Symptoms vs. Diagnoses

[lmjt]

First...there's no such thing as depression; the concept depression does not exist without the characteristic symptoms that people experience. When people state they are depressed, it does them an disservice because what we are really experiencing is fear, restlessness, paralysis, disturbance in sleep, concentration, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, physical discomfort or pains, lack of energy, anger....there's more. When we seek out treatment we need to discuss the symptoms. It is the symptoms that are treated. Without the symptoms there is not depression; depression is merely a concept to describe the constellation of symptoms. Second, when we approach anyone for treatment bc the general public is poorly informed the term depression is mitigated to the perception of "sad" from other. Last point, when these symptoms persist there are actual changes to our brain; various neurophysiological changes that alter the brain which allow it to continue to operate in this dysfunctional manner. The brain is an organ - like any other organ in the human body it incurs some degree of damage. No pill - SSRI, SNRI, atypical etc., will correct any damage; at most it will address the low energy symptom of "depression" but we all know that's not sufficient. Psychopharamacology is necessary but insufficient to address the rainbow of symptoms with mood disorders.

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I agree with this.

[Blueruth]

you have a lot right but it isn’t that simple. I definitely agree that when they treat you with meds they are treating symptoms not cause. Even some kinds of therapy. Therapy is intended to get to underlying causes and teach strategies for moving forward. Meds aren’t. Not just therapy. People experience similar journey via spirituality and other ways. Humans are natural students of life. Maybe depression is more of a stuck place.

They have done studies that show evidence that if you use labels like bipolar or a depressive or having a disorder they fare worse than people who “have an illness “ as if they absorb the label as an identity. If you do have symptoms of bipolar I argue under control properly you also have more imaginative and engaging mind. As a culture we do not honor that.

[lmjt in reply to Blueruth]

I agree with your points also Blueruth; although I not clear what you mean re: the last two sentences you noted. I am referring to the constellation of symptoms re: the categorical vs. dimensional model of MI. I also find that people confuse MDD with Bipolar I (and II); the latter are more prone to severe persistent symptoms including those of psychotic nature. My main point is that the term "depression" has become a household term and the true nature of depression (not including acute episodes) has become grossly mitigated, and therefore people are rarely taken as serious as their symptoms are.

[Blueruth in reply to lmjt]

I was referring to mental illness in general. That study didn't really focus on one over the other. it was about labels and treatment. They are considered on a spectrum though. You said "When people state they are depressed, it does them a disservice...". "are" can refer a state or an identity." "I am Irish"for example. When people make it an identity they often act as if they can't change. These are the people that (doctors and patients) think they must be on meds for the rest of their lives. That somehow they are defective rather than ill. You can recover from an illness. I don't mean to state everyone can get off meds. Mental illness is complicated and involves every part of your body and mind. We know nothing compared to other illnesses. But I know your perception can affect how you heal or what you do to heal.

As a term depression has multiple but related meanings. It can be a temporary sadness or something more clinical. It can be caused by a natural event (loss of a loved one or a serious illness) or not so natural trauma. I like the analogy of being "stuck". (Side note: that is actually the theory behind psychedelics.) I am not sure if chronic depression is nature or nurture or both. We all experience it... that I know. It is a household term. The rush to medicate says to me we should hide it. As you said... treat the symptoms not the person. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. I did that a couple years ago but I treated it as a temporary treatment... when I was going through a patch bad enough that I needed that kind of help. It isn't so shameful anymore though. I don't have a problem saying I was in therapy or treatment to friends. Even in a safe work environment. It depends on what generation you grew up in and location.

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Very true. I’d prefer Brain Disease over the word Depression.

[AnxiousSilver]

"No pill - SSRI, SNRI, atypical etc., will correct any damage; at most it will address the low energy symptom of "depression" but we all know that's not sufficient. Psychopharamacology is necessary but insufficient to address the rainbow of symptoms with mood disorders. "

So what's the solution then?

Talk therapy?

.

*Please forgive me if that came off as sarcastic, because that wasn't my intent*

I'm just going through a lot of trauma/mental pain over the past 5 years, and got hit with a lot more negative news recently, and see nothing but problems in my upcoming future.