If depression can be triggered by tragic times in life like deaths, divorces, hard moves, etc...then why is it considered a chemical imbalance? isn't the chemical imbalance simply caused by deep sadness. And isn't sadness caused by sad things? It's just I've been taking antidepressants since about may 0f 2006, and only recently am i wondering whether it's something I can control by taking action to make my life better, or is it just a problem with my chemicals? by the way my family life has been tramatically difficult and thats when I started getting depressed.
2007-01-09 14:07:02 · 10 answers · asked by good advice 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Lots of great questions:
1. It is not actually true that most depressions are triggered by tragic times. One study showed that clinical depression in concentration camp survivors was not significantly higher than in the general population. Stressful events can trigger major depression in someone who is genetically vulnerable (ie predisposed to depression)
2Major depression (presumably the thing that is treated with antidepressants) is not simply sad mood. That is only one of the 9 criteria (others include disturbed sleep, appetite, decr energy, suicidal thoughts, hopelessness, helplessness, etc)
3. Even if something (e.g. depression) is related to chemicals in the brain it does not mean that you can't get better by non-pharmacological interventions. There are studies that show actual chemical changes in the brain as a result of psychotherapy without meds.
2007-01-09 14:17:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It can be a chemical imbalance which can be controlled with meds or it can be a situational depression caused by a loss or something of that nature. If it's situational, time will heal it, but if it continues for a long time after the situation is long over, then the person may want to turn to some type of anti-depressant until they can cope with their pain.
2016-03-14 03:48:01 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe the best treatment for depression is a combination of medication and behavioral modification. The theory is that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance with serotonin being the main hormone that doctors point to. It is believed that serotonin, a feel good hormone, is not being used by the body properly which is what makes people depressed. Many people who are predisposed to depression also face external factors for which they can't or don't know how to react to appropriately and every new situation makes it harder and harder for the person to recover and so the cycle of depression begins.
The medication therapy will help control the chemical aspect of the disease and the behavioral modification will help the person find better ways to react to the situation so they do not allow themselves to fall back into a destructive pattern.
2007-01-09 14:24:34 · answer #3 · answered by CAITLIN 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's a chemical imbalance. Usually years in the making. It would take a long time to heal that. Stick with your antidepressants. Trust me, life is a lot better with them that without them. You can't always control it (the depression). With the antidepressants you can remain normal or happy.
2007-01-09 15:26:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think certain kinds of depression are controllable,and I agree that there are situations in life that bring us down, as well as being around negative people. Its hard to be upbeat if you live with difficult people.
Certain amounts of sadness are normal, we can't have blue skies everyday, as some of the ads would like us to believe, our hormones dictate otherwise.
Exercise makes a difference in moods, also if you have a chance to take a yoga class, and learn proper breathing, most of us are shallow breathers, and then there is the spiritual side, of trying to let go of our problems.
We live such fast pace lives today, that it is a wander any of us makes it, we were not built to live in a rat race, and so it takes a toll on us, but as you probably know if you are going to stop an antidepressant, it has to be done slowly.
Good Luck/much happiness.
2007-01-09 14:42:16 · answer #5 · answered by brown.gloria@yahoo.com 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression..
But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then.
Helping you eliminate depression?
2016-05-16 06:38:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both. Our brains are 100% chemicals.
There is a phenonenom called 'learned helplessness' where the sufferer, after excessive punishment, will not respond to their environment positively at all. The research behind this is considered inhumane now (electric shocks to dogs).
Depression is all in the mind, it can be a weight on you, it can also be a tool.
2007-01-09 14:14:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No its a chemical imbalance. Some can control it by themselves and others can not. It is something you and your doctor should talk about.
2007-01-09 14:13:17 · answer #8 · answered by sweetsnickers 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i belive it is a chemical imbalance. they have drugs to help depression. they affect different areas or homones in the brain. so that means that they have drugs that target areas that can cause depression
see a doctor you might have to see which drug works for you
2007-01-09 14:13:12 · answer #9 · answered by Wicked 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have major depression and it is a chemical unbalanced. I take my meds faithfully and will continue to see my dr who is treating me. I believe truly that being on medication and if it is helping you It is better than dying and not have a life!
2007-01-09 14:16:33 · answer #10 · answered by Carol H 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋