Non-Music: Cyclical Depression

Subject: RE: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 07:46 PM

I was hoping to create a music tie-in for this thread by posting the lyrics to "Someone Else's Blues" by David Bromberg (as sung on his album "Wanted Dead or Alive," Columbia 32717, 1974) - but after an Internet search, I came up empty-handed. If anyone else can supply them, I'd be grateful.

That song is the most insightful song about depression I know, because it shows how you can feel depressed even when everything is apparently going well.

I fought depression most of my life until I started taking Zoloft. I can't promise it will work for you, but it worked for me. I only have 3 pieces of advice:

1. Get yourself to a shrink right away. Don't let your HMO shunt you into counseling until a shrink has evaluated you first.
2. When you talk to the shrink (or psychiatric nurse, who might act as a triage agent) be brutally honest. If you have ever thought about suicide, say so. (I used to think about it a lot, but I never mentioned it to anyone because I didn't want to alarm them. This was stupid.)
3. If you have already taken care of items 1 and 2, and you are just waiting for the drugs (or whatever) to kick in, then there is nothing left to do but pamper yourself. Do the same thing you would do if you had the flu, and wait it out. Pampering yourself won't make depression or the flu go away any sooner, but why add to your burdens by taking on any more responsibilities that you have to?

Subject: RE: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: Troll
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 07:39 PM

Kendall! You weren't supposed to tell!
Talk helps me. So does having a job to do. For me, It's physical labor.
I've been where you are and it sucks big time. But it always slacks off and things improve.
Checking out IS an option but it's pretty final. They are coming up with more and more information about our shared problem every day and a cure-if not final at least partial- may be just around the corner.
PM me if you need to talk.

troll *public servant.Sheesh!*

Subject: RE: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 06:43 PM

Excuse me.... Are you insinuating that just because I have worked in local government and am now a Civil (pause for hysterical laughter) Servant, that I checked out early in a previous life?? I'm sure I would have remembered.....

**BG**

LTS

Subject: RE: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: kendall
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 06:41 PM

Man! do I understand your plight...sometimes life does suck. However, the other option is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Besides, if you check out before your time, you must come back as a public servant!

Subject: RE: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 06:32 PM

And I thought cyclical depression was when some one stole your mountain bike.... *BG*

Been there, done that: keep talking to people, a problem shared isn't always a problem halved, but it sure makes sure you ain't the only one miserable about it!!

Take care, go pop some bubble wrap - does it for me! Imagine each bubble is something you're having trouble with, and then squeeze the living daylights out of it!

LTS

Subject: RE: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: Amergin
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 06:21 PM

Mrrzy, if you want to talk with some one, I am a good listener. (or so I have been told) PM me.

Amergin

Subject: RE: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: GUEST,Sluefoot Sue
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 06:19 PM

If that is the esteemed SL, listen to him. He has written a dozen or so books!!!!!! Get a good night's sleep. Enough good quality sleep is the single most important factor in emotional well-being...SS

Subject: RE: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: Hollowfox
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 06:12 PM

I value your posts, and I'd miss them. When I feel down I give myself Something To Do, something small that I can finish. Often it's just lighting a candle. The light helps, and makes the world prettier. Once I got a bunch of really ugly colored candles at a garage sale, and I saw them as a metaphor for burning c**p out of my life.

Subject: RE: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: GUEST,Steve
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 06:10 PM

I'm a clinical social worker and seasonal affective disorder can occur in these times. And there is a co relation between sunlight and mood. Brighter is cheerier. Bottom line - Only you can find the thread to continue with life. As a Lakota told me one day - "Today is the only day you will get today - it is your choice as to how you utilize this day that the Creator has provided." So choose wisely! After all it really is "Just another gorgeous day in paradise."

Subject: RE: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: Susan-Marie
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 06:03 PM

Because things have been bad before, and they have gotten better - they will this time too.

Because there's still more music to hear and learn and sing/play.

Because right now someone is writing or recording a song that will make you shiver with delight the first time you hear it - but ya gotta stick around to hear it.

And now, a group hug for everyone with the post-holiday mid-winter whatever-the-reason blues....

Subject: RE: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 05:58 PM

Dedicate your life to making the lives of others safer and happier. What you give to others, you will receive back tenfold. That will improve the quality of your life; and give immeasurable comfort to your own soul. Yours, Aye. Dave

Subject: RE: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 05:48 PM

Because if you don't live it you only have the one other choice......and then you will create unbelievable guilt and anger in your family, friends,and others. Trust me, we just went through the "Other"......Your sons could very easily never forgive you. Do you want to add that to your Karmic Load?

Subject: RE: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 05:41 PM

Bardford, that's great.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: Bardford
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 05:30 PM

"Life sucks. Please tell me why I should live it."
Well, for starters, I counted 903 postings by you to Mudcat since March of this year. (I didn't read them all at this sitting, but it would be an interesting, if somewhat voyeuristic excercise.) I'm assuming those posts were read by at least one person, but it's likely far more than that. I will also go out on a limb and suggest that there was something of value to somebody in each of those posts. So right there you've touched 900 people. That's 900 people you've never even met! You may never know what wonderful crops may sprout from the seeds you've planted with those 903 posts. I don't know about where you you live, but here in Bedford Falls, connecting with people is an important job, and somebody's got to do it. May as well be you.
Peace, Bardford

Subject: RE: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 05:15 PM

Seasonal Affective Disorder, mrzzy. You probably need more "full spectrum light" than you are getting.....regular light bulbs and flourescents don't do it. Ask your doc or pharmacist about them. They do help.

Subject: Non-Music: Cyclical Depression
From: Mrrzy
Date: 28 Dec 00 - 04:54 PM

Well, I looked at the "bummed out" thread, and that was about 6 months ago, so at least the cycle is getting longer, especially since I had an excuse then.

Life sucks. Please tell me why I should live it.

Not a Red Alert, guys, I'm not at that stage and haven't been since 1987, but things are really quite bad and I could really use a little help from my friends...

Does that make it a musical thread after all?