Posted by EastC on December 6, 2010, at 21:12:30
In reply to To Violetta, posted by FluffMama on December 3, 2010, at 1:55:20
As someone who has experienced a progressive form of depression and insomnia from birth until the present (age 30) I can say with a great degree of certainty that for me it is primarily biological in nature. I have had struggles (work and personal), insecurities, disappointments and falling-outs with people in life just like anyone else. During my time on medication (ages 21 through 30) I have tried going meds-free more times than I can count - always relapsing into the original depression that I had prior - even with many life issues being resolved.
Many people only experience a more transient/lighter form of depression that comes and goes with the seasons or according to temporary life circumstances - seemingly being cured by making different choices moving forward (which fuels articles like the one you posted). Others have a chronic form that only remits with medication management. If you took me off all of my medications and then gave me several million dollars, gave me the relationship of my dreams and guaranteed me good physical (not mental) health for the next 100 years, I would still be in a deep depression where I couldn't enjoy any of it.
I can understand your desire and intent to include the social-psychological aspect of depression Violetta, but something tells me you haven't experienced it at a level of severity and persistence that would give you enough of an understanding of where many of us are coming from - especially those who have had good lives with no history of abuse, neglect or trauma of any kind. I find offense to the idea that I could be causing a biological handicap just like someone who is born without a limb would be offended.
Science will back this up eventually, but for now we will have to deal with articles like the one you posted.
poster:EastC
thread:971657
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20101203/msgs/972762.html