1 in 4 people wrongly diagnosed with depression

[Ck]

As many as one out of every four people told they have depression could in fact be reacting normally to some of life's more troubling times.

That's the finding of a new study this week, published in The Archives of General Psychiatry, based on a study of 8,000 people.

According to the research, 25 per cent of people diagnosed with depression were found to be simply struggling with a normal reaction to a recent emotional blow, such a death of a family member, a divorce or a job loss.

Extended periods of depression-like symptoms are common in people who have been through a life stress and don't necessarily constitute illness, the study concluded.

It seems like an underestimation to me.

Patch Adams controversially once stated that depression was a selfish act and you cannot be depressed and hold someone you love in your mind at the same time, it is impossible.

[THE V0NZ]

I'm a very funny guy, so people don't often stay depressed around me.

But when gentle humour fails to raise a morose individual's spirits, it's surprising how quickly a motivational soundbite can jolt them out of their 'black dog'. A few tried and trusted favourites;

"PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER YOU MISERABLE COW!"

"NOT BLOODY RAG WEEK AGAIN IS IT?"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN M.E? WHERE'S MY F***ING T.E.A?"

Depression - it's all in the mind.

[Ck]

They do say one mustn't encourage 'illness behaviour'

[SFB]

Depression is a relatively new invention, unheard of in my youth and incorrectly treated IMO.

A good kick up the arse is a surefire kill or cure method.

It's much overplayed and a drain on the economy.

[A_B]

I think quite a lot of people are diagnosed wrongly. With it being an illness that you can't see, it's hard to diagnose. Doctors have a sorta 'list' of symptoms, which most people know - so anyone can make their doctor, or themselves believe they have it. I've experienced the real thing, so I know it's a real illness. I can usually tell now if someone has it, or if its just 'sad' and they need to pull themselves together. You really can't 'snap out of it'. It's no fun being like that, so no-one would purposely stay depressed.

I had it 'just because' - there was no reason at all for it. Once you've had it, the chances of you getting it again are extremely high, so a normal 'life's stress' hits you harder. I don't know why I had it (although I think it might've been triggered by cannabis) and it's hard to explain to someone why you're so low when you don't have a reason. Someone crying out saying 'help me I'm depressed' is usually a huge sign that it's just sadness. You don't want comfort or someone to cheer you up or anything, you just want to hibernate.

It used to be so taboo and embarrassing to have to admit to, but now it isn't - every Tom Dick and Harry seems to have it, so the real sufferers aren't believed and taken seriously.

[SFB]

There you go, as good as admitting it was originally drug induced.

[A_B]

There you go, as good as admitting it was originally drug induced.

Yeah - that's more then likely my reason (even though the argument is that cannabis doesn't do that). People seem to think it's a 'life's stress' that causes it. I've always been outgoing, chatty and coped with anything - after one puff of that cig and the fear that I'd lost my 'thoughts', I was never really the same. A line of events followed and I ended up walking out of my job (for a reason I would've laughed about any other time, even though I had a strong case for constructive dismissal). I was signed off for six months (to drain them of my full entitlement of sick pay - I had no intention of going back ) and have been fighting with the effects ever since.

I'm fine now *touch wood* - but it's taken about 6 years.

[Ck]

How much dope did you smoke Breezy?

[SFB]

I blame the parents.

[A_B]

How much dope did you smoke Breezy?

Just two puffs.

I was lied to, so I didn't know what I was smoking was bordering on class A.