Is having no self confidence related to depression?

[Deja Q]

Or is it possible that other conditions lead to having no self confidence which leads to depression?

Why can't those conditions leading to it be cured?

[populistmom]

1. In my experience

It's related to mean people who teach you you're not a worthy person. You can relearn to like yourself again, but it's hard sometimes and takes a lot of work.

[Maple]

2. Depression

is anger turned inwards on yourself.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. Oooo...tough question.

More than anything else, depression is caused by the inability of the brain to properly deal with the chemical Seratonin. What this can lead to is cognitive problems, where the depressed person perceives everything he or she encounters as being validation for their depressed state, thus creating a snowball effect. I daresay that the self-esteem issue is a big part of the overall experience, but whether it is the cause or the effect? Chicken or egg, d00d.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. Assuming you don't have an inherited chemical imbalance...

events and environment can have an effect on your mental well-being. Self-confidence has a great deal to do with feeling like you're in control.

Frankly, the rate of suicides in this country is something I've been wondering about lately. In the Central Florida area, I've already heard of two fathers who offed themselves. And then there's that wonderfully gifted boy from that sea show.

I think we need to think about reaching out to people to let them know that we'll get through this together.

[xultar]

5. This is true, inheriting a chemical imbalance will predispose you

to having depression both triggered by exteral sources as well as interal sources(chemical imbalance).

How do I know well, my fraternal great grand ma, my grand pa, my dad, and I all suffer from depression. My ggma committed suicide I just found out. My G-pa suffers soo bad. My dad suffers as well and I noticed 3 years ago that I was behaving like my pops. Now I'm on Meds and I feel sooooo much better

If you think there is a chance that you may have depression PUHLEEZ do something about it . DON'T SUFFER. It isn't worth it.

[sleipnir]

6. Then the drug companies wouldn't have anyone to sell their narcs too

No addicts means no profit and no profit means no research, therefore, there will be no cure. Without our Prozak nation, the drug companies might actually have to solve real problems, like maleria, denge fever, AIDS, etc...

[Faygo Kid]

7. You can't be self confident and depressed

Depression robs you not just of your self confidence, but your self esteem as well. I would read up on it (easy to Google), and think about getting some help. Correcting the chemical imbalance is the necessary first step.

[geniph]

8. They can be cured

it's just really hard work. Cognitive therapy is the branch of therapy that teaches you to "unlearn" depression and other various negative types of responses. What happens to you is not always under your control, but how you respond to it IS, and we've all known people who were able to remain calm and even cheerful even when their lives were horrible. That's because those people have healthy thought processes and reactions.

It sounds like new-agey woo-woo happycrappy, but it CAN be done. It's hard work, but it's possible.

[chaska]

9. "Learned Optimism" by Martin Seligman, PH.D.

is the best book on depression I've ever read. Truly excellent. By one of the top researchers in the field.