[citilife]

Probably wont be taken well, but IMO depression is an illness in the spiritual sense. Depression is described as being sad, alone and without hope. That's quite literally what spirituality is for.

I think it's probably impossible to treat with drugs because what people really need are friends, hope and a good outlook on life (which often comes from hope). I'm sure drugs can improve people with imbalances and I'm also sure it's not just one thing that causes depression. That said, it seems like it can often be solved with more traditional means -- finding community and purpose.

[curioussavage]

I think it’s impossible for many to be treated without drugs. I think it’s irresponsible to tell people with a disease that saps their energy and motivation that the solution is to pick themselves up, willpower their way through it and go be social and active etc. medicine itself is a very traditional means of helping people, probably as old as civilization.

No need for an “imbalance” as justification to get help through medication. This attitude is a form of ableism that can ultimately be deadly for the people it’s targeted at if they buy into it.

Coming from a spiritual and community oriented background people aren’t doing well. “medicine bad” and constant implicit and explicit messages they get - that they must not be doing it right, doesn’t help at all.