Posted by Mr. SadPuppyDog on September 27, 2002, at 14:06:42
In reply to Situational depression??, posted by Mal on September 26, 2002, at 13:34:34
> I am curious to know about the generally accepted treatment (if there is any) for a depressed person who has something to be depressed about.
>
> For instance, I am sometimes depressed, but there is no situation in my life that causes me anxiety or sadness. Therefore I believe that my depression is probably a chemical or hormonal problem.
>
> But when someone has a situation in their life that causes stress, anxiety and depression, what do doctors do? Obviously, removing oneself from the situation would be the best action to take, but often with family problems it is not possible. And isn't depression a *natural* response to a depressing situation?
>
> I suppose that a Pdoc would assess the functionality of the patient and decide whether "talk" therapy and suggestions about how to deal with the situation would be sufficient. If medication is necessary to make the patient more responsive to "talk" therapy, when would/should the Rx be discontinued?
>
> Thanks for your ideas on this.
>
> Mal
True situational depression is not a psychiatric nor psychological illness. It is experienced by EVERYONE at one time or another. Situational depressions dont need any kind of treatment, especially drug treatment (psychiatric). Situational depressions go away on their own, nature takes its course and soon you are naturally back to normal.You might be confusing situational depression with mild, chronic depression known as dysthymia. Dysthymia usually doesnt need medications, although many MDs these days will prescribe SSRIs in a heartbeat for dysthymia. Dysthymia is best treated using nondrug approaches. Such as talk therapy, such as CBT. Some dysthymics get better with ANY kind of talk therapy. Also, making lifestyle changes are VERY important for dysthymia. Such as eliminating booze from your lifestyle. Booze is responsible for a lot of the cases of dysthymia, and you dont even have to be an alcoholic just a regular "social drinker." Booze depresses you like crazy, although it feels good at the time. You just dont realize it...booze is the sneakiest drug ever invented. It creeps up on you, creating dysthymia over time.
Other things to do for mild depression include solving life problems, such as improving your financial situation, improving your marital situation or relationships with loved ones, ditching a job thats driving you insane and finding more meaningful, enjoyable work, etc. These are the sorts of things that help dysthymia, not drugs.
Drugs are needed in the more severe forms of depression, where you have experienced severe breakdown of basic bodily functions such as sleeping, eating and sex drive.
No doctor should put you on antidepressants for situational depression. It goes away on its own and is a natural part of life.
Mr. Sad PuppyDog
poster:Mr. SadPuppyDog
thread:1147
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20020829/msgs/1162.html