Anyone answer about depression?

My question is, are there different types of depression, and dont give me a big c &p job about bi-polar or whatever. From what I've understood from my phsycologist, depression arises from either a)negative seld talk or mistaken beliefs b)from your circumstances, i.e. difficult childhood or whatever, or c) a chemical imbalance in the brain. While the first 2 do lead to the 3rd, it can also occur on its own, and hence many traditional therapies such as counciling have no affect. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

The only differences I know of are situational depression - something not pathological like being depressed when you lose a loved one or a job, etc. - vs. clinical depression, which some think is a more appropriate condition to treat with drugs.

I do know that studies have consistently found that while counseling has an effect, and antidepressants have an effect, the combination of the two works better in the treatment of depression. So I'm not sure I believe that counseling has no effect on depression caused by a chemical imbalance or that one can neatly separate a chemical imbalance from other causes of depression - I suspect that your A, B, and C all influence each other.

But I'm no expert - interesting question, though!

There are many forms of depression, from dysthymia to major depression to psychosis caused by depression. I am not sure what you want to hear.

I disagree that any kind of depression does not benefit from counseling because whatever the cause, learning tools to deal with depression is always important. The best case treatment for most forms of depress on or anxiety is a combination of medication, therapy and group support.

Depression can come from many things, both situational (something happening in your life) and general (no identifiable cause).

It doesn't matter what any one Else say . It sounds like you have your answer already . May be counseling doesn't help but that's up to you to decried . Not any one Else . I know for my self it help to talk to some one . Sometimes help and sometimes it does not . Do some research for some help . You might just find what your looking for . Sorry couldn't be more help .

deprresion is a hrd thing to get over with. it can be hard for several reasons. and isnt easy to deal with.i dont know all the diffrent types of depreesion . but all i know that when you are deprresed i know, an exersise that helps me feel a little better when i am sad. i try to smile , even when im crying. it is hard but it helps. also when you stop smileing laugh out.... ha,ha,ha,ha,ha......its strange but it helps big time.

I don't really have a response except to say that I tried a program called attacking anxiety. www.attacking anxiety.com

Its a wonderful program and really help me deal with my depression!!

Hey!! Sure there are a lot of different reasons that cause depression, you're right about that. Sometimes it can be a combination of two things - bad experiences + negative self image, but it can also occur without any of those two things being present.

I've had mild depressions since i was a child and developed major depression during my teens. I've seen three psychologists and five psychiatrists, i've had phychotherapy for two to three years and found that councilling and therapy sessions alone were not enough to help me. I've had no bad experiences in my life, and although i have negative self image, this can also be caused by the depression itself rather then the other way round.

You certainly can just have a chemical imbalance, i did from the moment i was born. Unfortunately depression in children wasn't recognised back then so my behavioural problems were dismissed as just bad behaviour rather then the fact i was probably frustrated in not being able to communicate what was wrong.

As for treatment, it really depends on the person. Personally, councilling alone didn't help and i need medication as well - whereas others really benefit from councilling and don't need medication. It also depends on the depression itself. If there is a specific cause that resulted in you developing depression then those issues can be addressed in councilling, as well as ways in which to deal with the depression. However, some people do have chronic depression, it isn't common, but it is very much a reality. I was told by my psychiatrists/psychologists that i probably will never fully recover from depression because i have a chronic form.

For these people, they will probably have to be on medication for the rest of their lives. Regardless of whether there is a cause for the depression or whether it is a chemical imbalance (whether it is chronic or not), councilling is still very essential. Just because councilling alone doesn't improve the depression doesn't mean its useless. I learnt several ways to deal with my depression that wasn't self destructive and can handle it a lot better. I hope this answer your question and i wasn't too confusing in my answer.