Depression in the 21st Century: Enter Neurobiology

As a person who just completed my first graduate level class in Neurobiology, I can tell you that the molecular way a neuron works, and the depth and breadth of the interaction between our brains, nervous systems and our immune systems alone is enough to take your breath away. Complicate those relationships with what you inherited, what you get exposed to, what diseases you have, and what you purposely do to learn, change and grow and you have one of the most profound miracles of life, all in one tiny little model called the neuron.
We are all, in this day and age, way too ignorant about the destiny of our neurobiology and too naive in our confidence that we can abolutely overcome it just by thinking. And yet, if we are well informed, so much can be accomplished.

Good stuff here...and great to know that there's new frontiers of research being explored. Keep it coming!

Thank you for this subject. So many times - especially in the New Age christianity - you're told we're only depressed because we want to be and all you have to do is change your thoughts/thinking and you'll change your life.

Well what happens when your brain gets caught on a run-a-way train and can't stop - the thoughts just keep coming and coming. It's not that easy.

I know I've even been told and that's why I've fought taking most of the meds is because I've heard so many ministers preach on the subject of mental illness and denounce people who take medications stating they either have a devil in them or they don't have the love of Jesus or know Jesus and that's why they're depressed.

Since my son was murdered the only thing that has kept me going is my talking to the Lord - to tell me that I don't have Him because I'm on medicine and that means I'm not trusting Him so He can't relate to me is troubling to say the least. I love the Lord and I just pray somehow that I can live the 2nd half of my life in a way that's pleasing to Him - because I know I didn't do well the first part of my life.

Be Blessed.

This is great news. I have been told I have major depression. I agree it is recurring but I don't like the idea that I have been marked for life, the psychiatrist says I will have it for life and I will be on the meds for life. O boy! Great News! I feel like I have been condemed to a prison of some sort. The labe just really bothers me. I will have to read the book mentioned earlier, about the different tyoes and them all being ,lumped into one category for convienience.
The news about the brain creating new pathways makes me feel glad that I am still taking classes at 53 years old I am in nursing school.
Thanks