[thinbefore40]

Is depression always because of chemical imbalance? Or can it be self-inflicted, or self-induced depression? Just wondering bec i do find myself depressed at times .... mostly because of personal issues that I still am mad over....

Working on that issue with my therapist and it is not easy to overcome. Thanks in advance for your answers!

[thinbefore40]

posting to subscribe!

[mkat321]

I have a chemical imbalance, but I have noticed through journaling and just thinking about things that my depression is more often than not caused more by life, things that would depress anyone with or without chemical issues... {once had a friend tell me I get 'a little down over things most people would blow their brains out over' so I guess I'm doing better than I think}

[sweet_pea]

thinbefore40 - the answer is all of the above

it can be a chemical imbalance, but often people's coping skills enable them to overcome the deficit and lead normal lives. when that doesn't happen meds can help

it can also be a thinking deficit - ie the way you handle events in your life and think about things

it can be a reaction to major trauma e.g. death, divorce etc or general ongoing stress

it can result from anxiety as well

------

also depression is something that lasts for at least 2 weeks so you can feel blue or down without being depressed

have you read the info in the stickies at the top of this forum? it has a lot of info about depression

[cathyxxx]

very true - it can be any and all of the above.
and there can be something physical going on causing depression also.

Please check out the info we have posted in the "Depression Articles" at:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/show...t=49146&page=3


hugs,
Cathy

[Jman1]

The physical and the mental are connect. If you change your thinking, you can change your chemistry, and if you change your chemistry you can change your thinking. The book Feeling Good, by Burns is the best book I've read about how to use thinking to fight depression. I take Zoloft as well as doing that and therapy, though.

[campbellredhead]

depression can also be situational,
due to different stressors in your life, or changes...