Post by George on May 21, 2006 22:29:16 GMT -5
I cannot help but respond to the statements about depression that were posted to the group. I have done a lot of research on the subject. Depression in about 90 per cent or more of cases is nothing more than sin. Let me say that again so that there is not question about what I have just stated: Depression in about 90 per cent or more of cases is nothing more than sin. I will address this claim in three ways; medically, Biblically and personally. This will be done in sections because of the complexity. The length of the message is due to the amount of research done on it and the fact that it does come from research and not merely conjecture or personal opinion.
Let us take a look first at the dictionary definition of depression:
2 : an act of depressing or a state of being depressed : as a : a pressing down : LOWERING b (1) : a state of feeling sad : DEJECTION (2) : a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies c (1) : a reduction in activity, amount, quality, or force (2) : a lowering of vitality or functional activity
Here is a quote from an email message I received from a Christian person about this subject: “Depression isn't just a thinking problem or emotions gone out of whack. It isn't even a lack of faith issue although it can eventually go that far. There is also the chemical issue.”
The following in quotes is a medical article quoted verbatim:
“ALL emotional responses have a chemical consequence. When we laugh, for example, there is a greater amount of chemical endorphins (natural painkillers) released into the blood stream. Endorphins do not cause laughter however, they are a consequence of it.
Until recently, and partly because of drug-company marketing, the widespread belief was that depression was a biological illness. It’s even been called a ‘disease.’
Depression is actually a state of high arousal. Depressed people have higher concentrations of stress hormones (cortisol, noradrenaline) than non-depressed people.(1) The apathy and exhaustion seen in depressed people is a consequence of too much arousal, and the way the body and mind respond to this arousal.
Thyroid problems, food intolerances and other physical illness can lead to feelings of depression but less than 10% of clinical depression is thought to have a chemical basis. Appropriate psychotherapy has still been shown to be more effective than drug treatment alone in the treatment of chemically based depression, and far more effective in preventing relapse. By far the majority of depressions are learned phenomena not chemical ones.” Nemeroff, C. B. (1998) The neurobiology of depression. Scientific American, 278, 6, 28–35.
The following is another recent medical article on the subject:
“Those that suggest an entirely biological view of depression, even declaring it a “serious disease only your doctor can diagnose,” as some of the commercials state, ignore the huge amount of irrefutable evidence that depression involves much, much more than just “bad chemistry.” They lead people to believe that depression is entirely about a “chemical imbalance in the brain.
Another reason the “chemical imbalance” theory has such strong support is that doctors are intensively trained to define and treat most problems biologically. There is a great tendency, almost reflexive, to prescribe physical treatments.
The chief problem with the view of depression as a consequence of a “chemical imbalance in the brain” is the fact that depression can be both triggered by and resolved by life events. The misconception the commercials foster is that the brain somehow develops a chemical imbalance and the result is depression, occurring in a single directional process.” Publication: Psychology Today Magazine Publication Date: Apr 2004 (Document ID: 3407)
Please note that these two sections of documents have been taken from two of the leading journals of science in the world. They both point out the fact that there is no proof that there is any “chemical imbalance” that causes depression. None. These are but two of many, many articles that dispel the myth that depression is caused by such a “chemical imbalance.” No one has ever been able to identify this supposed imbalance. There is not blood test or other test for that matter than can establish the “fact” that a person that is dealing with depression has any sort of chemical problem. It is merely a theory that is compounded by untold millions of dollars in advertising money doled out by the pharmaceutical industry.
The most common form of treating what is now called “major depression” (it used to be known as clinical depression) is through the use of SSRI’s (Serum Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). Most people are not aware of the fact that there are over 30 varieties of these drugs on the market in the United States today. If there is a chemical imbalance that exists why the need for so many drugs? Because it is guess work. Nothing more than well meaning health professionals experimenting with our bodies and minds. My goodness, look at the recent warnings required by the FDA telling people that the use of SSRI’s in children could cause suicidal tendencies. It is not only in children. I personally know people that have been placed on these drugs that have become suicidal. I also know at least one person that has been placed on almost all 30 of them with no effect whatsoever.
Before I embark on the Biblical aspects of depression I would like to echo the statement that those that are suffering from depression definitely need all the love, compassion and prayer that we can possible give them. All of it.
Let us take a look first at the dictionary definition of depression:
2 : an act of depressing or a state of being depressed : as a : a pressing down : LOWERING b (1) : a state of feeling sad : DEJECTION (2) : a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies c (1) : a reduction in activity, amount, quality, or force (2) : a lowering of vitality or functional activity
Here is a quote from an email message I received from a Christian person about this subject: “Depression isn't just a thinking problem or emotions gone out of whack. It isn't even a lack of faith issue although it can eventually go that far. There is also the chemical issue.”
The following in quotes is a medical article quoted verbatim:
“ALL emotional responses have a chemical consequence. When we laugh, for example, there is a greater amount of chemical endorphins (natural painkillers) released into the blood stream. Endorphins do not cause laughter however, they are a consequence of it.
Until recently, and partly because of drug-company marketing, the widespread belief was that depression was a biological illness. It’s even been called a ‘disease.’
Depression is actually a state of high arousal. Depressed people have higher concentrations of stress hormones (cortisol, noradrenaline) than non-depressed people.(1) The apathy and exhaustion seen in depressed people is a consequence of too much arousal, and the way the body and mind respond to this arousal.
Thyroid problems, food intolerances and other physical illness can lead to feelings of depression but less than 10% of clinical depression is thought to have a chemical basis. Appropriate psychotherapy has still been shown to be more effective than drug treatment alone in the treatment of chemically based depression, and far more effective in preventing relapse. By far the majority of depressions are learned phenomena not chemical ones.” Nemeroff, C. B. (1998) The neurobiology of depression. Scientific American, 278, 6, 28–35.
The following is another recent medical article on the subject:
“Those that suggest an entirely biological view of depression, even declaring it a “serious disease only your doctor can diagnose,” as some of the commercials state, ignore the huge amount of irrefutable evidence that depression involves much, much more than just “bad chemistry.” They lead people to believe that depression is entirely about a “chemical imbalance in the brain.
Another reason the “chemical imbalance” theory has such strong support is that doctors are intensively trained to define and treat most problems biologically. There is a great tendency, almost reflexive, to prescribe physical treatments.
The chief problem with the view of depression as a consequence of a “chemical imbalance in the brain” is the fact that depression can be both triggered by and resolved by life events. The misconception the commercials foster is that the brain somehow develops a chemical imbalance and the result is depression, occurring in a single directional process.” Publication: Psychology Today Magazine Publication Date: Apr 2004 (Document ID: 3407)
Please note that these two sections of documents have been taken from two of the leading journals of science in the world. They both point out the fact that there is no proof that there is any “chemical imbalance” that causes depression. None. These are but two of many, many articles that dispel the myth that depression is caused by such a “chemical imbalance.” No one has ever been able to identify this supposed imbalance. There is not blood test or other test for that matter than can establish the “fact” that a person that is dealing with depression has any sort of chemical problem. It is merely a theory that is compounded by untold millions of dollars in advertising money doled out by the pharmaceutical industry.
The most common form of treating what is now called “major depression” (it used to be known as clinical depression) is through the use of SSRI’s (Serum Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). Most people are not aware of the fact that there are over 30 varieties of these drugs on the market in the United States today. If there is a chemical imbalance that exists why the need for so many drugs? Because it is guess work. Nothing more than well meaning health professionals experimenting with our bodies and minds. My goodness, look at the recent warnings required by the FDA telling people that the use of SSRI’s in children could cause suicidal tendencies. It is not only in children. I personally know people that have been placed on these drugs that have become suicidal. I also know at least one person that has been placed on almost all 30 of them with no effect whatsoever.
Before I embark on the Biblical aspects of depression I would like to echo the statement that those that are suffering from depression definitely need all the love, compassion and prayer that we can possible give them. All of it.