Depression isn't something that needs to be hidden away, kept secret, or be ashamed over.

Depression is a chemical imbalance that can often be fixed with drugs. It's just like pneumonia - if you're sick, you take drugs so you can feel better.

There's no reason not to talk about it. And the more we talk about it, the more people won't be afraid to seek help. The more we talk about it, the more we might change the minds of people who think depression should be a secret, something talked about in hushed tones or gossiped over.

It's a chemical imbalance. That's it. Lots of people have it and lots of people are interested in how other people have controlled it. Maybe they need ideas, maybe they're thinking about getting help and want to know how it works, maybe they're just interested.

There's over 400 hits on this thread. SOMEONE is interested.

You posted on the first page why no one was answering. Perhaps there are people on GC who don't want to share every detail of their lives, especially when there are psychos on here who feed off that info. (not naming names but you know who and then there's the anthrax guy) You asked and they answered. No one is telling you there is anything wrong with talking about it or about the disease.

Hot Damn, I understand what you are trying to do and I am all for it. It helps when people have been there and know what you're going through.

Doc, it is the pink elephant.
Depression is something that most people aren't comfortable in talking about. But if someone presents it and wants to have an open discussion about it, then cool. If it's something that I know about because I've been there and am willing to discuss it, then that's cool.
This is the time and place. I'm not the only one whose been there, knows that, and have read the books about it.
Depression can be found everywhere that a person chooses to look. You could have a co-worker, child, parent, friend sitting there right next to you and by reading what others have said, begin to notice some of the same symptoms, and think to yourself, SO THAT'S what they were talking about. From there you can begin to TRY and help the person because, hey, let's be honest, you know if someone that you love "ain't acting right." You know if someone is bullshitting or geuninely talking out the side of their ass and beginning to talk nutty and KNOW that SOMETHING isn't right with that person. Sometimes, when talking about depression and knowing a person, you can be the ONE person that can help them get the help that they need.
If you don't know what depression is or what the EXACT symptoms are, look up or look in the DSM-IV TR and it will tell you exactly what it is.

And I realize and know that KSU and you weren't saying not to seek help or talk to anyone.

However, I didn't chose a particular time and place to talk with my friends and sister. Hey they just happened to come up in discussion. In fact, with my friends and co-workers, it was at dinner in the cafe where I was working.

But that's how life works, it isn't necessarily a "time and place" sometimes, things just come up and you deal with them as they come.

For a perfect example, one day, I had a job interview. That morning, my dog decided to run around the farm. Problem was that the cows were out and he is a cow dog. They are known for rounding up the herd, but no body asked his butt to do so. Anyways, he ended up getting kicked by the bull. Now this fool knows that he's 14 and that this is a young bull. But hey, he wanted to be a fool and impress the younger dog and let the bull know who was in charge. Anyways, when this happened, I had to scramble, get him in the car, and rush him to the vet. And again, I still had to get to my job interview. I was able to make it there and back and still kept the dog in tact.
My point is that, this is life, you learn how to deal with things, not necessarily at certain "times and places." You have to learn how to just deal. And if on a message board, it's able to help someone in learning how to deal with an issue, then go for it.

:eek:

Maybe I made a typo or something. I didn't lose my mother, thank God. I almost lost my mother. She was extremely ill, and still isn't herself 100%.

Nah, no typo, that's exactly what you said the first time. Glad to know she's still with you!

Well said. :cool:

I lol'd at this. I could just picture the whole thing in my head. Love it.

Dionysus, I'm so glad you didn't lose your mother! I must've been reading too fast.

Has anyone who has depression (or not) had trouble sleeping? I know it's a common symptom. The doc gave me Ambien (I tried both kinds, the CR and the regular) and OMG did that turn me into a zombie. I slept great, but I was in a fog the entire next day until about 7 pm. I ended up defaulting to Benadryl as a sleep aid - the doc at student health suggested that when I was in college. It works... kind of.

Has anyone else had that experience with Ambien? I know two other people that take it for insomnia and they're totally fine the next day.

I don't know if this will work for you, but try Tylenol or Advil PM.

Thanks for worrying about me. I think it's okay to take small risks, though, and I see this as a small risk. Especially if it might help somebody else to read about someone like them who went through the same thing.

We didn't.

As libramunoz stated, many perceive it to be the pink elephant, so the widely held perception is what they are responding to.

Sorry, I misread it. That's still very stressful and it's understandable to feel off kilter after going through that.

I am so glad that you didn't lose your mother and I pray that she will continue to get better!:)

KSU, it's something that you never said-and you're correct on that.

I can understand what you are saying, but sometimes, life is a risk and believe me, if a fool wants to stalk me, I'd just give them the address to where I live and point out that the the sign on the farm says "No Trespassing" and just give them a warning of my shotgun with double ought bullets and that I WON'T intend to miss!:D