Is depression good for you?
By Foxfire1875
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
February 28, 2008 11:18am CST
The instant answer I'm sure, will be no it's horrible but read this article and then think again. I agree with some of the points raised and speaking with friends who suffer from depression, they have said the same thing.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7268496.stm
What are your opinions? Do you agree or disagree with this article?
2 people like this
3 responses
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
29 Feb 08
I havent read the article yet but being someone who has dealt with long term severe depression for pretty much my whole life I have to say that to an extent sure its not necessarily good for you if it ends up taking control HOWEVER it DOES have its good points....
2 people like this
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
29 Feb 08
The article does say that it is the mild to moderate depression, that is not an entirely bad thing.
Severe depression obviously needs intervention, unfortunately that could mean medication, as it is usually a chemical imbalance rather than something that can be worked through.
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
29 Feb 08
Even severe depression has its good points though...I mean as much as I've had to fight with it and yes I'm on meds for it now finally, hindsight is 20/20 and even during my DARKEST times with my depression there have been good points to it..
btw thanks for the link above..I'll have to check that out after my shower :-)
2 people like this
@patgalca (18481)
• Orangeville, Ontario
1 Mar 08
Re the comment that anti-depressants don't work, I have been on my current A-D for 7 years. On two occasions I tried to wean off and immediately felt tired and low. On one occasion the insurance company insisted I take the generic and without knowing why, I sunk into a terrible depression for a month until I put two and two together and got the doctor to give me a "no substitutions" script. I felt better in two days once I was back on it. It is for this reason I can see why anti-depressants aren't good for you - if you get the wrong one like I did. Before that I tried 7 different A-D's until I found one that worked with no side effects. I believe I have a chemical imbalance and will not be able to get off the medication.
Having said that, if one is alone and depressed, very depressed, I don't know whether they can find it in themselves to see the changes they need to make to feel better. I know, you said mild to moderate depression, but with so much outside stuff affecting my life, it's hard to find a way to change or the good side of things. When things are beyond your control, then it's pretty hard NOT to be depressed.
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18481)
• Orangeville, Ontario
3 Mar 08
I have been in therapy and it did do wonders. But I could not afford to go back when things got bad again. Fortunately a new program has come up through the Ontario Health Plan wherein a team of doctors is associated with a team of therapists and consultants like dieticians. I am now seeing the therapist, though it's limited to only 8 sessions, and she says I am overwhelmed by everything I have to do. Yeah, so, what can I do about that? She says I should make lists of what I have to do. Yeah, so, I still have to do it all, don't I? How is this helping? I now have the added stresses of my in-laws coming and staying here for a couple of days at the beginning of April, and then my husband's 3 sisters and 2 nephews coming at the end of May. Out of my control. All I can say is, I hope they can cook!
1 person likes this
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
3 Mar 08
Sounds like a nightmare, I would probably try and get them to cook lol or at least you can hint at how nice it would be to go to a restaurant and how that would be a nice gesture to show how they appreciate all you've done.
Lists are a good idea but the trick is to prioritise, as then it makes life easier to deal with. Another idea is to sit down and write out all the things that worry you, as the act of writing it down can stop it from going around and around your mind.
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
3 Mar 08
I'm glad you have found one that works with no side effects, sometimes depression is as you say simply a chemical imbalance.
What annoys me is that doctors are always putting people on medications first, without bothering to find out if it is the right thing to do. My personal experience and opinion is that medication should only be prescribed, if the depression is severe and I'm talking about the can't even get out of bed severity.
It is strange but because I've had it so long I recognise it and either I wait til it passes, I'm lucky that it does, I know for others it doesn't but even just getting to the mindset that it is temporary can help or I can start doing various things to lift my mood before it gets bad. Often it kinda works like a springboard as I come out of it more determined to get things done.
If outside stuff is impacting on your mental health, I would pressure your doctor into providing some counselling/therapy, as it will help with the depression.
@besthope44 (12123)
• India
10 Oct 10
Well i take it every weekend and at during festival months i never miss vacations, that my best depression relieving out of mechanical life.
