Do We CHOOSE to be depressed? (page 3)

Mimilly

Crystal - very good. (applause) No cognitive distortions there!

You weren't giving an 'opinion' regarding depression. You were insulting the efforts of many people who battle it daily by suggesting they can get over it; that they don't exercise or take responsibility for themselves (thoughts and actions).

Your idea of a solution flies in the face of eons of research in the fields of psychology and psychiatry regarding REAL depression.

Scientific proof...... or Crystal's idea......scientific studies....or Crystal's opinions....hmmmmmm.

You are indeed mixing up being negative, which cognitive therapy helps greatly, with depression, which is the word YOU used in the title of the thread. People can choose to be in a bad mood/stay there etc. but they cannot choose to be depressed. Again. Scientific fact.

Mim

musky

mimilly, I agree Elsewhere, I agree, I have battled major depression for a long time. Believe me, if i could just will it away i would have. Although it has seemed to get better now. I hope if it comes back again, i will be able to count on the support here of those in similiar circumstances.

Mimilly

musky - don't give it a second thought. Many here (including me) would be there for you.

Mim

larc

This is a complex and emotional subject. This has been discussed before under the title of "10 nutty beliefs" and "self esteem". The nutty beliefs thread was well received, and I would highly recommend that people do a search and read it. I started the self esteem thread, and it was less well received, probably because I was too blunt. I think that is how some see this thread, as too blunt.

I know that people who are depressed get offended if told to get over it. I understand that. However, some do get over it with very hard work over many months with the help of a competent therapist. The cure rate with therapy is actually higher than it is with drugs, but it takes longer.

Big Tex

I'm in the middle of a bad time right now; comes and goes, but it's not my choice to be depressed. I think you've seen "A Beautiful Mind" too many times.

teenyuck

However, some do get over it with very hard work over many months with the help of a competent therapist. The cure rate with therapy is actually higher than it is with drugs, but it takes longer.

Therapy is great...if you can afford it. Most insurance plans offered through a group plan (your employer) allow 20 visits per year. The cost of therapy is too expensive to many people.

The fact that "some do" get over it is great. However, that does not help the many people who don't get treatment, cannot afford treatment and are never diagnosed.

Mimilly

Larc - I have a problem with someone who suggests that shrinks and pills aka therapy and meds are not necessary because all we need to do is exercise and will ourselves well.

This thread is not blunt. It's incorrect. Serious depression requires therapy, meds, and a hell of alot of work and effort to deal with - let alone - get over.

Mim

larc

Mimilly,

If you go back and reread my post, you will see that I did say that people do need therapy, or drug treatment, and in some cases they need both.

Tennyuck,

I do feel sorry for those who do not have the medical insurance to get the help they need. Short of that, there are some books out there that can be of help. I would recommend Albert Eliss and Wayne Dyer. Also, please read the thread that I mention, 10 nutty beliefs.

Englishman

Please don't bite my head off here, but I think that we DO choose to be depressed, because we choose to go in a direction that leads to depression.

Some people just never grow at all, they're always the same and can't comprehend what depression is. I think that depression is something that we have to go through in order to become enlightened, in order to find our true self.

Depression is, I believe, the surrendering of one's imprinting, one's fixed ideas, the actual losing of one's fixed identity so that something better can replace it. It's a painful, horrible process that we can try and numb, and I agree that for some, it is necessary for them to ease their pain via chemical means, so intolerable are their symptoms.

Others are able to see that their depression is caused by conflict within the subconscious mind. Jung said that it took conflict to increase consciousness, and the process of obtaining this causes depression whilst the mind struggles to equate what it knows to be true with what it has been taught is true.

Depression can last for months or years whilst the internal battles rage. One thing is for sure, the survivor of depression can handle absolutely anything after the war is over!

Englishman.

Mimilly

Larc - hon, I was referring to Crystal - not to you. I did comment on your words of perhaps this thread is too blunt. I responded it was not blunt, but incorrect.

We are at no impass.

Eman - The only thing of your post I can agree with is the very last paragraph.

Mim

Edited by - Mimilly on 16 September 2002 19:30:39

Do We CHOOSE to be depressed?

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