Discussion time! Can depression be prevented?

I think in certain circumstances it might be. In cases where a specific event, kicked off a downward spiral

For example: Let's say a person had a serious gambling addiction. They could have lost the majority of their money. Leading to losing their house, followed by a divorce, and ending in depression. Had they beat the gambling addiction... all the rest could hav been avoided

@harrytheunicorn

Seasonal Affective Disorder could be prevented by getting enough sunlight (UVB for D3 production) year round living in an area of the world with less cloud cover making it easier to achieve.

In cases where it runs in family it's very hard to determine whether or not some are predisposed to having chemical imbalances occur.

I think I did so for myself when things were getting really difficult. Seeking help, support, and things that got me out of the house despite how horrible I was feeling were part of that.

Yes and no. There can be traumatic events or incidents that affect us really negatively that kickstart depression but long-term extreme sadness isn't depression..unless it occurs long term so you have decreased brain dopamine=clinical depression. Also since it isn't one-size-fits-all increasing brain dopamine with anti-depressants alone may not work. Also depends on the person's tendency to being depressed, like existing medical history/genetics. Someone can be in a well-supported environment and still feel sad for no reason ie. depressed. You can also feel sad from feeling existential, in which case regardless of environmental influence it depends on the person themselves to be at peace with their perspective.

@harrytheunicorn Perhaps not prevented, but managed well enough to allow the individual to cope. Thank you for posting this, it's some food for thought! :-)

Honestly, I think dwelling on your negative thoughts which causes depression can be prevented. As far as having negative thoughts, Im unsure..

Good question. I dont know. If depression could be prevented, would as many people have it that do? But on the other hand, some people who dwell on their negaitive thoughts, might be able to get better. Or some people who have situational depression who caused the situation themselves, could change that situation and get better. But sometimes depression is not caused by a situation, it just happens and no i dont think that can be prevented, but I do think that it can be controlled and people can do things to help themselves and control their depression to an extent. But i also think it depends on each person and their situation, and what their life is life.

I think depression has a lot of different causes, and some cases can be prevented based on what we know now. It isn't necessarily the depressed person who can prevent them (many cases of depression could be prevented by social measures to improve access to adequate nutrition and health care, and reduce different forms of abuse and violence, but the person who suffers isn't always the one with the power to prevent the problem). Maybe some day it will all be, but for now, some of it has unknown causes, or causes that can't be prevented, and it needs to be treated when it happens.

I think it can be prevented if it is recognized and treated before it gets worse/severe. However, it just depends on what causes it i.e. if it was heartbreak then preventing it would be very very hard. I think depression is more complicated than people think and it does have solutions but overall preventing it would be really hard. This is not to say that you cannot get over depression. With the right medication that is possible.