Do you think it is possible or advisable to relieve depression by will power?

Question

That used to be the way it was done by the medical proffesion, before there were so many anti-depressants. There certainly were cures and one wonders with the seeming epidemic of depression and bi-polar disorders now (even teen suicides) whether those disorders have not increased.

To idb83, no offense taken. This is the beginning of my research. I appreciate the criticism of the question.
To: gardensallday, Your right, I don't know much about this subject but I have had deep depressions and known others who have.

To majnun99, My point is there was cure for depression before they invented anti-depressants. I refer you to a book that has been published since 1950, Abrahan A. Low MD;"Mental Health Through Will training"; Willett Pub. Co., Glencoe IL, 1997 This book was referred to me in a mental hospital in the 60's and seems to have worked for me although I have been medicated.

To Neil M; What I mean by will power is the long time effort to change ones habits of thinking like changing from persistently thinking nrgatively to thinking positively. This may be difficult because negative thinking seems to result in depression and depression results in more negative thinking. One may have to go back in memory to childhood to regain positive memories to think about. Overall what one strives for is a change in attitude.

To poetgirl; I do not think depression is a defect in character. My understanding of depression is that it is an extreme of a basic emotion (one of six present from birth) that is natural and either evolved or God given depending on your beliefs. Correct me if I'm wrong (you can edit your reply). If it is a natural emotion gone awry then it should be possible to change whatever caused it like negative thoughts and attitudes. I don't believe science knows enough about the human brain and mind to say unequivocaly it is caused by a chemical imbalance. I am a great fan of James Horgan and his book "The undiscovered Mind". I am fully aware of the stigma that was felt for "crazies" and "barbarism" in their treatment that existed and still exists in the mental health field. Peace!

To MJC and others:
Feeling blue is a beginning of depression which cha
nging ones perceptions and thoughts usually brings one out of. I think a deep depression can result in a chemical "imbalance" but this is in no way understood. A thought can have a physical effect on the brain chemistry; think of how the perceived form of a pretty girl, and imagination, results in an erection! If the pattern of thinking can be changed the feeling of deep depression should go away. Tell me if I'm wrong; this is only based on personal experience and the implications of the book by A. Low, cited above.

Answer 1

It depends on how long the person has felt depressed and to what extent that depression goes. You can decide quickly if professional help is needed by answering a few questions.

Try this web address for the National Institute of Health.

http://www.depression-screening.org/

Answer 2

'Feeling blue' is so often misdiagnosed as depression. Anti-depressants can have really adverse affects on these people even promoting suicidal thoughts... and then a bad cycle begins where the person feels they need to be medicated because of the meds they are taking. Will-power, councelling ect I believe is suited as a 'cure' to begin with, because those with clinical depression who do not see any results can then be medicated accordingly and others need not be medicated unneccesarily. However, we must remember that depression is not 'just in the mind'. It is an illness which presents itself physically as well as mentally, and whilst some people can learn to cope and recognise the signs before they become too severe, others cannot and medication is an integral part of their lives. I assume this has to do with the severity of the chemical imbalance.

Answer 3

This question feeds directly into the (very false) stereotype that depression is a weakness of character. It is not a weakness, but a mental illness. If you do some research into the history of the treatment of mental illness, you will find that it was dealt with in a variety of barbaric ways and if a person remained mentally ill, they likely were committed to an asylum...sometimes for life. There was not a cure way back in the day before antidepressants and there was a tremendous amount of suffering due to society's ignorance.

The discovery of antidepressants was an incredible thing that has changed (and saved) the lives of millions of people.

Answer 4

Depression is an illness, sometimes short term...sometimes long term. If you had a migraine headache do you think you could relieve it by willpower? How about a tooth ache... ear ache asthma the list could go on and on.
You have not researched past treatments, the fact is shock treatment was used and a host of drugs such as valium which is addictive. Also the sickness's you mention have been around forever and a day when they locked them up in what were called " Mad Houses " and through away the keys.
I will have the anti depressants if I need them thank you very much.

Answer 5

I think you do not know much about this topic. A lot of people with severe depression/other mental illnesses got locked away in institutions. doctors were so desperate to treat depression that they gave a lot of people lobotomies-do you think all those docs were bad people? Depression is a terrible, terrible disease to get. It has caused severe suffering thru the ages. Read some biographies, such as Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill. They both had serious depression.

I certainly have plenty of will power, I'm bipolar and a lot of people with bipolar disorder are real go getters (you get mania alternating with depression). Will power is useless. There is clearly something wrong in the brain. Use your willpower to cure a broken leg or cancer or diabetes and see how it helps you. (meditation/stress reduction/etc. CAN help reduce suffering from all these illnesses, but won't fix them).

Our society is confused about what depression is, versus stress or grief.

Answer 6

Unfortunately, the very wording of your question reveals that you don't truly appreciate the nature of depression.

If depression could be helped by 'will power' then believe me, that's what we would all be doing - do you think those of us on medication LIKE having to take these substances? I can assure you I don't!

Real depression involves a lethargy and a sense of hopelessness that is simply overwhelming and all consuming. Whether that depression is caused by trauma, grief, or a chemical imbalance, ultimately makes no difference - depression is terrible.

Anti depresssants - which get a really bad press - enable millions of people to lead more 'normal' lives and to at least get up in the morning and feel they can cope. And anyone who insists they 'cured' their own depression with 'will power' did not have real depression.

Answer 7

Depends on how severe it is. If somebody is mildly depressed, they might be able to think their way out of it.

I don't know where you get your information; "there certainly were cures." Really? What were they?

The medical profession cured depression by will power? When did they do that? On what planet?

There might be more talk about depression and mental illness now, but life in the USA 100 years ago was pretty rough. We had higher rates of women dying in childbirth, children and adults who died of diseases like tuberculosis, diptheria, measles, small pox, scarlet fever, polio, syphillis, etc.

Sorry, but I'm not sure what your point is.

I have depression, I wish I could cure it by will power. Paxil doesn't cure it, but it's easier to live with so at least I can go to work and get a pay check.

Answer 8

I do believe that alot of curing any mental illness comes down to your own attitude. I know I will piss people off here but please be advised that 4 of my family members suffer from mental illnes so I dont speak without knowledge! If you have a defeatist attitude that things will never improve for you than they probably wont! You need to investigate other options than medication because often the medications side effects are worse than the illness. Chemicals are not the answer to health. One thing that you can do is improve your diet and excercise. Eliminating artificial colours and preservatives really can make a difference to ones emotions. Excercise releases enorphins and makes you feel good. Look into alternative treatments and believe in yourself and your ability to beat this. Good luck!

Answer 9

Ok, for some reason people are very "attacking" when they answer your question. I'm really sorry about that, please disregard it.
I suffer from depression, and have often thought that surley there was a better answer than anti depressants, because those have not existed for that long. After a very long time of trying exercise, prayer (which I don't knock, but isn't the total answer for me), meditation, time with others, time alone, etc. I began taking Lexapro. I still deal with depression in that I'm prone to it, especially in certain situations. However, I have much more hope and I no longer feel a deep sinking dark feeling that I was basically living in.
Hopefully this helps to answer your question.

Answer 10

What you mean by "will power" is probably similar to therapy such as CBT. Therapy does work for many people, and it is often worth giving a try.

I think the number of people who are depressed has increased, but this is not because people are not using "will power" to resolve the problem, rather it is because more people are being diagnosed with the problem (rather than hiding it through such as alcoholism), and the breakdown in family units within society/materialism etc.

In my experience antidepressants are the best way to resolve the problem, with few if any side effects.
I take them and am quite happy doing so.