Exciting new depression study

This will and should change the face of mental health treatment. An umbrella study looking at a multitude od studies as well as meta-analyses has found that anti-depressants appear not to be effective for depression. This is because depression, according to the research, is not neurochemical in nature but rather situational, meaning typically accompanying a co-occurring disorder and treatable with talk therapy.

Depression, as it always has, is best treated through cognitive behavioral therapy leading to life and perception changes, which in turn lead to new behaviors. This is great material to discuss with your mental health professional or doctor. To read the study:

The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence
J. Moncrieff, R. Cooper, T. Stockmann, S. Amendola, M. Hengartner & M. Horowitz
Conclusion, in part:
The main areas of serotonin research provide no consistent evidence of there being an association between serotonin and depression, and no support for the hypothesis that depression is caused by lowered serotonin activity or concentrations. Some evidence was consistent with the possibility that long-term antidepressant use reduces serotonin concentration.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01661-0

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Wiseacre · F

👍I always believed that. The world gives a lot to be depressed about. But I think bipolar is different.

Graylight · 51-55, F

@Wiseacre Bipolar is certainly different, and has been shown to be genetically introduced oftentimes. But yes, those who work in the field will almost always tell you resolution of mood disorders is common with alleviating other co-occurring conditions.

Wiseacre · F

What co occurring conditions? Never heard of it..no cure so far.@Graylight

Graylight · 51-55, F

@Wiseacre Now, watch out. I can talk for hours here. Short and simple: For years, therapists noticed that some disorders like addiction, anxiety, depression, etc. often occurred in tandem with something else. A person had a drinking problem and depression; addiction was often seen with ADHD, OCD often stemmed from trauma also causing PTSD, and so on. And most importantly, what was often reported was that depression lifted after the addiction was managed; exercises for ADHD also addressed the impulsivity and novelty-seeking or drug users, and as control was strengthened within those with OCD, their symptoms of the OCD lessened.

This has led to the mental health specialty of integrated treatment to address all co-occurring conditions (they used to be called co-morbid or dual-diagnosis). The thinking is that by addressing all things at once, the relief felt in one area is shared by other areas, leading to a well-rounded, complete mental health. Except for nicotine. We keep nicotine in the program because it's simply proves too hard an ask to give that up along with everything else.

Wiseacre · F

I believe most causes of depression are trauma related. Happy people don’t get depressed...they have bad days, but not depression.@Graylight