Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=Zover;1133313]Suffering from depression is completey different from being sad for some reason. Most people who suffer from depression never really get cured. You can have the most amazing things happening to you and still suffer from depression. Like anxiiety once it's triggered it never really goes away, people control it through coping strategies. The problem is, there is very little known about the brain and the way it works. The main treatment for depression is medicines that alter the chemistry of the the brain.[/QUOTE]

Kind of like Robin Williams, he had all these great things in his life, house, wife, wealth but he couldn't escape the darkness of depression. I reckon his was probably triggered by his years of drug taking though. If you play chemistry with your brain week in week out there is a good chance there will be consequences.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

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Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

As someone who has been very depressed on 2 separate occasions spanning several years each time. I can say with 100% certainty, you can overcome it, it is possible, and life is beautiful once you do.

My depression consisted of suicidal thoughts, extreme loneliness, never leaving bed or the couch, and not talking to anyone for days. It also consisted of dr.'s and multiple kinds of prescription meds.

I have not had meds for depression in almost 10 years, and I see life as a blessing, almost every day. I know many people here probably wonder how. So if that's you, feel free to pm me. I'll just get trolled if I go on about it here. :lol:

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=Krystyan;1137225][ATTACH=CONFIG]11719[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]

I like Stephen Fry. :)

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=floridaorange;1137231]I'll just get trolled if I go on about it here. :lol:[/QUOTE] Looking for a little relevance are we ?? ;)

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

it's only depression when it impacts on other people I have been told.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

^^ That made me think .

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=DIDI;1137260]Looking for a little relevance are we ?? ;)[/QUOTE]

Tell ya what - ignore my posts - and I'll keep ignoring yours ;)

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

You can do whatever you like, as will I ;)

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=floridaorange;1137328]Tell ya what - ignore my posts - and I'll keep ignoring yours ;)[/QUOTE]

Claiming to be ignoring someone while quoting them is a good one, well done.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=floridaorange;1137231]As someone who has been very depressed on 2 separate occasions spanning several years each time. I can say with 100% certainty, you can overcome it, it is possible, and life is beautiful once you do.

My depression consisted of suicidal thoughts, extreme loneliness, never leaving bed or the couch, and not talking to anyone for days. It also consisted of dr.'s and multiple kinds of prescription meds.

I have not had meds for depression in almost 10 years, and I see life as a blessing, almost every day. I know many people here probably wonder how. So if that's you, feel free to pm me. I'll just get trolled if I go on about it here. :lol:[/QUOTE]

I wish you didn't worry about getting trolled on, but I get it. It is important to talk about & write about depression for anyone who doesn't really know what they might be experiencing and the kind of help that's available.

In regards to RW being "severely depressed" they say, & even his personal assistant knew, why then was was he left alone that night in a large home full of people who loved him? If you want to check out of life, there's probably no way to really stop you, but to leave a severely depressed person alone for a night is definitely something to be learned from in this case. He was a master at hiding behind his personality and people knew that too.

Being unable to make any good/rational decisions for yourself (i.e., feeling rather indifferent about yourself even in the small things like "should I get up & move around?" "what do I want to eat?") I believe is a significant sign of depression. When I was in the throes of it, I remember I couldn't answer a simple question if it required any kind of decision, even the simplest decisions. I felt stuck between yes and no in every way. Every question posed to me (internally or from others) felt like a boulder weighing me down.

Glad you're feeling better FL and for so many years. Giving hope to others is what it's all about.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=audrey_w;1137334]Claiming to be ignoring someone while quoting them is a good one, well done.[/QUOTE]

:lol:

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=KiwiTollway;1137338] In regards to RW being "severely depressed" they say, & even his personal assistant knew, why then was was he left alone that night in a large home full of people who loved him? If you want to check out of life, there's probably no way to really stop you, but to leave a severely depressed person alone for a night is definitely something to be learned from in this case. He was a master at hiding behind his personality and people knew that too.

[/QUOTE] You are blaming people that don't deserved to be blamed. How would they feel if they read this ??

There doesn't always have to be blame.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

^^ I asked a question I felt worthy of questioning for learning purposes. You are implying blame, not me. In my book, someone known to be "severely depressed" needs to be on suicide watch or at least not left alone for the night if married.

If society is going to learn from these experiences, these questions need asked. If you disagree, you disagree. Like I said, if someone really wants to commit suicide ("check out"), they will find a way no matter what, nothing anyone can do.

Suicide always begs the question "What could we (who were close to him/her) have done?" because most strive to learn. I'm suggesting a "severely depressed" person be hospitalized or at the very least, watched. His family is being tormented enough; I have no intention of tormenting them Didi.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

^^^How very, very disingenuous . How can you honestly believe that anyone of those people there wouldn't believe you were casting blame. ??? And you are doing it again here !!! That is the one question that should never be asked of those left behind !! Because it is the question that does torment those left behind at a time when they shouldn't be tormented. And the most useless question because it can never ever have an answer. For learning purposes ??? I can't believe you don't understand this.!! Please stop !!

Btw that quote of Robin's you are using as a sig is a symptom of his illness not a truth.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[B]If one person is SAVED because of a question asked, I say ask it!!!!! [/B] You can differ in your opinion, of course. The rest of us are here to live, survive & save those who suffer from depression and are still here. Robin Williams IS at peace now.

Talk about disingenuous because that's how YOU see things, not me. That's you, look in the mirror before you go pointing your figure at me or anyone.

Let them have peace DIDI. YOU stop!!

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=floridaorange;1137328]Tell ya what (Didi)- ignore my posts - and I'll keep ignoring yours ;)[/QUOTE]

That goes for me too Didi! Ignore my posts & I'll gladly ignore yours.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

An once again it is all about you . I am looking outward. As usual you are looking inward. You did not stop for one moment to consider those people, what if your one question causes someone enough agony to want to follow their loved one ??? And his name is Robin Williams not RW .

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

Take your misplaced anger and do something good with it. Directing it at me isn't appropriate since I'm someone who has suffered severe depression and survived, though that probably disappoints you as much as my posts. Direct your anger in healthy/useful ways, please. Do everyone that favor.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

All about you again . You really can't help it can you ?? :lol:

I am angry though, that anyone could be quite that self obsessed that they didn't understand, that they couldn't take just a little time to think about very vulnerable people.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

Please, keep bringing me your anger if you really need to, misdirect it right at me, aim all your hateful anger at me if it helps you -- I'll take it. Escalate all you want, I'm here for you! I've thought of nothing else this whole week except about those vulnerably depressed, while you keep dwelling in inappropriate labels & hate, projecting yourself onto me & others. I get it.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

I,I,I,I,I, No you don't get it. That is my whole point.

And that's enough .

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

I have no more attention to give you tonight :D

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

Kiwi, your statement was pretty crude on his family/maid whoever it was on leaving Williams alone. Are we to conclude that all people suffering depression needs to be on 'suicide watch' does that not lead the individual to a greater sense of discomfort and exceedingly torment for the individual. I cannot really say on how Williams was acting previously to his death, but as you said he was good at 'covering it up' his family must have not been aware at all.

It may be hard to contemplate why such a great person could have left, but individual decisions in this nature are best not contemplated or observed.

[QUOTE=KiwiTollway;1137390]Take your misplaced anger and do something good with it. Directing it at me isn't appropriate since I'm someone who has suffered severe depression and survived, though that probably disappoints you as much as my posts. Direct your anger in healthy/useful ways, please. Do everyone that favor.[/QUOTE]

And Kiwi I don't think she is venting her anger at you. Let's be clear about this. More of a sense of questioning your statement. I understand your getting defensive about this due to your personal associations. However, let's be clear that no one is the same on how we objectify nor experience situations and hardships within our individual lives.

More so, no one on here is a troll/venting anger towards other members.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

Could you have imagined how hard this scene must have been for Williams:

[video=youtube;NBjWHfBHKos]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBjWHfBHKos[/video]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

Fuck !! He was good !!

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

This is off topic but event though I disagree with many opinions and comments here, I understand that some people are more gifted at getting their conscious points across via a message board than others. So it's best to take all posts with a grain of salt. If you have never met a person in real life or at the very least talked to them on the phone, you really have no idea who they are, message boards aren't really communicating, since most of communication between 2 humans is body language and tonality. That's why actors like Robin Williams go to amazing acting schools, so they can receive training on how to get the writers points across by using their own body language and tone to express the character they are playing. I think that 99% of the members here have good intentions. Some are goofy at how they communicate here, others are here to just have a laugh. Everyone is from vastly different parts of the country and world and are highly unique.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=KiwiTollway;1137338] Glad you're feeling better FL and for so many years. [U][B]Giving hope to others is what it's all abou[/B][/U]t.[/QUOTE]

Thanks hon, God bless ya. Don't let anyone here get you down, they mean well, just sometimes seems malicious, there's a lot of wisdom here though, despite the vast difference in experiences, upbringings, opinions, perspectives. It's a beautiful thing when more people participate.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=floridaorange;1137457]This is off topic but event though I disagree with many opinions and comments here, I understand that some people are more gifted at getting their conscious points across via a message board than others. So it's best to take all posts with a grain of salt. If you have never met a person in real life or at the very least talked to them on the phone, you really have no idea who they are, message boards aren't really communicating, since most of communication between 2 humans is body language and tonality. That's why actors like Robin Williams go to amazing acting schools, so they can receive training on how to get the writers points across by using their own body language and tone to express the character they are playing. I think that 99% of the members here have good intentions. Some are goofy at how they communicate here, others are here to just have a laugh. Everyone is from vastly different parts of the country and world and are highly unique.[/QUOTE]

what a load of right on hippie loving bullshit

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=DIDI;1137385] Btw that quote of Robin's you are using as a sig is a symptom of his illness not a truth.[/QUOTE]

"I can't believe I'm saying this", but I agree with Didi, on this ^ one.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=♫♫♫♫♫♫;1137459]what a load of right on hippie loving bullshit[/QUOTE]

:group hu:

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

It isn't Sunday night until Florida has done some rimming.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=♫♫♫♫♫♫;1137459]what a load of right on hippie loving bullshit[/QUOTE]

lol

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

the sunday night is depressive itself.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=Zover;1137470]It isn't Sunday night until Florida has done some rimming.[/QUOTE]

:KizzMuhA:

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

I've always had a hard time identifying depression.. I am 29 now and I've gone trough a few low points, but was it depression ? I could never be sure. Once you get to the point of suicidal thoughts, and that whole concept enters your realm, does it ever go away completely and "forever" ? Is that what depression is ?

I've had plenty of periods/days where I didn't feel like talking to anyone, or just didn't feel like doing anything.. being in a sad modd.. but I could never say if I was depressed or not because then I will have much longer periods of feeling that are on the other end of the scale.

Its almost like a mental reality that can be accessed pretty much instantly at any given point.. I see it as a very fine line, its almost as if you have to reason with it like any other dilemmas/doubts you might have. If your soul is content/whole with your current state of being, the notion doesn't come up anymore, but is it gone ? I dunno.

Then on top of that you start seeing it around, and its obviously part of society, which makes into a "realistic proposition" once your brain registers it as such. Just look at the recent events.. how many days of main headlines, articles, news stories, etc. are we going to get ?

Anyway, my advice is when you get down there, and even worse get stuck, get yourself some good psilocybin, or even better, a solid DMT hit.. nothing works better when it comes down to it. All the meds you get from the pharmas just prolong the situation, and of course it many cases they do help, but they are no where near as effective as the above mentioned psychedelics.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

^I have similar questions about Bi-polar disorder actually. What I am wondering about are what the thoughts are going through a persons mind who has bipolar. Like a good friend of mine, I asked him this morning on the way to church. What does he think about when he's going through it. What tapes are being played in his mind? Is is the same every time, does it feel like insecurity, or what? He couldn't explain it, and just said what the dr. told him, which is that his brain doesn't produce a certain chemical.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

Bipolar Disorder is a tricky one to explain in that in can run along a continuum ranging from the lows of depression to manic highs. A person diagnosed with the disorder can suffer deep, deep depressions while at other times endure mania which can lead to all sorts of other difficulties. I appreciate a discussion of bipolar disorder is a sensitive one around MS.

For what it's worth, a person can suffer some of the symptoms of schizophrenia and some of the manic elements (normally associated with bipolar disorder) and be diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder. This last diagnosis is very contentious.

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=floridaorange;1137479] He couldn't explain it, and just said what the dr. told him, which is that his brain doesn't produce a certain chemical.[/QUOTE]

The medical model still prevails unfortunately - if anyone is interested, check out "Madness Explained" by Richard Bentall - he proposes psychological models for mental ill-health (based on up-to-date research).

The book also traces the history of psychiatry and how diagnostic criteria for various conditions has evolved over time.

From my experience working in mental health, it is by far better to treat a symptom than to treat a diagnostic label

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[QUOTE=go0gle;1137478]I've always had a hard time identifying depression.. I am 29 now and I've gone trough a few low points, but was it depression ? I could never be sure. Once you get to the point of suicidal thoughts, and that whole concept enters your realm, does it ever go away completely and "forever" ? Is that what depression is ?

I've had plenty of periods/days where I didn't feel like talking to anyone, or just didn't feel like doing anything.. being in a sad modd.. but I could never say if I was depressed or not because then I will have much longer periods of feeling that are on the other end of the scale.

[/QUOTE]

I'm similar ... I was not brought up with an awareness of depression and it's never occurred to me to see anyone about it. I just assumed I was a pessimistic person. The only way I can describe it is being in a state of low-energy flatline although in the past I've had what might be extreme highs and downs, I don't have anything to compare it to.

But I don't affect the people around me and no one has ever mentioned anything to me so I don't think I'm exhibiting anything extreme. Maybe because I've had to deal with my ex over the years who is actually diagnosed with bi-polar among a host of other issues and I've cauterized myself from her extremities to the point that I just don't react much to anything. My colleagues actually think I'm really calm and zen.

What bothers me is this general perception of depressed people being mopy and down. I can deal with that, I think it's 'easier' to be sympathetic and 'be there' for the person and if that person can at times come out of it to see they are not alone.

I don't know what other cases of depression are like because when you read about it in the media it always paints the person deserving of sympathy and a victim.

My experience with my ex has been different. She oscillates between down and angry and despair. When she is down she shuts off and needs her own space, when she despairs she is sometimes able to communicate and I've tried to talk her through it. But when she is angry, it's a Mr Hyde scenario. She turns on anyone and whoever is at hand or close to her, she looks for things to destroy whether physically or emotionally, herself and around her; it's completely impossible to understand her when she's in that mode because she twists and misinterprets, projects whatever she is thinking or feeling words, read between the lines. It's basically a storm and people can only pick up the pieces.

I don't know if depression is simply narrowly defined as people in that mental state of being down but like I said, my own experience has included more than that and frankly paints a different picture of how the media has portrayed it. The person is a victim of the condition but not necessarily accessible, helpable, and is actually antagonistic towards help.

When a celebrity dies and depression is part of it, we get a sympathetic picture of the situation. And it certainly is. But my own experience makes me wonder if there are other sides to the situation that we don't all see.