4 ms·

This is the difficult thing about clinical depression, how do you know if it's truly a chemical imbalance or just the normal reaction to your situation? Sure, t

by vlunkr 10y ago

This is the difficult thing about clinical depression, how do you know if it's truly a chemical imbalance or just the normal reaction to your situation? Sure, there are these screenings, but in my non-professional opinion they are pretty bad. Maybe it's an epidemic of false positives on depression screenings.

zepto 10y ago
The chemical imbalance theory has little scientific support.
- davymac 10y ago
  Google Dr Robert Sapolsky.
  - zepto 10y ago
    Google the area of chemical imbalance as an explanation for depression.
Broken_Hippo 10y ago
We still are in a pretty fuzzy area when it comes to depression and some other mental illness. Some things point to imbalance, others don't. It is really hard to screen for concrete sort of things when we don't have the science quite right yet, nor decent tests like we do with the thyroid. There might be some hope with things like MRI's being able to detect such things, but I highly doubt we are going to use that on a widescale basis nor that all that need screening can afford it. As such, the screenings really are a combination of what society thinks is normal, what the person relays about their mental activity, and whether or not it interfears with their life. And that is always going to be a bit objective. I'm sure there are a few false positives: However, I'd also argue that there are probably more false negatives because so much of it depends on how the person reacts to the words. For example, you aren't suicidal, and you don't want to kill yourself, but you'd like to invisible or left alone most of the time. So you answer no to the suicidal thoughts thing. You just feel kinda numb and empty, so you answer no to the 'down mood' sorts of questions. You remember being happy about stuff, so that is out of the question. The question about losing interest in normal activities? Well, you've never really had hobbies or many friends, so that isn't even applicable. Sometimes it is clearly the situation that is the trigger, but at that point there are two problems. The person's life events or lifestyle, plus a depression that keeps them from getting out. If you treat the depression bit, they might be able to see their way out or be motivated to take some action to improve their life. Some will still need help with this bit, and it is a shame there aren't support networks everywhere to help folks.
Avshalom 10y ago
On a very important level: it doesn't matter. If you're depressed to the point of non-functional it doesn't matter if changing your situation would help because you're non-functional--you can't change your situation. Getting on antidepressants, or getting into counseling or therapy can (obviously no guarantees) get you out of the trough so you can make the changes you need.

by vlunkr 10y ago

zepto 10y ago

The chemical imbalance theory has little scientific support.

davymac 10y ago
Google Dr Robert Sapolsky.
- zepto 10y ago
  Google the area of chemical imbalance as an explanation for depression.

Broken_Hippo 10y ago

We still are in a pretty fuzzy area when it comes to depression and some other mental illness. Some things point to imbalance, others don't. It is really hard to screen for concrete sort of things when we don't have the science quite right yet, nor decent tests like we do with the thyroid. There might be some hope with things like MRI's being able to detect such things, but I highly doubt we are going to use that on a widescale basis nor that all that need screening can afford it. As such, the screenings really are a combination of what society thinks is normal, what the person relays about their mental activity, and whether or not it interfears with their life. And that is always going to be a bit objective. I'm sure there are a few false positives: However, I'd also argue that there are probably more false negatives because so much of it depends on how the person reacts to the words. For example, you aren't suicidal, and you don't want to kill yourself, but you'd like to invisible or left alone most of the time. So you answer no to the suicidal thoughts thing. You just feel kinda numb and empty, so you answer no to the 'down mood' sorts of questions. You remember being happy about stuff, so that is out of the question. The question about losing interest in normal activities? Well, you've never really had hobbies or many friends, so that isn't even applicable. Sometimes it is clearly the situation that is the trigger, but at that point there are two problems. The person's life events or lifestyle, plus a depression that keeps them from getting out. If you treat the depression bit, they might be able to see their way out or be motivated to take some action to improve their life. Some will still need help with this bit, and it is a shame there aren't support networks everywhere to help folks.

Avshalom 10y ago

On a very important level: it doesn't matter. If you're depressed to the point of non-functional it doesn't matter if changing your situation would help because you're non-functional--you can't change your situation. Getting on antidepressants, or getting into counseling or therapy can (obviously no guarantees) get you out of the trough so you can make the changes you need.