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Why is this nonsense the top comment? How can you, from your study of a cohort of one, assert that no one can beat depression because you haven't? That's a po

Why is this nonsense the top comment? How can you, from your study of a cohort of one, assert that no one can beat depression because you haven't? That's a potentially fatal message you're sending, and it's based solely on your own experiences. People get depressed for all sorts of reasons. It's bad enough that some doctors would lump the majority of patients as being clinically depressed and prescribe drugs that may end up doing more harm than good (note: I'm not saying all drugs are bad, but they're not always prescribed correctly). Now we're saying your fate is sealed, you just have to manage for the rest of your life. Edit: I don't even know if "beat" is the right word to use, it suggests that a patient is at fault if he/she hasn't been able to "beat" the illness, which is just wrong. But two things: (1) not all depression is caused by a chemical imbalance, or at the very least, there are multiple causes from life stressors to physical illnesses (2) if depression is caused by a chemical imbalance, I don't know of any study that says chemical imbalances can't be reversed.

gilgoomesh 14y ago
> I don't even know if "beat" is the right word to use I might be in some cases. While it doesn't work for all people, I would say that I have "beat" my own depression-related illness (Panic Disorder) through a standard psychological regime called Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Basically you learn about the mental instincts which are leading you into vicious circles and train yourself to avoid getting into trouble to begin with. If you can gain control of these instincts (not all people can) you can literally stop depressive spectrum disorders this way (although I'll point out: Panic Disorder is one of the most responsive depressive disorders to CBT). > not all depression is caused by a chemical imbalance The essence of somatic conditions like depression is that your brain controls your hormonal and neurotransmitter homeostasis -- even if you're not always aware that it's doing so. If you change your brains habits, you change your chemical levels.
Evbn 14y ago
People try to beat cancer too, with medical help, but it is known not to be their fault.
bpatrianakos 14y ago
Your edit is why this nonsense is the top comment. Because beat is not the right word and gives the impression that the patient is at fault among other things I go into. My message isn't fatal at all. It's hopeful. I said nothing negative. All I'm saying is that to believe you've beaten depression is a dangerous thing not that there's no hope for anyone who's depressed.

gilgoomesh 14y ago

> I don't even know if "beat" is the right word to use I might be in some cases. While it doesn't work for all people, I would say that I have "beat" my own depression-related illness (Panic Disorder) through a standard psychological regime called Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Basically you learn about the mental instincts which are leading you into vicious circles and train yourself to avoid getting into trouble to begin with. If you can gain control of these instincts (not all people can) you can literally stop depressive spectrum disorders this way (although I'll point out: Panic Disorder is one of the most responsive depressive disorders to CBT). > not all depression is caused by a chemical imbalance The essence of somatic conditions like depression is that your brain controls your hormonal and neurotransmitter homeostasis -- even if you're not always aware that it's doing so. If you change your brains habits, you change your chemical levels.

Evbn 14y ago

People try to beat cancer too, with medical help, but it is known not to be their fault.

bpatrianakos 14y ago

Your edit is why this nonsense is the top comment. Because beat is not the right word and gives the impression that the patient is at fault among other things I go into. My message isn't fatal at all. It's hopeful. I said nothing negative. All I'm saying is that to believe you've beaten depression is a dangerous thing not that there's no hope for anyone who's depressed.