ANSWERS: 30
  • it is and it is cureable.
  • Well, the National Institute of Mental Health thinks so. Why would I not think so?
  • Yes it is who would say that it isn't?? Besides Tom Cruise.
  • Well, it's in the Mental Illnesses category here on AB, and I do think it is a disorder. Many thoughts go around in the mind of a depressed person, and treatment should to taken.
  • Scientists and doctors have long believed that depression is a real disorder cause by chemical imbalances in the human brain..caused by stress, etc. Researchers have spent decades trying to get to the bottom of what causes common disorders such as anxiety, depression and ADHD, and they believe that some form of chemical imbalance is involved in some way. While the exact link between chemical imbalance and emotional disorders has not been found, clinical studies and medical observations have been able to identify a number of chemical inconsistencies that occur in individuals who report experiencing symptoms related to these disorders. Common chemical imbalances related to emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression include: Reduced availability of neurotransmitters like Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine, GABA and Acetylcholine. Increased levels of toxic neurochemicals such as Homocysteine Lower levels of serum Magnesium, Zinc or Potassium Unhealthy, or deficient levels of essential vitamins like B6, B9, B12 and Vitamin-C Undersupply of key cofactors like amino acids that are used to help transport neurotransmitter precursors into the blood-brain barrier. Increased cortisol stress hormone levels
  • It is most certainly a real disorder. A lot of people can become depressed because of events in their life, but there are some people who become depressed periodically for their whole life for no reason at all.
  • Very real. I have it and almost a quarter of the people I know have it (to a greater or lesser extent). If you have it, or think you do, you should see a professional about it. Treatments of various types exist.
  • It is, Nikeah. I sympathise with you that your parents refuse to acknowledge it. I suffered from it throughout childhood, but was never treated. I had to get to my 40s before I was, and even then, my mother was scornful. Mind you, later she was detected as being depressed too (she refused medication though). If you are old enough to go to a doctor, then do, and explain how you are feeling. If he/she prescribes you medication, then so be it. Hold your head up and stick to your guns. When they see the changes in you, your parents might come around. All the best.
  • I myself don't believe in most of the theories put forth by the modern psychiatric institution on matters of "Depression" and "Mental Illness" in general. That being said, I definitely consider chronic depression a disorder (Or at the very least a serious issue requiring some kind of treatment). I just don't believe that it is a "Mental Illness" which should be medicated by default. Granted, some depression is caused solely by chemical imbalances, and that in that kind of depression, a little adjustment with pharmaceuticals can help. But in many cases, a depressed person is merely so because they are feeling unhappy and unfulfilled in their life, and *That* kind of depression should be addressed through therapy or just through trying to sort the "Patient's" life out so they won't be so unhappy with it, not drugged or treated as a "Disease". If you're interested in learning more about (What I believe to be) the true nature of depression, I would refer you to the article "The Myth of Mental Illness", by the controversial (But, in my opinion, generally brilliant) psychology scholar Thomas S. Szasz: http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Szasz/myth.htm
  • Yes it is, caused by many things, some physical and others from events or situations.
  • It is absolutely a real disorder. Many people use the word "depressed" when they really mean "very sad." Not it. Depression is a whole-body illness. When I am having a bout with it, I physically hurt. It's as bad as having the flu.
  • It is a very real disorder!
  • As a person whom has depression, I know it is real. I also know that when I went on my meds it made a huge difference.
  • It is absolutely a real disorder - it's been completely proven. It results from chemical imbalances within the brain, and is completely accepted as a real disorder by every medical institute, person, etc that's worth mentioning. Anyone who doesn't think it's a real disorder is either innocently ignorant of the facts (in which case they shouldn't be speaking out saying it's not real), or wilfully lying, in which case they are disgusting fools. Depression is perhaps the most insidious illness out there, for almost everyone they have no idea it's happening to them until the chemical imbalance has become quite severe, at which time their reasoning skills, mental clarity, emotions, and general health are all rapidly falling down a slippery slope... The fact that large numbers of people seem to have no idea just how severe and real the illness is doesn't help either - people even go out of their way to 'mock' people who're depressed, making fun of them for it... It's disgusting, and anyone who does it is a truly horrible person. (And I hope that they are ashamed of themselves, for their actions are most definitely shameful) ***** Having had the illness for many years, I can speak from experience to say unequivocally that it is a VERY severe illness that can easily be fatal (regularly leads to suicide). It is the most insidious illness there is, being completely undetectable until (and even well after) someone has fully succumbed to the effects (numbed emotions, lack of mental clarity, poor judgement, etc), and often needs psychiatric help and medication in order to recover at all. It leads to widespread problems even after recovery - I for example have developed a Psychosomatic Anxiety/Stress disorder as a result, which basically means that I have certain mental triggers that cause me to feel overwhelming sensations of anxiety and stress then nausea when I know full well that there is nothing actually wrong... I see a certain type of image and I am pretty much unable to do anything for a few hours while I recover, and there's nothing I can do about it. It can also lead to (or be a result of) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, etc. ***** I cannot stress enough how serious of an illness it is. It can be fatal, it can ruin lives, it can be utterly debilitating, it can crush every fibre of a persons well-being. It's real, and it sucks. If you are suffering from it and anyone you know thinks it's a joke, get them to do their damned research before laughing at such severe disorders.
  • Yes, it is very real.
  • Depression is a real disorder. I'm curious as to why someone would think it isn't.
  • It absolutely is a disorder and one of the most debilitating around. Think of any physical disorder or disease you may have. At least you have a rational and strong mind to get you through it and seek treatment. A severly depressed person does not have that and hence, does not even have the motivation to get better. They are often so deep in despair, they don't care whether they live or die. Many just wish to die and end up ending their lives. They have no hope for the future and often can't muster the energy or hopefullness to even seek help. So many people incorrectly lump "feeling down" to depression. If you haven't been through it you really have no idea how it can destroy your life. Anyone who has truly gone thru a depression knows there is no comparison. Depression robs what is most precious to any human being, the soul and the mind.
  • been there done that its very real
  • Yeah I do. And I also worry that I might get it every once in a while. Like right now.
  • Of course it is.
  • There are plenty of medications on the market to alleviate the symptoms of it. So I have to assume it's a very genuine disorder. Would they allow medications to be made that have no therapeutic value? That would be crazy. We were talking about depression, right?
  • When you feel depressed it is real, and at that time it is a disorder in your life.
  • It sure is a real disorder, and marked by real emotional pain. In any mental health, enviornment, or various illness' depression is ever present. Depression does not favor any one class of people or culture. It can be mild to severe. I would bet that there are very few who do not believe it's real. Most people have depression or know friends or relatives who have it. Depression is dehabilitating.
  • as much as id love to believe its not a disorder - rather than just a state of mind that can be controlled - Id have to say yeah it is.
  • Yes, depression IS a real disorder. I have this disorder and it is unexplainable how much it can ruin your life. So much that you loose any interest in everything and everyone. It makes you feel less of yourself, like nothing.
  • Yes it is a very real and dangerous disorder.
  • i certainly do. if you haven't got enough serotonin floating around where it should be, no amount of "turn that frown upside down" is going to work. i DO believe that some psychiatrists are too quick to drug people up, granted. there are some cases in which other methods of treatment can be effective in helping with depression, and that is always preferable to putting pills in your body, but antidepressants have improved- and saved- countless lives when used properly.
  • I've heard a lot of people say that depression is just a cop out and that it's what people who are weak use as an excuse to be. Trust me Depression is very much a disorder. And it is life crippling to some. Those that have family that are persistant and care and fight for them when they can't seem to fight for themselves are more likely to recover from it. Those who find they are alone without people or friends to walk with them side by side and fight for them are more likely to let it take them. Only someone who has been touched either with it or watched someone they love suffer through it can tell you for sure that YES it is a disorder.
  • yeah i know it is, i was diagnosed with clinical depression.
  • Yes... It's been proven that some who are depressed DO have chemical imbalances causing it. And it's also been proven that certain horemone imbalances cause it, as do psychological situations. Of COURSE it's a "real" disorder.

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