I know that there are many answers to that question. But do you think that its more of a chemical imbalance or that people are just unhappy with their lives?
2006-11-12 05:34:31 · 14 answers · asked by Tina R 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I think that it is always a chemical imbalance. If this were not the case then all the medications we use to treat depression would not be effective since all of them work by adjusting the levels of certain brain chemicals. While chemical imbalance is the cause of depression, the cause of the chemical imbalance is a different matter entirely. The chemical imbalance could be caused by many factors such as: substance abuse, environmental and situational factors (IE. war, exposure to foreign substances, child birth, auto accidents, death of a family member or friend, etc.). Many of the reasons for chemical imbalance is temporary and fade away over time. Finally the chemical imbalance could be the result of a permanent defect in chemical production or usage as is the case in bipolar disorder. This is also true for the many schizo associated disorders. I'm sure there are others, I am familiar with these two because I am bipolar; schizo and bipolar are closely related.
Being unhappy with your life over time will cause a change in the way your body produces or uses the chemicals that control mood. So in reality the answer can be both, it can be caused by a chemical imbalance due to being unhappy with your life or even a single aspect of your life,
Sincerely,
Terry
E-mail: terry@ourbipolarworld.com
Visit "Our Bipolar World" my personal website at:
http://www.ourbipolarworld.com/
2006-11-12 06:19:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all chemical - the issue is whether the chemical change rights itself and returns to "normal" within a situational dependent appropriate timeframe. Your b/f dumps you, you're upset and depressed for a while = normal. You're laid off and depressed about it, again normal. If after a period of time typical for most people to be depressed about these types of circumstances and you're experiencing major functioning problems - can't get out of bed, for example - you've moved from normal emotional response to having a problem.
Basically, depression is a medical condition when ya get stuck in a depressed state and can't get out of it no matter how much you exercise, eat right, accept the situation or change your life. It's also a medical condition when there's no legit reason for becoming depressed in the first place.
As for major depression (which is more than that eluded to above), few people who have experienced it or have cared for someone with it would question that it's a debilitating medical condition that doesn't get better without medication.
Hope that helps.
2006-11-12 06:03:06 · answer #2 · answered by Alex62 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most research on depression has called for what is called a diasthesis-stress model of mental illness. One can have a genetic predisposition that may lead to a disorder, and certain life stresses may trigger that predisposition.
As to chemical imbalences, the question to ask is whether depression causes the imbalences in neurotransmitters or the other way around.
2006-11-12 08:11:45 · answer #3 · answered by Jimmy R 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think the chemical imbalance makes it difficult for many people to create happiness in their lives, make good decisions, and associate with positive people. Of course that's a generality. When people experience loss of one form or another, or some other life-changing event, it can produce symptoms of depression, but they should be relatively short term. (IMHO)
2006-11-12 05:45:14 · answer #4 · answered by c_kickbox 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a chemical imbalance, however there may be things in ones life that can easily be confused with depression.Ex. constantly feeling bored=feelings of worthlessness. Which is not depression.
2006-11-12 05:52:51 · answer #5 · answered by ginkalula 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically, I believe that depression is linked with the thought process and also to our actions. These two components are directly linked to our feelings and also affect our physiology ( one aspect of our physiology are the chemicals in out brain). So there you have it, for components that are involved in depression. Thinking, Action, feelings, and physiology. Still the question remains, "Which can first, the chicken or the egg?" To reverse this depression process, we must take control of what we can, that is what we are doing and what we are thinking.... the rest will follow.
Peace
2006-11-12 05:53:38 · answer #6 · answered by Peace 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Dr. says that mine is situational , this time . I suffer from depression off and on , I do also believe it's chemical imbalances .
2006-11-12 06:30:38 · answer #7 · answered by Geedebb 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i know that the science answer is that the chemicals in your brain are imbalanced. but i believe that your feelings abd the events that happen in your life bring to a depression state and when you believe that your depressed your brain will act like your depressed which causes the chemical reaction
its just an opinion
2006-11-12 05:41:43 · answer #8 · answered by xxilovepsr4evrxx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I believe it's both. Sometimes when people aren't eating right, they become depressed easily, but this only happens if there is something to trigger the depression.
2006-11-12 05:42:34 · answer #9 · answered by S.M. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is issues on your existence that are making you unhappy. those bring about detrimental innovations or stress. those thoughts continuously over the years bring about melancholy. visit wellbeing practitioner get loose referral for counselling then artwork out what that's and alter them. it is the only situation which will provide up it and make you greater content cloth. Make a transformation. X
2016-10-21 23:19:11 · answer #10 · answered by itani 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋