Quote:
Originally posted by White_Chocolate
First of all, the only reason people become depressed is because they become self-absorbed in their own problems. They only think about themselves. A form of conceit.
If that doesn't work, then maybe you need to believe in a higher being. . .because that's the only other thing that will help.
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Like most people here, I believe suicide is a selfish act done for unselfish reasons. There are people out there who truly believe that their loved ones would be better without the burden of their existence.
But, to say that depression is a result of self-absorbtion is one of the most miseducated and ignorant comments I have heard on GC about a serious topic. People do suffer from chemical inbalances...ever heard of serotonin? It's a chemical that comes in natural ebbs and flows--and some people stop producing it for a time, for whatever reason--and that is what sometimes causes depression. NOT SELFISHNESS! If depression were something you could snap out of and pray your way out of, there would be no need for Paxil/Zoloft/Prozac/Sarafem/what have you. What you described is TEEN ANGST, which does not equal depression. I'm not depressed, but I have many friends who are, and some of them are the LEAST selfish people I have ever met. They would do anything for their friends; but for whatever reason, their neurochemistry isn't exactly on their sides.
Oh yeah, I don't believe in a God. Does that mean I'm doomed to depression because I couldn't pray my way out of my self-absorbtion? Nope...I have a support system of friends and family, as well as a therapist I can go to when things get really bad.
THAT attitude about mental illness is why there's such a stigma against it, especially in communities of color.
Lana, from all the posts, it's obvious that you have a support system, and things will be okay--you have a whole gaggle of GCers on your side.