topic List of triggers for depression in Depression

List of triggers for depression

Mares73 — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 21:52:54 GMT

Hi all

After 2 years of being on the forums I have noticed several major things-

1) depression can affect anyone

2) however more often than not there is a trigger preceding it ie family, financial, work, health & other indicators

3) many people struggle with the diagnosis initially

4) some have a predisposition to depression

5) some have depression due to external factors, others may be genetically disposed, others may suffer seemingly "out of nowhere".

From my own humble understanding & making generalisations, it would appear most often that preceding events contribute greatly to depression. This includes grief, low confidence, high self expectations which cause us to feel badly about ourselves if we don't meet our expectations, life events & situations that distress us. Poor confidence, a tendency to isolate ourselves & guilt about accepting we have an illness all contribute to our poor self esteem. We are our own worst critics. We internalise our negative sense of self. We struggle with accepting our diagnosis-often thinking it is a negative reflection of our selves.

Thats just a few observations. In understanding & accepting ourselves others may have ideas.

After all we each battle to understand & live with our illness.

please add your thoughts.

Mares X

List of triggers for depression

blondguy — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 22:22:10 GMT

Good Morning Mares

Great post by the way! I echo everything you have wisely stated on Depression.

* Preceding Trigger - absolutely spot on Mares

* struggling and 'fighting' it initially ...yepp....no 'fighting' it anymore...

* chemically based changes in the brain...its an awful physiological change that occurs with Depression

* Jeff Kennett words " Depression is the worst word used as a name for such a dreadful disorder'

Kind Thoughts

Paul

* Using 'Calm Acceptance' of the disorder in time without 'fighting'

List of triggers for depression

Mares73 — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 04:11:32 GMT

Dear Paul thanks for your feedback. You too have raised pertinent points. Once we are diagnosed with depression-the longer we battle to accept it then the worse it will be. Acceptance is the first major step to recovery. It takes a lot of strength & courage to accept our illness yet the sooner we do we can move from acceptance to action. By action I mean getting the right supports in place to aid our journey. This includes medical support, psychological support, encouragement from family & friends where possible or even the great friendships formed on the Beyond Blue forums.

Its a challenging journey but one we can all relate to & support each other's recovery.

Mares x

List of triggers for depression

blondguy — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 07:37:51 GMT

Hi Mares

Thankyou for the great post

I didnt want anyone on BB to take me the wrong way when I mentioned 'Not to Fight'...I understand they mean well but I keep seeing the words 'keep fighting' on here...it just concerns me a great deal...

1) 'Calm Acceptance' (sure that requires practise and effort)

2) The 'Art of Calm Acceptance' I initially read in 'Self Help for your Nerves' by RIP Dr Claire Weeks....Sure the title is old but still an excellent reference that is still in print...and most importantly written in plain english. Its only a small paperback...but it helped me so much not to 'fight' the illness....

Kind Thoughts everyone (Thankyou Mares :-))

Paul

List of triggers for depression

Bluey_moon — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 11:31:06 GMT

What a great thread.

Having anxiety myself I see a lot of triggers overlap with both anxiety and depression!

Such food for thought, thank you'

List of triggers for depression

romantic_thi3f — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 00:04:09 GMT

Hi,

This is a great post and interesting discussion.

I just wanted to chime in; I have definitely in my posts said to "keep fighting". When
I say this I mean to keep hoping on and fighting with the thoughts in our heads
that are telling us that we aren't good enough and sending us into a negative
spiral. If we do not fight these thoughts, then it's so much harder to
recognise what thoughts in our head are true and what aren't.

My version of fighting is not about the diagnosis at all. As someone who has struggled with depression
for years, I have definitely accepted it but I still fight.

Hope this sheds some light on the subject - definitely don't mean to offend you!