Depression is addicting......

[Ms.Diagnosed]

I see there's a thread of Alcohol and Drug Addiction; however, I'm interested if anyone out there thinks/feels depression itself is addicting?

Years ago my cousin asked me, "How is it that you can't get out of the state you're in?"

And I told my cousin that depression is like an addiction.

Now, my cousin's mom was an alcoholic, and my cousin's reply was "Yeah, but usually when a person is addicted to gambling, or drugs, or alcohol, it's because that addiction feels good for them. What's so good about feeling depressed?"

My answer? I told my cousin, just like an addiction, there are days when I feel I can't control my depression. It's like it has a mind of it's own, and on top of it, it's easy. Not as in easy to feel depressed, easy as in, the depression comes easily, and very hard to get out of a depressed state of mind.

Does this make sense as to how or why I think Depression can be an addiction too?

[paul m]

Interesting View. As you say with gambling etc the addiction comes from the high.

You mention control of depression or lack of control. That is not an indication of an addiction but of an serious illness. Depression can be a serious illness and like a lot of serious illnesses it cannot be controled by the mind alone.

Someone who requires regular injections of insulin can watch their diet and life style and perhaps cut down on the amount of insulin they use, but as long as their pancreas does not work, they will always need insulin. Somedays more, somedays less. Nobody would say that they are addicted to their illness.

No doubt there are days when I could fight my moods better, but that merely makes me human. I also should be in better shape and not give in to my love of butter-tarts so much.

I have met people who did like the sympathy they got when they were ill, but that can occur with any illness.

Depression is a legimate illness, an illness that by its very nature can make us incapable of fighting it as hard as we would like. Take Care. paul m

[Christopher1]

Depression

1.A depressive disorder is a syndrome (group of symptoms) that reflects a sad and/or irritable mood exceeding normal sadness or grief.

2.Depressive signs and symptoms are characterized not only by negative thoughts, moods, and behaviors but also by specific changes in bodily functions (for example, crying spells, body aches, low energy or libido, as well as problems with eating, weight, or sleeping).

3.Certain people with depressive disorder, especially bipolar depression (manic depression), seem to have an inherited vulnerability to this condition.

4.Depressive disorders are a huge public-health problem, due to its affecting millions of people.

5.Depression is usually first identified in a primary-care setting, not in a mental health practitioner's office. Moreover, it often assumes various disguises, which causes depression to be frequently underdiagnosed.

[paul m]

Hello Christopher1. Thx for posting the very accurate description of depression.

I would like to add one thing. When it comes the initial diagnosis, we are often our own worst enemies, denying to both ourselves and to our doctors that anything is wrong. Often this is because we are afraid of the stigma attached to a mental illness and we would rather suffer than be labelled as someone who has a mental problem. Take Care. paul m

[Woody]

Is it an addiction?

I would agree with you Ms Diagnosed that I cannot always control my mood. When I am having one of them days, it does not mater how many bags of chips I eat or how many time I listen to "What A Wonderful World" My moods are in the crapper and nothing is going to change that.

I think where you get your definition of the word Addiction can make or break your argument. If you look at the original meaning of the word just about anything can become an addiction. According to the original definition, i am addicted to Seroquel. Am also addicted to the Internet, coffee, TV but no long addicted to cigarettes. Definition: Something that is habit forming. Yes I get into ruts from time to time where it is easier to be or to just stay depressed. You get into that partern of lifestyle and you would rather keep doing what you are doing instead of trying to get better. So yeah, it could be considered an addiction. It is also a symptom of depression where you have lost hope in the future and the will do succeed. The lost will to succeed.

The problem is thought, in the last little while the definition has mutated to something that is more socially taboo than before. Alcohol addiction. Drug addition. So on, you get the picture. So if you use the meaning attached it is probably a bigger streech. So if addition is to mean a social tabboo, then no being depressed is not like being addicted.

[Elaine]

depression

I insisted my gentleman friend go to a Dr and get help for his angry outbursts, (I called them temper tantrums), they were scary for me to watch and listen to, and I knew they were very unhealthy for him. He went to the Dr and was diagnosed with depression and put on 20 mg of something once a day, it helped a great deal. I feel the underlying problem is still there and that the medication is just a bandaid. I believ his problem stems from his childhood and the beatings he took from his father. Again, in my opinion he needs psyciatric help but am very sure he will never get it, so he will remain the most fearful man I have ever known. Can anyone out there give me some insight into what I've said?

[paul m]

Hello Elaine. Its very hard to offer advice to first parties and almost impossible to offer it to third parties.

I am glad you care enough to want to help your friend, perhaps you can get him to post. Take Care. paul m

[Woody]

Unfortunately that is a major weakness in our system. Talk therapy is only available to those with really really good health plans at work or to those that have the money to drop a substantial amount of cash.

[paul m]

Cognetive behavioural therapy can sometimes help a person over come their problems. There are a ton of courses out there, but reputable ones tend to be expensive.

However in Ontario there are now some that are funded by OHIP. One can usually find out if there are any near them by calling the local hospital and asking for the closest mood disorder clinic or searching on google.

In regards to other provinces I do not know. Take Care. paul m

[bluebandaid]

it's not an addiction

its not an addiction, there is one aspect that is like addiction, which is that you can't control it. maybe that's why they call addiction a disease.

It is an illness like diabetes, with environmetal, genetic, and other factors.

I know what depression feels like and I know what addiction feels like, and they're quite quite different.

anyway, just my 2 cents

[tideline]

depression as an addiction?

I actually think that this is an interesting question. And I think that the topic could be clarified by differentiating between the nature of the illness (which is NOT an addiction) and how the individual experiences the symptoms (which may seem a lot like an addiction).
In my experience there was a time when I was highly suicidal and afterwards I discribed those thoughts as an intense physical craving to die (by whatever means I had in my head). It is hard to explain why I was suicidal but I can remember that the desire was so strong and all reason and logical thought was not present. I would do anything in order to commit suicide. This is a similar experience for individuals who are addicted to various substances. Additionally, when I am beginning to feel my depression creep up on me and I am trying to battle it, sometimes I do think that it is easier to give in to the illness and just stay at home and sleep then try to CONSTANTLY fight it. That makes me feel very lazy! But it is exhausting to fight it all the time and sometimes it does feel good just to 'give in'. Anyway those are my thoughts for now. Great topic.

~tideline