Antidepressants and depression/part two

I’ve been doing more reading about antidepressants.

I’ve researched the subject  heavily in the past. Since I’ve been blogging, I’ve made it a point to read many blogs that focus on mood disorders. I want to know how various people are describing their personal experience  with this illness, the suggestions that have helped them and those that haven’t.

It seems as though anti-depressant are the first line of defense for many.

So I re-read some books, and also read some new ones. Not much has changed in the study of depression. The only way to study depression is to study those who suffer from it and those who suffer depression report remarkably similar feelings. The experience of depression is very predictable from one person to another. It’s hard for us to believe that anyone has ever felt as bad as we have. But the truth is, they have.

People who experience depression today don’t look or sound much different from those who suffered it years ago.

For example, exercise has been known for years to help depression. And now there is even more of an emphasis on lifestyle choices in treating depression. Now I knew all this myself but I just didn’t believe that lifestyle choices would make such of a difference.

Here are a couple of books I suggest you read.

I’m suggesting these books because they are at opposite ends of the spectrum.  I found both books well-written and well-researched.  Both authors have experienced bouts of depression, either their own or someone else’s.

They are not an”easy” read as both cite a number of studies. I have a  background in statistical analysis so I found them particularly interesting.  Remember, however, that  the same set of statistics can be interpreted differently.

The first book is “You Mean I Don’t Have to Feel This Way?” by Colette Dowling. The second book is” Bluebird”, by Ariel Gore. This second book is geared to women but the research is of interest to anyone.  When it comes to depression, there are no hard and fast answers that apply to everyone.  The only advice I can give as a depression survivor myself is that no matter how we choose to treat our depression, we do ourselves no favor by expecting a pill,  a therapist, a doctor, a friend, a book (or a blog 🙂 ) to do the work for us.

If you’re looking for two books that effectively present two opposing views about anti-depressants and are well-researched, these are two good choices.

Related articles

• Re: Turmeric may be more effective than common anti-depressant drugs at treating dep (forum.prisonplanet.com)
• Dramatic rise in anti-depressant use (thesun.co.uk)
• The Newest Anti-Depressant: Exercise (psychnursedotcom.wordpress.com)
• Depressed about nothing? (iwouldntwanttobeanybodyelse.com)

Rebecca

Hi. I'm so glad you're here. My blog focuses on faith and mental health issues such as mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and dysthymia (chronic low moods that don't qualify as depression.) I post DIY and decorating projects when I can. My book, "Depression Has A Big Voice. Make Yours Bigger! (Expanded Edition), is on sale at all online retailers. I have a Psychology degree and post-graduate courses in Clinical Pastoral Education. I am a former hospital chaplain, Bible teacher, and retreat/conference inspirational speaker. Thank you for visiting and may you feel God's presence today.

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