Fight Depression - Everyone Deserves a Level Playing Field

A Math Teacher commented that my post  against depression had prompted him to seek treatment.  I wrote a response on his blog, and as my post grew longer and longer, I realized the strength of my views on the topic.  I'm pro-therapy, pro-medication, pro-anything-that-effectively-fights-the-disease-of-depression.

Here's a copy of my reply to "Vito":

Thank you for letting me know that my post about the physical dangers of depression may have be one of the reasons that you are seeking treatment.

Go for it.

I'm a clinical psychologist and committed to helping people fight depression. I think that "depression" is a simple word for a complex, multifacited condition that has many causes, symptoms, meanings, repercussions and cures. I don't think an antidepressant drug, or psychotherapy, or acupuncture, or good nutrition, or exercise, or ECT, or any other single elixir is the answer in all cases. However, I think that all of these current treatments, and many others, may help in some cases, some of the time. Many studies indicate that antidepressants in conjunction with good therapy give people the best chance of full recovery. Exercise, nutrition and social support are also shown to be helpful. My experience is that all forms of self-care and support from others are important.

The basic message is that the disease is worth fighting whatever it takes.
Trying to live a 'normal' life while suffering from depression is like trying to play soccer on an uphill field. You need to be talented, and constantly kick the ball, just to keep it from rolling backwards. It's really hard to score when you're kicking up a mountain slope.

Whatever the cause of your depression, the consequence is that you're not playing the game of life on a level playing field.

Frankly, I'm awed by how many people accomplish challenging tasks while suffering from crippling symptoms of depression -- there are so many courageous people struggling against this disease.

In my experience, antidepressants (like the classics - prozac, paxil and zoloft - or the newer, fashionable flavors, such as lexipro) level the playing field for some people. The drugs seem to tweak some people's biochemistries so that they have an equal shot at happiness, contentment, success and satisfaction. But drugs (including St. Johnswort, SAM-E or other "natural" chemicals) are certainly not a magic panacea. For some people they just don't work. For some, they have problematic side effects. For some, the psychic cost of feeling dependent on an outside substance is too high a price to pay for fewer symptoms.

Although I'm a psychologist rather than a psychiatrist, and thus never prescribe drugs, I do feel frustrated sometimes when people rigidly rule out medication even though other measures, including therapy, have not relieved their suffering. To those people who fear "dependence" on anti-depressants I say: "Do you think that diabetics who take insulin are weak-willed?"

There is no single way to fight depression. And for some people, unfortunately, the fight is never won. However, if you've been chronically depressed, and then are able to overcome the disease, your life is suddenly yours to enjoy rather than bemoan.

Go for it. Seek to be one of those people who win the fight against this disease. Try as  many methods as needed. Don't give up the quest to free yourself of the misery of depression. When you succeed it will be well worth the battle.

I wish you well in your quest to level your personal playing field.

                                                                  

Comments

[Friday Mom]

Thanks for this. I posted about my decision to try medication a few days ago. I'm a PhD student in pastoral counseling and a psych chaplain, but for some reason I've had a strong resistance to taking the meds, even though I've known that I was sinking into depression again. I'm not sure what that's about....

[Academic Coach]

Friday Mom,

Thanks for your comment.

The Peter Kramer book I posted a couple of weeks ago also focuses on the cultural myth that fighting depression is a matter of willpower.

Would we say to people with dangerously high blood pressure, "just try yoga first for a few months?" No, we'd suggest that they try medication IN CONJUNCTION with exercise and diet. And there'd be absolutely no shame attached to the pills.
Would we tell someone with asthma to hold off on using an inhaler and "just look on the bright side?" No, we'd use meds while we tried to rid the person's daily environment of allergens, etc.,.

As you can tell, I get preachy about people who forget that depression is a disease.

Again, thanks for sharing your decision with us -- here and on your own blog.
We hope that the cloud lifts quickly.

[jo(e)]

Great post. My mother-in-law suffers from depression and anxiety and just refuses to accept any type of treatment because for her generation, there is such a stigma attached to it. She just keeps going to new doctors, hoping for some other diagnosis, and will not even consider medication. (And it's not like she is trying any alternative treatments either.) The whole situation is incredibly frustrating and sad.

[James Kronefield]

Jo(e),
The first and most important step to overcome depression is to admit that you are ill and you need help. If your mother in law fails in this step, you won't ever be able to make her take any medications.
The only way to help her is to make her understand her condition right.

[Anti-depressants and dissertations]

I know meds help.
I am in the process getting my dissertation started and I just found out I am expecting a baby in December. I always expected writing a dissertation to be similar to giving birth, but I never thought I would be doing both at the same time and being scared about not having my meds to help hang in there.

This my second day without the meds I already had a crying episode. I am so tired of these up and downs...any suggestions surviving the next 8 months.

Best,
Survivor(ABD)
Anti-depressants, baby, dissertation

[Ahuli Pitt]

I believe there are so many depressed people in our society because they aren’t happy with themselves. There are sooooooo many outside pressures——including the ones we let in through the media etc., that we are bombarded with how we should act, feel , work, play and so on. Come on people—-forget the status quo!!!!

Depression, The Life Destroyer.

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