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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[–] Nougat@fedia.io 25 points 2 months ago (1 children)

There is absolutely a difference between situational acute depression and generalized chronic depression — and they require different approaches

[–] finley@lemm.ee 3 points 2 months ago

I suppose the response to that would be that the social interactions which makes you anxious are unhealthy social interactions, And that, instead, you should be having social interactions that don’t cause anxiety for you.

Of course, without knowing more, that’s just speculation.