Posted by jay on August 2, 2003, at 3:07:08
In reply to can recovery from depression be achieved?, posted by zeugma on August 1, 2003, at 20:43:57
> http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/52/11/1469#T2
>
> An article of interestInteresting article, but I honestly believe there is so much more hope, in particular when people are able to get some non-judgmental help from a partner, friend, parents, etc. In fact, I think the 'healing process' often only begins after many years of difficulties. It's like you have to 're-build' yourself, and you question and choose from everything you had in your 'previous' life. In the Western world, we have created a society that is big on many, many unnatural stressors. Money, time, and social status (mixed with materialism and greed) play a massive role in how we define ourselves. Depression and other mental illness can rob you of those things, or achieving them, whichever way you look at it. Most 'generic' mental health treatment is absolutely hideous! Many doctors and psychiatrists often blame the patient for not getting the 'expected' response out medication. I blame the SSRI's in part, because along came these meds that *any* doctor could prescribe, and not only that, but their limited knowledge of mental health made them think often a single pill, if at the most maybe two, could cohesively treat depression. I am not saying anything against SSRI/SNRI's, they are often excellent meds, but what about all of all other aspects of both your illness and your life around you. What about the therapeutic effect of conversation about the 're-building' of yourself? As a social worker I learn't plenty about these last two things, and there is some good research which shows parallels between depression and the grieving process. Many of us are sad for a few reasons: a) we feel our 'old-self' has abandoned us and b)we 'grieve' for this, and the world around us doesn't seem to have the time of day to acknowledge this. Many of the classic symptoms of grief seem to shadow those of depression. I am not trying to 'medicalize' grief, but it's time this severity, and complexity is acknowledged.
My depression was thrown to the center of the earth when I endured my own grieving tragedies, of losing my only child and likely my future wife to death. We are now 6-7 years past that, but that absolute dreadful feeling of loss and shock when it all happened feels so close to my enduring depression, which was bad around even before my tragedies.
Anyhow...just my .02 cents, but I hope folks can take something away from this. In fact it really has *nothing* to do with being *strong; but everything in the to be as brave as we have been, and there is bravado in reaching out extensively for help.
Best,
Jay
poster:jay
thread:247483
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030728/msgs/247526.html