generated by the mind

Mental illness is ultimately generated by the mind which is trying to turn you into some direction. Depression is simply a fabrication of the mind that you can simply snap out of instantly if you want. But some people want to hold onto their mental throes simply because they think that's the way they are supposed to act. If you look back you can see a point in your life where you weren't mentally imbalanced and you can return to that point. I don't see how the mind can be so unstable as to self destruct unless that's what you want to believe.

It is certainly puzzling why the mind would want to self-destruct. I guess that we simply don't actually have as much control over our brains as we like to think. I mean, it would be great if we could simply snap out of a depressive state; but we cannot. In many depressed people, their brains have developed alongside traumatic events and harsh living. Thus, in a sense, they actually do not know how to live a happy life. They need to 'learn' how to, and that is where therapy and a strong will can help.

Over time, the brain can alter itself, but it takes time.

This certainly an interesting idea.

For me, I know that there is no way I could "snap" out of depression. I tried, and tried and in the end became suicidal because I could not feel happy, I didn't even remember what it felt like, even though I knew I had been happy at one time.

Only with me, knowing I needed help or I was going to die, I sought help and with that help and my hard work and reaching goals, is why I can experience happy today. There is nothing easy,
when you core beliefs do not change overnight.

That would be interesting & wonderful. but not likely.

How would it work? what would be the process?

If you have been depressed for a long time I believe it is simply impossible to suddenly "snap out of it". It is impossible because the brain is constantly changing: Rewiring itself; creating new neurons; and creating new connections between neurons. So, your brain would have developed in a depressive way and, as such, you simply cannot snap out of it. It would take a lot of time and a focussed effort to get better.

Let's say you have a habit of being suicidal or feelings of suicidal. That originated at some time in your past and it continues today. However, you now say I don't want to be suicidal but I don't know how to not be suicidal. It's your own self that is holding you back. You believe that there needs to be a magical series of steps or something outside of you to make that change when in actuality you can believe that you're not suicidal and poof it is gone ... same with anything else. Sure there are patterns of behavior that will want to be expressed but at each time it happens you believe that the other way of acting is right or get pissed as hell and it will return to normal. I would agree with you that the will power to change or to maintain control has to be there. But there are also things that under this guise of willpower things are holding you back. That requires instantaneous acts and beliefs and things that are probably akin to mania at times but you've got to believe and attack with the utmost highest level imaginable that you have so that would have to be a step beyond willpower.

Serpicor wrote:Let's say you have a habit of being suicidal or feelings of suicidal. That originated at some time in your past and it continues today. However, you now say I don't want to be suicidal but I don't know how to not be suicidal. It's your own self that is holding you back. You believe that there needs to be a magical series of steps or something outside of you to make that change when in actuality you can believe that you're not suicidal and poof it is gone ... same with anything else. Sure there are patterns of behavior that will want to be expressed but at each time it happens you believe that the other way of acting is right or get pissed as hell and it will return to normal. I would agree with you that the will power to change or to maintain control has to be there. But there are also things that under this guise of willpower things are holding you back. That requires instantaneous acts and beliefs and things that are probably akin to mania at times but you've got to believe and attack with the utmost highest level imaginable that you have so that would have to be a step beyond willpower.

I would not call thinking, planning a suicide as a "habit".
To keep this short as possible;
A human has core beliefs, these beliefs effect every thought, every action and reaction, all things.
To change these beliefs, is not magical , nor is it instantly done.
It does take willpower, but first is the self-awareness and desire.
A Human Being is complex and how they got to where they are at
is not always "just because they have a habit".
To change core beliefs are hard workings on "self", and that is far from instant. jmho

Suicidal behaviour can be habitual - I do it. Whenever things go bad for me, I immediately turn to suicidal thought processes. It can take quite an effort to overcome these thoughts.

Chucky,
I was speaking in the context of minimizing the thought or act of suicide. It is nothing small, suicide and self harm are huge issues,
not just a "habit". I may not be explaining that right.??

I am sorry your mind turns to very negative thoughts, that is something, that you would have to fend off, and energy consuming act.

I hope those kinds of thoughts will happen less and less for you.

Red

It can be quite difficult to willfully 'snap' out of an excess of seratonin in the brains chemical composition. I still can't even get past mentally 'snapping' out of alcohol intoxication. No matter how much I will it away, my blood alcohol level remains the same. Funny.

very funny ;p but you can snap out of alchohol intoxication actually, just like kids will believe they are drunk when you tell them there is alchohol in the water they are drinking *nods*

i used to "snap" out of intoxication when at school or talking to my mom, i dont use alchohol anymore though, and even the "snap" is all mental, i mean ofcourse the alchohol level doesnt change, but you can "pretend" or feel sober *nods* ofcourse its all just a lie

but isnt everything just a lie when it boils down to it ?

I never really saw thinkin of suicide as a severe issue, because i do it on a regular basis, but arent the borders all together differant for people like us ??? i mean i do consider thinking or having a relapse into suicidal thoughts to be habit, something that might change if you learn yourself to think differantly (cq, lie)