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Re: sophisticated diagnosis from husband » tensor

Posted by Lindenblüte on November 22, 2006, at 16:54:27

In reply to Re: sophisticated diagnosis from husband » Lindenblüte, posted by tensor on November 22, 2006, at 15:42:51

> >Major Depressive Episode, 5 years ago. I never sought treatment. I just kept on going. Exercising, and healthy diet. I graduated from college, and moved, and got married, and what do you know? The depression went away too!
>
> I can only speak for myself, but when I'm having a major depressive disorder, it's often severe. That means, I can eat a healthy diet, but I'm not able to exercise, work, study or anything that requires just a tiny effort. Maybe you are a stronger person or the severity of your depression is not the same as mine.
>
No, you're right, of course. During the worst time, I was pretty incapacitated. But I was living with a roommate, and I didn't want folks to know how miserable I was, so I kept on showing up to the gym to work out with my friend, and going to the dining hall with my other friends. That's how the exercise and healthy diet persisted. I'm a pretty good actress...

******
I'm only questioning this model of depression as a chronic disease. I know that research shows that having one episode predisposes the average person to having multiple episodes. Between the episodes, during periods where we are asymptomatic, are we still diseased?

That's my point- if taking meds keeps me asymptomatic, and avoiding stress and exercising also keeps me asymptomatic, is there any reason to think that in the former case I am "sicker" than in the latter case.

I don't mean to sound confrontational. I actually consider these really interesting philosophical questions. How do I incorporate my mental health status into my self-concept? How do I understand illness when it's asymptomatic.

Unfortunately, tensor, I'm not 100% asymptomatic these days. I'm just anti-depressed, that's all. I still have plenty of symptoms of anxiety, or maladaptive coping mechanisms for anxiety, whatever you want to call it.

Well, I hope you're doing okay these days. I want to feel okay. I'm really good at ignoring anxiety, but not so good at ignoring depression.

-Li


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poster:Lindenblüte thread:706011
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061117/msgs/706251.html