Sad day: Robin Williams found dead

[mrsleeve]

I wont delve into my extended families struggles with depression, but safe to say my wifes family has its share of issues with it, and I am happy if not a bit surprised that more than a couple of them are still with us. I am not going to side with either camp on this issue, but rather fall right in the middle, its BOTH. It can be a bit of genetic proclivity, circumstantial, or even a choice to live this way, all of these things play role in it. The over medication with "happy pills" has contributed to this notion that depression is some kind of incurable illness you have no control over . Or that just becasue you feel a little sad you need pills to make you feel better.

You might need some medication or counseling for a while to get you started on the right path to help you see the way you need to go. But I am with Dozy on this one, that getting past depression is a largely a personal decision, that takes dedication to every day. I have seen this in my family and in my own personal experience with a short and minor bout of it my self a few years ago.. Not to mention I see in my family where they make the choice every day to do nothing about it and keep on living and wallering around in their own self pity despite the rest of us offering any and all help and support. To the point where we are all but willing to give up and throw our hands in the air and walk away from the situation.

Look I am not saying its not a serious issue, and that all people that suffer from depression are going to be able to "will" them selves out it, and others dont struggle with it for their entire lives, and that its not a legitimate problem, I am saying that there are many factors that play into it and how it affects each of us, both medically and how we deal/cope with it thats all. But having the "will" to carry one and to work past can and I think does play the biggest role in getting past it. Though the real trick is being able to see past your own nose to see that there is a problem to even realize that will is even there in the 1st place...

[Roysneon]

It would not be an experience for him...it would be a "choice" lol Obesity in most cases is a choice, but depression is not.

there IS absolutely a link between obesity and depression.
Some use alcohol/drugs as their coping mechanism for depression which offer that "feel good/forget it feeling" whereas other use food/porn/younameit

I agree strongly here. When I was at probably the most unfit I've been, I was at the lowest point in my depression. Looking back it's easy to make the link. I was also sad about some things at the same time I was depressed about 8 months or so ago and was drinking a lot to try to deal with it all. This made me forget or not be bothered so much by my actual problems, but it further fueled depression.

Through improving physical health my mental health has improved as well, and now when I do go out and drink, I end up not sleeping and usually not eating well, and I can trigger a depressed state. Once you've been down there and come up out, you become a very powerful person over yourself because you realize it can be possible to have dominion over your body and mind.

This is, of course, only my experience. I'm not saying that everyone can 'cure' depression by going for a jog. Each case is different, but that's what happened to me.