Untreated meaning what? Un-medicated? I don't see that as a bad thing. The cause of depression is seldom one that medication alone can overcome.
Therapists... they're probably useful for some people.
For others, man what they wouldn't give to just have a few more friends, or something to do / some place to go where they felt welcome and needed. Medication doesn't help give people purpose or cure the underlying behavior that prevents them from building friendships.
This is a complicated thing, since there's no guaranteed cure for everyone, there's no reason to be concerned if people seek different ways to combat this deeply personal problem they face.
Some generic advice... eat healthy, get some exercise in the sun, keep your room clear from distractions (tv / laptops / cellphones) so you can sleep... just do the best you can. One foot in front of the other. Try and be social if you have the energy for it.
Untreated means that there aren't therapists nor medications for the person.
I agree that therapy isn't for everyone. However, some people are truly helped by therapists, especially if they are lacking life skills or coping mechanisms.
Those people that just want to have a few more friends or something to do where they are accepted? Well, medicine can help with that at times, depending on the situation. If they don't have friends because they work too much, and can't go places because of money or disability, the medication won't help them solve those things. The crappy thing is, however, is that some folks that are depressed long for these things, but they can't get out from under the fog enough to actually do anything about it. Medication often clears up the fog enough to be a productive person.
It is a complicated thing. It isn't a problem if people seek different ways, but that should include being ok with folks taking medication.
Your generic advice? Honestly, it just doesn't work for a lot of people with depression. Eating healthy and exercise is great if you have the motivation to do it: Not so sound advice if you can barely get the energy up to have clean clothing. One damning effect of depression is an absolute void of motivation to do anything What do you do if the distractions keeping you from sleeping are the thoughts in your head? Rumination and worry is a horrible thing They already are doing the best they can just by barely making it through a workday. Try and be social with a depressed and warped view of the world? That's a mighty difficult thing to strive for.
The whole point is that if it were possible to just do a few simple things and think or act your way to happiness, it'd not be such an issue. But not everyone can even get to that point.
Listen, without getting into too much detail, the root of solving depression is always the realization that you aren't powerless and you aren't worthless. You can do things, you can improve, you can add value to the lives of others, you can have the life you want... small steps get you there.
Letting yourself get into that rut, that dark space, it's very hard to get out of that. Medication, friends, therapy, success... if you're convinced you are worthless and that there's no point to anything... it won't matter what you have going since you won't see it.
Avoiding that, through some simple activities, is what I think is helpful. The focus of "curing" depression has to be preventing yourself from falling back into it.
And get a dog. They love you, they force you to get some exercise, and you always feel small accomplishments being able to take care of them.
Therapists... they're probably useful for some people.
For others, man what they wouldn't give to just have a few more friends, or something to do / some place to go where they felt welcome and needed. Medication doesn't help give people purpose or cure the underlying behavior that prevents them from building friendships.
This is a complicated thing, since there's no guaranteed cure for everyone, there's no reason to be concerned if people seek different ways to combat this deeply personal problem they face.
Some generic advice... eat healthy, get some exercise in the sun, keep your room clear from distractions (tv / laptops / cellphones) so you can sleep... just do the best you can. One foot in front of the other. Try and be social if you have the energy for it.