First of all, is depression a disease?
No, there is a physical nature to disease which doctors are able to see, touch, measure and smell. Depression is subjective and based on how the person feels and interprets their emotions.
So, is it the brain's fault?
No, a "depressed brain" is the consequence of feeling sad which develops into depression. Sadness has to come first and leads to a depressed brain if the feeling is prolonged. The thing that made you feel sad in the first place is the cause. The brain is just a complex chemical processing factory that is simply responding to your actions. It's our choices and behaviours that produce the actual chemicals processed in the brain.
So, what’s the deal with chemical imbalances, like a low serotonin level?
That is just a theory that has never been proven with evidence but is a great marketing slogan to sell happy pills.
So, is the mind the problem then?
Again no, your mind is doing what it's supposed to do which is feel several different emotions, including sadness.
Do antidepressants work?
Not really, simply because they are not treating the real problem, when they "work" it is usually because of the placebo effect or some other factors.
Do therapies work?
Some do and some don't...
What about cognitive behavioural therapy?
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective, but it's the behavioural aspect that makes the real difference, not the cognitive aspect. Therapists have found that focusing on changing behaviours is what works, and you can even skip the cognitive part entirely. New therapies for depression, like Behavioural Activation Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, are centred around this approach so do your googles on them.
So, what is depression?
Depression is not something you have; it is something you do. Depressed people don't have a mental disease or a chemical imbalance. They practice a cycle of avoidant behaviour that keeps them stuck in their sad situation and prevents them from addressing the underlying issues that are the root cause. This avoidant behaviour is what is maintaining the depressive state of mind not the situation itself. As a result, the cycle of depression continues, trapping them in a vicious circle. If you live a depressing life, lying in bed moping around all day thinking about sad stuff you're going to be depressed.
Emotions, even the painful ones, are a natural part of life. However, our society tends to prioritise comfort and convenience. When we constantly avoid discomfort, our resilience and problem-solving skills suffer. This trap of depression leads us to exchange the victorious feeling that can come from facing and overcoming challenges for a false sense of emotional comfort.
Look, no one would ever intentionally fall into this debilitating cycle. But it is clear that avoiding unpleasant or painful feelings and the situations that provoke them is what is maintaining the depression. And it's clear that it's the individual’s responsibility to get themselves out of this cycle. And positively thinking your way out of this won’t work, it's about taking action to improve your life.
The best way to deal with depression is to change what you do, not what you feel, not what you think... just start DOING different things. It's your actions that dictate the way you feel. Exercise, eat real food, get outside, develop your purpose. Do things that bring you closer to people and things that are important and meaningful. This is all easier said than done, I know, but life isn't supposed to be easy. It's supposed to be hard and this is what hard looks like.
Always remember, you were born to be the hero of your story.
Free you outlaw.