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'Sticky thinking' hampers decisions in depression

(www.bps.org.uk)
114 points domofutu | 2 comments | 23 Jun 25 21:01 UTC | HN request time: 0.431s | source
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zzzeek ◴[26 Jun 25 13:21 UTC] No.44387159[source]▶
as a lifelong depressive, the "sticky thinking" issue is the main reason why practices like mindfulness meditation are essential. Though MM I've been able to isolate what it actually "feels" like to resist letting a "sticky" thought go, what's behind that resistance, and what it "feels" like to let it go anyway, which is to say, it feels awkward. A good kind of awkward because you realize you're teaching your neurons a new skill they haven't done before. Call it "thought hygiene" and consider it like any other skill like writing or riding a bike.

I also observe that the primary thing an SSRI does for me is that it makes thoughts much less sticky, to the point of forgetfulness.

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1. StefanBatory ◴[26 Jun 25 13:52 UTC] No.44387431[source]▶
when I was on SSRI, I didn't really feel any better. What it was for me is that I didn't reach the bottom so easily. If my mood was normally like from 3 to -10, on SSRI it went from 3 to like -5/-6.
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2. jebarker ◴[26 Jun 25 14:03 UTC] No.44387544[source]▶
My experience was similar except the top end score was also lowered, I.e. it became impossible to feel excited or motivated about anything. I believe SSRI response varies greatly between different individuals and drugs though, so this is just one data point and YMMV