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> 4) I suspect depression is seriously underdiagnosed in med students and MORE students should be taking antidepressants than those currently on them. Antidepr

> 4) I suspect depression is seriously underdiagnosed in med students and MORE students should be taking antidepressants than those currently on them. Antidepressants are a terrible solution to depression and should only be used in rare cases. They blunt your feelings so that you can keep on with your depressing life choices with out making the changes you need to be really happy. Depression is an indication that you need to make major life changes. It's not a chemical imbalance.

bluedevil2k 8y ago
Are you a doctor? A trained medical professional in any way? I’m gonna guess no
- lolc 8y ago
  Your point being?
  - bluedevil2k 8y ago
    That they’re just some random person on the internet spouting nonsense not backed by any science, no different than an ani-vaxxer or birther.
    - kendallpark 8y ago
      Exactly this. "Depression is an indication that you need to make major life changes. It's not a chemical imbalance" is about as un-researched and un-qualified of a statement one could make. Google Scholar exists. Wikipedia exists. Everyone is has access to these resources.
    - jcoffland 8y ago
      Unlike vaccines, antidepressants have a poor track record of producing measurable quality of life improvements. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3736946/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3736946/ https://www.thecut.com/article/antidepressant-side-effects-quality-of-life.html https://www.thecut.com/article/antidepressant-side-effects-q...
- engineeringwoke 8y ago
  Opinions differ quite a bit outside North America. Therapy is better than drugs for long-term outcomes
  - bluedevil2k 8y ago
    Source on that?
jhanschoo 8y ago
This is not true. Many suffer depression for no identifiable lifestyle reason.
markroseman 8y ago
Your "one size fits all" approach to depression is greatly at odds with the great diversity of presentations that exist. There are absolutely roles for biological solutions like antidepressants to play for many people.
- jcoffland 8y ago
  Humans are remarkably similar. It's popular to think that we are each so very special but our differences, despite standing out to our brains which are tuned to recognise them, are small. Especially, physiologically. We love to hear that we are special snowflakes even when the news is bad. This works out great for big pharma. But, I can go a step further and prescribe a cure for depression that will work for 99% of the population, that means you. 1) Get outside into nature at least 3 times a week. 2) Break a sweat doing some physical activity at least 3 times a week. 3) Spend less than 10hrs combined per week on your phone or computer doing non productive things like watching shows, flipping through social media or reading HN. 4) Eat healthy food every day. 5) Sleep 8hrs per day. If you are following the above this should not be a problem. 6) Maintain your relationships with family and friends on a daily basis. This means spending time making meaningful connections, perhaps doing some of the things listed above. If you do the above consistently for at least six months and don't see significant results then perhaps you need the drugs but the drugs will have subtle but profound costs in terms of quality of life. If you are unable to do any of the above then you are not living in an environment which promotes good mental and physical health. But hey, it's so much easier to pop a pill and everyone else is doing it.

bluedevil2k 8y ago

Are you a doctor? A trained medical professional in any way? I’m gonna guess no

lolc 8y ago
Your point being?
- bluedevil2k 8y ago
  That they’re just some random person on the internet spouting nonsense not backed by any science, no different than an ani-vaxxer or birther.
  - kendallpark 8y ago
    Exactly this. "Depression is an indication that you need to make major life changes. It's not a chemical imbalance" is about as un-researched and un-qualified of a statement one could make. Google Scholar exists. Wikipedia exists. Everyone is has access to these resources.
  - jcoffland 8y ago
    Unlike vaccines, antidepressants have a poor track record of producing measurable quality of life improvements. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3736946/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3736946/ https://www.thecut.com/article/antidepressant-side-effects-quality-of-life.html https://www.thecut.com/article/antidepressant-side-effects-q...
engineeringwoke 8y ago
Opinions differ quite a bit outside North America. Therapy is better than drugs for long-term outcomes
- bluedevil2k 8y ago
  Source on that?

jhanschoo 8y ago

This is not true. Many suffer depression for no identifiable lifestyle reason.

markroseman 8y ago

Your "one size fits all" approach to depression is greatly at odds with the great diversity of presentations that exist. There are absolutely roles for biological solutions like antidepressants to play for many people.

jcoffland 8y ago
Humans are remarkably similar. It's popular to think that we are each so very special but our differences, despite standing out to our brains which are tuned to recognise them, are small. Especially, physiologically. We love to hear that we are special snowflakes even when the news is bad. This works out great for big pharma. But, I can go a step further and prescribe a cure for depression that will work for 99% of the population, that means you. 1) Get outside into nature at least 3 times a week. 2) Break a sweat doing some physical activity at least 3 times a week. 3) Spend less than 10hrs combined per week on your phone or computer doing non productive things like watching shows, flipping through social media or reading HN. 4) Eat healthy food every day. 5) Sleep 8hrs per day. If you are following the above this should not be a problem. 6) Maintain your relationships with family and friends on a daily basis. This means spending time making meaningful connections, perhaps doing some of the things listed above. If you do the above consistently for at least six months and don't see significant results then perhaps you need the drugs but the drugs will have subtle but profound costs in terms of quality of life. If you are unable to do any of the above then you are not living in an environment which promotes good mental and physical health. But hey, it's so much easier to pop a pill and everyone else is doing it.