An Attitude of Gratitude & Depression

the title is depression?

Tillybelle probably has an 'ology' degree.

D'ye know what...I'm heartily sick of almost every thread being hijacked somewhere, somehow, by the mention of illness or some link to what a professor in an unheard of medical facility wrote in an article years ago.
Numerous lists of medications or books written about depression and what was espoused as treatment on radio 2/3/4/gaga. Phew!
It truly is Amazing that so many people in one place, so to speak, have so many ailments and expert knowledge about those ailments.

Are you a professional please? You see to know what you are talking about.

MissAdventure And others
On stopping antidepressants.
You'll always hear "see your Doctor first". This is because it is not safe to stop taking anti depressants (and some other drugs) abruptly.
Anti depressants need to be tapered down so that their effect on you is slowly reduced. This is because the drugs start by building up in the brain to put more serotonin in the synapse in your brain cells. It takes about three weeks for them to get into their full effect at the start.

On stopping, to suddenly not have them can cause an effect called "rebound". This is a dangerous loss of the serotonin in the synapse (we think) but the effect on the person is unequivocal - they become so depressed many get suicidal and most are unable to control the terrible way they feel.

So never abruptly stop taking antidepressants. Having said this, you are sure to meet someone who has done so and who says they were fine. They were lucky, some people seem ok, most people get terribly depressed, a lot get suicidal. Why risk it when you only need to gradually cut down your dose, slowly. Ask your Doctor the best way to do this.
Stopping suddenly and being ill does not mean you are "addicted".

The definition of addiction is quite clear. I like the Psychology definition: Addiction is a condition in which a person engages in the use of a substance or in a behavior for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeatedly pursue the behavior despite detrimental consequences. Addiction may involve the use of substances such as alcohol, inhalants, opioids, cocaine, nicotine, and others, or behaviors such as gambling.

I think looking for the good things in life can slow the onset of depression, but I also believe that someone being sunny and helpful all the time will eventually look around and say 'Why am I making all the effort?'

The terminology may be the same but the hushed tones/embarassment is specific to being " on " antidepressants.

Nobody is out and proud on anti depressants.

MissAdventure. I'm on amitriptyline to prevent migraine and morphine for pain. I tried to cut down the amitriptyline, a try-cyclic anti depressant that preceded the SRIs, and just felt miserable.
I have a friend who sends me lists of U3A, poetry groups, tells me it's not good that I'm on my own then moans about the people she sees each day, and constantly is trying to get me to be someone else.
I understand you!
I love - going to bed early with the dogs! There's nobody to tell me it's wrong!

notanan2. I love you!!

Sparklefizz Sorry haven't been online to read the article yet ;-
The idea of "Count your blessings". I.e. focus on good things, is really a kind of simplified Cognitive Therapy. In Aaron Beck's Cognitive Therapy of Depression, he notes how Depression - the Clinical kind - is accompanied by an inability to naturally draw on happy memories. It makes us remember when things went wrong. It is not the depressed person's fault and they do not do it on purpose.
So an attitude of gratitude will help if you start to acknowledge the little things that make your life better. It is one step towards getting out of the pit. Being clinically depressed though is a very horrible illness and just telling someone to be thankful for what they've got may be a very cruel approach. Some people simply cannot do it. If you are just a bit down in the dumps though, it is a good way to start lifting yourself up.

*plant

This made me smile this morning. Rescued from Tesco on it's last legs, given showers, baby bio and tlc, it rewarded my efforts with this gorgeous display of colour. I said 'thank you' as it reminded me that even the ugliest duckling can be a swan once a year.

I sometimes get 'low' but not depressed. When I was seeing my Dr years ago about tiredness and dreadful aches and pains he tried to tell me I was depressed and he could prescribed some medications. I told him my brain and thoughts were full of life, and no I wasn't depressed. Turned out to be PBC, a life long liver problem.. I do find that helping people or being pleasant to people helps me from getting down.

That's cool MissA'.

I'm thankful you reminded me.
Ta!

Can we stop talking about antidepressants and addiction to same?
I thought it was a thread about thankfulness, not about medication and whether depression is a mindset or an illness.
Half the world seems to be depressed or anxious nowadays and it's making me depressed to read about it...smile please.

stella i so agree, I have a gratitude book in which I start every sentence...I am grateful for.... had it for years and I still look back at all my notes. I find it amazing, thank you for sharing. best wishes Andy

u3a

Ah. Yes. The solution to all loneliness, grief, and depression.. "just put yourself out there"

Ugh.

I find it quite embarrassing to say that I'm on antidepressants because I'm aware that some people think I should be journaling, dancing like nobody's watching, counting my blessings, and so joining the u3a

-oldbatty People who suffer from depression are not akin to drug addicts.
No one has said that depression equates to drug addiction, only that coming off antidepressants or some painkillers can produce withdrawal symptoms in the same way that stopping addictive drugs or alcohol or tobacco can produce withdrawal symptoms.
Nobody says " on statins" or " on insulin".
Of course they do. If anyone asked me if I took any medication I’d say ‘I’m on thyroxine’. Being ‘on’ a drug doesn’t apply only to antidepressants.

"they"

Nobody says " on statins" or " on insulin".
Um. Yeah the do???

I hate the terminology " on antidepressants" Nobody says " on statins" or " on insulin".

We are not " on" anything. We have been unwell and we have been prescribed medication, just the same as everybody else who finds themselves feeling ill.

janeainsworth the WHOLE rest of my post which you ignore was about how support is needed to come off antidepressants...as the NHS advice says.

Yea it is "simplistic" to just say antidepressants are addictive. Its more complex than that, again, as the NHS advice says. It is also a dangerous statement as it stigmatizes. More resources need to go into monitoring and weaning once people are ON antidepressants, that does not mean that people in crisis should be scared of starting them.

Nobody advises suddenly stopping anti depressants.

Also nobody , unless they are a qualified doctor with up to date knowledge ,ought to be on a public forum giving out advice.

People who suffer from depression are not akin to drug addicts.