Sooo I just found out that my cousin is suffering from major depressive disorder and he has been prescribed medication for his disease. He also deals with self-injury; in particular, "cutting." I was just wondering what you guys feel about this, what is your point of view? Do you think it is stupid? Do you believe in major depression? I know that there are many arguments regarding it. I honestly dont know what to think at this point. I am just curious. I am really confused... I just need your input.
I believe it is a serious illness and you all should do the best to take care of him before he does something stupid and it's too late. This is not funny and I don't understand why so many people believe the victims are just stupid/crazy. Anyone can fall into a deep depression at some point in his life and his family/friends have to the best to help him then, we all heard stories where the depressed person commited suicide. Doctors always point out that this is a real disease/disorder that you have to fight, not just something made up.
Depression runs in my family- and although I don't suffer from it, whenever I have a day when I feel 'depressed', I'm always worried that it's the start of something bigger. It's hard to say much about your cousin- how old is he? How was he diagnosed? Did he have counselling beforehand, or was he just prescribed medication? There are a lot of questions and so many different situations when it comes to depression, including many underlying issues (bipolar, drug use, etc...). My advice is to be supportive, talk to him (when he wants to talk about it), and just let him know that you're there for him when he needs it. A lot of cases of depression come from the person feeling isolated or lonely. As far as 'cutting' goes, I don't really have any knowledge of that. I know a kid I was somewhat close with used to do it during high school, and he seemed to turn out alright. But I can't really make any concrete judgements. Final thought: it does exist, and mostly it's as symptom of an underlying problem. It's good that he's been diagnosed and is serious about getting better. As I said before, just be there if he needs someone to call or hang out with. In my experience, that's the best help you can give without being an actual doctor or psychiatrist.
Had an ex that did it, know a couple of people now that do it. It isn't something that you can just tell them to get over I'm afraid, just be there for them. http://www.depressionalliance.org/
Unfortunately, depression is a real thing, BUT, depression has also become an industry and far too many people are diagnosed for it, because it is a gold mine for selling treatment and drugs in perpetuity. This is an injustice to the people who are truly and genuinely suffering and in need of treatment, because it damages peoples' perceptions, as the OP indicates. I hope your cousin gets balanced and past this, good luck to your family because it is a hard thing to have to deal with.
No. Depression is B.S. and so is the medication. Does he have CANCER, or AIDS or any other terminal illness? Has he lost all his family or at least a parent? I better hear a YES and make me look stupid. If NO, get off your butt, do something with your life, and stop "being depressed." Ha... "diagnosed." Flame away. EDIT:
No kidding. Between the grammar/spelling nazi stuff and constant lame jokes, I didn't think it was possible for Swoly to be any less likable. But, I guess I was wrong. Mental illness? What a bunch of HOOEY!
I second Yung-T's post and hope your cousin can work things out. Hopefully therapy and medication can help him out and its good that you can be there for him as friends and family.
I was going to flame you but I suspect Batman Jones will do a better job of it that I will. Bottom line is Depression is real and cost lives.
God I wish Catholics believed in birth control. The Swoly-d end all solution to life's problems: don't be lazy, esse!
^ I never said he was lazy. I just said "get off your ass and do something with your life and stop being depressed." :grin: I love it when people complain about petty things like "oh, my girlfriend left me... boo-hoo... " and there are people out there who have CANCER, missing LIMBS, physically deformed, etc., etc., and have a happier life. I love it.
That is what happens when your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandmother gets tag teamed by a couple well-hung Conquistadors.
you can't be effing serious. i'm giving you the benefit of the doubt just assuming you're not being serious.
Wtf people... if he's cutting, then it could mean he's taking everything inside, all the pressures he's facing, all the little things that people normally tell friends he's either shielding from them or repressing. Without knowing much about your cousin, maybe he needs someone he can trust with the implicit idea that he's accepted regardless of what he does or thinks. There are support groups for people living with the severely depressed. Get in touch with them for a deeper pool of experience and guidance.
You can think what you want, but when someone is endangering themselves or others you don't just tell them to "get over it" and isolate them. Andrea Yates says hi.
I'm not even mad at this post. You just really aren't very intelligent. I guess that's not your fault so I'm not even mad.