Do you believe depression is an illness?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Do you believe depression is an illness?
32
Mon, 04-19-2004 - 4:30pm
My stepmother doesn't think depression is an illness, and I think it is.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2003
Tue, 04-27-2004 - 12:23pm
Would I ever like to get my hands on people who say depression isn't an illness.

Yeah, I choose to not want to get out of bed in the morning, I choose to feel as if I am a worthless piece of crap, I choose to feel that life is not worth living, I choose to keep myself feeling low just for the fun of it.

Come on people!! Sorry, I am in a terrible mood today, but I feel this way regardless.

Pamela

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2004
Tue, 04-27-2004 - 1:46pm
Depression is definitely an illness, but it is usually brought on by circumstances and reactions to circumstances. When a person feels that they have lost control of their life or a certain area of their life over an extended period of time, the stage is set for depression. Usually the person internalizes their feelings, due to their feeling of being unable to control the outcome of their life situation, and the body finally converts the internalization into physical symptoms. Even if a person begins to learn to take control, it may take a long period of time to repair the damage. Unfortunately, depression is not always a matter of choice, at least not as far as an immediate turn around is concerned.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Tue, 04-27-2004 - 2:10pm

Maxine1611,


What a wonderful way to phrase the whole concept of depression.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-26-2004
Tue, 04-27-2004 - 3:07pm
To continue on this train of thought, =) let's not forget that depression can be hereditary.
AcornLeaves
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Tue, 04-27-2004 - 4:01pm

Hey all you newbies and unlurkers hehe!


Just wanted to say a quick Hi and Welcome!


You have all brought up wonderful ideas for us to think on and I look forward to getting to know you better! I hope you will all post more often!

*hugs

*hugs             

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
Tue, 04-27-2004 - 7:53pm

WOW, so many other new comers like me came to this board.

~Jessica
Visitor (not verified)
anonymous user
Tue, 04-27-2004 - 9:37pm
thanks for links on the d word. i am amazed everyday how many women still think depression is not an illness! i wish i didn't think is was but i know better! I just weaned myself off of effexor nd am praying that my new doctor is correct in helping me get my hormone levels leveled out so i can resume my life. I just hope everyone dealing with depression can find someone to listen and understand that it is tough and finding the right person to help u is very hard
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2003
Wed, 04-28-2004 - 7:52am
Just one answer.

YES

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2004
Thu, 04-29-2004 - 11:19am
OMG! I could have written most of your post! All my life I've been meloncholy which I'm now being told was probably undiagnosed childhood dysthymia (mild depression). I've never heard anyone else but me talk about how we know that depression is an illness but we think that ours is somehow a personality flaw and self-imposed! My mother, although there are many others too, is the main culprit in making sure I know that it's my choice to be so 'down' and that if I would just think positively, I'd be happy etc. So, on top of feeling depressed I get to feel guilty for being a bad person who won't just snap out of it! It's been particularly bad the last several years while dealing with pregnancy,divorce,pregnancy etc. I see therapists and I try to stay on my meds but what tends to happen is I get to feeling better and think I should/can handle it on my own and until I spiral down I don't start back on the therapy/meds. I hate the idea that I can't just control it from inside and be the person that everyone wants me to be.

32

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-17-2003
Thu, 04-29-2004 - 11:35am
I don't think I have read a more accurate description of my experience and cause of depression! I WISH we could choose not to have depression!

Stephanie