This is just my theory...but I think many of the diagnosed cases of depression, bi-polar disorder etc. are actually sub-conscious excuses to stay out of society that are rationalized by the sociaphobia. Some take pills, some drink, some are completely clean but can't leave their rooms or basements. Many have lives on the internet, much like disabled people...because sociaphobia is a disability unto itself. The difference is, most people who have it, don't want to cure it. People are far too stressful. Everyone wants something from you.

"Fill out these papers, pay this bill, why didn't you do it this way, cut your hair, grow your hair, change your hair, why do you dress like that, son do you know you were doing 27 in a 25 zone, go see a doctor, the doctor can't see you because you have no insurance and sorry about those 100 forms you filled out before I told you this, I don't believe you even went to the doctor I've never heard of such a thing, walk, don't walk, it's going to be about 900 bucks to fix your car sir, your car broke down is not an excuse, I'm going to have to keep your car here as the insurance lapsed while I was working on it and the law says I can't give it to you, oh you made that up ! I've never heard of such a thing, you're just full of excuses aren't you, if you ask me I think you are just lazy." Many people can deal with this stuff. It seems more and more can't though. Sensory overload.

Video games are safe and predictable. Computers are safe and predictable. If you don't like a conversation with someone just hit the "X". Nobody can see you so it does not matter how your hair looks or what you wear. You find though if you get involved with too much straight up work as in making a living on a comp then the pressures mount again and you simply "X" out of everything and go back to your games. Sensory overload. Sociaphobia is a learned behavior stemming from sensory overload. Overload comes from people and everything they have created and expect. Some people can handle it. Fewer and fewer can. The ones who can't are labeled "losers" and the label sticks like a knife.

Sure, there are drugs that can be tried, if you can afford them...but if you really think about it, should these people have to be on drugs because society has increased its pace exponentially over the past 100 years ? That is hardly time for all humans to evolve. I mean should we really be putting out the message "if you can't keep up, take a pill ?" We wonder why there are so many drug addicts ?

I don't think it's a matter of synapses firing improperly...it's a matter of synapses firing differently. Woe be it to those who don't conform even if you have to conform through pharmaceuticals. Now some will and have the capability to do this. Others do not and do not think they should have to spend a life on meds just to fit in to societal dictates and sensory overloads. Then the depression takes a real turn.

"Where do I fit in ?" They come to the conclusion that they simply don't, and they are largely right.