[Angel_of_the_Past]

At what point do you know that you've developed a secondary depression (chemical imbalance) in addition to the original situational depression (from a severe trauma)? I'm not looking for text book answers, I've got all that, but some personal perspectives. What it "feels" like if it did.

Thoughts???
Angel

[Monty_girl]

Angel, for me I knew I had some real problems when I couldn't get out of bed or shower. I couldn't manage to do the simplest task. My depression can get to the point I have hallucinations and just become psychotic. That maybe the chemical imbalance reaction my brain has for me. I sleep a lot to and think that plays a part in my reality perspection as well. I get to the point I can't tell if I'm awake or asleep. Now this is just what happens to me. But I also have a dx of DID as well, so that may play a factor into things too.

Monty

[DOWNINNATICK]

Hi Angel;
I agree with Monty, on most of what she said, I would only add a few things, you don't feel like you belong and that everyone hates you or is talking crap about you. If you have a counselor, ask them and they could give you more ideas.

Take care and keep trying.

[Sannah]

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Angel_of_the_Past said:
At what point do you know that you've developed a secondary depression (chemical imbalance) in addition to the original situational depression (from a severe trauma)? I'm not looking for text book answers, I've got all that, but some personal perspectives. What it "feels" like if it did.

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I'm curious why you want/need to make this distinction?

[Angel_of_the_Past]

I'm curious why you want/need to make this distinction?

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For me: Situational depression, should be able to get through with just therapy. A secondary depression (major depression) ie a chemical imbalance would need medications and therapy.

I am so struggling to make a decision. From a clinical stand point I know what the proper decision is, but from a personal/emotional stand point I can't bring myself to make a decision.

I guess I'm still looking for my miracle to make this all go away!

[pachyderm]

Warning on my point of view: I HATE "chemical imbalance"!

That's because I think that no one actually knows that there is such a thing and yet it continues to circulate as though it means something. The fact that SOMETIMES medications help no more means that there is a chemical imbalance than a headache means there is a lack of aspirin in the brain.

I think brain "circuits" or organizations of neurons get "trained" or altered by experience, so that they can come to reinforce something like a depression, for instance. It becomes something almost permanent. BUT it can be reversed by therapy (retraining), given enough skill by a therapist, enough understanding of brain mechanisms, and enough time!

I also think that medications might speed the process, given enough comprehension of what they do, and specific-acting enough medications. I don't think we are there now.

[Angel_of_the_Past]

Doesn't anyone have a magic wand????

[kebsfroggy]

I'm not sure anyone can actually define the moment for themselves. Only because at that point you are experiencing without rational thought and probably aren't aware.

If you think you have gone from one to the other you are proabably already there.

[Sannah]

I agree with Pachy. I think that we get the chemical imbalance because we are not allowing our body to function as it should. I think that a lot of people have depression because they simply don't know how deal with their feelings. Feelings are natural and if we don't allow them to be expressed because of what we learned while growing up, it throws a wrench in the system and messes up the natural flow of our bodies, thus the chemical imbalance. So I agree with Pachy learn the things that you haven't yet and get your system back in balance.

[In_The_Darkness]

Ummm to be honest.

Chemical Imbalance - Not Yet Proved. Last I read... it's a new theory and might not even be correct.

I know for certain that my depression was caused by school, family and abuse and !@"£.

To be honest, I hate the theory of it being a chemical imbalance.

I think it was on psychcentral where I originally saw the post, and I also spoke to my MH Nurse and Doctor about it, during double session.

So, maybe if you ask the same question when has been proved that this theory is at all correct?

My thought anyway.

Speak soon

X.X.X.

Love from michael