Common wisdom says depression starts in the mind with distorted thinking. But newer models suggest depression starts when the body initiates a defense strategy to help us survive.

If depression is the emotional expression of the immobilization response, then the solution is to move out of that state of defense. Porges believes it is not enough to simply remove the threat. Rather, the nervous system has to detect robust signals of safety to bring the social state back online. The best way to do that? Social connection.

For people who don’t prefer social connection, I’ve seen that exercise works well

Edit: just want to highlight that polyvagal theory, the main point behind this article, is unsubstantiated thus far

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvagal_theory

  • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    3 months ago

    People don’t depress me, but I only have so much charge on my social battery. And yeah, seems we’re the odd ones regarding the outdoors. When people first meet me, they often comment about my running around the creeks and swamps alone.

    “Aren’t you worried about (panthers, gators, bears, serial killers) ?!”

    “Uh, no, they’re rare enough and I carry a gun if it comes to it.”

    Great. On top of thinking me fruity, now I’m an armed fruit.

    • BaroqueInMind@lemmy.one
      0·
      3 months ago

      What’s wrong with responsibly owning a firearm?

      I really fucking hate this culture of us Left-leaning people looking at firearm ownership as stupid; meanwhile we are surrounded by armed unhinged racists, bible-thumping violent anti-LGBTQ religious fanatics, skinhead right-wing cops and we hope those fascist protect us if Republicans riot violently.

      So fucking dumb to think deterrence is bad.

      • Plopp@lemmy.world
        0·
        3 months ago

        US defaultism? In most western countries people don’t, and aren’t allowed to, carry guns.

      • bamfic@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0·
        3 months ago

        Context. Open carrying an ak47 in walmart in a suburb is weird and douchey and should be criticized. Keeping a shotgun at your cabin in the woods or carrying a sidearm while hiking in the middle of nowhere is smart.

        • otp@sh.itjust.works
          0·
          3 months ago

          Open carrying an ak47 in walmart in a suburb is weird

          Is this an exaggeration for effect, or something that’s actually legal in some places?

    • Kintarian@lemmy.world
      0·
      3 months ago

      Here people ask if I’m worried about bears. No , they’re worried about me. You’re way more likely to get mugged in the city than mauled in the woods. I have bear spray just in case.

      • otp@sh.itjust.works
        0·
        3 months ago

        City people might be at greater risk, being more likely to start filming if they see a bear. Or trying to get a selfie with it.

        Less likely to do that with a mugger! Lol