# "I have CHEMICAL depression," a phrase I don't hear as often **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 6, 2013, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-chemical-depression-a-phrase-i-dont-hear-as-often/668129 "2013-09-06T00:14:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2013, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-chemical-depression-a-phrase-i-dont-hear-as-often/668129/1 "2013-09-06T00:14:27Z")
I used to hear this quite often, with the clear implication “I’m not depressed because my philosophy of life is unsound” or “I’m not feeling sorry for myself.” But to explain that the brain juice is undergoing quality control issues, that’s all. Have we become more accepting of depression that we don’t have to protest that its not just self pity? Or is it the Recession depression: now you have tens of thousands of dollars of college debt and no hope for a job in that field, in a house mortgaged to three times its current value, etc.? ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2013, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-chemical-depression-a-phrase-i-dont-hear-as-often/668129/2 "2013-09-06T00:51:27Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > I used to hear this quite often, with the clear implication “I’m not depressed because my philosophy of life is unsound” or “I’m not feeling sorry for myself.” But to explain that the brain juice is undergoing quality control issues, that’s all. > > Have we become more accepting of depression that we don’t have to protest that its not just self pity? Or is it the Recession depression: now you have tens of thousands of dollars of college debt and no hope for a job in that field, in a house mortgaged to three times its current value, etc.? Given the massive advertising, and consequent general public knowledge of antidepressant medication, I think everyone pretty much understands that depression is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Also, the public awareness has lead to a decline in the use of depression to mean sadness. I think people are more likely to say they are upset or disappointed when referring to a specific situation, rather than depressed, so there is no need to qualify the medical condition. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2013, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-chemical-depression-a-phrase-i-dont-hear-as-often/668129/3 "2013-09-06T01:04:17Z")
I found the following diagram and the material on that site helped me a lot: > **[How depression works - the cycle of depression](https://www.clinical-depression.co.uk/cycle-of-depression-diagram/)** > > Take the fear out of depression by understanding how depression works, and how you can start fighting back today. “…If you have been depressed for long, you will probably be totally confused by what is happening to you…” ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2013, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-chemical-depression-a-phrase-i-dont-hear-as-often/668129/4 "2013-09-06T02:41:10Z")
I had to explain my medical history (which consists of 30+ years of major treatment-resistant “clinical” depression, among other things) to a surgeon I saw today, and I was forced to settle for “chronic” to get across the sheer duration of the disease. On the way home I came to the decision that my actual diagnosis will henceforth be “ **epic** depression.” It’s the only description that captures the magnitude of the problem and its effect on my life. I think the former use of “chemical” and the current use of “clinical” as qualifiers is a way to emphasize that depression is not a character flaw but a disease. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2013, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-chemical-depression-a-phrase-i-dont-hear-as-often/668129/5 "2013-09-06T04:30:18Z")
BTW apparently we have “basic needs” and depression can be partly caused by some of these needs not being met… > **[Basic Needs Checklist for Depression](https://www.clinical-depression.co.uk/dlp/depression-information/basic-needs-checklist-for-depression/)** > > To overcome depression, checking that your basic needs are being met is key... ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2013, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-chemical-depression-a-phrase-i-dont-hear-as-often/668129/6 "2013-09-06T05:16:24Z")
**JohnClay** - You do realize that site is just trying to sell you a “treatment,” right? That “diagram” serves not to explain depression, but only to explain why you should buy their $200 program-thingie. Spreading misinformation about depression isn’t nice. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2013, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-chemical-depression-a-phrase-i-dont-hear-as-often/668129/7 "2013-09-06T05:22:19Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > **JohnClay** - You do realize that site is just trying to sell you a “treatment,” right? That “diagram” serves not to explain depression, but only to explain why you should buy their $200 program-thingie. Of course I knew that but some of the information is free. BTW… > **[Depression Self Help Program by Uncommon Knowledge](https://www.clinical-depression.co.uk/depression-recovery-program/)** > > Discover why depression messes with your sleep, energy and emotions - and get the tools you need to rapidly feel better “It comes with my personal 90-day, **no-questions-asked** , money-back guarantee.” When I bought it a couple of years ago I took advantage of that and got my money back… BTW it is also floating around on the net. > [@](#): > > Spreading misinformation about depression isn’t nice. I never said that all of the rest of the information is available for free - I thought two pieces of information are helpful by themselves though. ---
**Author:** ![JohnClay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2013, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-chemical-depression-a-phrase-i-dont-hear-as-often/668129/8 "2013-09-06T05:25:28Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > …That “diagram” serves not to explain depression… Well it did for me… when I was depressed I dreamed extremely often (the diagram says that depressed people dream up to 3 times more). I also woke up exhausted. I also worried about stuff I couldn’t really fix. (like my past and my perceived creepiness, etc)