My depression is definitely not a chemical imbalance issue and therefore I’m of the opinion that anti-depressants will make sod all difference to me. I had low level depression for probably my whole life I’d say up until September last year but that wasn’t a chemical imbalance issue either. I can’t speak for everybody but my feeling is that for most people anyway depression is a product of life events and circumstances. Some people are “wired” to be depressed but childhood wires you in a particular way. Interests wire you in a particular way. Interests wire your thinking. Thinking wires you in a particular way and you become accustomed to modes of thinking which start to make up your worldview and predispose you to developing your thinking further along particular lines. Modes of thinking become a comfort blanket of familiarity, even if they are uncomfortable.
My first experience of depression was like a switch was flicked. I was ‘normal’ and then following a heap of drink and dehydration on holiday with a lot of anxious thoughts suddenly this horrible mood enveloped me.
Everyone is different - that’s the key point.
Now the black dog manifests itself through obsessive thoughts which I’ve had since as long as I remember. And if I analyse it usually there has been stress somewhere - much of it drink related.
I think you should revisit the doctor and the meds @Batigol
Can’t hurt, you had some success with your own methods initially but it seems to have slipped
Good luck though, your deleted post shows that you have a lot in your favour
There are only so many you can visit
There’s a dude I know here. Depressed most of his life. Spent years in and out of psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists. Every medication they could throw at him. He went in a hail mary attempt of desperation on a recommendation to someone a few hours out of town who specialises in a blend of chinese medicine and hypnotherapy. She reckoned that the depression would probably come back in a year and he’d need another session. That was a few years ago, and it never came back. I have that sceptical part inside of me, but when a man is desperate, pain can be the touchstone of progress. I too remind myself that the chinese have been practicing medicine a lot longer than american pharma giants.
Im of the opinion that Depression/Anxiety forms in our younger years but doesnt manifest its ugly self till later in life.
And its usually got to do with negative adults/situations that arrive in your social sphere as your finding your way as a kid.
Ive not studied it just my take on it.Genetics has a role to play as well,no doubt.
Moral of the story-Keep the young ones away from cunts and stressful situations as best you can.
Have a read of ‘the body keeps the score’ , I’d recommend this highly to you too @Batigol
Neglect and poor conditions experienced by children have lifelong effects that are so complex governments and health systems are afraid to touch the subject.
My shoulder was fucked a good few years ago and conventional physio did nothing for it. Went to a guy practicing Chinese therapies and he did the hot glass polka dot stuff on it, threw in a few needles too. Perfect after it.
A finger up the hole too?
I remember a mate of mine who got sober around the same time as me. He ended up moving to Japan for a job and relapsed hard. The guy drank two bottles of whiskey a day, every day. So, after a 3 month bender, the dude asks for help and says he usually gets benzos from the GP to help with the week of unbearable and severe DT’s. The japanese physicians were strict with meds, and refused. I googled his local chinese medicine practitioner in Tokyo and gave him the address. They gave him some pills for the situation, and the dude was right as rain instantly. I’m sure there’s a lot they don’t have the answers for, but I’d say there’s plenty that they can fix.
No mate
Lifes more interesting on that side of the fence?
The sober fence?
Very interesting discussion here … I have an interesting job (relatively) and am well paid for it. But it’s stressful and relentless or it could be at least if you let it… but I have an unbelievably high boredom threshold which means I can put up with some amount of shite…I also go, as part of a smaller group, to see a lady who has literally changed my life …she identified every negative behaviour I have within a day or two of meeting me. She isn’t a qualified medical professional…more like a priest or something…my boss introduced her to me, an incredible man who has gone though it all twice over. The brain is wired tight anyway and any chance you have to help it…take it
Can you tell us who she is?
If you want to know I will tell you privately no problem. She is not a person with a high profile
I don’t think there’s any magic bullet to life. But I do think the main thing is realising there is nothing outside of your self that can make you happy.
Some people think if I get that promotion I’ll be happy, or a better car or a new job, a child a dog a wife etc etc
It’s probably the hardest thing to do, but being happy with what you have is a big thing.
And life isn’t fair. If you imagine life should be fair and then get dealt a shit hand then it seems like you’ve been wronged. But life is just a series of random events that sometimes fall for you and some times fall away from you. If you realise that you have very little to do with that and make your peace with it it helps
I think its probably the best and worst of human nature to never truly be satisfied with what one has.
An ongoing battle of wills arguably.
I agree with your sentiment that materialistic things don’t bring happiness. However I believe your outside citrcumstances can have a huge effect. If you are unhappy in a job, or living in a place, a change in those can massively change your mindset and then mental health. I used to think no, it’s inside you and that has to be fixed, but was told that once, that we are generally results of our environment. And I agree with that now.
Gratitude is vitally important.
Being unhappy in a job is miserable, no money is worth staying in a bad job