Is Depression really a disorder?

I'm aware that there are drugs available for the treatment of depression. However, I think that it's absurd that it's considered to be a disorder and treatable with drugs. I consider depression to be an emotional state like happiness. It's absurd that an emotional state that deviates from the ideal is considered a disease or disorder that needs to be corrected...with medication. Don't get me wrong, I do think that depression should be addressed, but not with drugs. It should be addressed with therapy. I don't consider it to be a disorder, but an emotional state (that isn't preferred). I mean, should we go around giving peels to everyone who sheds a tear out of sadness? How do you feel about this?

A very close friend of mine takes pills and sees a therapist every day or every other day. Apperently I'm one of the reasons hes depressed. Also THANK YOU. Someone agrees with me.

Depression is a chemical imbalance. You're thinking of the blues. jaydough

Yeah depression can be a state of mind, but it can also be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, which is correctable with certain drugs. I'm not a fan of a depressed person just hopping themselves up on anti depressants all the time, but I do think therapy and medication can go hand in hand in helping someone who is suffering from it.

Sometimes, but I think the depression most people say they suffer from is just an emotional state. Some people do have chemical imbalances that cause depression, but they are the minority.......

Depression does seem more like an emotional state than a disorder, now that I think about it. :/ Maybe I should think about these sort of things more often...

No, there quite literally are pervasive depressive disorders that result from a chemical imbalance and prevent stable emotion/happiness, leaving the victim inexplicably miserable even if all is well. There is emotional sadness, and I'm sure prolonged states of traditional sadness are at times misdiagnosed as depression, that's just the imperfections of our correct diagnostic capabilities. Differentiating a serious condition like depression from a lengthy mourning can be almost infeasible. Though one will always require medication, as we know so far. So, I'm sure many psychiatrists may jump the gun of prescription in fear that the patient's condition will be incurable through therapy. It's a tricky situation, and I'm beginning to feel medical science needs to characterize teenage, hormonal bouts of depression as unique from that experienced by otherwise balanced adults. (Not that the authentic condition cannot occur in imbalanced/unhealthy/abused adults.) I'm seeing a trend that puberty can summon a state comparable to depression, yet different, and manageable through less dramatic means than convincing a patient that they might require medicine. That notion, in and of itself, is potentially destructive.

I don't think you have a complete understanding of what depression is and how it relates to chemicals within your body.

For most people, its extreme sadness and hopelessness. How they choose to deal with it--medication or not-- is up to them. I wouldn't take pills, and sure I've been depressed many times. However, like some posters have said already, some people have it due to a chemical imbalance. In that case, medication helps a lot.

But to answer your question: Yes, depression is a disorder (in the chemical imbalances sense).

Although a lot of people just claim "OMG I got dumped I'm so depressed", when really, they're just really sad.

Yeah it is.

There are quite a bit of ways to fix it up though.

Depression is a chemical imbalance. You're thinking of the blues. jaydough

I personally think this is bull, no offense. If our emotional states correspond to chemical balances in our brain, than of course the chemical balances are going to vary with every emotional state. For example, I'm pretty sure if someone is sad or angry, the chemical balance in their brain is going to be different from when they're happy. Does this imply that a pill should be prescribed when ever the chemical balance deviates from its state during happiness?

[QUOTE="jaydough"]Depression is a chemical imbalance. You're thinking of the blues. BluRayHiDef

I personally think this is bull, no offense. If our emotional states correspond to chemical balances in our brain, than of course the chemical balances are going to vary with every emotional state. For example, I'm pretty sure if someone is sad or angry, the chemical balance in their brain is going to be different from when they're happy. Does this imply that a pill should be prescribed when ever the chemical balance deviates from its state during happiness?

It has yet to be determined whether depression is caused by a chemical imbalance, or a chemical imbalance caused by depression.

It has yet to be determined whether depression is caused by a chemical imbalance, or a chemical imbalance caused by depression.

Suzy_Q_Kazoo

I personally think this is bull, no offense. If our emotional states correspond to chemical balances in our brain, than of course the chemical balances are going to vary with every emotional state. For example, I'm pretty sure if someone is sad or angry, the chemical balance in their brain is going to be different from when they're happy. Does this imply that a pill should be prescribed when ever the chemical balance deviates from its state during happiness?

BluRayHiDef

You don't understand how the brain works. Emotions are chemicals and electrical impulses. When anger occurs, that is a natural reaction in the brain, outrage that has developed over millions of years, outrage that preserved our ancestors. Happiness, is considered the disposition in neurology. The natural state. Sadness, jealousy, lust, confusion, are all normal, well-studied chemical reactions that our brains are known to replicate on an almost frighteningly predictable level given generic circumstances. An imbalance marks something awry, a brain's incapablity to experience happiness, a brain that ONLY experiences sadness, no matter what. Unless it is corrected, through medicines, that do restore these balances. How exactly else would the research and production of such pills work, if we did not document such imbalances and create means to correct them? How else is medicine created? A pill of pixie dust that gives one a sugar rush, thus giving an illusion of happiness? No, as diabetics have an insulin imbalance, and we correct that, genuine depressives have a flawed brain, that does not produce emotion in an orderly, sound way. Similarly, we can look to Bi-Polar disorder, another classic example of brain chemisty gone turbulent.

Have you ever been depressed? It's nothing like feeling upset or stressed out. It's a feeling that you can't understand unless you have experienced it, and it's awful.

Depression is a chemical imbalance. You're thinking of the blues. jaydough

This. It's a disorder because it is a chemical imbalance.

A mixture of psychiatry and psychology is generally viewed as a good way to approach such disorders. Medical treatment is a bit trial and error as people respond in different ways. To say medication is absurd is a little extreme though - if it solves the problem to a debilitating disorder then who are we to argue that its wrong? My view is that medication can provide a temporary solution whilst the root of why the chemical imbalance is established through psychology-based therapies. Sometimes however only medication is the only solution if the root cannot be found.

I've met people who seem very depressed. Western drugs like pills supposedly help, but they seem more like an escape from the situation unless it's a permanent solution. I think I'd be more trusting if all the people who I've learned were on pills were generally in a better condition.

Sometimes, but I think the depression most people say they suffer from is just an emotional state. Some people do have chemical imbalances that cause depression, but they are the minority.......

JonnyEagle

[QUOTE="Suzy_Q_Kazoo"]

It has yet to be determined whether depression is caused by a chemical imbalance, or a chemical imbalance caused by depression.

ssc0n

The complexities of the human brain :shock:

Seriously, that's what I thought. Pharmaceutical companies tend to milk the whole chemical imbalance thing, when in reality scientists have no idea what a chemical imbalance of that sort would look like, thus leading to doubt if that's even the case. SOMETHING like that, don't quote me word for word :P

http://psychrights.org/Articles/TheMediaandChemicalImbalanceTheoryofDepression.pdf

[QUOTE="ssc0n"]

[QUOTE="Suzy_Q_Kazoo"]

It has yet to be determined whether depression is caused by a chemical imbalance, or a chemical imbalance caused by depression.

Suzy_Q_Kazoo

The complexities of the human brain :shock:

Seriously, that's what I thought. Pharmaceutical companies tend to milk the whole chemical imbalance thing, when in reality scientists have no idea what a typical chemical imbalance would look like, thus leading to doubt if that's even the case. SOMETHING like that, don't quote me word for word :P

http://psychrights.org/Articles/TheMediaandChemicalImbalanceTheoryofDepression.pdf

Well yes that's very true, hence the reason there is no one pharmaceutical solution for depression – it's a bit of trial and error before a medication is found that gets a bit of the ol' serotonin flowing again (if it is found at all that is).

The fact that our emotions can be broken down into chemical reactions indicates that we are nothing more than biological machines. Everything about us is governed by automated processes. The reason why the illusion of free-will is so convincing is because these automated processes are so convoluted that they first have to be broken down in order for us to reach this realization.

Sometimes, but I think the depression most people say they suffer from is just an emotional state. Some people do have chemical imbalances that cause depression, but they are the minority.......

JonnyEagle

This. Very few people are actually born with a tendency to be sad.

[QUOTE="JonnyEagle"]

Sometimes, but I think the depression most people say they suffer from is just an emotional state. Some people do have chemical imbalances that cause depression, but they are the minority.......

magnax1

This. Very few people are actually born with a tendency to be sad.

They're not born with a tendency to be sad, more some are born predisposed to be susceptible to depression if certain environmental conditions are in place.

nope, but there is a disorder of clinical depression, but it's fairly rare. Depression is just another emotion like happiness.

The fact that our emotions can be broken down into chemical reactions indicates that we are nothing more than biological machines. Everything about us is governed by automated processes. The reason why the illusion of free-will is so convincing is because these automated processes are so convoluted that they first have to be broken down in order for us to reach this realization.

BluRayHiDef

No, you lost it again.

Our natural reactions are relatively hardwired. Everything else, defying those primal reactions, changing the course of our lives, taking up hobbies, making friends, pursuing careers, everything within the confines of our lives that we decide is still a decision. These chemicals guide our hands at times, especially when a situation is very severe, but mostly it is all us. We, the brain, are the pilot, our emotions are only a copilot, giving advice on how to act. Ultimately, we can typically defy emotion, decide not to indulge anger, decide not to cheat simply because we lust, and the infinite other examples applicable. Emotions are the most innate part of what we are, ultimately if all is well in our heads, people can still decide on how to react. We can defy our nature and eventually reprogram it over time, as new behaviors are repeated. Our mind is ours to tame, assuming we do not suffer said imbalances that prevent reasoning.

[QUOTE="magnax1"]

[QUOTE="JonnyEagle"]

Sometimes, but I think the depression most people say they suffer from is just an emotional state. Some people do have chemical imbalances that cause depression, but they are the minority.......

poptart

This. Very few people are actually born with a tendency to be sad.

They're not born with a tendency to be sad, more some are born predisposed to be susceptible to depression if certain environmental conditions are in place.

You basically just restated what I said. Tendency=Predisposition or close enough.

nope, but there is a disorder of clinical depression, but it's fairly rare. Depression is just another emotion like happiness.

jrhawk42

It's probably more common than we think, its just people are just good at hiding these things, or perhaps just aren't diagnosed and they either fall down the slippery slope of society - lose their job, turn to alcohol etc. - or perhaps more drastically commit suicide without ever a hint of showing any signs of the disorder.

[QUOTE="poptart"]

[QUOTE="magnax1"]

This. Very few people are actually born with a tendency to be sad.

magnax1

They're not born with a tendency to be sad, more some are born predisposed to be susceptible to depression if certain environmental conditions are in place.

You basically just restated what I said. Tendency=Predisposition or close enough.

Ah well, I just thought 'tendency to be sad' sounded a little understated for what can be a terribly disruptive disorder. After all, we're all born with a tendency to be sad as much as we are happy, although few are born susceptible to depression :P

There's a massive difference between feeling down and suffereing from clinical depression. The latter resulting from a chemical imbalance within the brain.

[QUOTE="magnax1"]

[QUOTE="poptart"]

They're not born with a tendency to be sad, more some are born predisposed to be susceptible to depression if certain environmental conditions are in place.

poptart

You basically just restated what I said. Tendency=Predisposition or close enough.

Ah well, I just thought 'tendency to be sad' sounded a little understated for what can be a terribly disruptive disorder. After all, we're all born with a tendency to be sad as much as we are happy, although few are born susceptible to depression :P

Well depression is a form of sadness, so I thought it was good enough, lol. I wonder how much of depression is an actual disorder though. I doubt its a very high %.

nope, but there is a disorder of clinical depression, but it's fairly rare. Depression is just another emotion like happiness.

jrhawk42

Actually, depression if often referred to as the "common cold" of mental disorders.

Well if you can't enjoy things then yes depression is a disorder but if say you spent hours and hours washing your hands day after day, year after year then get depressed because you are a loner then your depression is not a disorder but a result of a disorder.

[QUOTE="poptart"]

[QUOTE="magnax1"]

You basically just restated what I said. Tendency=Predisposition or close enough.

magnax1

Ah well, I just thought 'tendency to be sad' sounded a little understated for what can be a terribly disruptive disorder. After all, we're all born with a tendency to be sad as much as we are happy, although few are born susceptible to depression :P

Well depression is a form of sadness, so I thought it was good enough, lol. I wonder how much of depression is an actual disorder though. I doubt its a very high %.

Well depression does manifest itself in ways that makes it quite distinct from sadness, with symptoms that can be physical as well as emotional. I would say if it disrupts an ability to function normally in life, or gives rise to thoughts of suicide or damaging behviour then yes we can label it a disorder. It's a tough one though…

[QUOTE="jrhawk42"]

nope, but there is a disorder of clinical depression, but it's fairly rare. Depression is just another emotion like happiness.

poptart

It's probably more common than we think, its just people are just good at hiding these things, or perhaps just aren't diagnosed and they either fall down the slippery slope of society - lose their job, turn to alcohol etc. - or perhaps more drastically commit suicide without ever a hint of showing any signs of the disorder.

that's self-destruction not depression. While a person can be both they are not actually related in anyway. I think a lot of people try to broaden clinical depression into a simple category of negative behavior.

[QUOTE="poptart"]

[QUOTE="jrhawk42"]

nope, but there is a disorder of clinical depression, but it's fairly rare. Depression is just another emotion like happiness.

jrhawk42

It's probably more common than we think, its just people are just good at hiding these things, or perhaps just aren't diagnosed and they either fall down the slippery slope of society - lose their job, turn to alcohol etc. - or perhaps more drastically commit suicide without ever a hint of showing any signs of the disorder.

that's self-destruction not depression. While a person can be both they are not actually related in anyway. I think a lot of people try to broaden clinical depression into a simple category of negative behavior.

Alcoholism can be a result of depression, as can acts of self-destruction/self-harm. Depression can manifest itself in apathy and withdrawal from society and friends, which in turn is misconstrued as something else, such as laziness.

If an employee walks into the office late every day smelling of alcohol, it's likely they'll be sacked prior to any thought of why a person has turned to the bottle, hence the slippery slope reference in my previous comment...