Is there a simple answer to depression?

Question

I suffer from depression and ocd and have done for 8 years, but there is still so much i didnet know about it.
Reading all these questions from people who suffer from depression it seems there are so many othere things that go with it, things that i havnt experienced.
When i feel down and sorry for myself i come on here ( i dont feel down now im actually feeling good) and there are so many people describing there depression and feel so sorry for them.
Why is depression so complicated and is there a straight forward answer to what is is? And i dont mean about the chemical imbalance and all that side of it just the symptoms.


Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Yes, eat right, get the junk out of your life, organize your life and make sure your never constipated, 75 % of your seritonin is made in your colon , yet its used in your brain.

Answer 2

about 5 years ago, I started to fall into a really depressive episode. At first I thought it was only because I had a bad break from a relationship but the feelings wouldn't go away even after I got a new girlfriend. It was wrecking my life until a point where it was seriously affecting my work and personal life.



She was very worried but at the same time couldn't understand why I was still sad and thought that I still couldn't let go of my previous relationship. Being the wonderful person that she is, she put aside her feelings and suggested I go for psychiatric evaluation. Many months later and even more anti-depressants, I was not coming close to being better at all.



After doing some research online, I found out the real cause as you described it really makes a lot of sense and purchased this program. The results were simply astonishing. I read this book over three times and put all words in action. Using this method, I've kept my depression at bay ever since. Up to date I'm still living happily with my girlfriend.



Depression Free Method?

Answer 3

In most cases depression is a symptom of another condition.



Also there are many different types of depression. These are very different mentally and physiologically.



Depression is not a single condition, that is why there is so much confusion.



Some kinds of depression do have simple answers.



Drugs, dietary change, u.v. light, sleep management and cognitive behaviour therapy can be completely successful for the right kinds of depression.



Other sufferers are difficult or impossible to manage. Many M.E./ C.F.S sufferers have highly unpredictable bouts of depression combined with extreme drug sensitivity. There isn't an easy way to manage such cases.



Some patients sadly enter a psychological state that they cannot realistically escape from. They are trapped in a world of confusion.



http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/depression/classification_000001.htm



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Note. People who have no exposure to u.v. light can suffer from vitamin D defficiency. Vitamin D has a number of functions, it is essential for the immune system, influence blood pressure and is involved in the production of some hormones. In the case of S.A.D. there is also an element of visual stimulous to daylight. S.A.D. sufferers can benefit greatly by exposure to a light box. Daylight has a direct impact on mood and the sleep cycle, so is beneficial to everyone.



http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/winterdepression.htm

Answer 4

The SYMPTOMS of DEPRESSION are:

Loss of interest in life.

Lack of appetite to the point of weight loss.

Feelings of worthlessness.

Slow activity, unable to get things done.

Suicidal thoughts.

Insomnia or sleeping all the time.

Feeling Sad:

Feeling Restless:

These symptoms are severe enough to interfere in the person's ability to function at work, and maintain relationships.

Having stressful life events, poor human bonds, and/or physically painful illnesses can all precipitate depression.



Some of the more common factors involved in depression are:



Family history. Genetics play an important part in depression. It can run in families for generations.



Trauma and stress. Things like financial problems, the breakup of a relationship, or the death of a loved one can bring on depression. You can become depressed after changes in your life, like starting a new job, graduating from school, or getting married.



Pessimistic personality. People who have low self-esteem and a negative outlook are at higher risk of becoming depressed. These traits may actually be caused by low-level depression (called dysthymia).



Physical conditions. Serious medical conditions like heart disease, cancer, and HIV can contribute to depression, partly because of the physical weakness and stress they bring on.



Depression can make medical conditions worse, since it weakens the immune system and can make pain harder to bear. In some cases, depression can be caused by medications used to treat medical conditions.



Other psychological disorders. Anxiety disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and (especially) substance abuse often appear along with depression.



If you've been diagnosed with depression, you may wonder why it had to happen to you. The fact is that anyone can get depression.



The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells called neurons. These neurons send and receive messages from the rest of your body, using brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Depression happens when these chemical messages aren’t delivered correctly between brain cells, disrupting communication.

Think of a telephone: if your phone has a weak signal, you may not hear the person on the other end. Their communication is muted or unclear.



The pain and isolation of depression, a psychiatric illness, is difficult for many people to understand. Depression is a word that is used both for a sad, despairing mood and for a psychiatric disorder.



Think of a Radio noise in radio reception is the superposition of white noise (also called "static") and other disturbing influences on the signal, caused either by thermal noise and other electronic noise from receiver input circuits or by interference from radiated electromagnetic noise picked up by the receiver's antenna.

"Depression" happens when these "chemical" messages aren’t delivered correctly between "brain cells", disrupting communication.

Answer 5

Nope, no simple answer. No two ppl are alike. Each has different communication skills. Each feels differently under any circumstances. Add in the various types of depression, it gets even more complicated. Add in the very many different comorbid problems, issues, disorders, and/or medical conditions and it mushrooms. So, nope, no simple answer, but this is a very simple answer to a very complex topic.



Glad you're feeling well!

Answer 6

I have had this for decades.

My answer is what some on here will think irresponsible of me to suggest and morally suspect, it is to have smoke of ganga. It is not a genuine and everlasting cure really, it may not be the genuine bone crunching article but it will do till the real thing comes along.

It is a plant whose benefits far outweigh its disadvantages, the ancients knew of its power of lifting moods and was in every apothecaries bag.

It is horrible to have the black dog bite you, its fangs and slavering jaws can be muted by some smoke.



OK, bring on the thumbs down.

Answer 7

Depression is usually caused by low levels of seratonin and neuronepherine in the brain. Low levels of those two neurotransmitters is usually caused by one of three things. A genetic predisposition, maladaptive thinking patterns or dysfunctional reinforcement, or low levels of ultraviolet light.



I would argue there actually is a simple answer for the cause of depression. The question is, do people with depression do enough to get rid of it? With many of these psychology disorders, there is a lack of motivation, including a lack of motivation to treat the problem. That is why it seems to linger and for many, doesn't seem to ever go away forever.

Answer 8

i suffered from it for about 10 years and i can only recomend one thing. friends, support and laughter. call a mate and go round hers or rent a dvd u know will make u laugh. do something different, take a walk at the crack of dawn and experience new things. I was suicidal last year and not a nice feeling

Answer 9

No, there is not a simple answer. You can't just snap out of it. You need professional help from your doctor. Depression is an illness and there are treatments for it.

Answer 10

people experience depression differently and have different causes. it takes time for people to find their own responses, a trial and error of what works for their well being. so it can certainly be complicated.

Answer 11

YOU are the only answer to your depression.

Answer 12

therapy

Answer 13

I wrote most parts of this advice myself, with help from other sources:



What is depression?

Depression is more than the blues or the blahs; it is more than the normal, everyday ups and downs. When that "down" mood, along with other symptoms, lasts for more than a couple of weeks, the condition may be clinical depression. Clinical depression is a serious health problem that affects the total person. In addition to feelings, it can change behavior, physical health and appearance, academic performance, social activity and the ability to handle everyday decisions and pressures.

Depression may be caused by negative thoughts, poor circumstances, loss of loved ones, genetic factors, biochemical imbalance in the brain, emptiness in heart, unforgiveness, addictions etc. Very often, a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors is involved in the onset of a depressive disorder.



Some of the symptoms of depression are...

· Sadness and/or loss of pleasure in nearly all activities.

· Pervasive feelings of hopelessness

· Changes in appetite

· Changes in sleep patterns

· Changes in psychomotor activity (includes both mental and physical responsiveness and/or activity).

· Struggles with feelings of low self worth

· Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

· Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.



There are some natural mood lifting food and vitamins that you can take with your drugs. They are:



-multivitamin

-Vitamin B complex pills

- Vitamin C

- GABA (you can get this at a pharmacy) it is a natural neurotransmitter in your brain.

- SAMe

- Calcium

- Magnesium

-Evening Primrose oil

- Flax oil

- Omega 3

- St John's Wort



try to have some exercise daily. Go into the sun. Talk with friends. Pray to Jesus, he gives you peace and lifts your mood. These are scientifically proven to work.



- Listen to soothing music on a couch.

- have aromatherapy

- eat healthily, oats, wheats, brown rice, more fish, chicken, lots of vegetables and fruits and other natural food, less oil, no sugar, no deep fried stuff, less red meat

- drink lots of filtered or bottled water

have a pet

- cultivate new hobbies

- do not take alcohol and avoid caffeine

- tackle your problem that is giving you depression. Problem solve with a counselor or friend to reduce the magnitude of the problem.



If you or a loved one is experiencing the symptoms of depression mentioned above please seek help. Don't wait until your level of functioning is severely impaired. Get depression treatment now! One of the biggest reasons people do not seek help is because of the shame they feel concerning the idea of having a mental illness. The reality is that our minds are vulnerable to illness just like our bodies. There is no shame in developing the flu or some other medical condition, so why is there with the mind?



- Every time you catch yourself thinking negatively, think what is the most positive way of expressing your feelings and thoughts.

- Forgive others, release all bitterness and release all grudges, love God and love others

- Do a kind deed each day. Volunteer your service to the elderly, orphans etc

- I know I have said a lot. Take baby step, one step at a time. Give yourself time to get out of depression.

- go for a tour. It may relax your mind and spirit.

- avoid negative news. You may like to stay off the newspaper.

- Control your thought process. Don't let your thoughts stray. Once you think negatively, catch yourself and replace with a happy thought

- think of the happy times you had with your loved ones in the past.

- count your blessings one by one. You still have possessions and loved ones who care for you.



- Think positively.



You may want to see a psychiatrist and counsellor to work out your problem. Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy may help. Some of the therapy approaches used to treat depression are cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, psychodynamic, and group therapy.

A counselor can help a person gain perspective about their illness, resolve problems that may be contributing to the depression and assist the person in developing coping skills to manage the symptoms of depression.

However, in addition to counseling, medication may also be a treatment option. You can discuss this with your counselor, who can then refer you to a psychiatrist to prescribe and manage the necessary medication. Medication can have a significant effect on lessening the symptoms of depression.

Here are some more advice from a website, written by a doctor:



· Do not set difficult goals for yourself or take on a great deal of responsibility.

· Break large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can when you can.

· Do not expect too much from yourself too soon, as this will only increase feelings of failure.

· Try to be with other people, which is usually better than being alone.

· Participate in activities that may make you feel better.

· You might try exercising mildly, going to a movie or a ball game, or participating in religious or social activities.

· Don't rush or overdo it. Don't get upset if your mood is not greatly improved right away. Feeling better takes time.

· Do not make major life decisions, such as changing jobs or getting married or divorced without consulting others who know you well. These people often can have a more objective view of your situation. In any case, it is advisable to postpone important decisions until your depression has lifted.

· Do not expect to "snap out" of your depression. People rarely do. Help yourself as much as you can, and do not blame yourself for not being up to par.

· Remember, do not accept your negative thinking. It is part of the depression and will disappear as your depression responds to treatment.







***** Prayer does help. Claim healing from Jesus. He loves you. Read the Bible, start at book of John. Take note of John 3:16, Acts 2:38. It is God's love message to you. I have wonderful moments of prayer, and God gives me peace and joy. It is not a waste of time to pray and think about God. It is uplifting, and even scientists acknowledge the power of prayer. ***********



Attend a United Pentecostal Church nearby your home. (www.upci.org)

There are brothers and sisters who care and be friends with you.

For anxiety, try deep breathing from your diaphragm and progressive muscle relaxation. You can buy books on how to overcome depression and anxiety.



You may like to join a support group on depression. Sharing with others do help to some extent.



It takes time to lift out of anxiety and depression. First thing is that you desire to get out of them. Next is the tenacity and perseverance to make changes to your life.



I've been through depression and anxiety, so I understand.



God bless you richly.

There is so much Christian help for depression as well as for those suffering from other emotional and mental struggles. Even the scientific research is clearly showing that there are many remedies for the treatment of depression: healthy and supportive relationships, exercise, cognitive therapy, as well as medications are all very effective means of treating depression. But, at the same time, most of these solutions require the individual struggling to reach out and ask for help.

There is Christian help for depression and other issues you may be struggling with. So please, if you find yourself feeling alone in your condition please take a step of faith. First pray, admitting your need before God and then ask Him to direct your steps to those who can help. Then, be willing to reach out to a pastor, a counselor or a friend or a Christian psychiatrist today. Your help is as close as your asking.

Sources :

http://www.medicinenet.com/depression