Black Dog - the other name for depression

[CrashedCarDriver]

its one of those things that bug even the most well off of people but im just wondering how people who have suffered it overcame it

medical treatment sounds wonderful and all but they do not work for everyone or have a desired outcome, the word is treatment takes away the sufferer's ability to experience heightened feelings such as not enjoying the taste of good food, or enjoying music, bottom line- living everything through on a plateau is worst than suffering it

the non medical treatment (and far more effective method) is to find the root, the cause of the black dog such as traumatic events which may have contributed to the mental state

other methods of treatment are to be in the company of positive people (not too cheerful) in being absent from the presence of negative energy

 

[BVS]

medical treatment sounds wonderful and all but they do not work for everyone or have a desired outcome, the word is treatment takes away the sufferer's ability to experience heightened feelings such as not enjoying the taste of good food, or enjoying music, bottom line- living everything through on a plateau is worst than suffering it

I'm assuming by "medical" you mean medication. And by non medical you mean therapy. For many therapists would define what they are doing as medical.

The two can coincide, it doesn't always have to be one or the other.

Every pill is different and reacts differently for every person. Some will take away the ability to experience heightened sensations and others won't.

the non medical treatment (and far more effective method) is to find the root, the cause of the black dog such as traumatic events which may have contributed to the mental state

The root can't always be found, and often there isn't just one root so to call it the more effective isn't so black and white.

other methods of treatment are to be in the company of positive people (not too cheerful) in being absent from the presence of negative energy

Surrounding yourself by positivity definately can help but doesn't always cure.

 

[VintagePunk]

medical treatment sounds wonderful and all but they do not work for everyone or have a desired outcome, the word is treatment takes away the sufferer's ability to experience heightened feelings such as not enjoying the taste of good food, or enjoying music, bottom line- living everything through on a plateau is worst than suffering it

the non medical treatment (and far more effective method) is to find the root, the cause of the black dog such as traumatic events which may have contributed to the mental state

Many studies have shown that the most effective treatment for depression is a combination of anti-depressants and CBT (cognitive-behavioural therapy). With this combination, the depressive episode tends to resolve itself sooner, and there is less chance of future relapse.

 

[Illumination70]

I've handled depression my whole life and the only treatment which really works for me is getting on a medication instead of just counseling.

 

[A_Wanderer]

Definitely something to be aware of, I probably fall into a high risk category for a genetic predisposition although luckily nothing came of it through my teen years and I feel better than ever (but since I doubt many people count their teen years as the best time of their lives thats diagnostic of nothing ). The research into why things like depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia persist within populations and the possible evolutionary advantages (creativity, sociality, mate selection etc.) is of note, these conditions are biological and even though there are environmental factors that can trigger episodes medication can treat the brain. Nothing to be ashamed of; an organ in the body is sick, it can be treated with medicine.

Of course there is nothing as subjective as ones own experiences and feelings, the insistence that there must be some normal manner of feeling or thinking may be a bit exclusive to people who while different do not neccessarily need to be medicated, or who medicate to feel normal. Of course I am not talking about cutting, suicidal individuals or situations where somebody isn't able to function but the eccentrics that have enriched science and culture throughout civilization; it would be a shame to loose that (fortunately/unfortunately there are always people that don't see the allure in conforming and wouldn't medicate even if given the choice).