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What is the magic ingredient that makes us 'shift'?

(29 Posts)
Grannyknot Sat 02-Feb-13 08:04:26

When e.g. someone has had the black doggy come to stay, or their behaviour is unacceptable, or they are trapped in addiction, or - simply in any way not happy or not in a good place, whether it is ourselves or others, what is it that makes people 'shift', and then actually make changes? Is it an awakening? Is it gradual? Is it an epiphany?

Tegan Sun 03-Feb-13 21:16:02

Same here but didn't like to say so blush....

Grannyknot Sun 03-Feb-13 20:07:17

Haha to the last 2 posts! Funny! smile. Coincidentally, a book I am reading had a quote in it today on similar theme to my original post, and it said sometimes change is like a tsunami, and sometimes it is brought about by a soft wind.

petallus Sun 03-Feb-13 09:54:56

Me too!

Nelliemoser Sun 03-Feb-13 09:40:32

Good grief! I misread the last word in the title for a moment. grin

Butty Sat 02-Feb-13 14:15:04

J Thanks for that interesting link. I'd read about how the growth of neurogenesis is suppressed over time by the use of traditional antidepressants and finding a way of increasing this directly, without going the route of neurotransmitters, which is what happens at the moment, sounds like a good thing.

So the jury is still out on this, but it is encouraging to read that advances in medical science is still developing, and in this arena for the better, I hope.

Here's to @smiliefacesandsunshine!

Hope your bug is on the way out.

soop Sat 02-Feb-13 13:42:04

Thanks, jings for a very interesting link.

soop Sat 02-Feb-13 13:36:07

sunshine smile

soop Sat 02-Feb-13 13:35:46

There have been times when I've felt as if my shoes were filled with lead. Kindness, not pity, has been invaluable. Not forgetting Fluoxetine. [sushine]

nightowl Sat 02-Feb-13 13:35:00

You're right j07 it is only a theory. I'm happy they work for some people, but sadly not for everyone. My DS for one sad

j07 Sat 02-Feb-13 13:31:03

So long as they work soop. Guess it doesn't really matter why. sunshine

j07 Sat 02-Feb-13 13:30:29

it might be down to neurogenesis (the happy pills causing new brain cells to develop

soop Sat 02-Feb-13 13:28:35

jings I was hopeful that Granny23 was right. smile

j07 Sat 02-Feb-13 13:24:13

But it's all theory at the moment. The serotonin theory is collapsing. They are beginning to think that depression causes the low serotonin. Not that the low serotonin causes the depression.

soop Sat 02-Feb-13 13:16:52

flowers smile Granny23

soop Sat 02-Feb-13 13:14:59

Granny23 I take medication for clinical depression. Your comment has explained the whys and wherefores. Thank you. [flower]

Ana Sat 02-Feb-13 12:42:23

Very interesting, Granny23. Thank you.

jeni Sat 02-Feb-13 12:40:30

That reply was toGrannyknot
No, G 23 you have explained it perfectly. In fact probably better than I could have done![ smile]

jeni Sat 02-Feb-13 12:36:51

Perhaps! My iPad is relly playing silly bs today! It did most peculiar things with chicken earlierconfused
Think I'd better go and read my file for welsh Wales on Tuesday!

Granny23 Sat 02-Feb-13 12:35:26

GK that's a deep question. Having spent half my working life with women escaping domestic abuse, I think it varies from individual to individual and could be gradual, awakening or epiphany. Often a combination -gradual realisation that things are not right, leading to a change in attitude, followed by a lightbulb moment, triggered by a trivial or extreme happening but can only occur when someone is in the right frame of mind to receive the enlightenment.

As to depression it was explained to me that seritonin is the key. When you are happy you produce seritonin - seritonin makes you feel good - you feel happy so you produce more. When you are miserable (because of constant rain, stress, the flu, a bereavment) you produce less seritonin - you feel more miserable - you produce even less. Usually something breaks this vicious circle - a sunny day, a Grandchild's hug, a new hairdo introduces a little chink of light - some seritonin is produced, you feel better, produce more, feel happier, are more receptive to . Following this model the change would be incremental or cumulative.

[Clinical depression occurs when there is a problem with the receptors in the brain which fail to pick up the seritonin message. Hence Selective Seritonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) which are designed to stop available seritonin being reabsorbed into the system leaving it still around for longer, giving faulty receptors more chance to pick it up.]

Hope Jeni does not think I am supplying duff information here blush

Grannyknot Sat 02-Feb-13 12:32:27

smile jeni maybe the unlooked for kindness was unlocked.

jeni Sat 02-Feb-13 11:49:26

Unlooked for. Bloody iPad.

jeni Sat 02-Feb-13 11:49:00

An unexpected or unlocked for kindness.

JessM Sat 02-Feb-13 11:08:23

Allie sometimes a well timed question can do it.

AlieOxon Sat 02-Feb-13 10:21:12

My daughter has 'shifted' in the last few weeks. Maybe because that 'X' time is over. The days are getting longer. There is some sun.

I am hoping it is also because I said to her 'Where are you going to be in ten years' time?'
She needs qualifications to get a job. Now she is starting a computer course.

Butty Sat 02-Feb-13 09:44:17

That is good to know gk smile.

So now just go off and enjoy Spain, your mini-meet-up, and have the most wonderfully relaxing time in the sun.