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

  • drspod
    23·
    3 months ago

    Porges believes

    This is an interesting article and yet you’ve chosen to quote the most speculative unscientific part of it from the final paragraph.

    “Have you tried going outside” is not a scientific cure for depression.

    • nifty@lemmy.worldOP
      143·
      3 months ago

      That’s not what it’s saying at all, it’s talking about immobilization as a survival strategy as induced by the body’s neurophysiology, think of it as another option after flight vs fight responses.

      Here’s the report mentioned in the article https://explore.bps.org.uk/content/report-guideline/bpsrep.2020.rep133

      Edit looking closely, the report itself doesn’t mention anything about the immobilization defense.

      Edit2 so on further review, I agree that this article is low quality. Apologies, was just browsing while half asleep and thought it was interesting

      Polyvagal theory itself does not seem promising so far. Oh well, editing this post to highlight that…

      • MalReynolds@slrpnk.netEnglish
        9·
        3 months ago

        think of it as another option after flight vs fight responses

        Usually expressed as fight, flight or freeze…