I think I'm in love with you.

What can I say?

GC technically does not have all the skill sets to appropriately tackle these issues. There are no best practices badges and the few professionals here are are unwilling and unable to use their expertise and licenses.

There are several other locations that are more supportive, such as DailyStrength, DSBAlliance and MoodGarden. And then, there is an "Isle in a Torrential Ocean in Cyberspace", where you will be embraced...

But, I am not trying to promote spam. So, PM me if you want to know more...

No that's true as can be! The Catahoula breed was bred for being herding dogs. The unfortunate problem is that Iggy used to round up the cows when my Grandfather was alive and 4 times Granddaddy used the shotgun as a warning against his dumb tail. This time, he was just being himself and found out that he was truly 14 years old and couldn't treat the bull (Jack) like he used to act with our other bull (Sammy). He would have Sammy dancing in a corner, and that was a 2500lb bull. But he's learned with Jack and won't go NEAR that a-ni-mule!
As far as sleeping, I used to get insomnia when I would go through my periods of depression. It was weird until 2003 (when my Grandfather died) then I got hypersomnia. That's what I have to deal with now and the only thing that I can use now is to drink coffee or have a Pepsi. That's the only thing that seems to help me now.
But with the insomnia, amazingly, I used to have a Pepsi or two at night, and lay down and be out like Iggy's tail when he's sleeping--like a baby!

Child,
I ain't scared of a damn thing! Once had an ex who was (well it's a longer story attached to this) about to get himself cut with the machete or have the shotgun or my Buck knife used on his ass!
I once had a client who was pissed at me and was telling me how he was going to do this and that to me. I told him, I'd cut the gate open to the facility, give him the directions and address to my home, and just wait for him to cross that cattleguard, and I'd have his answer waiting for him while he faced the barrel of my shotgun. Homeboy backed wwwaaayyy away from me!
I don't promote violence, but with some fools, that's all they seem to wanna understand and hey, like I ask them, which side of me do they want to meet and see?

Correct.

You're right Doc, it is the perception that people are responding too. People have to become more willing to talk about those "unpleasant" sides of life.
We all have an "Uncle Betty" or a "crazy Aunt George" or someone who we know in the family "just ain't right." We all know that these problem occur in various families or in various forms with people that we work with. Sometimes, we have to learn how to talk about SOME things that are real in order to help the perception that people who have a chemical imbalance (not drug/alcohol induced) are the same people that we know and love or respect. But the whole thing is that they are normal just like us.

You are talking about the stigma of mental illness, and the awareness of it.

There are other places, than GC, to discuss these topics. The reasons are legion. But, I think the compelling reason is that if you are going to discuss these thing online anyways, do it with more supportive people than GC people... Seriously...

Seriously... GC is NOT a support group. There is no group therapy here. I am sorry that hurts, but, in fact, it incites cyberbullying in its truest form. Other sites do worse.

So, to save the trials and corrections to your own psyche, it is just wiser to limit that discussion on GC...

Now, now, KSUViolet06... be careful who you call "psychos" in this mental illness thread.

Oh, hooray, Lassie's come home! And found JUST the right thread for herself.

A lot of people seem really concerned that those of us who want to discuss depression are going to (1) get stalked or (2) get our feelings hurt by the mean kids.

Thanks for your concern, but I'm willing to take those risks.

What is up with the risk taking these days? Where's your benefit?

Neither concerns me. I'm talking about something completely different.

Nah. I'm not depressed. In fact, I'm quite happy! :D

I wish this was a matter of who, what, where, when and why to discuss mental health conditions, but the reasons for choosing not to pursue mental health care are due to fearful myths and perceptions, cultural incompetencies, ignorances and funds. That is published in the mental health outreach research literature and policy...

The professional people and programs are there, and online, too... But, people still do not seek their assistance... It seems what works is when people seek that rapport in communities they have affinities and trusts...

It is for the purpose of this discussion.

I know the fundamentals of mental and emotional health. What I said pertains to the normalization of disorders. Thanks.