Posted by T_R_D on March 31, 2003, at 13:59:40
In reply to Triggers for Treatment Resistant Depression?, posted by bretbe on March 31, 2003, at 0:16:34
> Wondering about other's triggers for onset of mental illnesses specifically treatment resistant depression, bipolar II (NOS) and other subjectively miserable states.
>
> I had specific event in life at age 19 that triggered onset of what would become severe treatment resistant depression. My trigger was extreme guilt/anxiety about minor sexual event (masturbation) having grown up in very religious environment. Psychiatrists would label guilt as "over-valued" but in my reality at the time it was realistic as there were high expectations for my personal behavior...a lot of personal, familial, and social pressure to be religiously "pure" at time. Guilt/anxiety so emotionally/mentally traumatizing I would characterize continued response throughout years as post-traumatic stress of sorts.
>
> Again, wondering if others can remember very specific trigger for suddent onset as opposed to gradual over time.Hi there, I didn't have any "specific" trigger that I relate directly to my TRD...hence my handle. I have basically been depressed for as long as I remember--since about the age of 6?
What finally brought me to seek treatment (i.e. my coping strategies obliterated) was just a *fight* I had had with a girlfriend. Something that certainly wasn't pleasant at the time
but hardly enough to make me clinically depressed for all my years to come.It's an interesting phenom. though. My own personal theory is that it's a genetic predisposition that creates an atmosphere for TRD. Most of the people I've met that seem to lack this
feature (i.e. become depressed after a single traumatic event) seem to have a better chance of going into remission. Just my own thoughts though...if there was a definite corellation I'm
sure a doctor would have found it by now...Best of luck!
poster:T_R_D
thread:214622
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030329/msgs/214752.html