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BS: Depression and Anxiety
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Donuel Date: 03 Dec 05 - 09:31 AM Instead of defining depression as a "thinking disorder" we should all consider it to be a condition of agoninzing pain. A pain so severe that life itself is too much of a burden to bear. Thoughts are thoughts BUT when you are in pain, you get treatment. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Charmion Date: 03 Dec 05 - 09:23 AM During my 20s, I was a medic in the Canadian armed forces. Suicide is a problem among military people, who tend to be young and are often exposed to great stresses without much in the way of emotional support. My dear old sergeant told me that anyone who talks about suicide must be taken absolutely seriously, and never given the idea that friends or superiors agree with suicidal ideas. One of the training cadre at the recruit school told me a horror story: an irritating recruit had been bothering her with whiny complaints of suicidal feelings, and the corporal finally lost her temper and said, "If you feel that bad, you had better go and hang yourself." Sure enough, the dratted girl did just that, with the belt of her corduroy dressing gown from a hook in the barrack shower room. My best friend from high school committed suicide at 30, on perhaps her sixth or seventh attempt. I interrupted her penultimate effort by a sheer freak of chance, and thought my task complete when the ambulance arrived and whisked her away to the psych ward via the dialysis unit -- she was 'way beyond the stomach pump by then. She always used the same method, drug overdose, and the next time, about 18 months later, she perfected the timing and wound up dead. At the funeral, her cousin told me that there was nothing anyone could have done; she had been at some level bound and determined to do it since she was about 12, the age at which she made her first attempt. The difference between my friend and the recruit is that my friend never told anyone she was considering suicide. She never wrote letters, made phone calls, or engaged anyone with long whiny chats about her feelings. (Depressed people are not good company. Trust me on this.) Those who tell you they are considering suicide are, indeed, considering suicide -- but have not made a firm decision to do it yet. They are trying out the idea, looking for confirmation or even permission. The last thing you want to do is give that permission. As some of you know, |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: LilyFestre Date: 03 Dec 05 - 09:01 AM I had a friend who called me one night to tell me she had written 3 letters...one to her mom and dad, her girlfriend and me. They were goodbye letters and she had had enough of this world. I kept her on the phone for about an hour. In that time I asked her details, how did she plan to do it, why she thought that was the only way out, etc and hung up with a promise from her that I would hear from her the following day at a particular time. She gave me her word. I promptly hung up and dialed 911. An ambulance arrived at her home, took her to the hospital where she had her stomach pumped and a 3 day stay in the psych unit. She was mad at me for some time but has since gotten over it and is leading a decent life. I don't care if you think the person is serious or not...your friend is the perfect example. We don't ever know how desparate another human being is truly feeling. I wouldn't ever chance it....call for help immediately. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: SINSULL Date: 03 Dec 05 - 08:58 AM Say nothing. Using physical force if necessary get him to professional help. I have done this with two different people. Both got immediate help. One was not considered an actual suicide threat. The other was locked away for three months on heavy drugs and intense therapy. Both were grateful much later. Your friend meant well but her semi-professional sessions kept him from getting real help. Very sad, Azizi. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Azizi Date: 03 Dec 05 - 08:42 AM Here's a true story. My ex-husband and a close girlfriend of mine "Marie" had a friend named "Bob" who I only knew slightly. Bob was a wonderful tenor saxophonist. It was pure beauty to hear him play. He also loved to compose music. Bob also was Black and he was noticiably gay. Bob was diagnosed with clinical depression. Marie was a graduate psychology student. Bob knew this. He was going through therapy to help him cope with his depression, and [but?] he often talked with Marie about it. In particular he would talk to her about the difficulties he had in his childhood, and the fact that he had a difficult time resolving his homosexuality with his Christian religious beliefs. Bob shared with Marie that he was constantly being put down and made fun of because of his homosexuality, and this was very difficult for him to bear. During one period of time Bob repeatedly called Marie and told her he was going to kill himself. Each time Marie talked him out of it. However, one evening, in response to Bob telling her that he was going to kill himself, Marie said that she could not tell another person what to do with his life, and if his life was too difficult for him to bear, and if he had tried all he could to cope, than she couldn't tell him what to do with it. In essence, Marie told Bob that if he wanted to kill himself, than that was his choice. That evening Bob killed himself. Understandably, Marie was devastated. She blamed herself for what she had said, and it took a while before she got herself back together emotionally. Why am I sharing this? I would like some comments on what a person should say to someone who says that he or she is going to kill him or herself. From my second hand experience, it seems to me that one should never say "If this is what you want to do, go ahead". Thank you. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Dave the Gnome Date: 03 Dec 05 - 08:27 AM I was anxious about getting the 100th! I'm depressed about missing it now... DtG |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Leadfingers Date: 03 Dec 05 - 08:20 AM I will relieve my own anxiety by sneaking another 100th post ! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: GUEST,ivor Date: 03 Dec 05 - 04:39 AM It's not that pathetic to come to a site like this initially, if only because therapy and counselling are so disparaged in our society that people are socially discouraged from pursuing those paths. Equally, depression is positively fostered in a stiff-upper-lip society, insofar as depression is about self-repression of feelings, anger and the like. Attitudes like, "Just get on with life" lead in the same direction. I write as a therapist but when i originally posted for GUEST I'd rather not say, i mostly suggested seeking professional advice. I feel the need to add this little bit because attitudes common in our society both foster such conditions as depression and simultaneously put sufferers off helpful ways forward, putting them in an impossible position. One of the greatest discoveries i made when i began my therapy course was the number of times, when someone began to talk of their problem, someone else responded in terms of,"Blimey, I'm NOT ALONE". |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: WFDU - Ron Olesko Date: 02 Dec 05 - 10:05 PM My apologies Foolestroupe. I should not have been flip and trying to make light. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: mooman Date: 02 Dec 05 - 09:47 PM Coming back to the matter in hand after this unnecessary diversion over someone who is seemingly as completely happy and successful as can be. I can only be pleased that that is the case for him. Please do seek good professional medical advice IRNS and please do also feel free to post up here or PM if you feel like it will help, it's your choice, not somebody else's. There are many people in this community (which is a sometime 3D one for a good many of us), including me, who've faced similar problems and can offer support or empathy either through direct experience themselves or otherwise by virtue of some professional involvement or training that they've had. Peace moo |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 02 Dec 05 - 08:55 PM "Wise man see more from bottom of well than fool from mountain top." "Wise man see more from mountain top than fool from bottom of well." And many more which I penned... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: WFDU - Ron Olesko Date: 02 Dec 05 - 08:10 PM "He who hesitates is lost" "The early bird catches the worm" "Offer ends at midnight tonight. Void where prohibited by law." |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 02 Dec 05 - 07:36 PM "I agree some of the attacks on Martin were unfair and expressed in language that I found distasteful." 'Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind.' 'Those who live by the sword, die by the sword' |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Big Al Whittle Date: 02 Dec 05 - 07:28 PM okay we'll agree you're a nice person Martin, and successful and happy.............just try not to get too depressed about it. having said that, it's a bit daft isn't it, giving advice to people who have problems that you have no experience of....you being happy, successful, and a nice guy. Try to imagine someone putting their foot through the back of your Martin D35. and you have figure someway to make it play again - that's how some people feel about their lives, and they DO need sympathetic voices. There aren't support groups everywhere to help them, they feel isolated. Doctors are okay, but they are medical people, and to them you are a medical problem. they stick the jump leads on and if they get it right - off you go for another few circuits. However we are social animals, when we get a major medical problem we get all sorts of social problems concommittant with it. that's how the friendly voices help Martin. the reason I know about this is because my wife runs a self help group for people with arthritis. She got arthritis from out of the blue when she was 25 years old. the health and social work professionals were crap. they had no advice worth hearing about how to deal with long term pain, loss of bloody everything - status and wealth and career, even how to adapt your house, how to get round a town centre when you can't climb stairs, etc. you had to parley with people who had been there bought the t- shirt, ate the shit supper and thoroughly digested it. depression, has its own disabling agenda - that you have to have lived through - a medical degree just don't cover it anyway that's what I think. I'm sure every contributor to this thread means well. I agree some of the attacks on Martin were unfair and expressed in language that I found distasteful. all the best to evrybody - specially those in pain of whatever kind big al whittle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Charmion Date: 02 Dec 05 - 04:50 PM I take issue with the assertion that posting to a largely anonymous web forum is a waste of time for a person with a health problem. Depression is a disease that affects the sufferer's ability to think, especially about him/herself. A person with depression is quite capable of believing that s/he should not seek professional help because the doctor has sicker patients more deserving of medical attention, and the time and money spent on therapy should go to more worthy causes. When a depressed person asks for advice about seeking treatment, the question is often at some level a plea for permission to seek treatment. Also, it helps a depressed person accept and comply with treatment when others have told him/her that the treatment helped them. The media are full of conflicting advice about depression therapies, especially anti-depressant medications, and it can be very encouraging to hear one voice saying "This worked in this way for me" -- that is, if the voice has nothing to do with the purveyor of the treatment. Mudcatters come in all shapes, sizes, occupations, ages and personality types. A question to the Mudcat pulls in responses from such a variety of people with such a range of experience that a consistent message in those responses is very convincing. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: robomatic Date: 02 Dec 05 - 03:07 PM I understand why GUEST is posing herself as GUEST in order to maintain a defensive posture. But if you are going on the OFFENSE you owe it to the others on this thread to identify yourself. Otherwise you are no better than anyone you choose to attack from behind a blind. It is also less than brave. The unfortunate pattern of "piling on" when ignoring would be a much more effective tactic is once again repeating itself in a thread where it really has no place. And repeating oneself in order to gain a 'last word' is futile. This thread can go on for a long time in 'sez you' mode and it will be very boring. Let's agree that the original poster made an intelligent bid for reactions and got a few useful ones and some perspective. What more can you get from a web thread? Let's hope that all our contributions were useful. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: WFDU - Ron Olesko Date: 02 Dec 05 - 02:52 PM "There were already nine posts advising getting professional help before Martin suggested it." And there were at least nine suggestions after it, yet I have not heard anyone complain about the egos of others. Because Martin has been visiable in the past, he is no longer afforded courtesy. You have stooped to the very level that you complain about. He did not hijack this thread, the posts of others directed at him did. Another example of why these forums do not replace professional help. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: jacqui.c Date: 02 Dec 05 - 02:45 PM There were already nine posts advising getting professional help before Martin suggested it. What Martin sees as pity I see as compassion, a totally different animal. Unfortunately Martin has the ability to sneer in print and I know that puts up the backs of a number of Mudcatters. I have got to feeling sad that he has to be so confrontational and to effectively enable a serious post to be partially hijacked. I can't really say whether this is his intention but it is tedious to see it happen again and again. I know from my own experience that it helped to know that I was not alone and that other people had not only been through similar experiences but were willing to give what support they could to me. It helped me to see that there were good people out there and that there was somewhere I could go to just talk about the situation in between therapy sessions. Good luck friend, I hope that, with help, you come out the other side into the sunshine |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: WFDU - Ron Olesko Date: 02 Dec 05 - 01:16 PM I think I already admitted as much guest. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: GUEST Date: 02 Dec 05 - 12:59 PM 12:56 post addressed to Ron. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: GUEST Date: 02 Dec 05 - 12:56 PM As have you, sir. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: GUEST,analyzing MG Date: 02 Dec 05 - 12:55 PM MG plays "Everybody Does it" the TA game which allows him to rationalize his questionable (psychopathic) behavior. If he can get other people mad enough to lash out at him, he can rationalize his brutal aggressiveness. Ho hum, pal. I see through your psychopathy. Why not go to a good therapist and work on your own problems? Rationalization. The subject claims false motives for questionable behavior, or downplays the importance of a threat with false reasoning. The classic example is Aesop's fable of the fox and the sour grapes. "Everybody does it" (steals, cheats, lies, etc.) and "it's for your own good" are common rationalized covers for uncomfortable motives. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: WFDU - Ron Olesko Date: 02 Dec 05 - 12:41 PM I did re-read it guest. You can read into it what you wish. I think Martin asked some questions which could help the person realize that they need to seek help, not post as an anonymous source. I think people here have a hard time of separating their own notions of Martin Gibson. While I disagree with his stance on many things, I respect the fact that he or she speaks their mind - often asking questions that most of us are afraid to ask of ourselves. As for bloating his ego, I think most of us do that. In a way it is therapy for all of us who post here. Having an ego is not a crime. I don't care to put down people like Martin does, but I notice that those who complain will do the same exact thing - sometimes wrapped in sweeter words. You may hate to admit it, but most of us have a bit of Martin Gibson in each of us. Especially you guest. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Amos Date: 02 Dec 05 - 12:39 PM I appreciate Martin's stance about qualifications, but I would suggest that SOME variants of depression are precipitated by simply not having enough connections to communicate with, leading to a buildup of unexpressed views and consequent mental paralysis of some sort. Sometimes, just swapping ideas and feelings with peopel willing to respond is enough to start a path out of such a state. This does not pretend to address more solid kinds of clinical depression. The word is a portfolio term that can be used to describe a wide spectrum of conditions which may include biological roots, deeper psychological causes, or be transient, temporary, and addressable by ordinary friendships. A |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: GUEST Date: 02 Dec 05 - 12:31 PM Correction, Ron. If you read Martin Gibson's first post on this thread, you will note that he attacked GUEST,Been There for choosing to remain anonymous, accusing him or her of being too ashamed (of what? Of having had a bout with depression?) to reveal their identity and implied that the advice given was, therefore, is worthless. Martin Gibson has established a historical pattern of using this sort of thread as an opportunity to bloat his pathetic ego by trying to put other people down. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: LilyFestre Date: 02 Dec 05 - 12:15 PM I noticed that too, Ron but didn't want to say anything lest the backwash begin. I dropped MG a note to say so too. Yeah, I know he has been an asshole in the past but which of us hasn't? Anyway, we are ALL as anonymous here as we want to be. It is nice to see that people do want to help, even when it is someone they don't know. Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: WFDU - Ron Olesko Date: 02 Dec 05 - 12:04 PM I'm amazed by something. None of us know who this anonymous poster was. Yet most of us, including MartinGibson, wished this person well and offered advice to seek professional help. While I worry about some of the advice given, I do think it is heartwarming that Mudcatters care. Yet on the other hand, Martin Gibson is just as anonymous. The caring Mudcatters seem to forget all their humanity and strike out at this person with venom. If you re-read this thread, you will notice that Martin did not start out attacking anyone, yet he was attacked - just because he or she is Martin Gibson- an anonymous name that is just as fictious as the poster who started this very thread. For all we know, it could have been Martin. I just think that most of us are afraid to admit we can be as vile as some of the postings attributed to Martin. Instead of turning the other cheek or using compassion, you become just as vile as you accuse him or her of being. What happened to compassion? I've seen many of the posters in this thread make comments against the war and the administration in other threads (and I think that is great!). However, we fail to practice what we preach. I'm sorry, I'm a bit cranky today and seeing all the shithouse lawyers that post here (and I guess I include myself) I wonder if all we are doing is just spinning our wheels to make ourselves look good. Perhaps I should just stay above the BS line, which is what attracted me to Mudcat in the first place. Sorry for my rambling. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Charmion Date: 02 Dec 05 - 10:05 AM Dear IRNS and other friends, Here's another veteran of the depression war, and I am here to report that Prozac proved very effective when taken in combination with cognitive behaviour therapy, a demanding church choir, and two to three housecats. None of the elements of my recovery program worked particularly well without the others. The pills and the therapy sessions did what they were supposed to do, and the needs of the cats and the church choir added structure to my life that allowed the drugs and the therapy to work. At the same time, they frequently rewarded me with intense pleasure that was innocent, constructive and non-fattening. The therapist and the physician were both humble enough to acknowledge that they had only partial solutions to offer, and invested significant effort in guiding me to identify the things already present in my life that would work with their treatments to get me on the road to recovery. Then they stuck with me to see it through. Your mileage may vary. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: GUEST Date: 02 Dec 05 - 09:23 AM The last post was to check that I am anonymous. I am a member of Mudcat. I choose not to reveal my identity because I don't need the toxic attention of you-know-who. I have had clinical depression all my life, and have been taking treatment for it for the last 15 years. Dear mudcatters,I agree that professional treatment and advice is best. But it is also OK to share with other Mudcatters. Some of us have similar problems. And I wish the mudcat man-behind-the-curtain would understand that it's ok to ban toxic posters. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: GUEST Date: 02 Dec 05 - 09:14 AM |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Pied Piper Date: 02 Dec 05 - 08:02 AM I've been there and back 2 times and I think it's made me a happier and nicer person. The experience can be constructive and give you real insights as you try to return to normality. For me Effexor CBT Exercise Conversation with a good friend who had suffered in the past. If you want to talk in private PM me Good Look PP Martin Martin Superman Jewish NAZI Kosher Ham Manners of the gutter Brains of a Duck Martin we don't give a dam |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: saulgoldie Date: 02 Dec 05 - 07:07 AM I have known some people with depression or anxiety or other related states os mind, and let me assure you, "I'd rather not say" that you are NOT alone. There are MANY others out there. In ALL walks and stations of life. And as you have said, many of them do not want to go public because of the fear of shame or snickering. So they are out there...quietly. But good on you for posting here rather than just quietly doing yourself in. And good on you, too for taking some of the wonderful and caring advice offered here. From what you have said, it is something that you MUST accept the help of others on. So follow through on your promise to get that help. And keep us posted with your progress so that we can stop worrying. And start right now with the music making. That is what brings us together here at the Mudcat Cafe, and it is powerful good stuff. Someone else pointed out that when you sing, your body releases healing endorphins. And that is something very important to you. If you like, you may PM me. I promise I will not share with anyone else whatever you tell me. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Liz the Squeak Date: 02 Dec 05 - 07:02 AM So called because when you bend over it to get the peas out, your chest freezes! GUEST I'd rather not say - I hope you are ignoring the mudslinging here, and taking on board the advice and experiences that others are sharing. The feeling of isolation can be crippling, the fact that there is this place, and on it people who have had those same feelings is a great help to some. However, it doesn't make a good substitute for speaking to a real person, trained in listening, or for the means to correct the chemical imbalances. Martin - I've never been told to go and see a shrink either. I myself decided that I needed to speak to a professional. It's not something I took up lightly, neither is it something I put on my CV.... it's just something I did to try and make my head a better place to live in. LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 02 Dec 05 - 06:51 AM LTS... you'll keep... on ice if necessary... BTW, did I tell you I've now got a chest freezer? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: GUEST,chickenbits Date: 02 Dec 05 - 05:15 AM Hi guest Depression is an extremely common illness. Life can be a challenging and destructive process, sometimes. Years ago I did 8 years of group therapy (a great experience) which helped enormously with working out basic stuff. - not because i was depressed, but because someone asked me into the group. It was a fascinating and enlightening process. A decade or so later, ... shit happened, in a big way. horrible things happened, that should never happen, and I was a witness. At one point I couldnt sleep most nights and was ready to crack. It was time for the pills. I figured I absorbed so much trauma, and my body couldnt take any more. I took then and am still taking them, and now I have a very happy and peaceful life. I wish you well - life does get better. x chickenbits |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: mooman Date: 02 Dec 05 - 05:04 AM Martin Gibson, It is entirely appropriate that IRNS has sought the support of some of those here who he or she trusts and who have also fought The Black Dog. The advice, including thgat from from yourself, has been an almost universal "seek good medical professional support". Seeking the empathy and support of those who have also similarly suffered is, however, entirely natural, understandable and positive. Since you yourself say that you are not a sufferer, perhaps you do not understand this basic need of the human psyche? Respectfully, mooman |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Big Al Whittle Date: 02 Dec 05 - 04:35 AM perhaps this is one of those threads Martin when we all need to weigh our words a little more carefully - careful of the destructive effect they might have on a fellow mudcatter who appears to be going through a tough time. Perhaps Joe was weighing your words for you. Personally speaking, my earnest hope about the other side is that God turns out to be a fat old folksinger. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Once Famous Date: 01 Dec 05 - 11:54 PM Let's get this straight. I have no issues except to say that there are really some very phony ego-strutting doctors on this thread. I am not depressed and have never been told to see a shrink except by a few losers here. It's called confidence and I couldn't be feeling more confident and successful. I don't take it for granted and I count my blessings. If things did go wrong, I would not feel the need to bellyache it on a web forum. Guest, I'd rather not say, I do not feel alone as you state. I wish you well and hope you get the Professional help you need. If I was in your shoes, I don't believe I would turn to some fat, old folksingers. I would turn to God before I would ever do that. Joe Offer, you delete truthful opinions that are not even PERSONAL attacks. Tsk Tsk. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Deda Date: 01 Dec 05 - 11:21 PM For me, it was a great breakthrough to really understand that other people have thoughts, feelings, emotional experiences just like mine. Depression is isolating, it tends to make us feel that there's nobody out there who feels this way, nobody else who suffers this. That's the big lie. I'm not God's gift to the world, I'm not waiting to be discovered, I'm not the lowest of the low, nor the highest and brightest. I'm just another bozo on the bus, as my unitarian minister used to say. The thoughts and feelings I have are just human thoughts and feelings, ways of responding to life experiences, options. There are other options out there. It just takes a little effort, a little work to find them and exercise them. We can't be born with anyone else or die with anyone else, but in between we get to connect if we choose to, and it makes the road easier. It's not always easy to connect but it's rewarding. IMHO that's one of the very great beauties of folk music. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: GUEST,Been There Date: 01 Dec 05 - 10:10 PM GUEST,I'd rather not say, it looks like you're taking positive steps to handle the problem. That's good. More power to you. I'm sorry for indulging in a bit of a snarl, but from past observations of a (fortunately) few people who occasionally hang out here, I'm not surprised by comments such as, "…..like the fucked up leading the fucked up." This is exactly why I choose to remain anonymous in this thread. Martin Gibson is one of these narrow minded people who assume that just because you've been through a sticky patch, you're henceforth "fucked up" permanently. Anytime you say something on some other thread that he disagrees with, he'll bring it up and try to whip you with it. He's done that sort of thing before. It shows just how "fucked up" he is. I wouldn't wish it on a dog, but perhaps if Martin Gibson were to spend a day or so in that state of anxiety and depression that he seems to regard pretty lightly, it might humanize him a little. Teaching him a little empathy, which he seems to totally lack. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: bobad Date: 01 Dec 05 - 09:44 PM There isn't much that I can add to the advice already given. I'd just like to say that as a fellow human being and a fellow mudcatter I care about you and am truly concerned for your well-being. I wish the best for you. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: MASH4077 Date: 01 Dec 05 - 09:30 PM dear I'd rather not say, I posted here not long ago wondering if suicide really was painless, what caused my aberration was the break-up of a relationship, you don't say if you are in one, but as you say '>>>>>>And then I get to beating myself up for my weakness of character, since I have so much that so many others do not have, and how could I be such an idiot for all this worrying?! I should be so grateful for what I have and who I am! <<<<<<<<< -is it your relationship that is giving you problems, or merely the state of the world out there? if it is your relationship, find a friend to give you solace(even a pet) if it is the world,tricky, for it is chaotic by it's very nature, put some order into it by doing something you like,, and ignore any party-poopers..., plus don't watch any crap T.V soaps!!!!-they are sooo depressing!! ..... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: robomatic Date: 01 Dec 05 - 08:51 PM A lot of progress has been made recently toward a greater understanding of Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), its hazards, its treatments. I've heard a very sensible Doctor speak on the subject on the radio recently, Dr. Peter Kramer. He has authored two books: "Listening to Prozac" and quite recently, "Against Depression". In the first book, which I'm partially through, he goes through the history of Prozac and anti-depressive medication, and case studies of people who he has treated both with and without drugs. More recently, his later book, which I haven't read but I've heard him describe it, goes into the more recent findings of Depression as a debilitating disease which needs to be addressed and treated. He argues that Depression gets worse with age, decreases the satisfaction we get out of life, and potentially damages our brains. His parable argument is: "Why do we tell people that Depression is character building, that we should tough it out. If they have cancer we don't withhold treatment, we don't tell people how fighting it out alone will build character." It is a common affliction which we are still in the dark ages about, but treatments these days are likely doing more good than harm. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Fibula Mattock Date: 01 Dec 05 - 10:02 AM Some ideas:
I have manic depression and have to take medication for it, probably for the rest of my life. I've been psychotic, and I've been at the point of death with it. Depression is unfair, selfish, frustrating, horrible and heartbreaking. And it definitely exists. I could cry all bloody day at what I've lost, but it's part of my life now and we just have to get on with things I suppose. The medication makes a world of difference for me. I hope it can for you if you choose to take it. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Liz the Squeak Date: 01 Dec 05 - 09:13 AM Worse? Gees, it's bad enough already!!! LTS |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 01 Dec 05 - 08:48 AM Laughter is good medicine. My punning often gets worse when I am depressed. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: Bard Judith Date: 01 Dec 05 - 08:47 AM Moderator: I'd be more concerned about goodbar's post. I do not think it appropriate to 'joke' (if that's what the suggestion could be read as) about suicide to a person with depression. Guest I'd Rather Not Say: My husband has been living with depression for over a year now, and we've gone through many of those same general struggles, including medication / counselling / advice issues. He actually lost his (well-paying) job because he was unable to perform his duties any longer, so it's been difficult in a number of ways - but we have been supported, comforted, and reassured through many people. Depression is indeed often caused by a chemical imbalance (such as low seratonin levels) and should not have the stigma which it still does in some cultural circles. Obviously not here at Mudcat! I'm glad to hear that you are seeking treatment, taking medication, exercising, etc. - just want to affirm you in those self-care decisions. It can be difficult to believe that you are worth it - or that it's necessary - and even more difficult to actually do anything. Kudos for making those steps forward. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: GUEST,ivor Date: 01 Dec 05 - 08:41 AM GUEST,I'd rather not say. On the one hand, you may find it hard to hear anybody, I suppose. On the other hand, you posted. The people are right. Seek professional help. Look for the one who you think you can work with. In the hope that you are open enough, my reponse to your last question,"Why is life worth living?", it's not about 'Why?' but 'How? In other words my life has meaning because of how i live it. Best wishes |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: GUEST,I'd rather not say Date: 01 Dec 05 - 08:30 AM Curiously enough, Martin Gibson's posts do not upset me. I recognise him as a fellow traveller with his own issues. And in a way, that is encouraging: that many of use have "issues" that we are all dealing with. Makes me feel less alone. Again, thanks to the group. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Depression and Anxiety From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 01 Dec 05 - 08:24 AM ... and some of us who know the Black Dog well, saw that had already been done, and offered some sympathy and practical advice from experience well worth considering in addition to the suggestion to seek real professional advice. It kinda proves that MG ignores most contributions to a thread so that he can massage his ego - seems like a Narcissist... |
