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Re: Underlying cause » dapper

Posted by seldomseen on November 6, 2009, at 4:10:50

In reply to Underlying cause, posted by dapper on November 5, 2009, at 23:59:36

IMO there is no one underlying cause of depression. I think it is a multifactorial condition with mutiple etiologies. In fact, it reminds me a lot of cancer.

I think an internist is a great place to start, as they (hopefully) may rule out any problems with your heart, thyroid, anemia, dental problems etc...

Is there a history of depression in your family?

I've lived with depression my whole life and managed it actively for the past 10 years now, to some measure of success.

I went into treatment and therapy thinking (well, hoping actually) that I would have one of those infamous aha! moments like people do in movies. I would hug my psychiatrist, and after that all would be well.

It didn't happen. I had some aha! moments that connected my past to the way I was thinking today, but they just lead to more work on my part to try and correct my own behaviour.

I'm not saying this will happen to you, but for me it was sad to realize that this was the hand I was dealt, but I have no other choice but to play it.

Also, in my opinion, there is no magic pill that will take away all symptoms. I certainly have to do most of the work myself - directly challenging negative thinking, literally forcing myself to do *something*, and taking risks to make my life better.

I've even been known to ask myself "If I felt better, what would I do" and then I would drag myself out and do it. Sometimes I enjoyed it, sometimes I didn't. Oh well, not every day is the state fair you know?

That's not to say that I don't think meds have a place management of this illness, I certainly think they can help. Then again, I responded to the SSRIs and in that aspect, I was very very lucky indeed.

Now, I'm not saying that people can just think or behave themselves out of depression. Good lord knows I've heard enough "Hey! Cheer Up" in my life to make me scream. But, IMO, we do have some measure of choice that is independent of meds, or how we feel.

It's a condition I have to fight every day of my life. Sometimes I win, sometimes I don't.

Seldom.

 

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