Depression 101

Jun 26 15:29 UTC 2002

         This item is to discuss the feeling you get
         when you start to mistake the Bummed item
         for the Happy item, when your occasional
         down feelings become DANGEROUSLY commonplace.

Depression affects everyone in our respective communities in different 
ways.  It is a subject that is only beginning to receive due attention 
in open media, but remains a topic that is riddled with myths and 
misconceptions and the stigma attached to this treatable illness is one 
of the most common reasons why it is a hard issue for many to confront.

"Depression 101" is exactly what it sounds like.  An intro to a 
discussion with many twists and turns, tangents and subtopics.  It is 
for those like myself who are just beginning to uncover the surface of 
this problem, whether this is the first encounter or a lifelong 
struggle, as well as those who can (and do!) look on their experiences 
in a different way, having come out on the other side.  Of course this 
is also for those who are close to someone struggling with Depression 
and for those who are simply interested in learning more.  

Personal stories, questions regarding the illness, finding a therapist, 
impact on close friends and family . . . we can all discuss it here.

This is also intended to be a safe place for those who are dealing with 
this and want support.  Though no one here is a trained professional, 
those that are willing can certainly help steer someone in the right 
direction.  This also means, of course that it would be appreciated if 
those that participate be sensitive to those who choose to share.  It 
doesn't mean that humor is not appreciated, it means *be an adult*.

Anything goes folks . . . let's make this a great discussion!

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response 2 of 170:

Jun 26 15:34 UTC 2002

Um, I didn't realize this was also an Agora item.  Maybe link in the fall.

response 4 of 170:

Jun 27 06:26 UTC 2002

There definitely is still a stigma on depression.
Many people respond to your situation with the remark: 'get a grip.'
Like it's easy. Even my twin had the nerve to say something similar to 
me in 1996-97, when I had my depression. Harsh, no?
The way I dealt with the problem was, as it was so clear to notice, not 
to hide the fact I was in therapy, but be open about it.
Eventually I discovered one of the reasons for the depression: my worse 
than bad relationship withg my father, whom had committed suicide in 
1991. My therapist managed to make me get to terms with it. She did 
this by merely nudging me in the right direction.

I believe that depression in general increases. 
I have got the impression that the demands society puts on individuals 
is growing. Life nowadays is much more complex than it was, say fifty 
years ago. I have been discussing this idea with my own therapist 
(behavioral therapy, not an analyst), and she concurred.
See, depression happens a lot among people of my own generation (30+).
I fear that the generation coming after me (20+) is subject to even 
more strong demands.
For instance, keeping and maintaining a relationship is harder 
nowadays. The partners not only desire a sensitivity, loyalty, 
intelligence, wit, care etc, but also good providership and excellent 
bed performance. It's quite a lot to answer to, and it's only one thing.

Concluding I'll be the last to have an opinion on depression. I know 
how hard it is to cope with it. Anybody I care about can count on my 
(mental) support / empathy.

response 6 of 170:

Jun 27 13:48 UTC 2002

#4,5> Bah. Every generation says that, and it's rarely true. Why don't know
what it was like to be 25 in 1955, or in 1855, or in 1755, because we weren't.
 
#4> On getting a grip: I think there's a tendency for people who have mental
problems to allow the problems to rule their lives. That's close to the psych
distinction between functional and dysfucntional problems. Functionally ill
people can still do their basic life things, but they feel uncomfortable in
the realm of their disorder; dysfunctional people are actually blocked from
doing major things because of their disorder. Overwhelmingly, most people are
functional, and so it's tempting (I think) to respond to someone who's
claiming obstruction due to illness to "get a grip": It could be a statement
of callousness, but it could also be a statement of, "Look, I saw you do X
last week, and a few months ago, and several times last year, so I know you
can do X, there's no reason why you can't do X now." And the truth is,
sometimes that little "get a grip" speech is what some people need to crawl
out of the hole (while, unfortunately, sometimes it drives them in deeper).

response 8 of 170:

Jun 27 15:19 UTC 2002

I have a friend who's a clinical psychologist, who works with some severely
messed-up people.  His advice to people who are depressed is to drink a ton
of water (more than you're thirsty for -- like a couple pints) and get out
in the sun and exercise, even if it's just walking around the block five or
six times.  He doesn't claim this will work for everyone, because some really
will need medication and/or therapy, but it should at least lessen the effects
and in mild cases can lift the depression.

I don't know why this works, exactly, but I've seen it do the trick, and he's
got hands-on experience to back it up.

Your mileage may vary, but his method costs nothing and is good for you even
if it doesn't lift the depression, so it may be worth giving it a try.