Debate : what’s your view?

[Vampyhooch]

Can depression be cured naturally or does it need medication? What’s your experience?

Real depression (ie chemical imbalance) needs medication. Circumstantial ‘depression’ doesn’t.

@Cloudsarebright

Real depression (ie chemical imbalance) needs medication. Circumstantial ‘depression’ doesn’t.

There is much evidence now that debunks this myth

and yes depression does not necessarily need drugs

I think it depends on the severity and the cause.
I will always need medication and whilst I don’t like it, I have accepted it.

It depends.

Some depression is circumstancial (e.g. after a relationship breakdown). That can be solved without medication.

Some depression is because we are not having our fundamental human needs met. All humans need connection, purpose and growth. Without these we feel lonely, stuck, unfulfilled and that can lead to stress and depression. That can be solved without medication.

Finally you have the chemical imbalance sort where neither of the above apply. IMO it usually needs medication.

If it's mild/moderate a combination of nutrition, exercise, lifestyle change and mindset work can solve it. Otherwise meds are needed.

Oh and healing from childhood trauma should be added to the fundamental human needs list!

I hate this. People confidently trotting out that depression doesn't need medication.

If I hadn't had 6 months of antidepressants after PND I'd probably be dead. It wasn't a bit of a low mood, it was severe, like a form of torture.

Are anti-depressants over prescribed? Yes. But to suggest most depression doesn't need medication is a hell of a generalisation.

@thewisp

I hate this. People confidently trotting out that depression doesn't need medication.

If I hadn't had 6 months of antidepressants after PND I'd probably be dead. It wasn't a bit of a low mood, it was severe, like a form of torture.

Are anti-depressants over prescribed? Yes. But to suggest most depression doesn't need medication is a hell of a generalisation.

Is it perhaps that mild forms can be dealt with via natural methods but more severe forms that have occurred because of a chemical imbalance actually need meds same as someone would need insulin for diabetes perhaps?

It sounds like meds were definitely beneficial for you x

@wheresmymojo

It depends.

Some depression is circumstancial (e.g. after a relationship breakdown). That can be solved without medication.

Some depression is because we are not having our fundamental human needs met. All humans need connection, purpose and growth. Without these we feel lonely, stuck, unfulfilled and that can lead to stress and depression. That can be solved without medication.

Finally you have the chemical imbalance sort where neither of the above apply. IMO it usually needs medication.

If it's mild/moderate a combination of nutrition, exercise, lifestyle change and mindset work can solve it. Otherwise meds are needed.

This makes sense. Perhaps the severity of the depression can determine whether natural ways can help or whether meds are needed. It sucks that there is such a stigma with the meds. Mental health is a real problem just like physical issues such as diabetes cancer etc

I’m only speaking from years and years of experience in and out of psych unit hospitals.

@Cloudsarebright

I’m only speaking from years and years of experience in and out of psych unit hospitals.

Where is the line between circumstantial depression and chemical imbalance? I’ve often wondered this. When does it become severe enough to have to be hospitalised? (Genuine interest not being pedantic in any way).

I had severe, suicidal ideation type depression and now I dont. Thd difference? Therapy.

For me ADs didn't work but I realise everyone is different.

@thewisp

I hate this. People confidently trotting out that depression doesn't need medication.

If I hadn't had 6 months of antidepressants after PND I'd probably be dead. It wasn't a bit of a low mood, it was severe, like a form of torture.

Are anti-depressants over prescribed? Yes. But to suggest most depression doesn't need medication is a hell of a generalisation.

And I hate people confidently trotting out that it does (see my post above)

@Vampyhooch
Hospitalisation is required when it’s the only solution to keep someone safe - for me that meant I had spiralled into my anorexia as a result of depression, but suicidality is obviously key factor.

Hospital doesn’t make you better - it’s stressful and restrictive and it totally diminishes your quality of life.

It does however keep you safe until you’re able to safely enter into real recovery.

@CloudsCanLookLikeSheep

I had severe, suicidal ideation type depression and now I dont. Thd difference? Therapy.

For me ADs didn't work but I realise everyone is different.

Yes I suppose people react differently to different interventions.

Like for example I guess cbt wouldn’t work at al well for severe depression where as it may well do so for mild to moderate?

[quote Cloudsarebright]@Vampyhooch
Hospitalisation is required when it’s the only solution to keep someone safe - for me that meant I had spiralled into my anorexia as a result of depression, but suicidality is obviously key factor.

Hospital doesn’t make you better - it’s stressful and restrictive and it totally diminishes your quality of life.

It does however keep you safe until you’re able to safely enter into real recovery.[/quote]
Yes I had a feeling you would say sucidial ideation may be a reason for admission. Did you find meds helped you? Even if the hospital stay didn’t

It’s a fine line between circumstantial and chemical imbalance and I suspect it crosses over and may often be a bit of both.
I certainly don’t think anyone’s a failure if they need anti-depressants and it is circumstantial. Everyone is different and a fair amount will often be down to their support they have around them (or lack of) and, as has been mentioned, whether basic needs are being met.
Regards to hospitalisation and when’s it’s needed, it’s when you’re a genuine and significant risk to yourself. A lot will also, sadly, depend on what’s available.

@GreenPop

It’s a fine line between circumstantial and chemical imbalance and I suspect it crosses over and may often be a bit of both. I certainly don’t think anyone’s a failure if they need anti-depressants and it is circumstantial. Everyone is different and a fair amount will often be down to their support they have around them (or lack of) and, as has been mentioned, whether basic needs are being met. Regards to hospitalisation and when’s it’s needed, it’s when you’re a genuine and significant risk to yourself. A lot will also, sadly, depend on what’s available.

Yes and perhaps in chemical imbalance cases, they have the family support around them but maybe it’s beyond that? That the imbalance needs sorting

Absolutely.
It’s definitely not one size fits all.

@GreenPop

Absolutely. It’s definitely not one size fits all.

Makes you wonder if in cases where antidepressants haven’t been beneficial is maybe because the cause wasn’t a chemical imbalance?

Or they weren’t the right tablets.
Some people respond better to different types Of anti depressants (ssri, tricyclics etc) or even a different type of drug entirely (mood stabilisers, anti psychotic etc).
I think there’s so much they /we don’t understand about depression, other than it feels shit!

@GreenPop

Or they weren’t the right tablets. Some people respond better to different types Of anti depressants (ssri, tricyclics etc) or even a different type of drug entirely (mood stabilisers, anti psychotic etc). I think there’s so much they /we don’t understand about depression, other than it feels shit!

Yeah that’s a possibility too. It seems quite common for people to not get on with the first lot & give up or find the side effects too much to cope with.

Definitely does feel awful. The worst thing is trying to explain it to someone who has never been through it. To try and explain the pain your going through internally when you look your normal self on the outside. They just don’t understand I don’t think