NationStates Jolt Archive

some of you may have recieved the issue for your nation reguarding depression. it referred to depression as a disease in one of the possible solutions.

i havn't ever considered depression a disease, that seems to put a negative lable on people with depression, and i dont think that its right to call someone with depression "diseased" or "mentally unstable."

i was depressed once, for a year's time. i dont know exactly how bad it was, but i dont think that i had a mental problem. it seems wrong to assume that people who are sad to a certain extent are ill, or diseased.

i understand that there are severe cases of depression, such as diagnosed clinical depression, but i dont think that someone can call depression a disease. a very big problem, yes. but not an illness.

There's a difference between clinical depression and general depression.

Everyone gets "depressed" sometimes. There's no cure for that.

But some people do have a chemical inbalance that affects their personality.

And the reason why everyone is so fucked up is that we don't pay attention to which is which anymore.

What precisely constitutes an illness?

I'm susceptible to depression. Does that mean I'm clinically depressed? Maybe. Does it mean I'm always depressed? No.

Does it mean depression is different to everyone? Of course.

As someone who has had to go to psychiatric therapy, I can say confidently that depression is in fact a significant illness that is often overlooked and underestimated.

It is a condition that is dangerous to the depressed person and those around them, and if it isn't diagnosed and treated correctly, can result in severe repercussions. I am willing to say it can be as detrimental as the flu and other major illness's if not taken seriously.

And in our modern society, with every single man and woman leading quite stressful daily lives, struggling with various problems at work, at home and elsewhere, depression is an illness that is on the rise in global society.

Politicians do not take this health issue seriously, and prefer to blame violent incidents involving mentally ill persons on scapegoat issues such as Video games or Hollywood violence. And it's because they don't want to have to front the bill for the costs involved in setting up proper and efficient mental health care in thier countries. And it's very sad.

BTW. I can confidently say that I am a perfectly normal and relatively happy person thanks to recieving proper treatment and care for my condition. And it needn't be the case that that can't be the case for everyone suffering from clinical depression.

There's a difference between clinical depression and general depression.

Everyone gets "depressed" sometimes. There's no cure for that.

But some people do have a chemical inbalance that affects their personality.

And the reason why everyone is so fucked up is that we don't pay attention to which is which anymore.


i understand that there is a difference, but there is chemical imbalance in both. where is the line drawn, then?

I'm susceptible to depression. Does that mean I'm clinically depressed? Maybe. Does it mean I'm always depressed? No.

Does it mean depression is different to everyone? Of course.

i think we are all susceptable to depression, but when does depression become a disease?

i think we are all susceptable to depression, but when does depression become a disease?

When it begins to affect your day to day life. Depression is an illness not a disease. People should be more careful of their terminology and take the time to know what they are saying before shooting their mouths off. Ignorance depresses me.

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i understand that there is a difference, but there is chemical imbalance in both. where is the line drawn, then?

When it manifests itself chronically. I have clinical depression, and believe me, it is a physiological disorder -- a disease if you will (although I agree with the previous poster that "illness" is more accurate). I also see no reason to not label acute depression and SAD as "diseases". Please do make sure you know what you're talking about before you start a thread in the future. I'm not offended by the label "disease"; I am, however, offended when someone tries to minimalze the seriousness of the disorder out of ignorance and does so under the guise of a serious dialog.

What precisely constitutes an illness?

Here is the answer to your question. :rolleyes:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/illness

i understand that there is a difference, but there is chemical imbalance in both. where is the line drawn, then?

General depression is when you feel sad sometimes. Everybody gets that way.

Clinical depression is major depression that is not "fleeting". You are feeling sad all the time for a length of time. It affects your attitude,body,relationships..

Depression IS an illness. Not just a "problem".

So -- place your bets: how much longer before half a dozen people descend on the tread to mock anyone who admits to having depression?

So -- place your bets: how much longer before half a dozen people descend on the tread to mock anyone who admits to having depression?

0 Seconds.

*mocks you for having depression and admitting it*

Hand over teh moneh.

The problem is the medical veiwpoint at this time. Instead of trying to fix the problem, doctors instead try to do a quick fix by throwing drugs at them while the real problem is not adressed.

So -- place your bets: how much longer before half a dozen people descend on the tread to mock anyone who admits to having depression?

I'm hoping people will have the maturity and intelligence to know depression is a real illness that can affect anyone, and is becoming increasingly prevalent.

When it manifests itself chronically. I have clinical depression, and believe me, it is a physiological disorder -- a disease if you will (although I agree with the previous poster that "illness" is more accurate). I also see no reason to not label acute depression and SAD as "diseases". Please do make sure you know what you're talking about before you start a thread in the future. I'm not offended by the label "disease"; I am, however, offended when someone tries to minimalze the seriousness of the disorder out of ignorance and does so under the guise of a serious dialog.

We need to remove the stigma from mental health issues. Many people have mental health problems, and need treatment, it's not much different than any other sort of health problem, you have a problem you go to the doctor to seek treatment.

I don't see why it's such a big deal. My brain chemicals go wonky sometimes, I need meds to straighten them out, it's not any different to me than going to the hospital today for a kidney stone, sometimes my body doesn't do what I want it to, sometimes it needs help to fix itself.

Depression? Bah! For those with weak will power! Force yourself through it!

There's a Depression? Quick! To the natural resources!

*Sells stocks, buys Oil*

(I am actually suffering from quite severe depression at the minute, and have been for months now, but you have to joke about it, y'know. Not going to let it win!)

There's a Depression? Quick! To the natural resources!

*Sells stocks, buys Oil*

(I am actually suffering from quite severe depression at the minute, and have been for months now, but you have to joke about it, y'know. Not going to let it win!)

I've been there. Keep going, and keep up the sense of humor. And preferably, keep posting here. I often enjoy your debate points.

I'm not offended by the label "disease"; I am, however, offended when someone tries to minimalze the seriousness of the disorder out of ignorance and does so under the guise of a serious dialog.

Win-tastic.

Click Stand;13238955']The problem is the medical veiwpoint at this time. Instead of trying to fix the problem, doctors instead try to do a quick fix by throwing drugs at them while the real problem is not adressed.

And how do you propose to address the real problem of a chemical imbalance without drugs? Do you propose therapy? That won't work, since for some odd reason words do not change brain composition. Do you propose invasive brain surgery? That won't work, we can't go anywhere near that small? Do you propose direct genetic manipulation? We can't actually do that.

Click Stand;13238955']The problem is the medical veiwpoint at this time. Instead of trying to fix the problem, doctors instead try to do a quick fix by throwing drugs at them while the real problem is not adressed.
:rolleyes:

Drugs help "fix" the chemical imbalance in the brain. But doctors not only "throw drugs at them", they are also referred to a psychiatrist.