Different Perspectives on Depression

1. What is depression?

I don't want to give the technical, science-y answer that I'm sure a lot of people have given. I think the simplest definition I can give is that depression is a lack of interest in life. (This definition is my opinion - I understand if people disagree with it.) It's so complex to me that I feel like if I try to explain it in anymore detail, thiswill turn into a book. A very long book.

2. Why do our brains allow us to become depressed?

This is a hard question. I think depression might almost be a defense mechanism though. When we're overwhelmed by life and our emotions, we back away from them. Maybe the brain thinks it's helping us. This isn't coming from a psych expert or anything though.

3. What are ways of combatting depression?

One of my favorite things I learned from my DBTDiary is to act the opposite of how you feel. I think the more involved you are (so long as you're not overly involved), the less depressed you feel. I understand that this isn't the case for everyone, though.

4. Would we be better off without emotions?

Absolutely not! Firstly, our emotions make life interesting. Secondly, they help guide us to what we, personally, really desire. (I haven't quite decided what that means yet. I'm just going to hope it makes sense...)

5. Can we teach ourselves to think positively?

Yes! It's not easy, but it's possible. It takes awareness, practice, and dedication. I do think it's easier with the support of someone else, but it's possible to do without.

6. Will we ever evolve not to feel depression?

Meaning as a species? I highly doubt it. In fact, it seems like more and more people are developing depression, so if anything, itmight be the opposite. Although I can see why people would argue that we would evolve to not feel depression because of natural selection.

7. Is happiness worthwhile without sadness?

I don't think so. Without sadness, happiness would just feel... normal.

8. What causes depression?

Chemical imbalancesin the brain. The environment. Heredity. I don't have any opinions aside from the typical textbook answers.

9. Does depression always remain a part of you?

It definitely will impact your future I believe, at least to some extent, so I'd say so. By saying that I don't mean it's impossible to overcome.

This is really interesting! Thanks for asking this.

Depression is being sad and not being able to come out of that feeling.Not necessary that it will hit lonely people or people who have suffered a lot in their life.

We all go through it at some point or the other, where we feel bored or we are not satisfied with our work etc. But depressed people believe that there is no way out.

It is very difficult to make them see the positive side, as they will give you many reasons to support their outlook. For them the door was always closed, and there is nothing they can or could do about it.

The first thing is to look at what they eat. Food plays a vital role in our lives. Next is making them come in contact with nature. Looking at sunrise or a starry night , playing with pets or even watching them play, going for a morning walk breathing in the fresh air etc. helps a lot.

Many of us live a lonely life, without friends or family to support us round the clock.So it is important for us to take care of ourselves, do things that make us happy.

Depressed people feel they are useless or life is meaningless, so I mostly suggest them to volunteer in a charity organization or a cultural program, teach unprivilidged children, cook something for the oldage homes or anything that helps them use the talent they have.

This helps them realize that they are important. Making another person smile is the best source of happiness.

However there are some severe cases too which need to be handledin a different way.

This is my way of avoiding people to fall into the black hole called depression, for people who show early signs of being depressed. Hope it helps:)

1. What is depression?

Fear ot the past and hatred inward

2. Why do our brains allow us to become depressed?

Evolutionary,environmental, and biological (inherited through past trauma in family lines).

3. What are ways of combatting depression?

Meetin our emotional, physical,mental, and if applicable spiritual needs.

4. Would we be better off without emotions?

Depends. If we all never had emotions then possibly. All other senarios not so mcu.

5. Can we teach ourselves to think positively?

Yes as long as our brains are not too organically compromised.

6. Will we ever evolve not to feel depression?

No.

7. Is happiness worthwhile without sadness?

No. You can contrast the other with feel both ends and you can't appreciate happiness without feeling sadness.

8. What causes depression?

Not meeting are human needs and biological factors.

9. Does depression always remain a part of you?

Yes, even when we recover its like the black dog that Winston Churchill spoke of; it always follows you.

And I'm sure there was a ton else that I'm missing! Please feel free to contribute/talk about it here!

1. What is depression? depression is a physical chemical imbalance in the brain. We don't get as muchserotonin as a standard person would during each day.

2. Why do our brains allow us to become depressed?Again, all it is is a chemical imbalance. We're meant to have more chemicals released in our brains to make us happy than we have actually being released.

3. What are ways of combatting depression?There is nothing worse for depression than giving in to sitting around and doing nothing. Exercise, going out into the world and love and support from positive influences are the best things for someone suffering from depression. However, these are also the hardest to do so it's important to be understanding when it is hard for them to do.

4. Would we be better off without emotions?Absolutely not. I've been on an anti depressant that made me feel like a robot. I had no feelings or emotions, I was just blank and it was horrible. I'd rather have depression than feel nothing.

5. Can we teach ourselves to think positively?It is without a doubt one of the hardest things you'll ever have to do, but yes. We can. I've found a lot of questions will help you move past negative thinking easier. "who am I helping by thinking this way?" "what do i want to achieve" "what's the best way to do that" "will anything change if I sit here and play on the computer or do I have to try?" etc

6. Will we ever evolve not to feel depression?Here's to hoping.

7. Is happiness worthwhile without sadness?Not at all. What is happiness without sadness? How do we know when we're happy if we're never not happy?

8. What causes depression?please refer to answer 1 and 2 ;)

9. Does depression always remain a part of you?Absolutely. It's a chemical imbalance! There's nothing you can really do to "fix" that. That being said, there are ways to make your depression more managable for you. You can't stop the negative thoughts from coming into your head, but you can control how it makes you feel and how you will respond to it. It's a lot of work but it's 100% worth it.