Posted by Steeler Tookahn on July 28, 2000, at 15:02:35
In reply to Re: Good evidence-what counts, posted by Sgbt5 on July 28, 2000, at 10:30:09
Sgbt5,
Here's my take on it. I think there are so many different theories and approaches to depression because there are so many degrees of the illness. I think some depression can be helped with good diet and exercise, or psychotherapy, stress reduction, medication or a combination therein. But there are some very severe cases that come out of nowhere, and respond to nothing but medication.
Mine is like that. It has been since I was a child. It is not set off by any stress or any external stimuli that I have ever been able to determine -or the doctors have been able to determine.
In between bouts of depression I have a great life. I love my work, girlfriend, friends, and I believe I have high self-esteem. But this depression can strike at any time and nothing short of medication will help. And I've tried EVERYTHING. It is particularly distressing to me that it has struck at times when I've been in great shape, running daily and eating well.On the other hand, I have been under almost unbearable stress several times and have suffered loses (as has everyone else) but it has never precipitated a depression.
I have always been one of those annoying people who is convinced that I can succeed at any thing I put my mind to so it has been a hard and humbling lesson to learn that I cannot control this illness by "will". I think that the people at PB who have a clearly endogenous illness that responds to nothing but medication have come to this position begrudgingly and don't want to have their time wasted by those people who don't believe there is a biochemical basis to their illness. For those whose lives are crippled but can still get something out of talk therapy or other lifestyle changes, these folks probably have a hard time understanding the "stubbornness" of those who can find no relief from other than medication.That being said, I think a lot of people here are open to new ideas. They are by and large a savvy bunch so they don't waste much time investigating specious theories. Fortunately, facts seem to matter a lot here.
Thanks for your input, Sgbt5.Steeler
poster:Steeler Tookahn
thread:41519
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000717/msgs/41585.html