Being Depressed vs. Clinical Depression

[hateraid]

I guess the hot topic going around right now is depression. I see a lot of back and forths going on around social media.
I'll just give my little input about what I know. There are people who seek attention. When their expectations are not met or nobody is paying attention to them they call it depression. To me that's more loneliness. Being depressed from loneliness or lack of attention is not the same as suffering from clinical depression. While the former can be "healed" by simply being around people and having their need for being nurtured fulfilled, actual clinical depression is more similar to a disease that needs to be treated. It simply does not go away from being comforted. I think that's why people don't quite understand because people use the term "I suffer from depression" so losely.

Thoughts? Any suffering from actual clinical depression or know somebody?

[~primetime~]

right RW had bipolar disorder...it's not like he was just feeling lonely and sad, the chemicals in his brain were malfunctioning

[oh the horror]

I have gone through stages of depression. I won't blame it on anything. But do you know what makes it especially worse?

I have friends who are no longer friends, because they considered my depression to be too much of a burden on them.



Yeah, those are called d-bags.

[ZeN]

Clinical Depression, Dysthymia, SAD, and Bipolar are not all the same thing. Each has its own variety of differences.

[OncePerMonth]

Yeah, those are called d-bags.

yep

[JohnFreeman]

I get the feeling Doctors are over prescribing for "depression" these days.

[Batz]

It's a disease either or. If it be attention-whorosis or whatever, people are suffering when they shouldn't. Whether the treatment be a bottle of pills or counseling, or giving them company, just help them.

[Just2McFly]

I dont know if i suffer from something or if im just being a bitch.... some days i just cannot make myself leave the bed... actually there was a whole year from 18 to 19 where i didnt leave the house more than probably like three times a month . i was a hermit

[JohnFreeman]

I dont know if i suffer from something or if im just being a bitch.... some days i just cannot make myself leave the bed... actually there was a whole year from 18 to 19 where i didnt leave the house more than probably like three times a month . i was a hermit
Most teens go through this

[Just2McFly]

Most teens go through this
im 23

[~primetime~]

Naw most teens don't go through that, or twenty year olds

That sounds like pretty serious depression imo

[highwhey]

I get the feeling Doctors are over prescribing for "depression" these days.
They do. It's very simple to prescribe an antidepressant. They aren't controlled substances ether so the requirements to prescribe them are much simpler.what sucks is that many patients aren't made aware of the side effects and/or the process of discontinuing them.

[DeuceWallaces]

They do. It's very simple to prescribe an antidepressant. They aren't controlled substances ether so the requirements to prescribe them are much simpler.what sucks is that many patients aren't made aware of the side effects and/or the process of discontinuing them.

Uhhh, they're definitely controlled substances. WTF are you talking about. People can't just buy Paxil. :oldlol:

[highwhey]

Uhhh, they're definitely controlled substances. WTF are you talking about. People can't just buy Paxil. :oldlol:
Per the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), a controlled substance is any drug, subtance or chemical participating in any of the 5 schedules - a list of which you will find on the fda or dea (justice department sublink) websites.

Basically drugs such as adderall, oxycodone, xanax, etc. Hell, even tramadol went federal this month.

All these scheduled drugs can be prescribed by MD's, DO's and a variety of mid level prescribers(each state has different laws for mid level, like Florida for example does not allow Nurse Practicioners or Physician assistants to prescribe any controlled substance).

Anywho, you have to have a valid DEA number to prescribe these drugs (that's in addition to other requirements). The DEA closely observes their prescribing so diversion is minimized.

Tldr version: paxil is not controlled/scheduled. It's a regular prescription drug, but it's dispensing is nowhere near as strict as a controlled substance.

[BigBoss]

I wonder if depressed people would feel as depressed, if they weren't labeling themselves that. iI's funny how society can tell you what you are and how to fix it. The truth is within. Fulfill your needs.

[Im Still Ballin]

I wonder if depressed people would feel as depressed, if they weren't labeling themselves that. iI's funny how society can tell you what you are and how to fix it. The truth is within. Fulfill your needs.
This.

We are our own healers. Our creations can never match mother natures. You have to be STRONG willed. Don't believe the system, don't allow yourself to be identified as something. Don't feel the NEED to be identified. Seek deeper understanding, and TRULY find what is bothering you.

[Swaggin916]

I think to anyone suffering from depression so severe that they are on the brink of suicide... do something that scares the absolute balls out of you. I know all of my depression is fear based and therefore is not real depression... if I conquer my fears then I will not be depressed at all.

I mean shit Robin go try to survive in Africa out in the wild for a few nights before you pull the plug... shit. Supplement psychological pain with physical pain... works like a charm. If you are so depressed that even physical pain can't drive you, then it's time to hit the road.

[G-train]

In my experiences with helping people, I've found that a good diet, plenty of sleep, less television, no p0rn, no drugs, minimal alcohol, more exercise, getting outdoors... cures a high % of 'depression'.
Of course if after that you see no change, then you may need counselling and assistance from medicine.

[dude77]

In my experiences with helping people, I've found that a good diet, plenty of sleep, less television, no p0rn, no drugs, minimal alcohol, more exercise, getting outdoors... cures a high % of 'depression'.
Of course if after that you see no change, then you may need counselling and assistance from medicine.


good post .. that definitely helps .. a lot of people don't focus on fixing those things first .. they can have a very negative impact .. especially lack of/bad quality sleep, bad diet etc and isolating yourself <--never a good thing .. humans are social beings .. sometimes you just have to push yourself even if you feel like a boulder is holding you down .. naturally like the last sentence, for some it's beyond anything they can do for themselves and they need help from others

[Dresta]

There is really no objective definition of depression, and that's what makes it's treatment so difficult.

However, it is obvious that the thought process itself has a lot to do with establishing depressive tendencies, and later the spiral of despair, apathy and hopelessness that i would say constitutes full-blown depression. It can't simply be described as 'chemical imbalance' or some other equally reductionist phrase.

[East_Stone_Ya]

I agree with Dresta that thought process has to do with establishing depressive tendencies. These things are influenced heavily by family history (it may run in the family), personality (tendency to worry a lot), medical illness and drug and alcohol use.

[shlver]

I guess the hot topic going around right now is depression. I see a lot of back and forths going on around social media.
I'll just give my little input about what I know. There are people who seek attention. When their expectations are not met or nobody is paying attention to them they call it depression. To me that's more loneliness. Being depressed from loneliness or lack of attention is not the same as suffering from clinical depression. While the former can be "healed" by simply being around people and having their need for being nurtured fulfilled, actual clinical depression is more similar to a disease that needs to be treated. It simply does not go away from being comforted. I think that's why people don't quite understand because people use the term "I suffer from depression" so losely.

Thoughts? Any suffering from actual clinical depression or know somebody?
Yes, clinical depression is an actual disease that can only be diagnosed by a trained professional. In some cases, cognitive therapy is sufficient but if symptoms stem from neurotransmitter dysfunction then medication is necessary. These people cannot just think happy thoughts or make life changes as easily as you would think. They need extensive psychotherapy sessions and medication to pull themselves out of clinical depression.

[RidonKs]

i've suffered from depression, at least i tell people i have. i don't think you can call it clinical. but various addictive tendencies and significant social anxiety. i'm now taking an ssri and feel phenomenal in a lot of areas i've struggled with in the past. i'm also seeing a councilor though i think the meds have had much more of an effect.

i don't think "clinical" and "not clinical" are so cut and dry. the medical community has to draw its line somewhere but its highly subjective.

[ihatetimthomas]

This.

We are our own healers. Our creations can never match mother natures. You have to be STRONG willed. Don't believe the system, don't allow yourself to be identified as something. Don't feel the NEED to be identified. Seek deeper understanding, and TRULY find what is bothering you.

Clearly you don't know people close to you who have been depressed. Depression is not a switch that can be turned on or off. It's easy to tell someone to just be "strong willed." People are depressed because the depression has made them incapable of doing it alone and being strong willed. It consumes your life and consumes every waking moment of your thoughts. People understand logically that this mentality is incorrect but sometimes the depression is so strong that it causes people to defy logic. This goes hand in hand with suicide. People say that it's completely selfish of them because they are hurting the ones around them by killing themselves. But in reality, what these people are thinking is that suicide is the most unselfish thing to do because they are so down on themselves and believe the world is better off without them.

If it were as easy as being "strong willed" then we wouldn't see so many people with this condition. And I do not want people to think that I don't believe you need to be strong willed. For someone seriously depressed, it takes a very strong will to go out there and get help. People who are depressed are not motivated the same way normal people are. It takes a lot for them to get normal things going that are easy for us.

[Swaggin916]

i've suffered from depression, at least i tell people i have. i don't think you can call it clinical. but various addictive tendencies and significant social anxiety. i'm now taking an ssri and feel phenomenal in a lot of areas i've struggled with in the past. i'm also seeing a councilor though i think the meds have had much more of an effect.

i don't think "clinical" and "not clinical" are so cut and dry. the medical community has to draw its line somewhere but its highly subjective.

I do wonder if an ssri would work for me to just kind of get that social anxiety monkey off my back... I figure once I get going then it will fade. I'm starting to become more and more free though as time goes on and just kind of accept that I will be rejected quite a bit and that I don't need to give into biological programming and fears. I am so committed to my body though and it's feelings and needs that it's tough for me to get out of that.

[RidonKs]

I do wonder if an ssri would work for me to just kind of get that social anxiety monkey off my back... I figure once I get going then it will fade. I'm starting to become more and more free though as time goes on and just kind of accept that I will be rejected quite a bit and that I don't need to give into biological programming and fears. I am so committed to my body though and it's feelings and needs that it's tough for me to get out of that.
i'd highly recommend it based on the info i received. i'd questioned doing it, sort of out of an independent streak, for years. finally gave in and it's done me a lot of good. according to my doctor, the side effects rarely result in much of anything... sweaty palms or a feeling you aren't quite yourself. but my ability to function consistently and fluidly and with confidence shot through the roof.

basically it's worth a try because what's the worst that could happen? nothing. oh well. that's the way i've come to see it anyway. mine are a bit pricey but not terrible.

[BigBoss]

I think to anyone suffering from depression so severe that they are on the brink of suicide... do something that scares the absolute balls out of you. I know all of my depression is fear based and therefore is not real depression... if I conquer my fears then I will not be depressed at all.

I mean shit Robin go try to survive in Africa out in the wild for a few nights before you pull the plug... shit. Supplement psychological pain with physical pain... works like a charm. If you are so depressed that even physical pain can't drive you, then it's time to hit the road.

Depression's different for everyone. Those living in sub-saharan Africa with crazy AIDS rates as high as 40% of a population in a city is a social norm. If a person got AIDS there they would be less depressed then a person who got AIDS in the west.

Physical pain? Like cutting yourself? People do that. It's not the answer.

He was 62 and has been through a lot and was at the early stages of parkinson's. He probably saw more bad days vs good ones ahead of him, and chose to end it. I don't know how a father could ever do that though. Those kids are psychologically scarred forever even if they're young adults.