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

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[–] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 16 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Fourtly we’re socialized to hide depression. As everybody knows, the first step to solve a problem is to recognize it exists. Stigmatization of depression has held back effective treatment for way too long.

"Hey, how's it going?"

"Good, you?"

Honesty about our emotional state (with people who aren't trusted friends / partners) is programmed out of us by social norms.

[–] 4lan@lemmy.world 14 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Start telling people the truth to that question and watch them flee

[–] Wiz@midwest.social 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

You'll separate your friends from your good friends.

[–] 4lan@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Or find out that you don't have any true friends

[–] Wiz@midwest.social 3 points 2 weeks ago

I sometimes tell people "it's complicated" to test the waters if I want to be truly honest it not.

[–] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 2 weeks ago

Like the joke the mother tells around the dinner table in Good Fellas. The punchline was something like, "Shut up, you're always talking."

[–] WoodScientist@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

“Hey, how’s it going?”