Depression

[Beev]

I contemplated posting this in L&R because I'll probably get ridiculed less there, but oh well, we'll see how this goes...

Depression runs in my family. My mother has it, her mother did, and so on. It can be (but isn't always) genetic, so it is something I worry about from time to time. As I get older (26 now) I find myself getting depressed easier and easier, but not as badly or for as long as my mom used to get (she's all better now as far as I can tell). I don't know if that's because of my genes, though, or just because that's how life is. It isn't a constant, nagging feeling, but it's enough to affect my demeanor at work and overall effectiveness at whatever I'm doing (I get sluggish and apathetic). I've always been a pretty sensitive guy, though I don't know if that's related or not. When I actually stop and think about my life I feel like I am happy enough, though. Stable job that pays well enough, handful of good friends, goals I'm working toward, etc., so I don't know what's wrong with me.

I guess this thread has no real purpose. I just needed to get it off my chest to someone(s) I don't have to pay to listen to me . If anyone has any advice, though, I'm willing to listen of course. I've never been keen on the thought of medication; it just feels like cheating and running from the problem rather than fixing it. I guess it worked for my mom, though...

(I like putting things in parenthesis)

 

[MisterJackson]

You don't sound like you need medication, but you sound smart enough to realize there is an issue, or could potentially be a bigger issue with this. So go talk to somebody. Think of it as preventative maintenance before it gets to a point where you need repair.

 

[Platypus]

What you're experiencing isn't abnormal at all. I definitely wouldn't dive head first into being a guinea pig for the pharmaceutical industry though, sounds like you're on the same page.

 

[olds]

Meh, you're not depressed, you're experiencing life. A lot of life sucks. Deal with it.

 

[fantolay]

Medication causes dependence and more problems. Unless it is an extreme case of depression then don't get meds. Your thoughts seem to be normal thoughts that most people have.

 

[manlymatt83]

Meh, you're not depressed, you're experiencing life. A lot of life sucks. Deal with it.

this

 

[rivan]

Meh, you're not depressed, you're experiencing life. A lot of life sucks. Deal with it.

I tend to agree. You're getting to the age where the pace of life greatly slows for most people. You no longer have the planned rush of high school, then college. You're finding yourself doing the same thing from week to week and you may feel like something's missing. At least that's how I felt at 26.

There isn't (probably).

If you find yourself consistently performing destructive behaviors in an effort to avoid this feeling, then definitely see someone. If you're not then you're probably just a normal person entering full adulthood/maturity.

 

[Beev]

Thanks for the replies. I'm probably just worrying too much based on my family history.

 

[olds]

Thanks for the replies. I'm probably just worrying too much based on my family history.

This. Don't talk yourself into depression.

 

[preCRT]

I've never been keen on the thought of medication; it just feels like cheating and running from the problem rather than fixing it.

I do not understand this fear of medication. If asthmatics were afraid of medication they'd be dead, I know I would have died several times over [though the first time would have been the last].

If you are depressed, see a doctor.
He/she may recommend therapy, meds, or a combination of both.


If you are getting enough sleep, eating right, getting exercise and sunshine and still feeling depressed, what have you got to lose by seeing a doctor? [note: I mean a genuine M.D., not the ATOT play one on the internet docs]




[I prefer brackets over parentheses]

 

[rudder]

Please send me $5 paypal for reading your OP.

 

[moshquerade]

Thanks for the replies. I'm probably just worrying too much based on my family history.

do something fun on the weekends! it will get you through the week.

also, as others have said, you aren't depressed, you are just in a downward lull. we all get into those. slap yourself a couple of times and snap out it.

 

[moshquerade]

I do not understand this fear of medication. If asthmatics were afraid of medication they'd be dead, I know I would have died several times over [though the first time would have been the last].

If you are depressed, see a doctor.
He/she may recommend therapy, meds, or a combination of both.


If you are getting enough sleep, eating right, getting exercise and sunshine and still feeling depressed, what have you got to lose by seeing a doctor? [note: I mean a genuine M.D., not the ATOT play one on the internet docs]

No. Medication is not the answer to everything.

An asthma attack does not equal someone feeling down occasionally.

 

[rudder]

I do not understand this fear of medication. If asthmatics were afraid of medication they'd be dead, I know I would have died several times over [though the first time would have been the last].

If you are depressed, see a doctor.
He/she may recommend therapy, meds, or a combination of both.


If you are getting enough sleep, eating right, getting exercise and sunshine and still feeling depressed, what have you got to lose by seeing a doctor? [note: I mean a genuine M.D., not the ATOT play one on the internet docs]

[I prefer brackets over parentheses]

asthma medicine does not change your brain chemistry. depression can be from chemical imbalances in the brain... maybe the OP does not want to start down the road of having to try 10 different meds over a long time period to find one that helps and does not give him bad side effects.

 

[MisterJackson]

Also, do you exercise regularly? At least once a week even will help. I used to think it was bs that working out counteracted depression, but it really does. Even walking or jogging a couple of times a week.

 

[moshquerade]

Also, do you exercise regularly? At least once a week even will help. I used to think it was bs that working out counteracted depression, but it really does. Even walking or jogging a couple of times a week.

excellent point :thumbsup:

 

[preCRT]

No. Medication is not the answer to everything.

An asthma attack does not equal someone feeling down occasionally.

asthma medicine does not change your brain chemistry. depression can be from chemical imbalances in the brain... maybe the OP does not want to start down the road of having to try 10 different meds over a long time period to find one that helps and does not give him bad side effects.

If you are getting enough sleep, eating right, getting exercise and sunshine and still feeling depressed, what have you got to lose by seeing a doctor? [note: I mean a genuine M.D., not the ATOT play one on the internet docs]

Again, if someone is getting proper sleep, exercise, sunshine & eating right, yet is still depressed [I mean seriously depressed, not just the occasional blues] what is wrong with getting medical & therapy help?

Ignoring genuine medical conditions, which includes mental illnesses, does not cure them.

You would never advise someone with cancer to ignore or avoid medical care, why the bias when it comes to mental illness?

 

[rivan]

why the bias when it comes to mental illness?

It isn't a constant, nagging feeling, but it's enough to affect my demeanor at work and overall effectiveness at whatever I'm doing (I get sluggish and apathetic).

This is the key to my bias against thinking it's anything more than the standard, passing adulthood blue.

I tend to put medication as a last resort for almost anything in my daily life.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Make sure your properly nutrified. Load up on B-vitamins to help your brain manufacture those mood-boosting neurotransmitters. They're water soluble so they don't build up. Try a supplement containing 1000% DV of all the B-vitamins + folic acid. Also some liquid magnesium citrate is good for the nervous system 400-1000mg/day, often blended with calcium.

 

[TridenT]

Again, if someone is getting proper sleep, exercise, sunshine & eating right, yet is still depressed [I mean seriously depressed, not just the occasional blues] what is wrong with getting medical & therapy help?

Ignoring genuine medical conditions, which includes mental illnesses, does not cure them.

You would never advise someone with cancer to ignore or avoid medical care, why the bias when it comes to mental illness?

Because people are dumb and think "MEDICASHUNZ R TEH EVUL!"

 

[TridenT]

Meh, you're not depressed, you're experiencing life. A lot of life sucks. Deal with it.

This.

Although this isn't true for everyone. Some people have great lives pretty much all the time.

 

[destrekor]

Because people are dumb and think "MEDICASHUNZ R TEH EVUL!"

If the medication is fixing an actual medical problem, it's good.

If the medication is only trying to force your brain to be like what is considered the social norm at that time, trying to make every single brain identical, then it's not good.

I'm not a "fight the man" type of person, and think the idea of medication is good.
But brain chemistry, in relation to nature, is not exactly geared toward making every single brain the exact same. If there are major faults, yes, they should be corrected. Every person has a different total neurotransmitter profile, which is to say that every person is essentially wired differently, no two are 100% the same.

What that means is, not every single person should be convinced that they need to lead a specific type of life - not everyone is wired effectively for a 9-5 office job, for instance. It's not about intelligence, it's about how they work and their effectiveness at specific tasks. Many intelligent people just cannot do a specific job, and of course low intelligence means one cannot even learn the task, let alone be comfortable doing said task.

So, most cases of depression or ADD are true NT imbalances (or, different ratios of key NTs when compared to a defined "norm" at this moment in time)... but not all should be treated at the NT balance level. Some people are most effective at those specific levels they have, but cannot be at their most comfortable or best level of effectiveness unless they find the lifestyle they deem best.

Of course, sometimes it's counterproductive to society at large, which is also an issue. Above all else, self-discipline is a key factor - we cannot simply say "this medication will solve my problem the easy way", because that's not being a strong individual. You have to conquer yourself, and if that is absolutely not possible (you have exhausted all possibilities, including complete lifestyle changes, including diet, sleep patterns, self-therapy and general work to change yourself for the better), then medication may be a good idea.

Medication to change NT balances should be strictly a last resort - beyond that of personal and supportive therapy. One should always try to get outside help that doesn't include medication, help that can be nurturing and firm.

Basically, parental and social guidance; if your parents and friends fail to help you correct your faults, it can be very hard to correct them without reaching out to professionals.

 

[tigris649]

Whenever I'm feeling depressed or sad listening to this helps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4noQ0MD1_8s

Also, I have figured out that whenever I am feeling depressed it's usually because I am being negative towards myself (thinking about my failures, telling myself i deserve to feel sad, etc.)

I don't know if this is the case with you, but if it is just try to treat yourself as you would treat your friends when they are sad or need help.

 

[edro]

Depression runs in my family as well, and I am about the same age as you.
Stress, lack of sleep, bad diet, lack of exercise, winter, all contribute to depression.

Stay busy, always get involved in social activities.
Stay in contact with friends and family, even if it feels like work.

I am also heavily against medication.
It is my belief that once you start a medication, you will become reliant on it, especially mental drugs.
The mind is extremely powerful and I believe it can fix itself.

 

[JS80]

Steps to cure depression:

1) Make more money
2) Find vagina with huge breasts
3) Insert penis in vagina and motorboat breasts