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OK, I've had this theory for while now, and I'm looking for feedback....

Depression:
It has been my experience that depression always seems to happen right before a great change is about to manifest. Perhaps I'm getting my chicken and egg backwards, but I feel that if we can believe that the subconscious is a guide with greater knowledge than our conscious, then depression could actually be the spirit's way of "cleaning out the emotional closet" to prepare the body for something new and wonderful that is about to happen. Kind of like just getting the last of all the dark thoughts, that would impede new growth, out of the mind. I compiled this theory in watching depression and "rebirth" patterns in myself and those around me.

I would elaborate more, but I think you can get the idea from that one paragraph.

What do you all think?

Depression Basics
Some people say that depression feels like a black curtain of despair coming down over their lives. Many people feel like they have no energy and can't concentrate. Others feel irritable all the time for no apparent reason. The symptoms vary from person to person, but if you feel "down" for more than two weeks, and these feelings are interfering with your daily life, you may be clinically depressed.

Most people who have gone through one episode of depression will, sooner or later, have another one. You may begin to feel some of the symptoms of depression several weeks before you develop a full-blown episode of depression. Learning to recognize these early triggers or symptoms and working with your doctor will help to keep the depression from worsening.


http://www.depression.com/depression_basics.html

Like MANY people on Vampire Rave- I have dealt with depression to the point of medication and hospitalization/counseling. I have found- that even though I have had many tragedies and am a product of dead-beat parents... depression seems to be most prominent amongst those who are really in touch with their feelings, and are usually pretty artistic. I have noticed those that can get very low, also have the extreme ability to love and feel love unmatched by those who do not deal with depression. I have felt love so strong I could see it and touch it, and I have felt depression so bad I have had to reason with my own self to keep moving forward. I have since learned to not even let me get to me.

Some of the greatest art is a product of some sort of pain, rather in music, in a book, or on the canvas. Those that feel so deeply, can usually make art of it- because their feelings are so strong, they must celebrate it.

I believe that depression happens AFTER the change happens rather than before.

Before depression there are sadness,anger and tension.Then it comes depression and is not easy to get over it but very easy to get it again.

I know cause I got trough it.

I have been diagnosed with Major Despression. My serious episodes occur at any time. Sometimes things trigger it and sometimes nothing triggers it.

With myself, as well as with friends and family, depression has hit us after something has occurred in our lives. I've been battling some depression the past 3 months...I have my good days and bad days and being honest with myself and knowing I an make some changes in my life - and make baby steps towards them is helping.

I think that 'depression' that comes before changing occurs I think it's a 6th sense,where you feel something really badi s going to ahppen and makesy ou very sad.

I feel when smething bad is going to happen usually so maybe it's that.

I have never examined my own depression... It is so vast. I will began to experiment right away though and tell you of my findings my dear...

That'd be nice if true.

Interesting. And I kind of have to agree with you. Its happened to me a couple times. Happening right now actually....But I wont go into that.

i have always learned and have seen that depression is a disored that can not fully be eradicated. you can control it, you can be able to master it...but its in each and everyone of us...some dont have it for long periods where as others have it all the time and cant control it..even medicine doesnt help as it should.
and it comes on for no reason..its the imbalance of chemicals that are released in the brain

I would love to think that your theory on depression is correct, pookahchu! thanks for posting about this topic.

Been through every stage. And on every drug. Doc told me to my face that he didn't think I was going to make it. Locked up three times and slept with a knife under my pillow for my final attempt. The Universe picked me up and give me one hell of a shake. Went to places you will never go, or want to. But then again, it turned out to be a major learning experience and I did trust in my guides totally. I ended up in a state that I wish everyone can live in. Very cool.

But I ramble, the major problem with your theory is this: the person in the state of depression is not able to have a rational mind to wait everything out. And hope for a better time later. All s/he sees is doom. Thats the depression part, there is no hope. The why is not as important as helping the person. That's why there is the drugs, therapy and support groups. Yes most if all of them don't work but they're something. And something is well, something to hold on to. Time does cure all.

The cleaning out that you speak of is happening, but it is no depression. Its the light headedness that some are experiencing. You may also find yourself talking to someone and...forget what you are saying in the middle of your sentence. Brain farts. This is happening as the old is going bye - bye, but the new has not yet come in to replace the old. Its a null zone in your brain for a little while.
Interesting that you are aware of this, most people are not. But like I said, it's not depression. Depression is quite serious.

Depression is caused by a lack of Seratonin in the brain, so all those drugs they offer, are full of a chemical, that over a few weeks, replaces the lost Seratonin..but then when you come off them, the Seratonin levels drop to being more severe then they were before, and that's when people are at more risk of killing themselves..

But, IMO, the real factor in depression.....is life..
My imaginary world is so much better..

depression is indivudal to each person, though there might be comkmon ground with it it is still slightly different for everyone. it is all to do with what happened and how we deal with it. For example if its the loss of a loved one or someone very close the depression may take form in a feeling of first loneiness then bleak dispair. but again the ay in which we feel these are as indivual as a persons genes.

as to weather or not it heralds a change or not, again it is all dependant to the person, the depression may force a person inot a change or it can happen because of a change.

overal its as idivual to you as you

Very interesting posts on this subject .............. and I agree with all what you say.
Having suffered with a bad breakdown I think once you are hit with it then it stays with you no matter what you try. You can of course try to overcome it to a point but it will always be there once it has been triggered.
As one of the replies has said, it is caused by a chemical imbalance within the body/brain.
What really used to piss me off - and still does - are those who have never suffered with it who simply say 'oh pull yourself together, it'll pass' ..... oh yeah !! it's that easy it is ...... NOT !!
Only those who have ever suffered can be in a position to comment, as depression is one of those things that varies so much in each individual and it's very difficult to describe to somebody how you are feeling.

Not sure though if it is a good or bad thing - yeah I know that may sound silly, but I personally have noticed that I don't take things as seriously as I used to do, I don't 'run around like a headless chicken' no more because of work etc. ..... if something happens then it happens.

In response to BillyTheJust:

Believe me, I too get the great depression to the point where I can't see clearly. However, I have seen so many times in myself and others that it is always right before something changes for the better. Whether we are manifesting these changes ourselves to pull ourselves out, or whether the depression is a precursor to these changes, I'm still not sure.

I'm just thinking that if I put a sign up in my bedroom that reads, "This is only happening because things are about to get better" it might help..... maybe?

I am not a spiritual person. I rely entirely on science. For me, depression is simply a lack of serotonin (feel-good transmitters).

I suffer from Bi-polar, Type 1, and medications help in keeping it at bay. It is all chemical, for me.

Though you do pose an intriguing theory.

nice post and insightfull resonces

all i know of depresion is at this
legitemat site

http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/

Depression is just a state of mind its when you most need to be alone.

i have major depression..its sad because i should be happi..im 14 and i think life sucks..

I would say if you're experiencing something before a major change, it's probably anxiety, which can manifest itself in all sorts of interesting ways.

Depression (I'm not talking about clinical depression here) is a fairly normal thing, we all hit it from time to time and it normally comes after a major happening, usually a negative one. A Death, a big move (lack of friends etc.), being fired from your job, and so on.

It doesn't have anything to do with an emotional cleansing; it deals with brain chemistry - mostly serotonin levels in the brain.

And as far as people more in touch with their emotions being more affected by depression, I disagree. Altho it does touch on something close. There are some personality types who are more resilient and immune to depression (or any extreme), they have excellent coping skills and rebound from everything fairly quickly.

Other people have not so highly developed coping skills, so they are more affected. This can explain a lot of that teen angst that's so prevelant, a lack of coping skills and not much help in developing them from others.

Some would say the lesser affected person was worse off, others would say the more affected is worse off - it's all a matter of opinion I suppose. But in the end, I see no mystical reasoning for depression.

If the depression lasts more than 2 months you should most definitely see a doctor about it.

I have been battling with depresssion off and on for as long as I can remember, and for me it usaully happens right before a big change in my life. I think its the anticapation of having a better life. You dwell on the thought of things being better to the point that your current life seems like tragedy, and everyday becomes a repeat of the day before it. For me it has gotten so bad that I would just give up on everything at let the world crash around me as I sat being depressed. I will no longer let this happen. I am happier now than ever before.

Thank you everyone for your intelligent and educated responses. From this I can surmise that depression is different for everyone. Where some can get it simply as a chemical imbalance, some get it after a tragic event has occured, and some can even get pre-emptive depression before a change. Its marvelous the way you have all stepped in to give your impressions.

And now I have a lot more to think about....

Thanks again!

-Rebekah Faith.