Depression (the disease, not the economy)

[libramunoz]

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

Thank you so much for knowing what I was trying to do (and not making me feel like a little girl who doesn't understand about posting TMI on the innernets.)

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.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by libramunoz

Doc, you said that there is a time and place for talking about the pink elephant in the room.

You called it a pink elephant in the room. I did not.

I said there's a time and place.

You all want this to be the time and place, that's on you. The rest of us will read and comment as we see fit.

[libramunoz]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

You called it a pink elephant in the room. I did not.

I said there's a time and place.

You all want this to be the time and place, that's on you. The rest of us will read and comment as we see fit.

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.

[libramunoz]

Akward--you are right, depression sneaks upon you like a snake in the grass. Things will be going great, and then BOOM, it's like, "I gotcha now!" You're like "WTF, how in the HELL did THAT happen?" And you're wondering what in the world am I gonna do now?
I have learned to recognize the signs of my depression as one of the best things in the world. When I find that I am beginning to in insomnia or hypersomnia and I have to fight it or I find that the sucidial thoughts (when it's horribly bad) are beginning to swim around in my head, or I'm always angry or sad, then I KNOW I need to stop and get it together.

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

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.

[PM_Mama00]

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.

[Dionysus]

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%.

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by Dionysus

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!

Originally Posted by DrPhil

You all want this to be the time and place, that's on you. The rest of us will read and comment as we see fit.

Well said.

[KSUViolet06]

Ok, still missing where I said that depression is something to be ashamed of.

The point I was trying to make was more along the lines of: There are psychos like BlueAngel and such who love to e-stalk GCers. I just wouldn't want to have stuff like this out here for them to see.

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

The point I was trying to make was more along the lines of: There are psychos like BlueAngel and such who love to e-stalk GCers. I just wouldn't want to have stuff like this out here for them to see.

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.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Ok, still missing where I said that depression is something to be ashamed of.

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.

[libramunoz]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

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

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.

[libramunoz]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Ok, still missing where I said that depression is something to be ashamed of.

The point I was trying to make was more along the lines of: There are psychos like BlueAngel and such who love to e-stalk GCers. I just wouldn't want to have stuff like this out here for them to see.

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!

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

Originally Posted by libramunoz

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!

I think I'm in love with you.

[VioletCrumble]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Ok, still missing where I said that depression is something to be ashamed of.

The point I was trying to make was more along the lines of: There are psychos like BlueAngel and such who love to e-stalk GCers. I just wouldn't want to have stuff like this out here for them to see.

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