Hi everyone!
I've recently become a registered psychologist, dealing most with depressed and suicidal individuals. I have received many questions and comments about what perspective of psychology I belong to (both on line and on the net) and I have responded with the fact that I am a bit of a mixture of all perspectives – each perspective brings something else to the table. This got me thinking about a possible new field of research that I may be interested in carrying out. I was thinking to study the various views on depression depending on the various areas of psychology. I am asking for opinions. What is your perspective on depression: is it chemical, emotional, etc.? Why do you think so? I hope this makes sense.
By the way, not to worry, I will not be including any of this in research. I was just wondering if the general people thought it was a worth while study. Psychology is all about people. No point studying something that won't benefit them. Any questions, just conta
2007-04-23 13:43:14 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Any questions, just contact me via email.
2007-04-23 13:44:00 · update #1
Not all psychologists are the same, Maria. I did not post this question to be attacked.
2007-04-23 21:56:27 · update #2
Thanks thedavecorp - i'll look it up.
2007-04-23 21:57:34 · update #3
Congratulations on your new profession--it is an honorable one, and I know that it took a lot of hard work on your part.
I think that you have a great idea here--researching the various schools/perspectives of psychology may certainly bring us closer to an answer to this all-too-common problem.
My own view is that depression is both chemical and the environment in which one was raised. Why? Because I have been being treated for depression for over 20 years, and it seems that each of the above has contributed to that. Additionally, I have been treated for anxiety, and more recently panic--and the same two reasons came up for these.
I think that your study will be very beneficial to all people. These days, more and more people are diagnosed with depression and anxiety--I think this is due to the ridiculous amount of 'juggling' expected of us today.
Good luck. :)
2007-04-23 13:57:26 · answer #1 · answered by Holiday Magic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not an expert in psychology but if you are looking for answers from the common folk, here's what I think.
Depression is a chemical imbalance that can be, but is not limited to, a series of symptoms caused by your emotional state or environmental surroundings, but I also think it is hereditary as well, especially bipolar. Or for women, hormones can play a major factor, due to issues especially related to birth. I think that clinical depression is a form of mental illness and can be treated with medication. I also think there are forms of "depression" that are solely due to feeling sorry for yourself or temporary circumstances.
Again, I don't know anything, but that's what I think just by pulling a bunch of life experiences together!
2007-04-23 20:55:06 · answer #2 · answered by hello5678 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although I'm only in an Introduction to Psychology level in school, I had clinical depression in my younger teens and in my opinion, feel it's more of a chemical imbalance issue than an actual emotional issue. I guess I feel this way because the imbalance of chemicals in your body can cause emotional moodswings. I do think it's an interesting study though.
2007-04-23 20:50:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah I have a question.
Why do you psychologists claim new mothers are depressed and put them on pills?
Post partum is NOT depression. It is simply a lack of energy and nutrients. Labour drains a women of those and then makes her out of balance. It is not depression it does not need pills to "cure" it. All the mother needs to do is get some rest and proper food.
And what's this I've read about- oh right it's a depression pill for babies.
I'm sorry but if my child is crying too much it's because she's hungry, needs changed, has a stomach ache, etc.
If my child sleeps too much it's because she's tired and a baby!! that's what they do!!
etc etc etc.
Children are not depressed!
2007-04-23 20:49:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a BA in psychology, and what blew me away was Dianetics. Watch the introduction video on Dianetics, IT IS AMAZING! You can go to www.dianetics.org to find a local center, but it is worth it. It makes modern psychology look like cavemen banging rocks together.
Write me privately if you want more, but trust me, it changed my whole perspective on everything. Even the most skeptical person who has tried it was blown away. I feel cheated in my education because I wasn't told about this.
2007-04-23 20:51:03 · answer #5 · answered by thedavecorp 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anybody can get depressed, but if they just stay that way, it's because of an organic disease that can't be cured by talking. I recently read about a woman who was suing her Freudian psychologist because three weeks on Prozac did her more good than three years of talking to him.
2007-04-23 20:51:22 · answer #6 · answered by Joe D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that there are chemical aspects... but that they are overrated so that you can "fix" the problem by doping ppl up. I think that it is related to the general mediocrity and lack of purpose our culture has- what is there to be happy about? (for most people- I love my life.)
2007-04-23 20:59:57 · answer #7 · answered by purtyoldappy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Environmental
BTW I believe once you go the Pharmacal route your just adding to the problems and delaying treatment
2007-04-23 20:55:15 · answer #8 · answered by BigBadWolf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it is emotional and caused by negative experiences.
2007-04-23 20:47:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋