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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 7 to 31 of 45. Go back in thread:
Posted by linkadge on September 29, 2002, at 16:05:48
In reply to Why ADs don’t work on Sad Puppy Dog and others..., posted by Arthur Gibson on September 29, 2002, at 6:33:15
People always tend to put depression in
terms of their specific life events.I honestly believe that depression can
be completely chemical.The problem is that EVERYONE experiences
depression to a certain degree. And because
most people don't stay there for long,
they think they have found the key to
everyone's depression. This is not the case.People can be *very* chemically imballenced
by cause of no external events. My great
grandmother would sit in a chair facing the
wall, for 10 months of the year for the duration
of her depressions. Some peoples depression
intereferes with their life, and other people's
consumes every aspect of it.All I ask is that people offer suggestions
on this site, and never rationalize the
suffering of another, in terms of your own.Linkadge
Posted by oracle on September 29, 2002, at 16:46:30
In reply to How to find the ROOT CAUSE, posted by Arthur Gibson on September 29, 2002, at 13:28:29
The root cause for my depression and LD was being born. I was born with an LD and the depression followed, 20 years after my birth. So, to use your excercise, my only choice is to not be born !
Posted by JaneB on September 29, 2002, at 17:00:52
In reply to How to find the ROOT CAUSE, posted by Arthur Gibson on September 29, 2002, at 13:28:29
Arthur,
Is this like EMDR?JaneB
Posted by Geezer on September 29, 2002, at 17:32:29
In reply to Why ADs don’t work on Sad Puppy Dog and others..., posted by Arthur Gibson on September 29, 2002, at 6:33:15
Hi Arthur,
I respectfully and TOTALLY disagree.
"What's my real problem"? Genetically transferred, Biochemical, Physiologic, Brian Disorder, Unipolar Major Depression, Melancholic, and Chronic. In my case there is no psycho-social component. Yes, I have been the "talk therapy" route. I wouldn't go to a chiropractor for heart surgery.....why would I waste anymore time with psychological introspection?
All this aside - I am very happy you have found relief.
Best regards,
Posted by calaway on September 29, 2002, at 18:47:02
In reply to Depression can be completely chemical, posted by linkadge on September 29, 2002, at 16:05:48
Yes I agree that depression can and is in many cases completely chemical.
In my family (depression is also heretitary!) My grandmother went through many bouts of shock therapy, I was diagnosed 8 years ago, and finally my mother was just diagnosed 6 months ago. However there are many members of my family who are not depressed and may never be.
Here's what I believe. Depression IS a chemical imbalance that everyone experiences. Depression can be as simple as rainy day blues or a dificult as manic depression. The difference is how our individual body deals with or recovers from it. Some of our bodies are able to produce enough "chmicals" to bounce back, others bodies or brains(to be specific) just are not able to produce the chemical to function as "normal".
Here's my story. Just like Arthur my Families business was failing and my father and I had to try to save it. We eventually sold it and in the deal saved our jobs. So in merging for 6 months I work 16 hour days 5 days a week and 8 hours on the weekend. I knew I was getting too stressed and told my fiance I really needed a week off, but we were getting married a month later and I had arranged 3 weeks off for the wedding and honeymoon. To make the story shorter, the wedding was beautiful and over, My brain crashed. Our two week honeymoon lasted 4 days, I flew home sick. After 3 weeks of drs. test I finally woke up having a nervous break down.
What happened with me was that for 6 months my body over producing enough "chemical" to compensate the mental stress I was under. Once I went on my honeymoon and was able to relax My brain not only stopped producing a higher amount of the "chemical", but was no longer able to produce enough to function "normally". The anti-depressant help the brain produce the additional amount required to function normally. In many cases after 9 months of help the brain is able to take back over and many people are able to come off the anti-depressants. Or in my case my brain is no longer able to produce enough to remain normal and therefore I will forever be on anti-depressants. I had the guilt why am I so mentally weak, what's wrong with me, ect... But what I have realized this is a disese and the human body as a whole can have weak areas which can "break" (for lack of a better word) and need help to function. When ever I speak to someone who just started on anti-depressants and are going through the guilt, I also refer to my diabetes story. In many people the pancres can not produce any or enough insullin for the body to function properly. Therefore they rely on insullin shots to survive!. Some people are born this was, some develope in their 20's, 30's, 40's ect. Both are cases where our bodies are dependant on a chemical to function normally. I also tell them to be thankful our savior doesn't come in a needle.
Posted by mist on September 29, 2002, at 21:06:16
In reply to Why ADs don’t work on Sad Puppy Dog and others..., posted by Arthur Gibson on September 29, 2002, at 6:33:15
Arthur,
Your method sounds interesting and I believe it could work for some people. Depression has a chemical component but psychological/cognitive factors can be significant in depression as well. I'm glad you found something that helped you. Thanks for sharing it.
-mist
Posted by McPac on September 29, 2002, at 21:54:31
In reply to Depression can be completely chemical, posted by linkadge on September 29, 2002, at 16:05:48
linkadge, superbly stated and VERY true!
Posted by shar on September 29, 2002, at 23:40:15
In reply to Why ADs don’t work on Sad Puppy Dog and others..., posted by Arthur Gibson on September 29, 2002, at 6:33:15
The idea that there is a root cause for one's depression, that once identified and eliminated results in full remission, is very appealing. I believed it for a long time. But, I don't believe it anymore.
I think serious depression is much more complicated than that.
Shar
Posted by Arthur Gibson on September 30, 2002, at 2:02:48
In reply to Re: Why ADs don’t work on Sad Puppy Dog and others... » Arthur Gibson, posted by shar on September 29, 2002, at 23:40:15
Of course depression has a chemical cause. I agree.
But I am saying that finding the ROOT psychological cause can be beneficial in assisting the recovery of many people.
Doubtless finding the ROOT cause makes the chemicals sorts themselves out quicker and admittedly this may not work for many, but it seems to help some people, so give it a go.
Depression runs in my family, so it must also be inherited, but nevertheless, I think that facing the ROOT causes will help.
Posted by colin wallace on September 30, 2002, at 4:29:11
In reply to I agree with my critics, posted by Arthur Gibson on September 30, 2002, at 2:02:48
After 20 years or so of living in a parallel universe created by depression, and 3 years of suicidiality, I spent a lot of time searching for and attempting to unravel any deep-seated or even subtle psychological causes.
Concluding that this must be a psychological issue, I tried every means to force myself back to a properly functioning level- and still failed.
The simple addition of a neurological drug brought me back to life and the threw everything into clear perspective.
There was no pyschological component- only that created by an underlying, neurological malfunction.
I don't say this to exonerate myself so that I can feel better about it- it is a glaringly obvious fact for me and many others.
Posted by bonnie_ann on September 30, 2002, at 5:37:50
In reply to Depression is completely chemical READ!., posted by calaway on September 29, 2002, at 18:47:02
I am discouraged by the fact that I am no longer able to produce enough chemicals to be normal and need to be on medication forever. This is were the medical community has failed us and society is so ignorant to think that we are to blame. In this day and age we should be more evolved in this field. I'm appaled that the drug companies are genuinely in it for the money and not to give us a better quality of life.
Bonnie
Posted by oracle on September 30, 2002, at 14:31:11
In reply to I agree with my critics, posted by Arthur Gibson on September 30, 2002, at 2:02:48
We are saying that for some, the root cause is chemical. Just like many illnesses.
Posted by oracle on September 30, 2002, at 14:34:30
In reply to Re: Depression is completely chemical READ!., posted by bonnie_ann on September 30, 2002, at 5:37:50
I'm appaled that the drug companies are genuinely in it for the money and not to give us a better quality of life.
> Bonnie
>Then how do you suggest a drug company pay for research and development of new drugs ?
Posted by shar on September 30, 2002, at 21:09:32
In reply to I agree with my critics, posted by Arthur Gibson on September 30, 2002, at 2:02:48
The argument that finding the root psychological cause is necessary in order to recover from depression is used by many people (including medical professionals) to "blame the victim." In other words, if someone isn't getting better or doesn't make a full recovery it is their fault because they haven't done the work needed to find the root cause. And even if they're working hard in therapy, if they were working hard Enough, they'd be in full remission. I am pro-therapy, myself, and agree it can be very helpful in resolving depression, especially where depression occurs after a stressful life event, or is not very severe.
And I also know for many, many people depression is just chemical. It can hit people out of the blue, with no precipitating event and no deep childhood trauma, AND resolve with the use of meds, so that eventually meds can be eliminated. And then, years later, it can hit again, be just as severe, and be resolved again with meds. That is biology.
Shar
> Of course depression has a chemical cause. I agree.
>
> But I am saying that finding the ROOT psychological cause can be beneficial in assisting the recovery of many people.
>
> Doubtless finding the ROOT cause makes the chemicals sorts themselves out quicker and admittedly this may not work for many, but it seems to help some people, so give it a go.
>
> Depression runs in my family, so it must also be inherited, but nevertheless, I think that facing the ROOT causes will help.
>
Posted by Geezer on September 30, 2002, at 21:25:47
In reply to Concerns about the 'root cause' approach, posted by shar on September 30, 2002, at 21:09:32
I think you nailed it Char!
Posted by AlphaOne on October 1, 2002, at 0:06:04
In reply to Why ADs don’t work on Sad Puppy Dog and others..., posted by Arthur Gibson on September 29, 2002, at 6:33:15
I know of a guy who developed all a phobia that he was going to have a heart attack.
At the root of it lies that he is gay.
He won`t admit it to himself though.
Is your problem something into this direction?
Or childhood sexual abuse?
Posted by Arthur Gibson on October 1, 2002, at 3:28:39
In reply to Re: Why ADs don’t work on Sad Puppy Dog and others..., posted by AlphaOne on October 1, 2002, at 0:06:04
Excuse me, I'm trying to help the people who may respond to therapy.
We know that many people with even severe depression can recover with therapy alone, so you drug junkies can just pipe down.
I recovered with a combination of drug and therapy. I love E Lilly and Co so much that I am tempted to buy shares.
Nevertheless the fact remains that where drugs are not working, it may be wise to look for a root cause and not keep popping pils.
To hope that pills alone will cure, when there may be a bit of dysfunctional thinking that needs correcting, is to face a lifetime of misery.
Posted by Arthur Gibson on October 1, 2002, at 3:58:05
My discussion on why ADs don't work in some people is progressing to the top of the board and will soon be archived. So I am starting it up again here. I have found a useful quote at: http://www.financialsense.com/metals/sinclair/editorials/092602.htm
The article is about the economy, but it neatly sumarises what I think about depression therapy and drug treatment.
"A downward spiral in markets is not much different from a downward spiral in the human experience. In that sense, a downward spiral, such as depression, requires intervention in order to reverse it. Psychotropic drugs, as an intervention, are often prescribed in order to provide an intervened window that can prevent the depression down spiral from going to its predictable end. Should the patient grasp that opportunity provided by the intervention, taking a more positive look at their circumstance, real progress may occur in their lives."
That is what I am saying. Drugs alone are not enough. We need to grasp the window of oportunity that the drugs offer, or we will waste the effect.
Posted by turalizz on October 1, 2002, at 5:01:26
In reply to Depression in the economy and in people, posted by Arthur Gibson on October 1, 2002, at 3:58:05
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 1, 2002, at 7:44:08
In reply to Its not drugs v therapy, posted by Arthur Gibson on October 1, 2002, at 3:28:39
> We know that many people with even severe depression can recover with therapy alone, so you drug junkies can just pipe down.
Remember, the idea here is not to post anything that could lead others to feel accused or put down. Keeping that in mind, could you please rephrase the above? Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 1, 2002, at 8:01:34
In reply to Depression in the economy and in people, posted by Arthur Gibson on October 1, 2002, at 3:58:05
> My discussion on why ADs don't work in some people is progressing to the top of the board and will soon be archived. So I am starting it up again here.
Entire threads aren't archived, only the particular posts that have been up for a while. And keeping a thread together makes it easier for people to follow. So I've merged these two threads.
Bob
Posted by Arthur Gibson on October 1, 2002, at 8:25:23
In reply to Re: please rephrase that » Arthur Gibson, posted by Dr. Bob on October 1, 2002, at 7:44:08
I was hoping to get another "please be civil" for my "so you drug junkies can just pipe down" but I ended up with a "please re-phrase that" from the management.
I am not sure if a "please re-phrase that" is worth more or less points than a "please be civil" but I don't think that Mr Sad Puppy Dog ever scored a "please re-phrase that" so I conclude that I am still closing his lead on reprimands from Dr. Bob.
I lke and love everyone who reads or writes on this board and my only motivation is to assist their recovery from illness, just as they assisted my recovery.
So I will re-phrase "you drug junkies" to "the best contributors to any message board in the world."
"Pipe down" I will re-phrase to "stop disagreeing with me."
But you all knew that I meant that didn't you?!!
Posted by oracle on October 1, 2002, at 11:14:19
In reply to Its not drugs v therapy, posted by Arthur Gibson on October 1, 2002, at 3:28:39
> Excuse me, I'm trying to help the people who may respond to therapy.
You are no listening that we do therapy
>
> We know that many people with even severe depression can recover with therapy alone, so you drug junkies can just pipe down.Thanks for making your point clear !
Posted by oracle on October 1, 2002, at 14:17:14
In reply to Depression in the economy and in people, posted by Arthur Gibson on October 1, 2002, at 3:58:05
> That is what I am saying. Drugs alone are not enough. We need to grasp the window of oportunity that the drugs offer, or we will waste the effect.
I have been on AD's for over 20 years, and they
seem to be enough in my case. Given that they continue to work for all these years, I question
what you say about "we will waste the effect"If I had Diabetes, would you have me stop insulin ?
Posted by JLM on October 1, 2002, at 21:51:13
In reply to Re: Depression is completely chemical READ!., posted by oracle on September 30, 2002, at 14:34:30
> I'm appaled that the drug companies are genuinely in it for the money and not to give us a better quality of life.
> > Bonnie
> >
>
> Then how do you suggest a drug company pay for research and development of new drugs ?
>
My suggestion for them would be is:Instead of spending 2/3's of their money on advertising and 1/3 on drug development, spend more money on development. They could also spend way less money wooing the APA and psychiatrists with expensive lunches, vacations, and trips to the Bahama's.
Dunno, maybe I am just cynical? ;)
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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