Depression, spirituality, and soceity.

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I apologize beforehand if this is the wrong place to put this. I wasn't sure. If it needs to be moved, I understand. Throwing out a few thoughts here.

I've been thinking about depression. I live in Canada. Here in the Western world, we have staggering amounts of people suffering from depression. I do not know the 'official' stats. But, I can say from my personal experience, that I know of many people from all walks of life who have suffered from it. I know many people who have taken (or are taking) anti-depressants, anti-anxiety pills, or self medicating for depression.
And there are countless others who do not disclose their use of pills, who suffer silently, or who try to overcome it by will alone.

So. Is there a spiritual dimension to depression? This is what I'd like to hear thoughts on. And if so: what is it?

Is depression the inability to balance expectations and reality? Is it a symptom of a people who have not learned to manage their minds? Is there are correlation between the 'west' and our lack of mental (spiritual) training and depression?

Is it possible that people who are becoming depressed are actually the healthy ones, in a way?
Is it possible that they are reacting how a normal human being would under sick circumstances?

I look around me, and a part of me thinks this may be true. There's plenty of religion - but what spirituality? Do our communities support spiritual life?

Seems to me the answer is 'No' generally. Our culture seems sick, in this aspect.

Also, another thought I had was:
Is it possible that the rising amounts of anxiety and depression and mental illnesses are correlated to the amount of human beings on the planet? Is war a way of 'getting rid ' of excess people when our anxiety levels rise?

What I mean is, do we live in an age of anxiety?
Is one of the symptoms of our mental disease and social insecurity our crowded cities and destruction of other life forms?

Are we effectively surrounding ourselves with other people in order to quell and express our anxiety as a species?

I know it isn't as simplistic as this. However, we are social animals right?
We regulate each other, we need other human beings, and we need to socialize.

Are the 'sick' ones in our society actually expressing something more genuine than the ones who are said to have 'adapted' to this state of affairs?

Should we adapt to the mess we have made?

I'd appreciate someone contributing their thoughts on this.
I'm still exploring the ideas.

thanks

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I think many of us have a hole in us that longs to be filled.

Some try to fill the hole with material things. For some, that may seem to work.

Many have lost the skill of having patience.

I believe many people place too high expectations on themselves, because it's what they have been taught to do.

Instead of finding their own balance, they try to balance themselves by anothers scale.

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I have asked these same questions flushd.

I want to see more responses before I even begin to share.

You surprise me flushd. Smile

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Re: Depression, spirituality, and soceity.

flushd wrote:

. . . Is it possible that the rising amounts of anxiety and depression and mental illnesses are correlated to the amount of human beings on the planet? Is war a way of 'getting rid ' of excess people when our anxiety levels rise?
. . .

Interesting. Have you ever read The Hot Zone, by Richard Preston? He postulates a cleansing of excess folks by virus.

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Very interesting question, Flushed, and not one that lends itself to easy answers.

One idea that occurs to me is that depression seems to be more prevalent in parts of the world that have a long, dark winter. I know that for people suffering from SADD, the lack of sunlight plays a big part. That, plus the fact that clinical depression is usually treated, and often improved, with pharmaceuticals, makes me think there is a chemical basis for this condition.

It seems to be possible to overcome feelings of depression through spiritual means as well. Anything that raises endorphins makes people feel happier.

But maybe you are not referring to clinical depression, but rather, a general feeling of ennui, of sadness and dissatisfaction with the state of the world, or the way one's life is going? Well, from listening to the news, I'd say that's a logical reaction to the state of the world. All the religion and spirituality in the world can't overcome the sorry mess we humans have made of things. So maybe some kinds of "depression" are normal.

As Bertrand Russell said, "Do not envy those who live in a fool's paradise, as only a fool would wish to live there."

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One answer to "the spiritual dimension" would be that since "spirituality" can often imply "transcendence of self" then "depression" itself becomes transcended.

However if we simply ascribe "neural status" to both "spirituality" and "depression" then such a reductionist move implies that both could be merely a product of hormonal activity which could be affected or elicited by drugs.

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Chai Tea wrote:

I think many of us have a hole in us that longs to be filled.

Some try to fill the hole with material things. For some, that may seem to work.

Many have lost the skill of having patience.

I believe many people place too high expectations on themselves, because it's what they have been taught to do.

Instead of finding their own balance, they try to balance themselves by anothers scale.

Actually a couple of those things you mentioned could apply to me.

Thanks for sharing this Chai!

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fresco wrote:

One answer to "the spiritual dimension" would be that since "spirituality" can often imply "transcendence of self" then "depression" itself becomes transcended.

However if we simply ascribe "neural status" to both "spirituality" and "depression" then such a reductionist move implies that both could be merely a product of hormonal activity which could be affected or elicited by drugs.

I found out that hypercalcemia can cause many of these issues often 'mimicking' the symptoms of many depressive disorders.

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fresco wrote:

One answer to "the spiritual dimension" would be that since "spirituality" can often imply "transcendence of self" then "depression" itself becomes transcended.

However if we simply ascribe "neural status" to both "spirituality" and "depression" then such a reductionist move implies that both could be merely a product of hormonal activity which could be affected or elicited by drugs.

There must be a million causes of depression, so there must be many ways to cure depression. I have never heard of depression being cured by drugs. When the drugs are stopped the depression returns, usually worse than before.

Spirituality, I believe, does really cure depression. Because it transcends the self. Spirituality teaches love and reduces fear which in turn lessens depression. There are many paths to cure depression, faith, beliefs, positive thoughts, but all require some practice. This practice is what most are not willing to do. We look for instant successes, instant cures.

Spirituality is a set of methods, and procedures you use until understanding of why you use them becomes apparent. Takes practice, life-long committment. If you wish to try some of the methods:

http://www.aleroy.com/bitch.htm

or

http://www.aleroy.com/Learn.htm

These links are not cure-alls, but may help you to lessen depression.

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Depression is ANGER.

Dress it up if you like call it repressed, misplaced, etc.
but when we are depressed we are not getting our way about something. Even Grief is about what "we" lost. We did not want to lose that person so we are grieved (still a form of anger).

Religion or Spirituality gives us a means to obtain peace. Becoming Mindful or Peaceful is Freeing. It frees us from hostility and thus from Anger (depression). So Yes it works.

Gratitude is the cure for self pity, anger is about self-pity.

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Thank you all for the very thoughtful replies. All are welcome.
And I think, all are factors that can affect each individual in their own unique way.

I'm coming to realize that there truly are many factors in depression. Different ingredients for different people, and that may be why it is so difficult to treat sometimes.
Each individual needs to find what works for them, and how to prevent further bouts.

I personally have struggled with depression on and off since I was a teen.
I've been experiencing a bad bout and got rather desperate. Which is good, because it finally pushed me to try different things full out.
I feel like I am fianally, finally practicing something that is working for me. I am hopeful about it bc it is working.

The basic thrust of it learning about oneself, ones motivations and expectations, behaviors and coping mechanisms.
Everything is called into question and it calls for an experimental attitude.
You have try to act differently, think differently, uproot old habits.
Been described to me as 'looking at oneself as though you were a scientist observing yourself'.
The 'observer' inside.

Trascending depression - that is the key.
It's not easy work. Hell no. I am finding it worthwhile so far though. We will see.

It's cool to learn how much power I, as an individual, have over my own life. All of it. Smile

As astounding as it may seem, it's a revolutionary concept.
Intellectually knowing it and living it are two completely different things.

Thanks again for the replies. Feel free to add.

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Hi flushd

Quote:

It's cool to learn how much power I, as an individual, have over my own life. All of it. As astounding as it may seem, it's a revolutionary concept.

That is very true, but it is not easy to learn. I think you are doing fine. Wish you the best of everything.

Love

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Flushd--

I'm impressed by your determination to use Depression as a means of self-discovery and self-growth.

Hold your dominion.

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Thanks for the kind words and well wishes, Lekatt and Noddy.

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Flushed;

One difference between "spirituality" and "religion" seems to be a critical stance taken by the former, over two words you use... "self" and "power". No-one would wish to deprive you of your success in overcoming depression, but writers on spirituality might suggest that have a closer look at these two words in order to consolidate your* progress.
-----------------------------------------------------------

* There is a temptation to use "its" instead of "your" here which perhaps illustrates the point :wink:

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Good point, fresco. Thanks.
Eventually. Eventually. Smile

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Depression, spirituality, and soceity.

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