Depression

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If a person wants to learn about depression - what it is, what causes it, what one should do about it . . . they are often swamped by an avalanche of books, articles, and various "expert" perspectives on depression. (Many of these nowadays are somewhat dogmatic theories about brain chemistry, which, in the opinion of this particular LiveReal Editor, is often useless, confusing, inaccurate, irrelevant, and sometimes even harmful).

So to save you all that time, effort, energy, and trouble, we recommend the following as the resource which most accurately sums up the "state of the nation" for depression.

Popular Thought
A mainstream description of "The basics of depression" can be found here at Dr. Drew's site as well as here at ThriveOnline. (These and other mainstream resources often give the usual, rather unhelpful pitch about biochemistry, genetics, and other factors generally out of our control).

The best known single resource which most accurately sums up the "state of the nation" for depression, in our opinion, is NoonDay Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon.

But if you are interested in digging deeper . . .

The word "depression" comes from the Latin deprimo, meaning "to press down" or "to press under."

Some, even many, of the greatest most universally praised individuals throughout history, who have composed the greatest works of art, music, literature, and other accomplishments, have struggled with depression - Leo Tolstoy (War and Peace), Turgenev, Winston Churchill, Marlon Brando, William James, Herman Melville (Moby Dick), William Faulkner, Tchaikovsky, Monet, General George Patton, Robert Louis Stevenson, T. S. Eliot, Walt Whitman, Ernest Hemingway, Gogel, Emerson, Mark Twain.
(for a more full list, click here)

In other words, "depression" is not some special condition that is reserved only for individuals with a particular brain chemistry; on the contrary, the best and brightest, most perceptive individuals often, at one point or another, must face this condition that permeates their lives.

Symptoms:
Physical - exhaustion, insomnia, headaches, reduced or excessive appetite or constipation,
Psychoemotional - a tired, lethargic, heavy feeling, a loss of vitality and energy, a hopelessness or sense of not being worthy or good enough, guilt shame, worry, and helplessness.

What causes it:
Many doctors think that depression is the result of an imbalance (too much or too little) of certain chemicals in the brain or body. This may perhaps be true, and perhaps not . . . but still, either way . . . what causes the imbalance?
It seems to us that potentially everything from genetics, hormones, family situation, if parents divorced, the normal stresses of life, life itself, could be the cause. A more complete layout is described below.

But the toughest and most important aspect of depression - "What can I do about it?"
- we've compiled the following:

Depression: An Anthology of Perspectives

Depression as a side-effect - perhaps a side-effect of a bad relationship (perhaps romantic, family members, or friends) or just a general lack of love . . . a side-effect of some form of addiction (alcoholism, drug use, pornography, etc), or big, unresolved questions about the Big Picture . . . or perhaps . . .

• Depression as a normal and healthy reaction to a loss
• Depression as a normal part of the suffering in life
• Depression as undisciplined habits of thought
• Depression caused by apparent failure at school by Haridas Chaudhuri
• Depression caused by disappointment in love by Haridas Chaudhuri
• Depression as unfelt feelings, by Arthur Janov
• Depression as anger turned toward yourself, or repressed anger
• Depression caused by emotional fluctuations by Haridas Chaudhuri
• Depression caused by the pressure of perfectionism by Haridas Chaudhuri
• Depression caused by the dizziness of success by Haridas Chaudhuri
• Depression from getting older by Haridas Chaudhuri
• Depression as seeing life as meaningless
• Depression as a depletion of energy
• Depression as an "impurity"
• Depression as your body trying to tell you something
• Depression as obsession with contradictory self-image
• Depression as a lesson in "impermanence" / freeing you from attachments
• Depression as "outgrowing" things that used to be fun, but aren't any more
• Depression as lack of "love" or loss of "faith"
• Depression as a "wake-up call"
• Depression as a "dark night of the soul"
• Depression as not knowing why you're here
• Depression as an aspect of the human condition, or "separation from God"

Reading about depression may help shed some light on what is happening and perhaps what causes and aggravates it. But the solution for alleviating depression often lies in taking some form of action - even if one feels incapable of any action at all, one is still able to be aware of that feeling . . . which is the first step to further action, whether it's changing your life situation, meditating, doing manual labor, "working oneself out of it," or otherwise. If one is available, use other people - friends, family, strangers or acquaintances - to help

The Need for Spiritual Training by Haridas Chaudhuri

Regular practice of meditation can put into the hands of man effective spiritual weapons with which to conquer depression. When an individual feels lost, his mind becomes identified with one all-engulfing feeling of depression. A person who is trained in meditation can objectify depression as a passing mental state, and thus overcome it. As he tends to fall into depression, he has the strength and power to detach himself from it. By searching analysis and self-examination, he can rise above it. By gaining insight into the causes of depression, he can dispel it. He can further divert the depressed libido into new, constructive channels. A reorientation of psychic energy would thus take place. The energy which was withdrawn from conventional pursuits may be reapplied to new goals of spiritual vision.

Meditation helps a person to discover his rootedness in the eternal. This enables him to move with the flux of change without self-estrangement. No amount of change in customs and manners, in social fashions and cultural trends, can unhinge him. No amount of change in physical ability and social status can upset him either. He realizes that every phase of life has its appropriate usefulness and meaning. Every status in life has its appropriate values. So instead of trying desperately to cling to the phase of life which is passing he can quickly readjust himself to the next phase of life characterized by its own set of values. For example, in the evening of life, instead of trying to hang on to the youth that is slipping, he can humbly share with humanity the fruits of his life-long experience and wisdom in a way appropriate to old age. By learning to exist in the presence of the eternal, he can make his own presence a silent source of strength, solace, and inspiration to the younger generation. The disappearance of youthful vigor may witness the appearance of a new power born of mature wisdom and love.
- excerpt from Mastering the Problems of Living

"Depression is a common form of negative emotion.
With some it is a kind of disease which comes on periodically,
even regularly at certain times of the year. Some take to drugs or drink to escape it.
The causes are various: food, climate, unsatisfied sex or over-expenditure of sex energy,
lack of money . . . with some it is inherited.
Gardening and some kind of handicraft, are among the best cures,
also washing-up, clearing out a lumber room - physical work of various kinds.
An almost infallible cure is to do these while remembering oneself,
and to do the task more slowly or faster, than usual.
The difficulty is to make the initial effort. But . . . '
Once you have shouldered it, it is the lightest thing in the world.'"
- C. S. Nott

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Recommended:

Of course, we recommend
The LiveReal Products, Psychology Arena

Practical:
NoonDay Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon
Breaking the Patterns Of Depression by Michael Yapko

Behavioral:
Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman

Meaninglessness and Existential:
Confession by Leo Tolstoy
Existential Psychotherapy by Irvin D. Yalom
The Search for Meaning by William Willimon and Thomas Naylor
Groundhog Day (movie)
Scent of a Woman (movie)

So, check these (and any others you might find) out, then talk to us, talk to others in the LiveReal Discussion Board, and get together with others so we can all figure out what works (and what doesn't) so we can get on with the real business of life.

Talk about it:
info@livereal.com

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