[MattMVS7]

I have this depressive feeling that lasts all day everyday even though I'm not thinking about it and despite the fact that I'm doing things to cope with it. This feeling is that depression releases stress hormones which kills neurons (including the neurons responsible for pleasure). I feel that the depression I am experiencing from this information is already killing off my neurons responsible for pleasure. I'm not afraid of losing any other neurons responsible for other things--just the neurons responsible for pleasure. In other words, I'm not depressed about losing my intelligence--I'm depressed about losing my neurons responsible for pleasure.

The information is explained in this video (where it states that MRI imaging has shown neurons become less active and erode).

I have tried everything to cope with this information (even constantly telling myself positive things such as that the brain grows new neurons). But this information still persists in making me depressed all day everyday.

Also, as a side note, it used to be believed that we lose neurons everyday, but we don't. Our neurons live on for the rest of our lives. But this information from this video states that depression kills them.

However, there is only one thing that would ease this feeling from this information. Which would be if this information has not been proven (in other words, if those MRI images that show neuron loss may somehow be wrong and can't be proven). Or do those MRI images stated in the video prove that depression kills neurons?

Again, the only thing that will rid of this feeling is if this information has not been proven. I once had a different depressive experience that lasted all day everyday regarding depression (which is that depression depletes serotonin and dopamine which will make you feel more depressed). But once I was told that it's not proven that serotonin or dopamine have anything to do with depression (that it was a chemical imbalance myth), that completely got rid of this feeling (nothing else got rid of or even helped this feeling).

Which is the reason I came here and created this topic in hopes that these MRI imaging of neurons eroding during depression are somehow false or are not proof that depression erodes neurons. If it's not proof that depression erodes neurons, that will get rid of this feeling.

I know that when it comes to depression, nothing is proven--there are only theories. But regardless of the fact that there's not proof, do those MRI imaging as stated in this video prove that depression erodes neurons anyway?

The people who performed those MRIs would have chosen depressed patients without any other neurodegenerative factors such as Alzheimer's (as that would obviously interfere with knowing if the neuron loss was from the depression or from something else). Which raises the question of what else could then be responsible for those neurons eroding besides the depression itself. Therefore, again, based on that, do those MRI imaging in the video of neurons eroding during depression prove that depression erodes neurons?

Here is the video:

http://www.thevisualmd.com/health_ce...pression_video

[Lara]

Matt, have you read this book?

Norman Doidge, MD "The Brain That Changes Itself"

About the book

[Leesa]

Matt have you considered that you might be clinically depressed? You probably know what that is -- where the chemicals and hormones in the brain are lacking, and have to be replaced by the medications, i.e. the antidepressants. That's what I have, and i've been on antidepressants for about 40 years now, and I'll be on them til I die.

I got off them once for a period of time, and I slipped into a depression that was the pit of hell. I just plain wanted to die. Trouble is, I didn't have the nerve to kill myself. So - back on the medication I went. I got off the meds because I was sick and tired of them -- but I learned that I have no other choice. I HAVE to be on the medication, it's as simple as that.

So perhaps that's your problem too. Talk with your doctor. He can refer you to a good therapist. Therapy was the best gift I ever gave myself. I've never regretted it. if you can't afford therapy, at LEAST go see your doctor! God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee