Depression?? Physical or Emotional??

[Asqueroso]

I'm brand new at this, just joined this forum out of confusion and fear of not knowing or understanding.

As a regularly happy person, I am now trying to understand why I have been unhappy for a number of months now.

I am one of those who believe that each individual person can heal themselves with the strength of their own minds. Cure their physical ailments without having to use prescribed drugs and heal their emotional problems by analysing their situation and effecting counter measures.

After many years of adopting this way of thinking, I had to succumb to conventional methods and started using prescribed drugs to help me recover from a heart condition, thus putting a huge dent in my once strong personal beliefs.

I find myself once again at the crossroads of my beliefs, inasmuch as I am battling with emotional problems which I cannot seem to control.

I always thought that depression was purely an emotional issue, that you felt sad due to circumstances brought about by your own thoughts. I am not so sure about that now, thus the reason for this writing.

I have always been able to control my emotions by analysing my feelings and understanding the "WHY". That has always worked for me, until now.

I know the problems that I am facing, lack of work, limited income coming in and expenses that have to be serviced, uncertainty of future work, income, etc. 

I know that I am luckier than most men around, I have a wonderful wife who works and supports the household, is caring and totally supportive of me and a beautiful daughter who adores me. I am eating well and we are not starving, I have funds to fall back on, (little as they are), and am still able to meet most of my ongoing debts with the income my wife brings into the household. In short, I know a lot of people that do not have what I have. Yet, I cannot get out of the doldrums.

I am now wondering if 'Depression' is in fact an emotional issue or is it in reality a medical or physical condition much like a cold virus or cancer or something that needs to be treated with a chemical drug.

I know the problems I am facing and I know there are solutions to them. So why do I feel like this???

[geoff]

dear Asqueroso, good question, and the question in my opinion is that it's both, because you can't be depressed without any emotional issues, it's not possible.

Another problem is that we believe that we can face depression head on and deal with it ourselves, OK, so we do we start, what part of this depression is creating all these troubles, so we tend to believe that it's something on the exterior that we should tackle, however this is not right, because it's those inner niggly concerns that lay deep within us, and those which we either are too afraid to tackle or we don't even know they are there.

We also try and self analyze our position, and before long it all becomes too confusing, and much easier to just give in to this illness, I know that it's a horrible state to be in, but at first it's much easier to feel depressed rather than try and work out our problems.

As time progresses and after seeing a psych we tend to think in a different light, because these issues are raised, which can do two things, and one is that we actually know what is causing this trouble, and have to try and sort our way through them, or two it can bring to mind of your past and then these resurface.

So depression is an emotional, physical and medical problem, and we need all the help by taking antidepressants, counselling and continual support, and that no matter how mentally strong you are, you can't overcome this by yourself. Geoff.

[Neil_1]

Hi Asqueroso

Welcome to Beyond Blue and providing your post to the forum.  You've described things really well in your post and you'll come to meet "on-line" a whole host of fellow sufferers of this awful disease, depression.

Depression to me is no different to cancer.  In the wider public, of course, the perception I believe is much different to that ... but as much as cancer kills, unfortunately and tragically, so too does depression (and mental related illnesses).  The very sad fact though is that depressions sufferers for the most part are treated differently - I think purely due to the fact that depression is just not globally understood.  Yes times are a changin' but it's a slow process.  Sorry for that little vent.

You asked why do you feel this way?  I say, because it seems to me that you are suffering from depression.

You mentioned quite a bit at the start where you have your beliefs and against medications etc, but my friend, dealing with depression by yourself just doesn't work.  You need to seek professional guidance, help, support.  I believe that you need to get yourself an appointment with your GP and to describe to them just how you're feeling.  This will be your 2nd most important step to take.

Your first important step is already completed ... by you coming to this site and reaching out for support.  Well done Asqueroso for doing that.

I'm sure you're going to receive other responses over the next day or so and please take on board everything that these wise people say.  They suffer with this every day and will provide you with some excellent advice and support.

I do hope that you can stay with us as well and post back as often as you feel comfortable in doing so.

Kind regards

Neil

[Jo3]

Hi Asqueroso

It's great that you have posted on here.  There are so many people on here who are suffering and yet have time to respond to everyone.

I have been suffering depression, anxiety and borderline personality disorder for three years after memories came back of childhood sexual abuse.  I am seeing a psych weekly and I am slowly helping myself to get to a much happier and healthier life. But for now I am up and down, just like a roller coaster ride. But i always fall back on here and have so much support from these amazing beautiful people.

I tend to agree with Neil, my online friend.  You are suffering depression and it would be a good idea to see a GP for a referral to a psych.  It is too hard, maybe impossible to do this on your own.  You need meds, support from a professional and help from your family which you are already getting support from your amazing wife. 

Asqueroso, I hope you can come back on here and chat with us, I have been totally amazed as to how many people are on here and we support each other especially when someone is feeling very low and down.  We pick them up again and fight this depression with them, together.

Pls take care,

Jo

[geoff]

dear Asqueroso, I had replied to you but it hasn't appeared, maybe it has to be checked by The Moderators, although this seems to be a problem that has not only happened today but many times, so could they edit any parts that they believe are not suitable. Geoff.

[Jo3]

Hi Asqueroso

I too replied to you last night but it hasn't come on yet.  There seems to be a problem this weekend because i have replied to quite a few posts and nothing has come up.

Hopefully they will come on soon.

Jo

[Beetle]

HI Asqueroso

I understand what you are saying.

I was also a 'head person" and always thought I can control my mind and my feelings. therefore I would NEVER get depression or anxiety, right??? Haha think again....

Until recently the method you used  seemed for me also the only one acceptable. Not in my wildest dreams would I have thought of taking anti depressants.I thought that would be complete defeat and a sign of weakness!

now I changed my opirnion about this.I tell you what: depression is in my believe a physical condition, a deficiency in neurotransitters in the brain. the condition is triggered by some ***** that happened to us.( abuse, violence, loss of job,relationship etc).

Therefore depending how bad your deficiency is you may need drugs. Unless you can change your behavior in a way that u produces more neurotransmitters to lift your mood ( sun, exercise talking therapy)

Didn't work for me, my transmitters must have completely  migrated elsewhere. I'm on drugs now and doing very well on them.

Please see a GP and do a depression test to see if you are depressed, and if how severe the depression is.

Please let us know how u go

Love beetle