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Comment by binbag | Hacker News Reader

I don't think the author understands what depression is, or at least what it is like for the majority of sufferers. I feel like the article trivialises depression as something to be worked through and overcome. If you have chronic depression, this article is probably going to irritate you. It's kind of like when people say you have you 'fight' cancer. You can't fight cancer, and those that die of cancer didn't die because they were too weak to put up a good fight.

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I like that at least the title is "How I Got My Brain Back" and not "How I Overcame Depression", and that the author talks about "My depression" instead of just "depression". This gives a hint that what worked for them worked for them, and that's it.

I understand where you are coming from, but I think there's room to be a little more charitable to the author. While her experience with depression may not be applicable to everyone, that does not invalidate what she had to say. Her approach was helpful to her and it might be helpful to others.

If you are suffering from depression, chronic or otherwise, first, I am sorry to hear that. It is a difficult place to be. I wish I knew of a technique that worked for everyone but unfortunately I do not.

I recently recovered from a long bout with depression myself. I'm not entirely certain what caused the difference after so many years. One potential thing is that I went through an experience that reset my gut bacteria. It sounds a little strange that that might be the thing, but it seems to be the most logical explanation.

I don't know if it will work for others, but I'm putting it out there in case it does.

It’s interesting how many people are irritated by the tone of the article and how it appears to trivialize depression. The argument isn’t the blogger should not have written any thing. Just not trivialize it and make themselves seem so great at solving stuff.

So the people responding the advice can still be helpful aren’t actually responding to the many people including me with issues with the post.

She clearly understands and is an expert on how depression felt for her and how she managed to improve her situation. And that is all she writes about in the article. So your comment is off target.

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