Comments on: Damek And Depression http://www.damek.org/2006/06/07/damek-and-depression/ Imagine the 19th century never happened Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:49:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Damek. » Blog Archive » Social Capital Then And Now http://www.damek.org/2006/06/07/damek-and-depression/#comment-817 Damek. » Blog Archive » Social Capital Then And Now Mon, 19 Jun 2006 17:00:20 +0000 http://www.damek.org/2006/06/07/damek-and-depression/#comment-817 [...] Glenn’s been reading Bowling Alone by Robert D. Putnam and shares his thoughts. It’s an interesting topic, and as I’ve been thinking of my own lack of social activity in connection with my occasional bouts of depression, and how widespread depression has become in America, it makes sense to think of a nationwide decline in social capital as somehow related. Even ignoring depression, the decline in social capital seems an urgently important issue. [...] [...] Glenn’s been reading Bowling Alone by Robert D. Putnam and shares his thoughts. It’s an interesting topic, and as I’ve been thinking of my own lack of social activity in connection with my occasional bouts of depression, and how widespread depression has become in America, it makes sense to think of a nationwide decline in social capital as somehow related. Even ignoring depression, the decline in social capital seems an urgently important issue. [...]

]]> By: glenn http://www.damek.org/2006/06/07/damek-and-depression/#comment-767 glenn Sat, 10 Jun 2006 21:21:35 +0000 http://www.damek.org/2006/06/07/damek-and-depression/#comment-767 Having worked in this area for quite some time (drugs for depression / anxiety) I can say that fixing the chemical side is only part of the solution. I think of them as training wheels or crutches, something to be used for a while until you regain the positive patterns of socialization, positive thinking, etc. It's supposed to be complementary to psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, not supplementary. I think the best type of social interaction is something like a sports team or club that meets on a regular basis with a shared goal that encourages bonding. And IMHO good friends who you can talk with about personal issues are an essential part of everyone's psychological support network. Having worked in this area for quite some time (drugs for depression / anxiety) I can say that fixing the chemical side is only part of the solution. I think of them as training wheels or crutches, something to be used for a while until you regain the positive patterns of socialization, positive thinking, etc. It’s supposed to be complementary to psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, not supplementary.

I think the best type of social interaction is something like a sports team or club that meets on a regular basis with a shared goal that encourages bonding. And IMHO good friends who you can talk with about personal issues are an essential part of everyone’s psychological support network.

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