> But nothing you've mentioned implies that your brain can "learn to be put into a depressive mindset" -- it's more the case that strenuous challenges that have

> But nothing you've mentioned implies that your brain can "learn to be put into a depressive mindset" -- it's more the case that strenuous challenges that haven't been addressed, or moved past, or evolved from, will continue to cause problems until work is gradually done to address them. What is the practical difference between saying "learnt to be put in a depressive mindset" and "psychologically adapted to these situations"? Psychiatrists don't need to be so technical when explaining the differences to people. I'm only framing the conversation in a colloquial manner such that non-psych majors will understand them. In some manner I've "learned" to be in a depressive mindset. And, through repetition, I can "un-learn" it. > Even as people get older, until they reach very old age, it's rare for these kinds of MSK problems to occur in ways that cannot be unwound by adherence to physical therapy and a good exercise regimen... if you are constantly doing things which make you happy, it may not be immediate, but eventually you can re-orient your brain you being default-happy with depressive episodes rather than the other way around. I'm not disputing this. The times where I am the happiest is when I'm in my routine of working out and playing tennis. But when I get out of my routine, I fall back into the depressive habits. It's hard to stay consistent. Maybe if I stay consistent for long enough, my default will not be depressed. But I have yet to be consistent for long enough to reach that point.