Friend, if you have been depressed for 8 years and are depressed 90% of the time then you should seek help. However, if you're just sad and emotional at times then that's a different story. You enjoy it!? That just doesn't make sense to me. I guess it doesn't need to make sense to me though if that's what you like. Taken from Webster, depression is a psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies.... IMO, we should be careful with the self-diagnosis and try to distinguish between actual depression and mood swings. ------------------ "...just because a clever person can complicate the discussion about the truth doesn't necessarily mean he or she is making any progress in finding it."
That's about as broad and ugly a generalization as I could imagine. Nice. ------------------ So, I took the million dollars and bought a steaam shovel.
I don't know, I just know I felt different then, plus if you look at pictures of me before and after, you'll see that I always look sad when I take pictures now. I don't think I'm clinically depressed or anything. I was overstating the 90% thing, it's not like I get all down about my life thinking I serve no purpose in the world or anything. I guess I just don't mind the down times. My whole "depression" thing hasn't been that big of a deal in the last year. I actually know how to deal with my down times by writing or finding something fun to do. I also have times where I'm extremely happy for no reason, anyone else have those? Like 2 nights ago, I was all down for no reason, then like 30 minutes later I was extremely happy for no reason also, like everything I saw was funny to me, actually it reminds me of my potsmoking days. I thought it was pretty rad... Anyway, I'm not depressed 90% of the time for the last 8 years. I just know for the last 8 years, I'm a less happy version of what I was before, thats probably just growing up though. Anyway, I really don't care to talk about how I need to seek professional help or anything. I'm happy... ------------------ [This message has been edited by Band Geek Mobster (edited May 01, 2001).]
Actually, those are psychaitrists. I have a problem would putting young kids on drugs... Holden, is it the weather ? Getting in the sun tends to cheer me up. I have very high highs and low low's, I could be bi-polar. ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
I think ur generalizing a little too much here... You make it sound like they ALL do that to EVERY paitient and thats not true. Its actually pretty hard to get a psychologist to put you on an addictive drug... they put you through tests and extensive questioning and a whole LOT of talk first, and even then most WOULD prefer to find some other solution to your problem. Psychologists don't wait around drooling in eagerness to grab you and put you on addictive drugs, it really isn't something they like to do at all. ------------------ Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend... =o)
I know that I went through some weird times growing up, especially in high school. I'm still growing up for that matter. Man, I was really moody and not overly concerned with the important things in life such as family. I used to be so mean to my parents and so distant. I'm so lucky that I have understanding parents and that they knew that this was typical teenage beahvior. I've become a lot more mature and loving since high school. Even though I get down sometimes I know that there are people who truly care about me. That goes for everyone out there. You're never alone. ------------------ "...just because a clever person can complicate the discussion about the truth doesn't necessarily mean he or she is making any progress in finding it."
I have been seeing a psychologist for the past month and a half. He suggested St. Johns Wort as an alternative to prescription anti-depressants. It's a all natural anti-depressant. I know there has been ALOT of talk about it in the news as being not effective, but for me personally, it has helped me get through this. It was over the counter and relatively inexpensive. It is worth a try IMO at least. If that doesnt work, you have to see a general practitioner to prescribe Paxil or Prozac (most common anti-depressants) which can be, like any drug from caffiene to cocaine, addictive. ------------------ "...more and more of our imports are coming from overseas." George W. Bush -- On NPR's Morning Edition (9/26) [This message has been edited by Drewdog (edited May 01, 2001).]
You are not alone in listening to 80's music. My favorite group is New Order. Are you going to see DM's Exciter Tour? You shouldn't let your friends rank on you - the music they listen to is probably crap compared to DM. DM has been around since 1980 - 21 years with a 5 month sold out world tour coming up, can any band they listen to compare? ------------------
Drewdog, Do you find that the fact that more and more of our imports are coming from overseas is extremely significant? What made you choose that as a sig? Sorry for derailing the depresion discussion dudes. Now I am depressed. ------------------ "Of course, thats just my opinion, I could be wrong" -- Dennis Miller
Hydra- Obviously this is a quote that wasnt meant to be taken seriously. It is merely a quote from our 43rd Presidient Geroge Dub-ya....
The test on St. John's wort were done with severe and moderate depressed cases I believe, not mild depression. It might turn out to help mild cases, by all means if it works for you I wouldn't throw it out or anything because of the recent (small) study. With severe depression, every indication is that drugs can improve the clients welfare, I think drugs for less than severe depression should be proscribed very seldomly. And all drugs should be examined by a case by case basis, there are no magic bullets. Also, psychologists can't proscribe drugs. They might work closely with a psychiatrist who does and they can get them for clients without too much trouble, but they can't proscribe them. Psychologists are working in some states and nationally to be able to proscribe a limited amount of mental health-related medications, but the American Medical Association and whatever association represents Psychiatry is working hard against it. Though I am not one, I can attest there are therapists who are clinical and cold, just as there are heart surgeons like that as well. The majority of them however are working to improve their clients and families lives. I might add if you are looking for a therapist I don't think the degree or type of training (though you want one credentialed by a recognized state/national board) is the most important issue, there are a lot of professionals in the mental health field. For example, degrees include MDs (psychiatrist), PhDs (clinical psychology, counseling psychology-these are different, marriage and family therapists), MS (counseling, marriage and family as well), MSW (social work), etc.. There are also professionals coming out of holistic and more Eastern perspectives on mental health, though I don’t know enough to provide specifics. If you looking for one I would try out different one's with different backgrounds until one seemed to work. [This message has been edited by Desert Scar (edited May 01, 2001).]
There is a very funny movie (imo) about antidepressants called Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy. Totally politically incorrect, which is a big plus in my book. It deals with the over-prescription of AD's. ------------------ "Of course, thats just my opinion, I could be wrong" -- Dennis Miller
"I've invented a pill that gives worms to ex-girlfriends." ------------------ Ceo of the Walt Williams and Lisa Malosky fan club. atheistalliance.org
Play the song: Don't Worry, be happy! Seriously, it helps me have a whole new outlook to life. ------------------ It's my way or the highway!
I know how a lot of y'all feel... I've tended to be depressed all my life. Don't know if it's just a melancholy temperament or what. It doesn't quite match the definition of clinical depression, and it's always been with me ever since childhood. I can snap out of it, but it's always waiting to pull me back in. It doesn't feel good, and makes me feel alienated. Still, it's not like the textbook definition of depression. I can go to work, eat normally, etc. It does depend on circumstances, and I can always point out the circumstances, but apparently the same things that don't bother other people will bother me a lot. (though I handle the big things in life OK) It's been worse lately because of grad school... which sucks the life force out of you. Even though my school situation isn't that bad compared to many, I guess it's just the uncertainty of feeling like you've let your professor down or that you're the invisible person in your lab. Also, I don't get along too well with my co-workers; it's OK but we don't hang out. Our personalities aren't the same. I know that, and decided long ago not to worry about it, but it still gets me down. I think connecting with friends is a lot of what keeps me out of depression. Often these days I have to take road trips out of town to connect with people I can really connect with. If that makes sense. My husband is good at being a husband, but somehow he doesn't understand. Some people just say to "put on a happy face" and all the cliched stuff. It's well meaning , but I think with their personality types they just don't understand where we're coming from. Drugs? Not bad off enough for that... don't want it on my "permanent record" that I had any "mental illness" diagnosed, since I'm perfectly functional, non-suicidal, etc. I'm thinking of trying the St. John's wort. Anyway, just offering support to you guys who deal with it... thank goodness we can all talk here. (though try to find a live person to talk to if you can, they help. The year of my life I was the happiest was probably when I was surrounded by the most people. It helps to be interacting with people. Well, unless they're clueless jerks. ) And RocketKid - first year of high school just bites. It gets better. ------------------ Isabel,clutchcity.net lurker since 1996 All your base are belong to Heypartner.
I hope it does Isabel. sometimes i feel like im not gonna make it outta high school because im just a freshman and high school has already taken its toll on me. ------------------
There will be rought times Rocketkid, but from chaos comes clarity. ------------------ Ceo of the Walt Williams and Lisa Malosky fan club. atheistalliance.org
How many of you have tried "alternative remedies?" Most of my pre-med friends are pretty contemptuous of them... say that the only alternative remedy with scientifically verified benefits is acupuncture, I believe. But then... they *do* want to be doctors, so they might be a bit biased . Besides Drewdogs, do any of you have good experiences to relate? ------------------ I would believe only in a God who could dance. - Friedrich Nietzsche Boston College - NCAA Hockey National Champions 2001
