Depression Support Group

Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

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Nature, nurture, then or now?

deleted_user
deleted_user
What do you think is the major factor in your depressive illness? I often wonder about this for myself. Is it the way my brain is wired? Is it trauma from my childhood? Is it simply my having poor strategies for dealing with life and stress?

While I think all of these things play into it, for me I think it's largely poor life strategies. My problems were certainly triggered by traumatic events in my childhood (abuse, car accident, death of my father, poverty,) but I think they continue to dog me because
1. I haven't dealt with them properly yet, and
2. As a result of the trauma(s), I developed habits which, while they were essential for my survival then, severely hamper me now. (Habits such as withdrawal, lack of trust, detachment, and so on.)

What do y'all think?
deleted_user
deleted_user
studies show that both are factors. personally, i don't know, was adopted, and have no idea of medical history of birth family
deleted_user
deleted_user
I could blame it on "mid-life crisis" but that just may be another term for depression- the things you could shrug off when you're in your 20's you really can't when you are in your 40's...
deleted_user
deleted_user
i think that you are half right. it is caused by trauma. but things that are our of your control and it is chemical as much as environmental. if you continue to think that it is something that you are doing or not doing. dont do that to yourself. you willbeat yourself up for the rest of your life if you hold yourself responsible.
Testycatlady
Testycatlady
For me it is heredity. My whole family has some kind of mental illness or other. The only one who doesn't is my brother.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was adopted also and agree with lost. However, I also believe that no matter what, we have the power to make our lives how we want it to be.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Mine is "organic" - ie. no cause.
Which is annoying as there is no problem which I can work through to get over it.
Its just me.
Booooooo.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hm...I don't really "take responsibility" for being depressed per se, maine; however, I DO try to make decisions that won't screw up my future, since I figure while I can't control my past, I CAN control what I do now.
deleted_user
deleted_user
no one really knows for sure. while one person can have identical trauma as another, one is depressed, one turns out well adjusted.
DEF think heredity plays a major role...but doubt it's the entire story.
the brain is one complex organ. no doubt.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I think that heridity (genes) play a role in a pre-disposition to depression (like cancer, heart disease, etc.) but nurture/environment/life events can trigger depression that is lying dormant.

There is plenty of scientific evidence to support the genetic link.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Having a kid....after I gave birth everything hit me at once. That triggered the depression I reckon.
The rest got triggered after my father tried to molest my daughter, then the crapola really hit the fan :(
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