Posted by SLS on May 29, 2000, at 14:36:31
In reply to Re: Drug-related Violence and Suicide (and more), posted by SLS on May 29, 2000, at 11:31:40
> > Psychotherapy is necessary (be it talking to a therapist, your pastor, a family member, or a friend) to recover from depression.
> No.
I did a disservice to the people here by reacting in this fashion. I confused "recovery" with "remission".
Sorry, Cam. (Meant in a different way this time).
1. In some cases, there is an interplay between the psychological and the biological that produces a depression for which psychotherapy can actually contribute to its "remission". Chronic stress resulting from psychological and emotional entanglements causes changes in the body, including the brain. When enough "depressive pressure" is applied for long enough, systems in the brain break-down. It is important to relieve this depressive pressure by addressing the psychological dynamics that is producing the stress.
2. When depression remits due to biological intervention, there often remains psychological, emotional, and behavioral scars that must heal. Counseling and psychotherapy can address this. In addition, relationships between family and friends are often shattered. One's whole life can be shattered, and the pieces must be put back together. This is much easier when the tools to help do this are made available, and healing is encouraged and facilitated by the emotional support of others.
This is "recovery".
I apologize for having displayed such a knee-jerk reaction to Cam's statement. I tend to go ballistic whenever anyone hints that there may be any psychological component to my illness. When my depression remits, within hours I am frolicking among the trees and the squirrels, visiting friends I haven't seen in years, and beginning to plan the rest of my life. I don't need any help with this. I recover on my own very quickly.
Sincerely,
Scott
poster:SLS
thread:32651
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000526/msgs/35122.html