[shamon86]

My aunt posted this on Facebook, and I wanted to know some others thoughts on this. From what I see, a lot of these "lifestyles" are ones that are shown with people who ALREADY have depression. While I think lifestyle may have a hand in depression, I think there are too many other factors that contribute.

13 Lifestyles That Can Lead to Depression

Some of the text accompanying the article is a little simplistic (Alcohol and Drugs - These are depressants and can increase your risk of developing depression.) Obviously, some illegal drugs are stimulants.

Overall, I would agree that these are factors that can put a person at risk of developing depression. This article seems to be heavily slanted towards things that you can change. I guess that's the idea behind it. I noticed that "unemployment" was included, but things like pervasive poverty, being in an abusive relationship, being a caregiver for a sick parent, spouse, or child weren't included.

If someone is feeling kind of down, yes, sure, these could point out areas that could help to improve their mood if they changed their behaviors.

The danger I see here is for people to turn this article around and say "well, of course you're depressed - you're not eating right/socializing enough, etc."

It can let people feel better, I think. They can think "Oh, that person doesn't have a mental illness - they just need to do a/b/c."

Depression and behaviors are very interwoven in my experience. I do work on several of the behaviors/habits listed in the article, especially sleep and good nutrition, because I find that they contribute to my well-being. When I'm extremely depressed, though, it can become really hard to maintain any kind of healthy habits.

I have a brochure from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) about the Eight Dimension of Wellness. Many years ago, before I ever starting having a problem with depression, I kept my life pretty much in balance in these areas. Now I need a reminder.

My aunt posted this on Facebook, and I wanted to know some others thoughts on this. From what I see, a lot of these "lifestyles" are ones that are shown with people who ALREADY have depression. While I think lifestyle may have a hand in depression, I think there are too many other factors that contribute.

I agree (and have done so at length above.)

I think that these lifestyle issues are risk factors for depression, just like smoking is a risk factor for cardiac disease and lung cancer. They aren't an automatic guarantee that someone is going to become depressed (I personally know people who have several of these bad habits and don't have mental health problems.)

Like I said above, I think this list is fine as long as people don't try to use it as a tool to dismiss the seriousness of depression. And yes, people often develop these habits after they become depressed, which is too nuanced for lots of non-depressed people to handle.

[vonmoxie]

I'm sure that the verbiage "Can Contribute To" would be more accurate than "Can Lead To". They probably figure that being more dramatic about it will get them more clicks and hence advertising dollars though.

It's annoyingly oversimplified.. all hat, no cattle. They could have at least provided a link to a site that's actually helpful, that focuses on positive dimensions (like the one Jo provided) instead of creating a lot of vague and unhelpful blame while using derogatory terminology (really, sloth?).

[shamon86]

Originally Posted by vonmoxie

I'm sure that the verbiage "Can Contribute To" would be more accurate than "Can Lead To". They probably figure that being more dramatic about it will get them more clicks and hence advertising dollars though.

It's annoyingly oversimplified.. all hat, no cattle. They could have at least provided a link to a site that's actually helpful, that focuses on positive dimensions (like the one Jo provided) instead of creating a lot of vague and unhelpful blame while using derogatory terminology (really, sloth?).

I noticed that as well. It's borderline offensive... This article just rubbed me the wrong way. They're almost implying that there's something you can do. "My lifestyle led to my depression"... It may have played a part, but my T and I strongly believe that I was genetically predisposed to it.

[Tauren]

The usual ignorance about causation vs. correlation.

all hat, no cattle.

I love that expression.

What's wrong with sloth?





photo credit to Jorge Salas International Expeditions

http://assets.worldwildlife.org/phot...JPG?1394634201

[vonmoxie]

^ Lol.

I think I'd rather be compared to the attractiveness-challenged small mammal called sloth, than to the alternate definition:

sloth
slôTH, slōTH/

1. reluctance to work or make an effort; laziness.
"he should overcome his natural sloth and complacency"

synonyms: laziness, idleness, indolence, slothfulness, inactivity, inertia, sluggishness, shiftlessness, apathy, acedia, listlessness, lassitude, lethargy, languor, torpidity; literary hebetude
"who is responsible for the sloth of this department?"

[BudFox]

Originally Posted by shamon86

It may have played a part, but my T and I strongly believe that I was genetically predisposed to it.

I admire this guy and tend to trust his take on these things:

"While there may genetic predispositions towards depression and addiction, a predisposition is not the same as a predetermination. A predisposition increases the risk of something occurring but it cannot by itself cause it to happen. The key factor is the environment. Genes are activated or turned off by the environment, including in cases of suicide, as brilliant Canadian studies have shown. Nobody is born doomed to depression, and nobody is born with low self-esteem." -- Gabor Mate MD

[JohnCrow]

Allow me to retort

Six Things That Can Cause Depression

A Traumatic Event
Substance Abuse
An Unsatisfying Job
(so far, standard, hmm?)
A satisfying job
Not drinking
Nothing at all

Guess what, depression is not an effect of a single cause. Depression is a chemical imbalance resulting from an incredibly complex interaction of lifestyle, life events and luck

I have heard stories of someone who had a good job, satisfying relationship, no particular money woes and then, one day, out of the blue: Why am I here, why am I even alive?

Then there are people who have grown up under incredibly harsh circumstances, born in a refugee camp, shot at, substance abuse, physical and mental abuse and, out of the blue, it makes them stronger

Then there's people like me; born with brains but no desire, ideas but no spark, presence but no charm

I should be able to walk through life with ease, with my intellect and cunning, I should be Walter effing White. Instead I am a pathetic joke

I am like a reverse Charly, from Flowers for Algernon, I have the brains and can imagine the better life but lack the focus and will to get there