling never worked... I never talked because I thought it was natural for every girl to get rejected by guys... It's just nature, right? And about the teasing... Umm...

I guess I have never fitted in to anything... Except for VN of course

[ninwa]

So many strong people on VN ... what an inspiration

[dusty_girl1144]

like in primary school and some of high school... i didnt fit in AT all... i was like lonely to the max.
you know from experience something like this is the best thing to know...?
im afraid *guys* might run away... therefore thats another reason LOL 

Aww... *hugs dusty*, we had the same problem in primary school! I was the token 'loner', and everyone would laugh at me because I had no friends. Then there was this one girl, who always talked to me, and didn't care that I was alone or anything. I always used to go to bed crying because someone could possess such positive attributes towards me. Then, at graduation, I was the only one smiling; I guess because I didn't want to see any of them ever again.

I had the same problem with boys as well. I asked this guy out in primary school, and he sprinted like a cheetah was chasing him, and I broke down there and then. I was depressed then. The same thing happened in high school, though

Counseling never worked... I never talked because I thought it was natural for every girl to get rejected by guys... It's just nature, right? And about the teasing... Umm...

I guess I have never fitted in to anything... Except for VN of course

I know how good does it feel to fit in somewhere even tho they are internet buddies for the time being. ive met like a couple of you guys before... ITS NOTHING LIKE SCHOOL we like come from all over vic and yeah it feels good to fit in

btw with guys : ive totally given up. like... because i dont fit in... ive come to the point where i dont ask ANY GUY out... lucky for me some have asked me.
i still dont fit in, in my school. we have clicks at out school. obviously im in the nerd, unpopular group.
i can count all my friends on i think 1 hand... maybe 2.
but it pays off i get hw done kekekeke

i guess... music gets me through school i go to class quietly. do my work day finishes and i study. inside of school i dont wanna be seen. outside of school i can totally be myself. its such a reliefe. xox.happy1.xox you really make me smile on this site. when i try and make u smile and tell you that i believe in u. i actually feel like... maybe im worth something... <3



JESS: like i told u over msn. you'll do GREAT wonders after u finish med! ur such a great person to talk to!

[brendan]

ahh schoolyard politics =P

Looking back i should have associated more with girls, to develop my political skills and emotional intelligence.