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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mal on September 26, 2002, at 13:34:34
I am curious to know about the generally accepted treatment (if there is any) for a depressed person who has something to be depressed about.
For instance, I am sometimes depressed, but there is no situation in my life that causes me anxiety or sadness. Therefore I believe that my depression is probably a chemical or hormonal problem.
But when someone has a situation in their life that causes stress, anxiety and depression, what do doctors do? Obviously, removing oneself from the situation would be the best action to take, but often with family problems it is not possible. And isn't depression a *natural* response to a depressing situation?
I suppose that a Pdoc would assess the functionality of the patient and decide whether "talk" therapy and suggestions about how to deal with the situation would be sufficient. If medication is necessary to make the patient more responsive to "talk" therapy, when would/should the Rx be discontinued?
Thanks for your ideas on this.
Mal
Posted by madison88 on September 26, 2002, at 14:47:32
In reply to Situational depression??, posted by Mal on September 26, 2002, at 13:34:34
A cognitive behavioral psychologist would argue that it is always possible to not be depressed in any situation. they would argue that anytime someone is depressed, it is because of negative thought patterns and illogical thoughts, regardless of the situation. Even if someone in a bad situation, there is always the ability to think yourself healthy and to not be depressed. I may sound Pollyanaish, but it has worked for me in the past. They really stress a person's ability to choose how they react to any given situation, no matter how horrible. Actually, I have found a therapist who works from this perspective and i am hoping it will work out to see her. Only thing is, she is right across the hall from my old therapist. OOpps! Oh well, we will all have to be professional about it. Even me, a professional client. (Hah)
Another thing, someone in a bad situation still has a good chance of responding to meds. stressful/traumatice experiences alter brain chemistry, which can be helped by meds. The question is, what causes brain chem to become unbalanced in people who have good lives? (Assuming both are genetically predisposed to developing the condition.)What do you think?
Posted by Mal on September 26, 2002, at 15:59:48
In reply to Re: Situational depression??, posted by madison88 on September 26, 2002, at 14:47:32
Maybe negative thought patterns act like a traumatic experience and alter brain chemistry in an otherwise happy person. So someone in my situation could possibly learn to think in better patterns to prevent the depression brought on by negative thoughts?
More later...
Posted by Mal on September 27, 2002, at 10:13:46
In reply to Re: Situational depression??, posted by madison88 on September 26, 2002, at 14:47:32
OK, a better response to your idea:
Assuming the cognitive behaviorial psychologists are right, maybe brain chemistry (in a person with no situational reason for depression) gets messed up when the person thinks ultra negative thoughts or worries about the worst case scenarios. I consider myself to be a realist, not a pessimist, so I don't really think this idea fits me.
I have also read posts about physical illnesses or pain precipitating depression. Maybe illness or pain plus "negative thought patterns" equals altered brain chemistry resulting in depression? If the patient doesn't know of the illness, or if the pain is low-grade, they would perceive no situation to be depressed about. Just a thought...
But as you mentioned, I think genetic predisposition to chemical imbalances in the brain play a role in the development of symptoms. And what about hormones? They affect mood, and if they were imbalanced they could cause depression in a person with no situational depressive stimulus...
What do you say?
Posted by Phil on September 27, 2002, at 12:41:39
In reply to Re: Situational depression??, posted by madison88 on September 26, 2002, at 14:47:32
CBT is great at reminding us that we have a choice how to respong to situations.
Think above your thoughts, feel above your feelings.
I need to get back into therapy. Anyone have 20 grand?Phil
> A cognitive behavioral psychologist would argue that it is always possible to not be depressed in any situation. they would argue that anytime someone is depressed, it is because of negative thought patterns and illogical thoughts, regardless of the situation. Even if someone in a bad situation, there is always the ability to think yourself healthy and to not be depressed. I may sound Pollyanaish, but it has worked for me in the past. They really stress a person's ability to choose how they react to any given situation, no matter how horrible. Actually, I have found a therapist who works from this perspective and i am hoping it will work out to see her. Only thing is, she is right across the hall from my old therapist. OOpps! Oh well, we will all have to be professional about it. Even me, a professional client. (Hah)
>
> Another thing, someone in a bad situation still has a good chance of responding to meds. stressful/traumatice experiences alter brain chemistry, which can be helped by meds. The question is, what causes brain chem to become unbalanced in people who have good lives? (Assuming both are genetically predisposed to developing the condition.)What do you think?
Posted by madison88 on September 27, 2002, at 13:02:07
In reply to Re: Situational depression?? » madison88, posted by Mal on September 27, 2002, at 10:13:46
What you said sounds right. Negative thought patterns can traumatize oneself in and of themselves. Minor discomfort due to physical illness can also cause depression. Actually, one of my meds caused my eyesight to get really blurry last Christmas. It happened so gradually that I didn't realize that my eyesight was bad. All I knew was that i couldn't get my paper written; i couldn't stay focused on reading. I got really depressed and frustrated. Once I switched meds, it went away and I realized how bad my vision had been, and how depressed i had been about it.
I think that cognitive behavioralism really works for people with less severe depression. In any depression there are negative thought patterns, but in less severe depression esp if you get rid of them, it can really help. Being logical doesn't always mean you don't have negative thought patterns. they can appear very logical to oneself, and it takes somebody else to show you that they aren't right. Plenty of very logical people have attempted/completed suicide.
I do think that some people have a greater genetic disposition to depression, although it is hard to point out b/c it tends to mix woth life experiences. Someone who grows up with depressed parents has both a genetic predisition and life experiences that tend to promote depression.
We've got some good ideas, i think
yeah for us!madison
Posted by Mr. SadPuppyDog on September 27, 2002, at 14:06:42
In reply to Situational depression??, posted by Mal on September 26, 2002, at 13:34:34
> I am curious to know about the generally accepted treatment (if there is any) for a depressed person who has something to be depressed about.
>
> For instance, I am sometimes depressed, but there is no situation in my life that causes me anxiety or sadness. Therefore I believe that my depression is probably a chemical or hormonal problem.
>
> But when someone has a situation in their life that causes stress, anxiety and depression, what do doctors do? Obviously, removing oneself from the situation would be the best action to take, but often with family problems it is not possible. And isn't depression a *natural* response to a depressing situation?
>
> I suppose that a Pdoc would assess the functionality of the patient and decide whether "talk" therapy and suggestions about how to deal with the situation would be sufficient. If medication is necessary to make the patient more responsive to "talk" therapy, when would/should the Rx be discontinued?
>
> Thanks for your ideas on this.
>
> Mal
True situational depression is not a psychiatric nor psychological illness. It is experienced by EVERYONE at one time or another. Situational depressions dont need any kind of treatment, especially drug treatment (psychiatric). Situational depressions go away on their own, nature takes its course and soon you are naturally back to normal.You might be confusing situational depression with mild, chronic depression known as dysthymia. Dysthymia usually doesnt need medications, although many MDs these days will prescribe SSRIs in a heartbeat for dysthymia. Dysthymia is best treated using nondrug approaches. Such as talk therapy, such as CBT. Some dysthymics get better with ANY kind of talk therapy. Also, making lifestyle changes are VERY important for dysthymia. Such as eliminating booze from your lifestyle. Booze is responsible for a lot of the cases of dysthymia, and you dont even have to be an alcoholic just a regular "social drinker." Booze depresses you like crazy, although it feels good at the time. You just dont realize it...booze is the sneakiest drug ever invented. It creeps up on you, creating dysthymia over time.
Other things to do for mild depression include solving life problems, such as improving your financial situation, improving your marital situation or relationships with loved ones, ditching a job thats driving you insane and finding more meaningful, enjoyable work, etc. These are the sorts of things that help dysthymia, not drugs.
Drugs are needed in the more severe forms of depression, where you have experienced severe breakdown of basic bodily functions such as sleeping, eating and sex drive.
No doctor should put you on antidepressants for situational depression. It goes away on its own and is a natural part of life.
Mr. Sad PuppyDog
Posted by JLM on October 1, 2002, at 0:43:33
In reply to Re: Situational depression??, posted by Mr. SadPuppyDog on September 27, 2002, at 14:06:42
> > I am curious to know about the generally accepted treatment (if there is any) for a depressed person who has something to be depressed about.
> >
> > For instance, I am sometimes depressed, but there is no situation in my life that causes me anxiety or sadness. Therefore I believe that my depression is probably a chemical or hormonal problem.
> >
> > But when someone has a situation in their life that causes stress, anxiety and depression, what do doctors do? Obviously, removing oneself from the situation would be the best action to take, but often with family problems it is not possible. And isn't depression a *natural* response to a depressing situation?
> >
> > I suppose that a Pdoc would assess the functionality of the patient and decide whether "talk" therapy and suggestions about how to deal with the situation would be sufficient. If medication is necessary to make the patient more responsive to "talk" therapy, when would/should the Rx be discontinued?
> >
> > Thanks for your ideas on this.
> >
> > Mal
>
>
> True situational depression is not a psychiatric nor psychological illness. It is experienced by EVERYONE at one time or another. Situational depressions dont need any kind of treatment, especially drug treatment (psychiatric). Situational depressions go away on their own, nature takes its course and soon you are naturally back to normal.
>
> You might be confusing situational depression with mild, chronic depression known as dysthymia. Dysthymia usually doesnt need medications, although many MDs these days will prescribe SSRIs in a heartbeat for dysthymia. Dysthymia is best treated using nondrug approaches. Such as talk therapy, such as CBT. Some dysthymics get better with ANY kind of talk therapy. Also, making lifestyle changes are VERY important for dysthymia. Such as eliminating booze from your lifestyle. Booze is responsible for a lot of the cases of dysthymia, and you dont even have to be an alcoholic just a regular "social drinker." Booze depresses you like crazy, although it feels good at the time. You just dont realize it...booze is the sneakiest drug ever invented. It creeps up on you, creating dysthymia over time.
>
> Other things to do for mild depression include solving life problems, such as improving your financial situation, improving your marital situation or relationships with loved ones, ditching a job thats driving you insane and finding more meaningful, enjoyable work, etc. These are the sorts of things that help dysthymia, not drugs.
>
> Drugs are needed in the more severe forms of depression, where you have experienced severe breakdown of basic bodily functions such as sleeping, eating and sex drive.
>
> No doctor should put you on antidepressants for situational depression. It goes away on its own and is a natural part of life.
>
> Mr. Sad PuppyDog
>
I wholeheartedly agree. There are probably WAY too many people out there taking AD's for things that are merely situational. I was one of those people several years ago. The AD made me feel subjectively feel better, until the horrid side effects kicked in.I just started doing CBT, and its highly interesting. CBT in combination with biofeedback actually. The biofeedback actually allows you to SEE how your thoughts have an effect on your body, by measuring the activity of your sympathetic nervous system. Its really pretty fascinating.
Posted by Seedwoman on October 8, 2002, at 21:16:11
In reply to Re: Situational depression??, posted by Mr. SadPuppyDog on September 27, 2002, at 14:06:42
re: Mr. SadPuppyDog on situational depression
situational depression is not the same thing as dysthymia; unlike situational depression, dysthymia does not go away when the stressors are removed or after the precipitating event has ended, been resolved or been processed somehow (e.g. via psychotherapy). dysthymia can in fact be treated effectively with medication as well as therapy.
Posted by Mal on October 15, 2002, at 12:27:13
In reply to Situational depression??, posted by Mal on September 26, 2002, at 13:34:34
This is the end of the thread.
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