Depression isn’t chemical and loneliness is more painful

[Bulletwbttrflywings]

I fucking love Joe Rogan and I frequently watch his YouTube channel. I found this one interesting enough to share here. The guy he has on states loneliness hurts more than being slapped by a stranger and being told that depression is a chemical imbalance makes us believe we're inherently broken and can't be fixed.

I wonder how true those statement is and how much it plays into the cycle of depression. Can we overcome it? Will I find my "home?"

Has that guy ever been depressed to understand the depths of darkness?

Here's the video if you're interested:

 

[SinisterKid]

If depression is just down to chemical imbalance, then why am I feeling the way I am right now after having taken medication to correct that supposed inblanace for 3 yrs? I dont doubt the chemical make up of my brain is somehow altered, but it is much more than that which is making me depressed. We are addressing the chemical issue with medication, but the psychological and spiritual aspects are neglected, so therefore I am feeling the way I do. Just throwing medication at something is not the answer to the overall problem. If it were, 90% of suicidal people would not be feeling suicidal because most have depressive episodes and are prescribed medication. It maybe not be that black and white, but I think it is pretty obvious.

Loneliness is a life choice for some. I have got used to being alone a lot of the time and it tends not to bother me nowadays. I actually look forward to being by myself, although in the winter months is definitely much harder. But loneliness can be painful for a lot of people and to suggest otherwise shows a basic lack of understanding about what loneliness actually is.

 

[Shamana]

If depression is just down to chemical imbalance, then why am I feeling the way I am right now after having taken medication to correct that supposed inblanace for 3 yrs? I dont doubt the chemical make up of my brain is somehow altered, but it is much more than that which is making me depressed. We are addressing the chemical issue with medication, but the psychological and spiritual aspects are neglected, so therefore I am feeling the way I do. Just throwing medication at something is not the answer to the overall problem. If it were, 90% of suicidal people would not be feeling suicidal because most have depressive episodes and are prescribed medication. It maybe not be that black and white, but I think it is pretty obvious.

Loneliness is a life choice for some. I have got used to being alone a lot of the time and it tends not to bother me nowadays. I actually look forward to being by myself, although in the winter months is definitely much harder. But loneliness can be painful for a lot of people and to suggest otherwise shows a basic lack of understanding about what loneliness actually is.

There are really no tests whatsoever that can measure your neurotransmitters in the brain and there is no definition of the chemical balance either. It's a sales trick by the big pharma because it makes them rich.

That doesn't mean that messing around with certain neurotransmitters cant work in some way, but it's like taking painkillers for headaches. The painkillers relieve the pain, but the headache is not caused by a lack of the chemicals that painkillers provide.

 

[LaBrava]

Speaking for myself any and all depression I've had is caused by external pressures. When those aren't present I'm not depressed. It's nothing to do with a 'chemical imbalance'.

 

[LMFAO FOCKERS]

There's situational depression and clinical depression. I wish the industry would stop lumping them together because it causes a bunch of unqualified, untrained fools to shoot off unqualified opinions based on their limited experience.

 

[Crystal Labeija]

An underactive thyroid can cause depression. Other than that, I don't think there is any other established science for depression being purely chemical/organic.

 

[Shamana]

An underactive thyroid can cause depression. Other than that, I don't think there is any other established science for depression being purely chemical/organic.

I belive sub-clinical hypothyroidism is severely underdiagnosed and many depressvies suffer from it
. There is a lot of evidence that references ranges for TSH etc are too broad and includes sick people

cytomel(T3) is one best and fast acting antidepressanst i've tried.

 

[Dawn0071111]

There's situational depression and clinical depression. I wish the industry would stop lumping them together because it causes a bunch of unqualified, untrained fools to shoot off unqualified opinions based on their limited experience.

I so agree with this. I personally have never been depresssed "for no identifiable reason" My heart goes out to people who have it this way... At least I can point to a trauma, but others are to feel broken or damaged because of genetics.

 

[Wayfaerer]

Speaking for myself any and all depression I've had is caused by external pressures. When those aren't present I'm not depressed. It's nothing to do with a 'chemical imbalance'.

Same. Maybe taking those pills in my youth screwed my brain up into needing them indefinitely now. If that's the case, then ctb is the preferable alternative then as opposed to big pharma profiting from my misery over a life-time.

 

[Mr M]

Same. Maybe taking those pills in my youth screwed my brain up into needing them indefinitely now. If that's the case, then ctb is the preferable alternative then as opposed to big pharma profiting from my misery over a life-time.

That's one of the reasons why I will never go on medication no matter how painful my depression might be. Also the so many side effects, not to mention that you might need to test different treatments until you find something that "works" for you.
I don't believe depression is a chemical imbalance, but rather it manifests as a chemical imbalance in the brain. The chemical imbalance is an expression of the depression. Scientist always confuse cause with effect. Also, the fact that there is a chemical imbalance means that you can actually be fixed, we just need to be brought back to balance! Problem is that all these doctors, psychologist, psychiatrist or whatever, have really no idea how to do that.

but the psychological and spiritual aspects are neglected

Exactly!

Have any of you guys tried psychedelics? That's the only "medication" I would like to take.

 

[Sweet emotion]

I don't think depression is always a chemical imbalance either. I'm physically sick with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome which is the highest ranking pain condition in medical history. I'm depressed and full of anxiety and fear. But if this condition was able to be treated I'd be able to be happy again. One time I was depressed because of a chemical imbalance. At least that is what I was told. I had a really bad bought with OCD when I was 15-17. The psychiatrist said I didn't have enough serotonin in my brain. If you're depressed for no particular reason or possibly depressed over something that doesn't really warrant depression than I would think there is a chemical imbalance in the brain. Like if you're depressed because you hate trees or something. Then there is something wrong. My pain management doctor wants me to talk to a therapist about my depression. As if that is going to cure my physical condition. It hurts too much to talk and to listen since one place I have this disease is inside my ears. So he wants to out me in more pain and then have me talk about the pain. I can talk until I'm blue in the face. It's not going to solve a damn thing. Once he blackmailed me into seeing a therapist and said if I didn't he wouldn't give me my pain meds. He's good at doing that. And it had to be a particular therapist that took 40 minutes to get to. And car rides are painful. So I had to take for over an hour. It took two weeks for the hightened pain to die down to my normal pain. So that caused even more depression.

I know a great deal about lonliness. Because the inside if my ears is one of the spots in my body that has this condition, I can't take any kind if sounds or noises. So I'm not able to go outside, talk, or liten to others talk. It's gotten progressively worse throughout these 14 years and I'm not at the point where I feel like I just can't be a part of this world anymore because it's just not possible. So 14 years in solitude only leaving the house to go to the doctors or to the hospital. I live with someone who cares for me since I can't do many things for myself because it hurts too much. But I want to have my own life. With my own friends, my own job, my own car, a boyfriend or husband. But it's just not possible. Being alone is one of the scariest feelings in the world. That's what I feel like....like the entire population has just disappeared and I'm the only person left on this Earth. And being that I'm an extrovert and enjoy being around people it's even harder to deal with. My family lives in the same town as I do but I just can't see them because they're too damn loud. We're Italian so it comes with the territory. Knowing that there is a whole world going on out there and I'm not sure part of it makes me sick. I still feel like I'm this 20 year old girl who is terrified and doesn't know what to do. I don't feel like a 34 year of woman.

 

[Bulletwbttrflywings]

If depression is just down to chemical imbalance, then why am I feeling the way I am right now after having taken medication to correct that supposed inblanace for 3 yrs? I dont doubt the chemical make up of my brain is somehow altered, but it is much more than that which is making me depressed. We are addressing the chemical issue with medication, but the psychological and spiritual aspects are neglected, so therefore I am feeling the way I do. Just throwing medication at something is not the answer to the overall problem. If it were, 90% of suicidal people would not be feeling suicidal because most have depressive episodes and are prescribed medication. It maybe not be that black and white, but I think it is pretty obvious.

Loneliness is a life choice for some. I have got used to being alone a lot of the time and it tends not to bother me nowadays. I actually look forward to being by myself, although in the winter months is definitely much harder. But loneliness can be painful for a lot of people and to suggest otherwise shows a basic lack of understanding about what loneliness actually is.

I can completely agree with your statement. 100%.
Loneliness is such a bitch.

I belive sub-clinical hypothyroidism is severely underdiagnosed and many depressvies suffer from it
. There is a lot of evidence that references ranges for TSH etc are too broad and includes sick people

cytomel(T3) is one best and fast acting antidepressanst i've tried.

I only wish I had health insurance so I could try to get some RX relief...

That's one of the reasons why I will never go on medication no matter how painful my depression might be. Also the so many side effects, not to mention that you might need to test different treatments until you find something that "works" for you.
I don't believe depression is a chemical imbalance, but rather it manifests as a chemical imbalance in the brain. The chemical imbalance is an expression of the depression. Scientist always confuse cause with effect. Also, the fact that there is a chemical imbalance means that you can actually be fixed, we just need to be brought back to balance! Problem is that all these doctors, psychologist, psychiatrist or whatever, have really no idea how to do that.



Exactly!

Have any of you guys tried psychedelics? That's the only "medication" I would like to take.

Shrooms have always been my anecdote... sadly it's not as available as I'd like it to be

I don't think depression is always a chemical imbalance either. I'm physically sick with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome which is the highest ranking pain condition in medical history. I'm depressed and full of anxiety and fear. But if this condition was able to be treated I'd be able to be happy again. One time I was depressed because of a chemical imbalance. At least that is what I was told. I had a really bad bought with OCD when I was 15-17. The psychiatrist said I didn't have enough serotonin in my brain. If you're depressed for no particular reason or possibly depressed over something that doesn't really warrant depression than I would think there is a chemical imbalance in the brain. Like if you're depressed because you hate trees or something. Then there is something wrong. My pain management doctor wants me to talk to a therapist about my depression. As if that is going to cure my physical condition. It hurts too much to talk and to listen since one place I have this disease is inside my ears. So he wants to out me in more pain and then have me talk about the pain. I can talk until I'm blue in the face. It's not going to solve a damn thing. Once he blackmailed me into seeing a therapist and said if I didn't he wouldn't give me my pain meds. He's good at doing that. And it had to be a particular therapist that took 40 minutes to get to. And car rides are painful. So I had to take for over an hour. It took two weeks for the hightened pain to die down to my normal pain. So that caused even more depression.

I know a great deal about lonliness. Because the inside if my ears is one of the spots in my body that has this condition, I can't take any kind if sounds or noises. So I'm not able to go outside, talk, or liten to others talk. It's gotten progressively worse throughout these 14 years and I'm not at the point where I feel like I just can't be a part of this world anymore because it's just not possible. So 14 years in solitude only leaving the house to go to the doctors or to the hospital. I live with someone who cares for me since I can't do many things for myself because it hurts too much. But I want to have my own life. With my own friends, my own job, my own car, a boyfriend or husband. But it's just not possible. Being alone is one of the scariest feelings in the world. That's what I feel like....like the entire population has just disappeared and I'm the only person left on this Earth. And being that I'm an extrovert and enjoy being around people it's even harder to deal with. My family lives in the same town as I do but I just can't see them because they're too damn loud. We're Italian so it comes with the territory. Knowing that there is a whole world going on out there and I'm not sure part of it makes me sick. I still feel like I'm this 20 year old girl who is terrified and doesn't know what to do. I don't feel like a 34 year of woman.

I hear you... loud and clear. And same as you, I don't feel like a 37 year old woman. But I am. I feel like I'm in my 20's and scared as all hell because of the loneliness around. I've always been anxious and depressed...

Hugs my dear. You are not alone. You are not alone in how you feel. You are not alone in being extroverted but still feeling the same way.
Hugs...

 

[Hollowillow]

An underactive thyroid can cause depression. Other than that, I don't think there is any other established science for depression being purely chemical/organic.

They wanted to medicate my depression. Then urns out that was caused by a low thyroid. They wanted to boost it by force. But it slowed my metabolism on purpose because I didn't eat what I needed to function. I ate processed crap, and was anorexic. So it slowed like a hibernating bear.

Doctors blame the body. I asked it why, got the cause, fixed it.

I can't fix the acid in my home alone & am refused help... I can barely breathe & keep my eyes open... It hurts! Urge to hang, abandonned, mocked, called crazy...

 

[Fadeawaaaay]

Some people have a lower threshold of resilience… They are easily overwhelmed by anxiety whereas others are chemically tougher. I have a pretty low threshold so I can withstand very little anxiety without collapsing. I don't know if that has to do with chemicals in my brain or how I got wired as a kid or some combination of the two. Anti-depressants can help lower anxiety and raise that threshold. But they have their own set of problems as well and I stopped taking them.

 

[outrider567]

Loneliness definitely is painful, as I'm finding out this year, but depression is the more dominant emotion, for me anyway

 

[hamvil]

I tried antidepressants and therapy for over two years. I stopped at the end because I did not see any actual result from both. I do not know if depression is a medical imbalance or something psicologial, i just know I cannot get out of it and it seems that neither the doctors know how to.

 

[Life_and_Death]

theres no possible way its not related to chemicals. it makes zero sense that its not chemically related

 

[Al0neAlwayz]

To me the lonliness is so much worse. When I had a family, even if I was depressed, I wasn't alone, so it could be managed. I could take my mind off of it. Now, I'm completely alone and it hurts SO much worse. I will be ending it soon.