Mental Health Mental Health Disorders: An Issue of Psychiatry or Psychology?

[Rybee]

I've been diagnosed with, and 'suffer' from depression (Major Depressive Disorder) and anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder) for ~4 years now, though when looking back on my life, there are obvious signs and episodes of anxiety throughout my life that I was never really aware of. The depression... not so much.

I was reading an article yesterday with regards to mental illnesses being an issue of Psychiatry or Psychology, (when I say mental illnesses I'm only limiting this to depression and anxiety - I'm excluding illnesses as psychosis and schizophrenia as I believe they're a whole different kettle of fish). The question of whether my issues are purely psychological in nature, aggravated by my environment, lifestyle, diet and can be changed by changing these factors, or whether they are psychiatric in nature, part of my genetic make-up, something which my environment, lifestyle and diet have no say in. Something I can't really control.

One one hand, I believe that my MDD was an issue of psychology. Mother had passed away, poor relationship with my father, stress whilst studying for my degree, financial difficulties etc... Something that could be overcome by changing these variables. I use the term 'was' - simply because I am no longer classed as having symptomatic MDD.

On the other hand, I believe that my GAD is an issue of psychiatry. I think it's just a part of who I am, it has no variable cause and will be with me forever. I believe my symptoms can be managed, but the root cause can't be 'cured' - I've always suffered from anxiety and believe I always will.

I see my Psychiatrist in ~10 days and I want to ask him what he thinks, but I'm a little bit hesitant. Maybe he'll tell me something I don't want to hear? Are both diagnoses 'my own fault' caused by a poor lifestyle, drug abuse etc... Not self-induced, but preventable?

I'm really in two minds as to whether to actually ask him about this. At best, he says it's an issue of psychiatry, intrinsic to my genetic make-up, something I cannot prevent, but with some medications, can manage. I often think that I'm to blame for my own poor state of mental health. At worst, he says that it's an issue of psychology, my own fault, and the blame lies within my own hands.

I'd like to know your thoughts on this subject because I'm quite nervous to ask him. I don't know whether it'd be beneficial to hear the truth...

With love,

Rybee x

 

[bees_knees]

Mild and moderate depressions are likely to be psychological, but severe depressions, they generally come before you even think - no matter what is happening externally, you're still full of sadness and hopelessness. You could win $1mil in those states and still think, well, I ought to be happy, so I better kinda act like I am, but... I don't feel anything. You can't really find a reason to be out of bed, nothing seems to make sense at all, the whole of life looks like a big horror show.

 

[Mycophile]

I tend to think most things in life, regardless of whether or not they have to do with mental illness, are usually some combination of nature and nurture, and in this case that would mean partially psychological in nature and partially psychiatric in nature.

I don't really know much, but my neurologist says "it doesn't really matter what your diagnosis is, just your symptoms and how you treat them."

I agree with him.

I'm not saying not to ask your doctor/psychologist/psychiatrist where your issues come from, but I think you can get too far into the questions about "why am I like this and where did this come from?" and tend to stray from the simpler issues of what are you symptoms and how can they best be treated?

Just because something might have come from genetic causes might not mean that it can't dealt with through therapy and likewise, just because something might have psychological causes doesn't mean medication might not be able to help.

I think you should bring up these questions with him personally, and just see what he says, but again, I'm not sure "why are things the way they are?" is the important question to ask, so much as "what do I do about them?"

Just my two cents.

 

[herbavore]

I don't really know much, but my neurologist says "it doesn't really matter what your diagnosis is, just your symptoms and how you treat them."

I agree with him.

I agree as well. You can give it a name, call it a disorder or a propensity or a sensitivity or an extreme state but whatever you name it the bottom line is that it will be up to you to develop strategies for dealing with it. When I was young I thought that my vulnerabilities defined me (anxiety, sensitivity, overwhelming sadness and fear) but as I have gone through my life I realize that it is the interplay between my vulnerabilities and my strength in overcoming them--even temporarily--that is the whole me. It's lead to a lot more acceptance and that in turn has lessened my vulnerability.

 

[cassius14]

your neurologist nailed it. whats sevre for one person is mild for another. we all take depression differently.