EvolutionHealth.care

Home
Main Forum
Depression
Introduce Yourself
Is this caused by depression? Will it go away if the depression goes away?

Advanced Search Form

Is this caused by depression? Will it go away if the depression goes away?

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 52

I can only speak from my own experience and I realized quite quickly that medication by itself is not a cure, but it is one of the tools to heal myself... there still is a lot of work to be done. I have been dealing with depression my whole adult life. I was first diagnozed with clinical depression 25 years ago. I always kept it a secret and worked through my depressions. Even my wife didn't know I have been dealing with depression and thought that I had just extremely lazy periods. Quite a number of the techniques taught in this program, were techniques that I already used to cope with my depressions in the past. I was really good in keeping my depression at bay, so they wouldn't intfere too much with my life.

This time my depression is much more severe compared to previous times (except for 1 episode almost 20 years ago). Before the episode started I garnered all strength I had and went to see my GP. He put me on medication and we are still figuring out the exact dosis. Even though I am still decending, I do realize that since using the medication the decend is much more gradual and less dramatic. As a result it is easier to use the coping techniques and feel better.

Regarding the causes of depression there are many theories. Every depression is the result of chemical imbalance of the brains, so to "fix" the issue we need to find a way that the brains correct the chemical imbalance by ourselves. By using medication we are correcting the imbalance artificially. The trick is however to correct the brain functions so we correct the imbalance naturally. That where the therapies are focussed on.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 33

I still intend to do the program, I've got nothing to lose that's for sure. At the beginning I talked to various doctors and psychologists & even a couple of psychiatrists. They all agreed I needed to be medicated. I just thought that after almost 4 years, I could wean off! It sucks to think that I can't grrrr

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11216

I think it makes sense FFirecracker!

Have you talked to a therapist or doctor about this? I am not a doctor or therapist but to my understanding no matter what the root of the depression is, medication and therapy combined is the best approach for many people and not just medication alone. Keep in mind that therapy (including CBT, what the program is based on) can cause cellular changes in the brain. In fact participating in the supportive and trusting relationships in this online community may help us to be open to change as well! So although medication may be required, the program and support group are also great additions to treatment for many people with depression. Therefore, challenging this thought process, even though it occurred as a result of the depression may be beneficial.

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 33

I think in this case, depression came first. When I'm not feeling down, I don't see that question bringing me down - I think - can,t even think straight sometimes.

As to your question how are some ways I could begin challenging this thinking Ashley, someone told me to just do something like clap my hands twice & replacing the thought with a positive one, but it's just kind of an underlying, everpresent thought. So it could be that the answer for me would simply be the meds. I dont think mine is a situational depression, sounds like clinical to me. I have nothing to be depressed about, so I can't try and focus on solving 'that' problem to get better, I don't have a grudge against anyone or anything, got everything going for me, so I have to come to the conclusion that it has to have a biological or physiological root, rather than psychological. Does that make sense

Thanks guys again

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11216

Hi FFirecracker,

In regards to your question it is kind of like the chicken and the egg question, which came first? With depression does the depression cause the negative thinking or does the negative thinking cause the depression? I am not quite sure; a psychologist may be better to answer this.

I can definitely say the "what's the point" thinking can be a cognitive distortion. Take a look at the negative thoughts session (#4). You have already stated that this nagging thought process has poisoned your life. This is a very strong statement and that alone makes me think this is the type of thinking you need to challenge. How are some way you think you could begin challenging this thinking?

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1022

No you are not the only one. I think most people ask what is the point and purpose of life. One of my favorite answers came from an Health Educator.... "What would you like it to be?" FF, have you started doing thought trackers yet? Doing those has helped me become more familiar with my cycle of thought.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 33

Just bumping this this again, I really need to know if it's the depression that's causing me to constantly ask 'what's the point' for every thing.. ? Am I the only one who's life is poisoned by that one nagging thought? It's just always 'there'!!

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 33

Yes, I might look into the blogging option. My husband encouraged me to write. Anything that goes through my mind.

And yes, nice to see that I'm not alone, however, how common is the 'what's the point' way of thinking? Is that a common sign of depression? Is it linked to it? Can it go away? This is my anxiety talking ;). Not much fun.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 653

Hi FF,

Hopefully you are now seeing that you are not the only person in the world with the thoughts you have! Depression is one of the most common ailments of our time! It's a reflection of the lifestyle we live as a society, yet so under-recognized and down-played by society at large.

Medications are tricky. It can take a long while to find the right dose and/or combinations. And many people with mood disorders feel a stigma of being on medication. It's unfortunate that that idea can stand between someone's poor vs good mental health!

Please keep writing if that helps. There is also the blogging option which is less public. I'm glad that everyone here is reaching out and wanting better for themselves!! Great work!

Tiana, Health Educator

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 33

Hi m, thanks for sharing. A bit scary to me that you still had those thoughts while on meds? Those are the thoughts that send me spiralling :(. I'm trying to remember for sure if I had them while on ADs.

To answer your questions, I don't have much faith in doctors. This is the third one I've had since it all began less than 4 years ago. The last one didn't even bother sending a note or nothing. I called for an appt and was told he was gone, there would be another doctor taking his place in a bit over a month. I went to see her, she seems soooo young, and not very thorough, but I dunno.

Why did I wean myself off? A few reasons. Side effects such as vivid dreams, waking up exhausted in the morning lol, affecting my memory and focus, and at some point it didn't seem to work as good but.. and I guess the most important part, I must have felt good enough to risk trying without the meds!

And whether I tried different meds, I first started with I think it was Celexa, it turned me inside out, and I also took some anxiety meds when I first started to take off the edge. I still take Clonazepam once in a while when needed. And zopiclone for sleep also when needed, very seldom.

They tried to add Wellbutrin to my Effexor, but I didn't react good to it. It was to help with the anxiety.

I don't know what triggers those thoughts, and sometimes wonder why I'm the only one in the world to even wonder and worry about it, why is the rest of the world 'blissfully' not even thinking about it lol. That's scary. What is wrong with me, why do 'I' think about it.

Reading this thread:

today's top discussions:

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Most Active

Most Loved

Is this caused by depression? Will it go away if the depression goes away?