Do you think it's possible to beat depression-WITHOUT help from friends/family or doctors?

Question

Simple and straightforward-I want opinions.

Oh, and when I say doctors, that includes medication and therapists.

Answer 1

You really can't do much of anything without the help of friends/family, doctors, gods or some other support system! It is a delusion to think one is autonomous in this world and the Christian adage that "No man is an island." is a wise saying.

When you were a wee baby you felt autonomous in striving to sit up and later walk. You were very courageous in overcoming the discouragements of falling and pain and were very succesful; nearly all humans achieve the ability to run and skip. This is an innate thing, an instinct, I think but you had the comfort and support of your mother in doing this. Without her you couldn't have done it. During the "terrible two's" when you were 18-24 months or so old, your parents (chiefly your mother) had to "beat this autonomy out of you" and civilize you else you would have gone on to become an anarchist or sociopath. You often became depressed and cried. You lost some of your autonomy and courage out of fear of being punished for entirely self-centered pursuits. That is good; you learned to be a member of family and society.

I know it is possible, but not desireable to beat depression on your own. You did it as a child but if depression becomes a habit it can become clinical depression which is self-reinforcing and that is very intractable. It usually needs the help of others to come up out of it. (But it often was others who helped you get into it.)

Sorry this is not simple; depression is not simple.

I hope this helps, good luck, good health, peace and love!

Edit: after 3 hours:

I want to recommend a book as I know you are girl; I think it will help you also a web site for a non-profit, non-religious support group that has chapters in most big cities all over the world. The book is:

Wendy Shalit;"Girls gone Mild"; Random House, N.Y. NY, 2007

The web link is:

[e-mail]

This is an old Mental health support and treatment organization that specializes in Mental health through will training.

Mad Mac

Answer 2

Exercise, stay busy and always stay positive. Thinking positive thoughts will make you a happier person and will give you a better out look on life. If you have a best friend and can talk to that person about ANYTHING, then talk and tell what's going on in your head, heart and health. If you don't have anyone to talk to, I know this sounds stupid, but, get a pet and one that you will be happy with. Research what animal is best for you. I have a teacup poodle after years of raising Akita's. After someone poisioned the last one I had over a year ago, I was in your shoes. Someone bought me Toby, my poodle, and he has been alot of company and he makes me laugh, and sometimes, even cry, but, he is mine and we take walks a couple times a day, and he's my best friend now. But, like I said, before you go get a animal you may not want later on, do your research. Some people prefer cats, fish, rabbits, and so on. I love dogs. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

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?

Answer 4

Situational depression, the regular blues... Yes, probably. Moods are like the weather. They change. That said, the best treatment for regular people depression is talking, not caving in to depression's seclusion urge. So, probably you can do this w/o doctors or meds or therapy. It will be longer and perhaps more severe. You will give the pathways more time to drive deeper groves. You may pay for this later. And, it will be much worse if you don't maintain contact with your friends and family. Talk therapy is the best treatment for single episode depression. Aside from it's own benefits, it'd give you a healthier way to retreat from your life.

~bipolar

Answer 5

I think so, I think it's a state of mind. If you can see what has caused you to become depressed and change it or fix it and get through that your half way there. Then you just need to keep thinking positive and focus on keeping things around you positive. Read empowering articles and books. Make sure you #1 are going to be stronger tomorrow then you are today in mind. body, and soul. Be thankful everyday to have what you got, there's alot we take for granted. Being able to see, touch, taste,smell, hear, and going to the bathroom are luxuries. Write down a list with things that make you smile, read it often. Write down all bad thoughts and burn it. You have to let it go and get back to the to being the great person you are. Wish you the best, if you ever need to talk...

Answer 6

I think it is possible, but I think it takes an extremely strong person to do so.

I did it on my own for about ten years, but now... I've asked for help. I'm glad I have. I feel much better now that I have.

So is it possible to treat it alone? Yes, if you're strong enough, but it doesn't mean you're weak if you ask for help.

Asking for help is never a bad thing. We all need each other. If you yourself are struggling with something, please talk to someone. It's much better for you, and I think all the bad that you fight catches up with you in the end anyhow. Why not get help sooner than later? I know I wish I had.

Answer 7

Sure, it's possible. But, when there is so much help available now, why try to do it yourself?

Depression limits ones ability to help oneself. Being unable to help oneself is one of the characteristics of clinical depression. Crawling out of the hole of a serious episode of depression is not easily accomplished by yourself.

I assume you are not talking about feeling down, confused, or low. Those kinds of things pass. Depression is the term used to describe a condition that may be episodic or long-term. Either way, the consequences of untreated or ignored depression can be self-mutilation, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and even suicide.

The 'macho' approach to depression doesn't work. In fact, it usually makes it worse.

Get help. The chances of success are much better.

Answer 8

It is probably possible, but not very likely. You need a support system to help you cope with depression, and without that support the odds of beating depression are not so good.

Answer 9

Not if it is clinical depression, chemical imbalance. Everyone gets down- clinical depression is complete hell that last for months at a time.

Answer 10

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