Clinical depression

It’s not a straight road either. From the outside, other’s may wonder ‘what the issue is’ but inside a change in brain chemistry can be devastating.

comment by Admin1 (U1)
posted 1 hour, 26 minutes ago
Had the displeasure of going to a good mates funeral last October. I have 30 male contacts in my mobile address book. Two have committed suicide in the last 5 years.
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That was my major worry with the folk I know suffering from it? You never know where exactly they are at times and it's scary asf

First World disease, like obesity & cancer

Virtually unknown in the 3rd world
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You're having us on at this point, right? It can't be possible for someone to be this stupid?

comment by -bloodred- (U1222)
posted 29 minutes ago
First World disease, like obesity & cancer

Virtually unknown in the 3rd world
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You're having us on at this point, right? It can't be possible for someone to be this stupid?
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_illness_in_ancient_Greece

https://greekreporter.com/2024/01/21/how-was-cancer-treated-in-ancient-greece-2/

comment by whodunnit (U22710)
posted 14 hours, 33 minutes ago
I do agree its an ilness and it needs to be treated but too many people use it as a crutch to avoid things, use it as a bluff, or use it as an excuse for not getting things done.

for some they can just snap out of it others cant, but far too many self diagnose themselves and just as many bull$hit it which then takes away from treating the people that truly suffer and makes it more difficult to get teatement to those that truly need it
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People who endure cyclical bouts of depression don't and cannot "just snap out of it". One of the hardest things to deal with is people close to you offering simple solutions of the type you-just-need-to type. It's incredibly stupid and frustrating and just deepens feelings of isolation and helplessness.

comment by Peks - Grandmaster B (U6618)
posted 15 hours, 27 minutes ago
First World disease, like obesity & cancer

Virtually unknown in the 3rd world

shows how unhealthy the lives we live in the supposed developed world are, physically & mentally

depression is the caused by the disconnect between what people expect from their lives (built up by comparing with peers & social conditioning) and the reality

Sound evolutionary reasons behind depression....it resets your expectations of life...ie lowers them
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Your statements regarding depression lack nuance and understanding.

1. Virtually unknown in the 3rd world - It exists in the 3rd world but people are too busy trying to make it through each day. When every second of your waking hours are spent trying to get food or to earn money, you're simply too tired to think about anything else.
2. Depression is caused by the disconnect from that people expect- Wrong. Actual depression is a chemical imbalance. Some are more prone to depression,regardless of their position in society. Rich,middle or working class all suffer from it. Your second statement also contradicts your point about it being non existent in the 3rd world.

Depression is a real thing and there is no way to cure it in my opinion. You can incorporate healthy habits that help manage and suppress it and over time it becomes easier to control. However, it will always be there and if things get bad enough in your life, you may find yourself plunged into a period of depression.

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 1 hour, 10 minutes ago
comment by whodunnit (U22710)
posted 14 hours, 33 minutes ago
I do agree its an ilness and it needs to be treated but too many people use it as a crutch to avoid things, use it as a bluff, or use it as an excuse for not getting things done.

for some they can just snap out of it others cant, but far too many self diagnose themselves and just as many bull$hit it which then takes away from treating the people that truly suffer and makes it more difficult to get teatement to those that truly need it
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People who endure cyclical bouts of depression don't and cannot "just snap out of it". One of the hardest things to deal with is people close to you offering simple solutions of the type you-just-need-to type. It's incredibly stupid and frustrating and just deepens feelings of isolation and helplessness.
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Anyone who just snaps out of depression, never really had depression. They just had a period in their life where things were not going there way. It happens to most people.

comment by The Guvnor XI -Iron sharpens Iron- (U12889)

2. Depression is caused by the disconnect from that people expect- Wrong. Actual depression is a chemical imbalance. Some are more prone to depression...

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It is a chemical imbalance but it's not a simple as saying that people are born predisposed to it or that you simply catch it like the flu.

There are societal affects which are proven to influence depression, for example, people who are bullied are at higher risk for depression and suicide.

When it comes to forums in which people are happy to sit behind a screen and say things they wouldn't to others faces, it's going to be a negative influence on some people's mental health. A causal effect has been shown between heavy social media usage and poor mental health.

Peks is not entirely wrong in suggesting that a disconnect between ones expectations and reality can have an influence on ones mental health either.

It's also a fallacious idea to suggest just because someone appears to have external markers of success that their expectations have been met.

It's a societal trap to believe that just because someone has external signifiers of success that their internal journey in this life is similarly successful. The two are separate from each other, and this generally something that people in Eastern Countries know much better than those in Western ones.

Even though what Peks has said isn't correct, there's some truth to it.

I can't remember who it was but I read a story about a very famous guitarist who fell into a depression because they couldn't get over the idea that another very famous guitarist was better than them.

i live with the black dog daily, have done ever since i can remember. i have had 2 mates take their lives due to the illness. had many great & dark funny times with them, they understood but it still took them. myself it is nothing to do with living, others, wants, not haves etc....i have a deficiency of serotonin. exercise for me was been a life saver. i always had my blue days but it was not until i had many sporting & non sport injuries that i realised i had an issue. strenuous exercise kept the black dog at bay. had to give up everything from the age of 40 ish thus his bark became a huge reality. been on sertraline for nearly 15 years which a gain has saved my life, i will never stop taking it, is a wonder drug.
i have many mates who have no idea about the aweful illness, i hate it when they say like buck, chin up f3cking drives me mad. i have tried to explain but unless you live with it you have not 1 jot. we all suffer in our own way. my family have been great but they too do not have a clue. the only person who can help you is you, keep reaching out to find what works, if you don't there is a huge risk of giving up because it is evil.....