In my statement to Robin I did not intend to imply that I thought there was
a correlation between CP and depression based on brain functioning/damage.
I was expressing  that I was open to considering the likelihood that
depression would be a normal manifestation for some of us.  I could equally
affirm that CP and depression do not relate.

This reflects my tendency to increasingly view CP as neurologically dynamic
with orthopedic, socio-cultural and other involvements and impacts.

The claim, elsewhere asserted, that CP and depression are midbrain based and
therefore related, is news to me.   I don't know if that observation is
accurate, significant, or meaningful.  If it were so--so what?  Each has its
own treatments, neither has a cure--not yet.  It is possible that in
treating one symptoms of the other may be alleviated.

A conundrum, given opinions and observations, informs cause and effect
assumptions and plays with points of view.

S.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bobby G. Greer" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2000 12:33 AM
Subject: Re: Question about CP and Depression


> In a message dated 10/3/00 3:45:03 AM, [log in to unmask] writes:
> Dear List
>
>     Michael and others, the more I learn about the brain, the less I know.
> One thing I know definitely is that there are many people taking
> anti-depressant medication who are NOT CP. Sometimes people try to
correlate
> two things and they are really unrelated. To some non-CP persons CP
"appears"
> so depressing to the personally that that MUST be related. Not necessary
so.
> The comment amount depression and brain injury sounds ridiculous to me.
> Depression is a common experience tyo many humans. we have more people on
> Anti-depressants than just about any other medication. I have been through
> about four years of clinical depression, not even counting the year after
my
> by-pass which is almost a gurantee for depression. But I do not believe it
is
> tied to CP per se. Like Mike said the experiences associated some times
with
> a disability can lead to depression.
>
> Bobby
>
>
> << Lynn, People with CP can suffer Depression..  I don't think it has
anything
> to do with the chemistry of the brain at first. What I think happens first
> is a traumatic experience, such as a perceived threat, or as in my case, a
> termination of liberty in a life.  Then, if the mental anguish is not
> checked (e.g. the threat removed, the liberty restored), the brain becomes
> ill, and that could lead to a chemical imbalance and suicidal tendencies.
> That's just my theory.  Bobby may have a scientific explanation...
>  >>
>
>