NationStates Jolt Archive

I have dealed with depression before, but being the strong willed SOB I eventually managed to overcome it through myself with no medication or anything. Yet, I do realize my case was not bad and so I must say depression is a very sad thing and I recommend people who deal with it to take heed on this thread.

Yes I believe anyone can. You CAN become the master of your own self. Your own body and mind. It doesnt take a Zen Buhddist either. You just have to learn self control and how to kick your own ass once and awhile. Not going for points here but I've seen enough serious shit and I didn't break down into a pathetic squeivling worm. I fought many battles against myself. You can defeat your own demons. Think outside the norm. Dont think medication and pills or self mutilation. Go outside the boundaries. GO SOMEPLACE SUNNY! have fun. get out of your shit rut and getsome. Just think of some absolutley horrible things that humans have had to endure over our history, like war, poverty and famine. or the Holocaust. Those people put up with way more shit and came out better on the end. Todays modern society knows nothing of hardship so our brains make up are own problems. Thats what your clinical "depression" is.

Well im sure someone can, when i find them ill be sure to take notes, theyd regularly be quite handy

I have dealed with depression before, but being the strong willed SOB I eventually managed to overcome it through myself with no medication or anything. Yet, I do realize my case was not bad and so I must say depression is a very sad thing and I recommend people who deal with it to take heed on this thread.

People who have mild depression or situational depression (depression caused by outside factors like breaking up a relationship, death of loved one, loss of employment, etcj.) can, generally, cope with it without medication. Severe depression that has a physical cause (like bi-polar disorder) should be treated by a psychiatrist (not a psychologist).

I did...I relapse sometimes, but I never get it as bad as I did the original time and I can usually kick myself out of it after a month or two.

Mild depression, I'd say so.

However, there's always the concern that your depression isn't really gone and it will come back at some point in the future; IIRC, dysthymic depression can go away for months at a time before coming back, or you can have long periods of mild or no symptoms with sudden manic or depressive episodes every so often.

Of course, if your depression is lasting for a prolonged time or is interfering with your daily activities I'd strongly suggest going to see a doctor or psychiatrist. But that's just my layman's opinion and not medical advice. And, of course, if you're even remotely suicidal it's time to call for help immediately.

Depends on the causal factor and so many other factors, I know people who have beat major chemical imbalances and depression and I know people who have failed and stabbed their girlfriend and themselfs to death ...

There is no shame on getting help ... hell I consider seeking out support groups and medication (if needed) to be as much of a sign of one over coming depression through their own initiative as anything

Its about being a responsible adult and doing as much or as little as you need to overcome

Mild depression, I'd say so.

However, there's always the concern that your depression isn't really gone and it will come back at some point in the future; IIRC, dysthymic depression can go away for months at a time before coming back, or you can have long periods of mild or no symptoms with sudden manic or depressive episodes every so often.

Of course, if your depression is lasting for a prolonged time or is interfering with your daily activities I'd strongly suggest going to see a doctor or psychiatrist. But that's just my layman's opinion and not medical advice. And, of course, if you're even remotely suicidal it's time to call for help immediately.

yes, but all these problems are not real, in the phyical sense, they are literally all in your head, and the problem is people let themselves get the best of them, like the part I enbloded, thinking that this "depression" can come back at anytime will immedeatly breed anxiety attacks and lead back into depression...

yes, but all these problems are not real, in the phyical sense, they are literally all in your head

No...im my case it wasn't. It was a response to social isolation.

You don't "overcome" depression, no matter what Montel would have you think.
You live with depression until either:

A ) It goes away
B ) You end it all

Depends on the person and how bad their depression is. I manage to work myself out of it every time so far, though sometimes I wonder how I manage to. I used to deal with it through very unhealthy ways though I have to handle it more effectively and with less destructive means.

People who have mild depression or situational depression (depression caused by outside factors like breaking up a relationship, death of loved one, loss of employment, etcj.) can, generally, cope with it without medication. Severe depression that has a physical cause (like bi-polar disorder) should be treated by a psychiatrist (not a psychologist).

*slaps you*
Psychiatrists are just medication-tossing bastards! They don't deal with the deep emotional trauma that has brought you to depression. They say "Oh so you're depressed? Take 2 and call me in the morning." If you're gonna see a professional, it's always better to see a psychologist. It doesn't matter how many tranqs you're taking if after they wear off you still hate your life and want to die. You talk it out and find the root of your problem, and then you work to make that root source dissipate. Psychologists will do that. Psychiatrists just medicate and go.

But it can. These kinds of depressive episodes are usually neurochemically based rather than due to just situational factors; all it can take is one trigger, or even nothing at all, to cause these imbalances to occur and worsen again which then cause a depressive episode.

And, of course, anxiety is a condition in itself that often merits treatment as well.

Yeah... Anxiety and Depression are similar but different things.
And people with serious long-lasting depression are either depressed because of major traumatic life events, or because of a chemical imbalance. You either need to see a psychologist, or see a doctor. It isn't "all in your head".

yes, but all these problems are not real, in the phyical sense, they are literally all in your head, and the problem is people let themselves get the best of them, like the part I enbloded, thinking that this "depression" can come back at anytime will immedeatly breed anxiety attacks and lead back into depression...

But it can. These kinds of depressive episodes are usually neurochemically based rather than due to just situational factors; all it can take is one trigger, or even nothing at all, to cause these imbalances to occur and worsen again which then cause a depressive episode.

And, of course, anxiety is a condition in itself that often merits treatment as well.

Depression is the denial to think and to face and deal with the respective issue in question. Depression is the abandonment of reason. And since most people are incapable of building up mental discipline themselves, it is very unlikely for them to overcome depression through their own efforts.

Depression is the denial to think and to face and deal with the respective issue in question. Depression is the abandonment of reason. And since most people are incapable of building up mental discipline themselves, it is very unlikely for them to overcome depression through their own efforts.

I didn't know that 99.999% of humanity was depressed. That's really fucking depressing.

Depression is the denial to think and to face and deal with the respective issue in question. Depression is the abandonment of reason. And since most people are incapable of building up mental discipline themselves, it is very unlikely for them to overcome depression through their own efforts.Depression for me was in a failure to great straight A's on my progress report in Grade School, but within a week and never had it since so I would say I have mental disipline.

No...im my case it wasn't. It was a response to social isolation.

is it really that hard to get out and get freinds to do stuff?

Depression is the denial to think and to face and deal with the respective issue in question. Depression is the abandonment of reason. And since most people are incapable of building up mental discipline themselves, it is very unlikely for them to overcome depression through their own efforts.

You've obviously never been depressed, or you like to spout bullshit because you learned it in a textbook.

Depression is the inability to cope with stress and anxiety. Since when was Depression "denial"? Generally speaking a depressed person accepts all the pain in their life whole-heartedly, and that's why they're so damned depressed.

*slaps you*
Psychiatrists are just medication-tossing bastards! They don't deal with the deep emotional trauma that has brought you to depression. They say "Oh so you're depressed? Take 2 and call me in the morning." If you're gonna see a professional, it's always better to see a psychologist. It doesn't matter how many tranqs you're taking if after they wear off you still hate your life and want to die. You talk it out and find the root of your problem, and then you work to make that root source dissipate. Psychologists will do that. Psychiatrists just medicate and go.

"slaps back"

There is situational depression. Psychologists can deal with that. They cannot deal with clinical depression - this has physical, not emotional roots, and has to be treated with appropriate medication. Trying to talk someone out of clinical depression is pointless.

is it really that hard to get out and get freinds to do stuff?

Yes.
Try not having any friends, any money, or any self-confidence, and go out somewhere and randomly find someone to be your "friend". Mainly the self confidence issue arises in which.. if you feel inadequate, would you really be going out talking to people trying to make "friends", or would you be at home begging God to tell you why you're so pathetic?

"slaps back"

There is situational depression. Psychologists can deal with that. They cannot deal with clinical depression - this has physical, not emotional roots, and has to be treated with appropriate medication. Trying to talk someone out of clinical depression is pointless.

*slaps again*

You see a Doctor for that, and then the Doctor can recommend you to a psychiatrist. To just go to a psychiatrsit means being prescribed medicine you may or may not need without first finding out if it's physical or mental.

*slaps and runs*

Depends on the person, the severity of the depression, the cause of the depression, the type of depression, etc.

Well, if you want case to cause depression, well in my first two years of high schools I was nerdy, little outcast, did not work hard, had no people whom I called friends, only talked to a few random people, did not trust anyone, felt my own family did not love me at times, felt isolated, and guess what I did not care due to the fact I learned to cope with myself and talk to myself, yes I used to talk to myself and was though to be possibly insane by my school phsyc, but I never once was really depressed for long periods of time because I knew how to deal with myself.

'course you can.

*catches, slaps, says "Tag, you're it," then escapes in a poof of smoke to prevent thread hijacking*

*shakes fist* KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHN!

*slaps and runs*

*catches, slaps, says "Tag, you're it," then escapes in a poof of smoke to prevent thread hijacking*

*slaps again*

You see a Doctor for that, and then the Doctor can recommend you to a psychiatrist. To just go to a psychiatrsit means being prescribed medicine you may or may not need without first finding out if it's physical or mental.

*slaps and runs*

*cries*

Now I'm depressed.

Well, obviously, you get tests. Psychiatrists (who are, incidentally, M.D.s), good ones, reputable ones, will give tests before medicating. If the tests show no physical problems, they will refer a psychologist (how the hell is a psychologist, who is not an M.D., going to be able to do the physical tests to show a physical cause?)

*cries*

Now I'm depressed.

Well, obviously, you get tests. Psychiatrists (who are, incidentally, M.D.s), good ones, reputable ones, will give tests before medicating. If the tests show no physical problems, they will refer a psychologist (how the hell is a psychologist, who is not an M.D., going to be able to do the physical tests to show a physical cause?)

That's why you go to either a Doctor or a Psychologist first.
If you feel physically ill, you go to a Doctor to see if you are ill, or if you have a chemical imbalance, or if it might be something more. If you feel "anguished" you go to a Psychologist and talk to him/her. If that first talk doesn't make you feel any better, then go see a Doctor or a Psychiatrist.

I had a few-hours-long (calm informed) argument with one of my teachers once on whether psychologists or psychiatrists are better, and we ended on the agreement that it's better to at least pick one than to let symptons go undiagnosed by any source. Good man.... but way too psychiatrist friendly :D hahaha

*re-appears, comforts Anti-Social Darwinism, slaps Tainted Visage before again disappearing from this thread in a poof of smoke, this time permanently*

I know where you live and I've seen where you sleep and I swear by all Gods your mother will cry when she's seen what I've done to you!

I love that line :D

*cries*

Now I'm depressed.

Well, obviously, you get tests. Psychiatrists (who are, incidentally, M.D.s), good ones, reputable ones, will give tests before medicating. If the tests show no physical problems, they will refer a psychologist (how the hell is a psychologist, who is not an M.D., going to be able to do the physical tests to show a physical cause?)

*re-appears, comforts Anti-Social Darwinism, slaps Tainted Visage before again disappearing from this thread in a poof of smoke, this time permanently*

There is situational depression. Psychologists can deal with that. They cannot deal with clinical depression - this has physical, not emotional roots, and has to be treated with appropriate medication. Trying to talk someone out of clinical depression is pointless.

They usually have to be done hand in hand. Medications are significantly more effective when combined with therapy, and therapy can help to reduce dependence on medication, which is pretty beneficial given the negative side-effects of many anti-depressants.

is it really that hard to get out and get freinds to do stuff?

I'm talking about a time where I didn't have any friends.

Yes.
Try not having any friends, any money, or any self-confidence, and go out somewhere and randomly find someone to be your "friend". Mainly the self confidence issue arises in which.. if you feel inadequate, would you really be going out talking to people trying to make "friends", or would you be at home begging God to tell you why you're so pathetic?

Thank you.

*re-appears, comforts Anti-Social Darwinism, slaps Tainted Visage before again disappearing from this thread in a poof of smoke, this time permanently*

In spite of my general attitude towards this, I :fluffle: you

It depends. Some people have levels of depression that can be overcome by the mind.

Others have issues chemically.

I live with a manic depressive. Drugs are needed.....

side-effects of many anti-depressants.Man-boobs

*Plays classic dark fact music*

Depends on the severity, and the cause.

If it's a regular cause (something really sucky happened that you can't do anything about, it's natural to get depressed because it sucked!), it'll probably go away on its own in due time.

If it's caused by some lousy ongoing situation like a rotten job or no-good boy/girlfriend, getting out of that situation is pretty much a surefire and sometimes even immediate cure.
The main "problem" with this type of cause, is often the person just won't see that leaving the situation IS the best option--or gets too hung up worrying about what they'd do next, to realize that they're absolutely ruining their life by continuing to put up with the bad situation. But the answer is pretty simple in cases like this: get rid of the source of the grief, you get rid of the depression, presto. Like how getting a rock out of your shoe stops your foot from hurting, and it works a whole lot better than what amounts to any means trying to learn how to walk with the rock left in it.

If it's caused by a chemical imbalance of the brain, chances are meds are a good option--they go for the source of the problem, which is the imbalance. I don't see willpower as being able to override something like that. The will can control a lot of bodily reactions, but when the imbalance is in the brain, it can wreck the kind of concentration needed to do that.

You've obviously never been depressed, or you like to spout bullshit because you learned it in a textbook.
Depression is the inability to cope with stress and anxiety. Since when was Depression "denial"? Generally speaking a depressed person accepts all the pain in their life whole-heartedly, and that's why they're so damned depressed.If depression is the inability to cope with stress and anxiety, then it is obviously the denial to mentally deal with the stress and anxiety. Because in the end of the day stress and anxiety only exist if you see them as such and as threatening things. Of course I have never been depressed, because I deal with things as they are (and things never turn out as bad as they may seem at first, anyways). Depression is only for the unintelligent and those whose minds are unacquainted with reason.

Depression is only for the unintelligent and those whose minds are unacquainted with reason.

There are many, many extremely intelligent people who have suffered from depression and other mental problems. It has nothing to do with intelligence and nothing to do with reason; what good is reason when your brain refuses to accept it, not because of any mental resistance but because of chemical imbalances?

Yes.
Try not having any friends, any money, or any self-confidence, and go out somewhere and randomly find someone to be your "friend". Mainly the self confidence issue arises in which.. if you feel inadequate, would you really be going out talking to people trying to make "friends", or would you be at home begging God to tell you why you're so pathetic?

Ok, well its really not that hard to randomly get someone to be your freind. I can see where the difficulty arises in not being confident enough to so. But confiedence isnt a hard thing to get. Its not some mystical force that only winners have and losers can only dream of getting. Its all about self control and learning the ability to take control of your own life. Anyone can do it. Anyone can fight themselves and force themselves to be a better person. No one is going to hand you your life. No one is going to hand you freinds. You have to go out and grab them by the balls and make your life happen. Just because someone is better than you at something doesnt mean you shoult just give up and cry. Anyone can be strong and confident. And if your a loser, so what? Being a 'loser' is your own mental lable. Other people have branded me as such things but I never gave a damn. Its all in your head and you can control it. I'm a winner because I believe I am and I go out and accomplish things and have fun because I know I can. Don't beg, Dont wine, dont cry. Getsome. Get off the computer, turn off the tv, and enjoy a nice bright warm day, have a beer, turn the music up real loud, drive around exceedingly fast ans scare the shit out of yourself. Dont listen to people who think they have power. Find an enemy and a cause. and fight it.

If depression is the inability to cope with stress and anxiety, then it is obviously the denial to mentally deal with the stress and anxiety. Because in the end of the day stress and anxiety only exist if you see them as such and as threatening things. Of course I have never been depressed, because I deal with things as they are (and things never turn out as bad as they may seem at first, anyways). Depression is only for the unintelligent and those whose minds are unacquainted with reason.

Unintelligent? Again your reasoning is flawed. I have an IQ of 120 and I find myself often depressed. You see, despite your gung-ho "I'm right" attitude, you can't always deal with problems and stress' on your life. You have a wife that may be unfaithful. Your boss is an asshole but you need the money. Your son just commited suicide. You can barely afford house payments. There are many events that cause anxiety and stress, and many of them are long term. If you are barely able to make payments on your home, then you would know what I mean. The "inability" to cope isn't your own fault, but rather simply that: The inability.

Everyone gets worn down by stress, but that stress eventually goes away and then you can recuperate. But what if that stress is ongoing and constant? And what if you're faced with more and more stress each day? What? Do you turn into a hermit? Lie to yourself? Go on a killing spree?

No one is going to hand you your life. No one is going to hand you friends. You have to go out and grab them by the balls and make your life happen.

You're saying if I grab someone by the balls they'll be my friend?

You're saying if I grab someone by the balls they'll be my friend?

Oh you'd be suprised, friend :fluffle:
*extends hand*

Oh you'd be suprised, friend :fluffle:
*extends hand*

:D No thanks. I want friends, but I'm not quite that desperate.

Unintelligent? Again your reasoning is flawed. I have an IQ of 120 and I find myself often depressed. You see, despite your gung-ho "I'm right" attitude, you can't always deal with problems and stress' on your life. You have a wife that may be unfaithful. Your boss is an asshole but you need the money. Your son just commited suicide. You can barely afford house payments. There are many events that cause anxiety and stress, and many of them are long term. If you are barely able to make payments on your home, then you would know what I mean. The "inability" to cope isn't your own fault, but rather simply that: The inability.

Everyone gets worn down by stress, but that stress eventually goes away and then you can recuperate. But what if that stress is ongoing and constant? And what if you're faced with more and more stress each day? What? Do you turn into a hermit? Lie to yourself? Go on a killing spree?


No kidding here. Ditch your wife, quit your job. Live for your son that chose not to. Take as much money as you can and go elsewhere. I dont know where you live but you probably have enough money for plane ticket somewhere. Go, just go and do it. If you run out of money and become a hobo so what? its better than death and killing everyone. Take all your money and go to South America, go to Brazil. Just wander around and do what you can. You'd be suprised what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it.

:D No thanks. I want friends, but I'm not quite that desperate.

Oh yes you do! come here!

LOL! I was talking figuratively.
Though of course house payments are always a problem.... There are 8 people living here, so there are a lot of bills, but only 1 person actively "works". I help watch after my little brother and sister, and nephew, and I help keep things organized around the house. I dunno what anyone elses excuse is. I do so much work watching the bastard children, you would think one of them could get off their ass and get a fucking job.

No kidding here. Ditch your wife, quit your job. Live for your son that chose not to. Take as much money as you can and go elsewhere. I dont know where you live but you probably have enough money for plane ticket somewhere. Go, just go and do it. If you run out of money and become a hobo so what? its better than death and killing everyone. Take all your money and go to South America, go to Brazil. Just wander around and do what you can. You'd be suprised what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it.

Easier said than done. Not only can you not just up and leave your life behind and start over, but when you're stuck in a situation like that it's not something that you're just going to discard and get away from; there are so many stresses and emotional damages inflicted in those kinds of situations that you may not be able to get away. You're imprisoned in that environment by your depression.

Remember, depression destroys your will to do things; how can you escape these problems when your mind won't let you?

Oh yes you do! come here!

Errrr...... Mind if I get my friend to do it instead? :D

People who have mild depression or situational depression (depression caused by outside factors like breaking up a relationship, death of loved one, loss of employment, etcj.) can, generally, cope with it without medication. Severe depression that has a physical cause (like bi-polar disorder) should be treated by a psychiatrist (not a psychologist).

My six year bout with Dysthymia, for example, is not going to well without meds. However, after being on meds, I'd rather not take them. Slightly depressing knowing the only thing keeping me "happy" is a bunch of chemicals I have to pump into my body daily, and that it isn't exactly really happiness.

But meh, life goes on.

LOL! I was talking figuratively.
Though of course house payments are always a problem.... There are 8 people living here, so there are a lot of bills, but only 1 person actively "works". I help watch after my little brother and sister, and nephew, and I help keep things organized around the house. I dunno what anyone elses excuse is. I do so much work watching the bastard children, you would think one of them could get off their ass and get a fucking job.

Oh, hehe, alright then. But hey, see making freinds aint that hard, if we were having this conversation in real life I'd get your number and thered be no stopping me from there. Id keep showing up wanting to do crazy things....then i'd get my hands on your balls....

Depends on whether the person is attuned enough to their own body and feelings to be able to recognise when they are falling into depression - and then have good strategies to cope/prevent it.

Oh, hehe, alright then. But hey, see making freinds aint that hard, if we were having this conversation in real life I'd get your number and thered be no stopping me from there. Id keep showing up wanting to do crazy things....then i'd get my hands on your balls....

LOL!
*sigh*
I desperately hope you're a single female that's into complicated convoluted self-hypocricizing men that enjoy telling little white lies so that you feel all good about yourself, and is willing to recieve oral. A lot.


To make that related to this topic: Oral sex can cure depression. :D

Depends on whether the person is attuned enough to their own body and feelings to be able to recognise when they are falling into depression - and then have good strategies to cope/prevent it.

I self mutilate, lie to my family, and smash my head into walls so that the physical pain makes me forget what has me so down in the first place. Quite attuned if I do say so myself.

I'll be your friend. Just don't grab my balls, please. :p

Deal!
*makes out with your sister*

LOL!
*sigh*
I desperately hope you're a single female that's into complicated convoluted self-hypocricizing men that enjoy telling little white lies so that you feel all good about yourself, and is willing to recieve oral. A lot.


To make that related to this topic: Oral sex can cure depression. :D

sorry, I'm a 19 year old male, with a crazy mans level of self-esteem, a high alcohol tolerance, live fast and die hard.

:D No thanks. I want friends, but I'm not quite that desperate.

I'll be your friend. Just don't grab my balls, please. :p

Recognizing that there is problem, or even what the problem is, isn't that difficult. Also, being "depressed"(I have a disorder that is akin to chronic mild depression, but a tad different) for as long as I can remember ain't exactly going to help in "preventing" it. It's not about attuning or recognizing there is a problem, or even coping, so much as not knowing what to do about it. For some people, meds work. For others, such as myself, meds only make it worse. For some people, therapy works. For others, such as myself, it doesn't. Quite honestly, for me, and those whom are like me, there just doesn't seem to be an effective method of "coping", other than realizing that it is a part of your life, and you have to deal with it. Quite honestly, I don't remember, nor know, what life is like outside of my disease.

But me, a tad bit of a rant.
Sex dammit SEX.
Sex cures everything.
If you have polio.. HAVE SEX!
You'll still have polio, but you won't care anymore.. because you're having SEX!
Am I a genius or what? Who wants to try my treatment methods?

Depends on whether the person is attuned enough to their own body and feelings to be able to recognise when they are falling into depression - and then have good strategies to cope/prevent it.

Recognizing that there is problem, or even what the problem is, isn't that difficult. Also, being "depressed"(I have a disorder that is akin to chronic mild depression, but a tad different) for as long as I can remember ain't exactly going to help in "preventing" it. It's not about attuning or recognizing there is a problem, or even coping, so much as not knowing what to do about it. For some people, meds work. For others, such as myself, meds only make it worse. For some people, therapy works. For others, such as myself, it doesn't. Quite honestly, for me, and those whom are like me, there just doesn't seem to be an effective method of "coping", other than realizing that it is a part of your life, and you have to deal with it. Quite honestly, I don't remember, nor know, what life is like outside of my disease.

But me, a tad bit of a rant.

Depression is only for the unintelligent and those whose minds are unacquainted with reason.

Ugh. What's your excuse, then? :P

Sex dammit SEX.
Sex cures everything.
If you have polio.. HAVE SEX!
You'll still have polio, but you won't care anymore.. because you're having SEX!
Am I a genius or what? Who wants to try my treatment methods?

Sex is an overrated activity, and really not terribly enjoyable. Not to mention rather a rather disgusting act.

Chronic Masturbation, now that's where it's at.

Deal!
*makes out with your sister*

*doesn't have a sister*

Pwned. :cool:

Sex is an overrated activity, and really not terribly enjoyable. Not to mention rather a rather disgusting act.

Chronic Masturbation, now that's where it's at.

How often is "chronic"? :D :cool:

*doesn't have a sister*

Pwned. :cool:

Wow... Your mother is really young looking! :fluffle:

Sex is an overrated activity, and really not terribly enjoyable. Not to mention rather a rather disgusting act.

Chronic Masturbation, now that's where it's at.

oooooooooooooook.

If depression is the inability to cope with stress and anxiety, then it is obviously the denial to mentally deal with the stress and anxiety. Because in the end of the day stress and anxiety only exist if you see them as such and as threatening things. Of course I have never been depressed, because I deal with things as they are (and things never turn out as bad as they may seem at first, anyways). Depression is only for the unintelligent and those whose minds are unacquainted with reason.

Alright, I saw this, and it needs a reply.

Depression can be triggered by stress and anxiety, however with chronic cases, this is usually rarely the cause, at least solely. In my case, it was likely caused by several factors(That I have thus far figured to be the onset of my disease):

1)A mother whom drank while pregnant with me. Depression is extremely high in such cases.
2)A troubled childhood(Parents divorced long before I can remember, mother either getting drunk, being drunk, or at the bar most of the time, an over bearing father, being used as a pawn, so to spreak, by my parents to try and get at each others, and so forth).
3)Non-sociable leading to anti-social behavior, sticking to myself most of the time, thus not having many friends.
4)Probably a few chemical imbalances.
5)Complete lack of trust in anyone, even myself, thus having no one to confide with, and no one to connect to. I.E.-feelings of being completely alone in the world.

Now then, no one event triggured my particular depression, it was a brewing pot, so to speak, that built up. Mix in everything, and it's a bomb waiting to go off. Depression is a disease. Do you tell someone whom has the flu that they got it because they are weak and unintelligent? What about someone whom contracted polio or a child with hepatitis? No, you wouldn't, and you shouldn't here. You have no idea what you are talking about, you have shown that, and thus you may leave with what little dignity you may have.

How often is "chronic"? :D :cool:

3-4 times a minute.

3-4 times a minute.

Okay I'm safe. I only do it 3 times an hour.

oooooooooooooook.

The first part is true. It really ain't all it's cracked up to be.

The second part... meh, you can take my advice or not.

The first part is true. It really ain't all it's cracked up to be.

The second part... meh, you can take my advice or not.

I have engaged in both many times, I'll take the former rather than the latter man...

Yes I believe anyone can. You CAN become the master of your own self. Your own body and mind. It doesnt take a Zen Buhddist either. You just have to learn self control and how to kick your own ass once and awhile. Not going for points here but I've seen enough serious shit and I didn't break down into a pathetic squeivling worm. I fought many battles against myself. You can defeat your own demons. Think outside the norm. Dont think medication and pills or self mutilation. Go outside the boundaries. GO SOMEPLACE SUNNY! have fun. get out of your shit rut and getsome. Just think of some absolutley horrible things that humans have had to endure over our history, like war, poverty and famine. or the Holocaust. Those people put up with way more shit and came out better on the end. Todays modern society knows nothing of hardship so our brains make up are own problems. Thats what your clinical "depression" is.

Wow. I have to say- and I feel bad for saying it because I don't even know you- but you have no idea what you are talking about.

That's extremely clear to me by the terminology and phrasing you used. I don't mean to be rude, but maybe you should reserve your criticism for things you actually understand. Until you actually have Depression, you will never understand it; and, for your sake, I hope it stays that way.


As a little note, Depression isn't some self-induced "bad patch" that you can get out of simply by "getting out and having fun." Once you are deeply depressed, you will be too drained to get out (or even up for that matter), and having fun litterally becomes impossible. Remember, enjoyment is, in a physiological sense, just a matter of naturally produced chemicals in the brain. When these chemicals aren't present, enjoyment isn't either. You remid me of Stephen Colbert except, the sad thing is, you really mean it.

Wow. I have to say- and I feel bad for saying it because I don't even know you- but you have no idea what you are talking about.

That's extremely clear to me by the terminology and phrasing you used. I don't mean to be rude, but maybe you should reserve your criticism for things you actually understand. Until you actually have Depression, you will never understand it; and, for your sake, I hope it stays that way.


As a little note, Depression isn't some self-induced "bad patch" that you can get out of simply by "getting out and having fun." Once you are deeply depressed, you will be too drained to get out (or even up for that matter), and having fun litterally becomes impossible. Remember, enjoyment is, in a physiological sense, just a matter of naturally produced chemicals in the brain. When these chemicals aren't present, enjoyment isn't either. You remid me of Stephen Colbert except, the sad thing is, you really mean it.


no you simply have no idea what reality is. Reality is not office and desks and lamps and pills. Its what you make of it. Its yours. Take my advice or leave it. Get off your high horse and understand.

Sometimes some people can just will themselves out of depression. Others can just sort of ride it out until they stumble upon some way to cope, or in the case with most teenagers, outgrow it. But some others, who lack the will to do it themselves and whose depression is too intense or too chronic, do need help.

I managed to overcome depression lasting almost two years on my own.

For most of that time any bad thought no matter how slight would send me into a downwards spiral from one self defeating thought to another. Basically I overcame it by whenever I found myself starting to go into a cycle of misery to force myself to think of something, anything, else. Trees, Numbers, Fruit, random letters - just to force the bad thoughts out, soon this stopped being a conscious effort and became automatic. I don't know how this would work for others but it worked very well and very quickly for me - even today several years later I actually find it very hard even consciously to think a depressing thought as my brain changes subject and just slides away from the subject.

Sex is an overrated activity, and really not terribly enjoyable. Not to mention rather a rather disgusting act.

Chronic Masturbation, now that's where it's at.

You're not doing it right, baby.

You're not doing it right, baby.

My thoughts exactly.

I worked my way out of two pretty bad depressions. Though I guess one could also be called minor, as it was triggered by outside factors to some extent. For me, I worked my way down with alcohol and prescription drugs(for which I had no prescription, mind you) until I hit rock bottom, couldn't maintain my job and generally just sat and stared all day, or wept or trembled. After a while I hit a critical point of suffering, guess it could have gone either way, offing myself or cheering the fuck up, and I did the latter. Went into military service, became a firefighter and just took hold of my life again.

Second time I ended an abusive relationship and just had to work throug the trauma for a year or so before I could even feel anything real, but that was a piss in the river compared to the first one.

I have dealed with depression before, but being the strong willed SOB I eventually managed to overcome it through myself with no medication or anything. Yet, I do realize my case was not bad and so I must say depression is a very sad thing and I recommend people who deal with it to take heed on this thread.

i'm not so sure. when you spend most of the day thinking about and wishing for death and suicide, the idea of one being able to cure oneself seems pretty far fetched.

clinical depression can stem from any number of things, psychological and pysiological, and manifest itself in different ways too, such as major depression vs dysthimia vs manic depression. some of these things probably are cureable by the individual, such as changing one's lifestyle could effectively do away with dysthimia, or fighting one's own learned (depressive) thought patterns could probably 'cure' a person of major depression and/or dysthimia.

however "clinical depression" is a term encompassing a wide range of causal factors that exhibit a similar set of symptoms, and what will 'cure' one type of depression will simply not apply to others. changing one's thought patterns with CBT won't help much if your problem is a neurochemical imbalance, for example.
this is the reason why most medial advice involves taking medication AND getting therapy.


personally, as a sufferer of clinical depression of one sort or another for about 4 years now, i've tried helping myself - being tough on myself and trying to change the way i think and behave - and for the most part it has been helpful. however, the depression is still there under the surface and it takes a huge effort to keep it there. as a result often i'll relapse down to the smallest things going wrong, and it'll take me time to restore my mental order, by simply not allowing myself to think or feel certain things. this, however, has taken the best part of 2 years to achieve, and i would in no way say i'm 'cured'. i am also taking medication for it now, but without psychotherapy i feel i'm lost in my own head, and don't know where to go next - simply 'keeping a lid on it' as i do currently enables me to live life pretty normally, but its no cure. my own depression stems from a wide variety of causal factors - both psychological and neurochemical, and i feel therapy is what i need to address and takle all these factors at once - its like trying to stop a leak... if there's one crack left uncovered the water will still get through.


as a result i'd say that SOME people will be able to overcome their depression; with some forms of depression this is possible. but not all forms of depression, and if one is unable to go it alone then its understandable and they are not 'weak' for it, or anything like that. the people who believe that if you can't overcome it on your own you are inferior just don't know what they're talking about. people who try to address depression in a purely rational way don't know what they're talking about. MOST people don't know what depression is like, and you only will once you have it.
i can say this for sure: when i was going through my double-depression at university, there was no way i would have had the strength or the willpower to get over it myself. getting out of bed in the morning was hard enough, and almost every waking thought was wishing to die - in that state of mind, helping oneself or curing oneself is just not on the adgenda, and we need help.



rant over.

Yes I believe anyone can. You CAN become the master of your own self. Your own body and mind. It doesnt take a Zen Buhddist either. You just have to learn self control and how to kick your own ass once and awhile. Not going for points here but I've seen enough serious shit and I didn't break down into a pathetic squeivling worm. I fought many battles against myself. You can defeat your own demons. Think outside the norm. Dont think medication and pills or self mutilation. Go outside the boundaries. GO SOMEPLACE SUNNY! have fun. get out of your shit rut and getsome. Just think of some absolutley horrible things that humans have had to endure over our history, like war, poverty and famine. or the Holocaust. Those people put up with way more shit and came out better on the end. Todays modern society knows nothing of hardship so our brains make up are own problems. Thats what your clinical "depression" is.

No it isn't. I've suffered injury to my leg, but I can still walk. I don't turn around and say that people with only one leg just don't have the will to heal themselves.

There's a very physical dimension to most mental illness. Take S.A.D. Seasonal Affective Disorder. Do you think that these people are upset by the fact that Christmas is coming? No. Their hormones that control their moods are programed by genetics to respond to the sunlight. If there isn't enough of it, they just don't produce the hormones necessary for positive moods. It's got nothing to do with their view of the world or their level of discipline. It's all their physical environment.

If it looks like a duck, bobs up and down in the water like a duck, and something nearby sounds like a duck, it's probably a guy waiting to shoot you.

I have overcome some of the poor thinking patterns that cause me to fall into depression, but there comes a point when it's a chemical thing and it's not something that I can control. I think the key is figuring out when you are in over your head and getting help when you are.

I have dealed with depression before, but being the strong willed SOB I eventually managed to overcome it through myself with no medication or anything. Yet, I do realize my case was not bad and so I must say depression is a very sad thing and I recommend people who deal with it to take heed on this thread.
Depends on what you mean by "overcome" it. Can people cure themselves of clinical depression by shear force of will? No, no more than you can magically cure yourself of hepatitis through force of will. Your motivation and drive can help, but there are limits to what will alone can accomplish.

Now, you certainly could use your will to direct how you live with your condition. A lot of people endure depression for their entire life span. They lead productive lives even though they still suffer from depression. That could be viewed as a way of "overcoming" it, though personally I see it as more like if you lived your whole life with a headache because you refused to take aspirin to deal with it.

I self mutilate, lie to my family, and smash my head into walls so that the physical pain makes me forget what has me so down in the first place. Quite attuned if I do say so myself.
Notice I said "good strategies to deal/cope with it".
Emphasis on "good"
I don't think anyone - yourself included - would claim self-mutilation is a "good" strategy.


Recognizing that there is problem, or even what the problem is, isn't that difficult. Also, being "depressed"(I have a disorder that is akin to chronic mild depression, but a tad different) for as long as I can remember ain't exactly going to help in "preventing" it. It's not about attuning or recognizing there is a problem, or even coping, so much as not knowing what to do about it. For some people, meds work. For others, such as myself, meds only make it worse. For some people, therapy works. For others, such as myself, it doesn't. Quite honestly, for me, and those whom are like me, there just doesn't seem to be an effective method of "coping", other than realizing that it is a part of your life, and you have to deal with it. Quite honestly, I don't remember, nor know, what life is like outside of my disease.

But me, a tad bit of a rant.
Recognising can be hard. Depression isn't something that occurs overnight. Most (myself included - my family has a history of it unfortunately) slip slowly into it. The changes to one's thinking can be so subtle that one doesn't realise what's occuring.
If not recognised and caught early enough, it can reach a point where you're into full-blown 'thoughts of helplessness, futility, suicide, no energy and no way out' mode where it's almost impossible to extracat oneself from.

I've finally reached the stage where I can recognise the bad habits and subtle feelings that can preciptate a bout of depression. (by subtle it can be as little as not really feeling much like reading)
When I do have these, I usually force myself to focus on future events, make plans for them and even at times get to the point of writing out daily lists of things I need to do that day (lack of energy and motivation is the biggie for me). It's trite I know, but it does give me a little boost of energy and confidence when at the end of the day, I can look at my list and see that I have accomplished some things.
After a while, the energy levels thankfully return and the threat of depression fades.

In principle, of course one can surmount depression. However, few have the requisite inherent strength to do so simply through force of will. Allow me to give an example;

I've been in varying states of depression for close to two years, namely, since I entered Sixth form from secondary school, and have never taken medication upon two grounds; I maintain that I don't bloody need it, and my parents don't buy into such drugs.

The depression itself has been, predominantly, the result of my best friends leaving for a different sixth form, and thus my losing much of the social network I had enjoyed for five years. I do, of course, have "friends", but being an utter failure as a romantic, I have no genuinely "close" friends anymore, and hence feel isolated, besieged and alone.

However, I have been in "new" environments, seperate from sixth form students I know and find objectionable, twice in this period; for a week on an Outwards Bound trip, and for four days at an Oxford Interview. Both times, simply through my being able to be myself, and to actively find, and meet, new people none of whom have any preconceptions of me, I've been markedly more content, and felt like the old Blessed Chris. Thus, proof that depression can be beaten without medication, through a change of context. I hope....

Unintelligent? Again your reasoning is flawed. I have an IQ of 120 and I find myself often depressed. You see, despite your gung-ho "I'm right" attitude, you can't always deal with problems and stress' on your life. You have a wife that may be unfaithful. Your boss is an asshole but you need the money. Your son just committed suicide. You can barely afford house payments. There are many events that cause anxiety and stress, and many of them are long term. If you are barely able to make payments on your home, then you would know what I mean. The "inability" to cope isn't your own fault, but rather simply that: The inability.Then just accept the inability and figure out a workaround. And if there is no workaround, then accept it as well. Why bother with something one cannot change? All the examples you named would not be reasons for me to be depressive, and I have experienced most of them. You know, I can stand facing the facts. Depression is for those who cannot accept the world, life, or circumstances as they are, and cannot try to make the best of it. I will definitely not waste time with retrospective what-ifs.

Everyone gets worn down by stress, but that stress eventually goes away and then you can recuperate. But what if that stress is ongoing and constant? And what if you're faced with more and more stress each day? What? Do you turn into a hermit? Lie to yourself? Go on a killing spree?No. Just change your life. And if you don't know how, ask someone else.

Depression is for those who cannot accept the world, life, or circumstances as they are, and cannot try to make the best of it. I will definitely not waste time with retrospective what-ifs.

Clinical depression is a physiological ailment. It occurs in people who have "real" serious life problems, and it also occurs in people who KNOW that there aren't really rational outside reasons for them to be depressed. Clinical depression isn't totally subject to the individual's control, just like having diabetes isn't completely under the individual's control. There are things the individual can do to manage and treat their illness, but they can't simply decide not to be ill.

In my case, it took me years to recognize that it's not normal to be unhappy 24/7. It's not normal to go days without sleeping or eating. It's not normal to feel like your thoughts and emotions are completely disconnected from the world around you. I kept thinking that I should just "snap myself out of it" and I should be able to control my feelings. I knew that there wasn't any outside reason for me to be so unhappy (I have actually lived a pretty great life), so I knew my feelings were irrational. It took years to realize that I have a chemical imbalance in my brain, and no amount of willpower was going to change that.

Treatment for my depression did not solve my personal problems. I still have life struggles, just like everybody does. Medication does not make me superfluffymagichappy. What treatment achieved was it restored a more normal chemical balance in my brain, allowing me to function on a normal level.

It is, frankly, pure ignorance to tell clinically depressed individuals that they can somehow "will" themselves out of their illness. That's as ignorant as telling somebody that they can choose not to feel pain when they break their leg, or they can choose not to run a fever when they are sick. It's as ignorant as telling people that they can "will" away their headaches.

Individuals can control how they deal with depression. Individual attitude will be VERY important. But let's not have any confusion about the fact that clinical depression is a physiological ailment, and there's only so much that individual attitude alone can achieve.

If depression is the inability to cope with stress and anxiety, then it is obviously the denial to mentally deal with the stress and anxiety.


Proove this please.


Because in the end of the day stress and anxiety only exist if you see them as such and as threatening things.

Proove this please.


Depression is only for the unintelligent and those whose minds are unacquainted with reason.

Proove this please.

No. Just change your life. And if you don't know how, ask someone else.

You can't just magically change chemical imbalances in your brain through will power alone.

Clinical depression is a physiological ailment. It occurs in people who have "real" serious life problems, and it also occurs in people who KNOW that there aren't really rational outside reasons for them to be depressed. Clinical depression isn't totally subject to the individual's control, just like having diabetes isn't completely under the individual's control. There are things the individual can do to manage and treat their illness, but they can't simply decide not to be ill.

In my case, it took me years to recognize that it's not normal to be unhappy 24/7. It's not normal to go days without sleeping or eating. It's not normal to feel like your thoughts and emotions are completely disconnected from the world around you. I kept thinking that I should just "snap myself out of it" and I should be able to control my feelings. I knew that there wasn't any outside reason for me to be so unhappy (I have actually lived a pretty great life), so I knew my feelings were irrational. It took years to realize that I have a chemical imbalance in my brain, and no amount of willpower was going to change that.

Treatment for my depression did not solve my personal problems. I still have life struggles, just like everybody does. Medication does not make me superfluffymagichappy. What treatment achieved was it restored a more normal chemical balance in my brain, allowing me to function on a normal level.

It is, frankly, pure ignorance to tell clinically depressed individuals that they can somehow "will" themselves out of their illness. That's as ignorant as telling somebody that they can choose not to feel pain when they break their leg, or they can choose not to run a fever when they are sick. It's as ignorant as telling people that they can "will" away their headaches.

Individuals can control how they deal with depression. Individual attitude will be VERY important. But let's not have any confusion about the fact that clinical depression is a physiological ailment, and there's only so much that individual attitude alone can achieve.
Depression is nothing but prolonged self-pity. Chemical imbalance? Caused by what? And what life struggles? And since you are still alive, it could not have been so bad after all, could it?

However, there's always the concern that your depression isn't really gone and it will come back at some point in the future; IIRC, dysthymic depression can go away for months at a time before coming back, or you can have long periods of mild or no symptoms with sudden manic or depressive episodes every so often.

Sounds like me. :\

*flees thread*

Proove this please.



Proove this please.



Proove this please.

No one could. It's a load of crap.

Do you know what equivocation is and why it's a fallacy? You're using denial differently than when speaking of the psychological term. You know it. We know it.

Meanwhile, I think rather silly attacks on the clinically depressed for for the "unintelligent and those whose minds are unacquainted with reason." What's my basis for the claim? The fact that your claims are provably false and yet you choose to make them.

Can we see some studies on the intelligence of the clinically depressed? Certainly, since you're a person who is so acquainted with reason, you have some evidence for the lack of familiarity with reason you claim about the clinically depressed. Since you're so reasonable, you have evidence for the "unintelligence", no?

Or perhaps, you're just spouting the same hateful tripe we find you spouting from thread to thread, unsupported and ridiculous as it may be.

I volunteer to be an intelligent counterexample!:D (read: I feel like being an ass. :p)

If depression is the inability to cope with stress and anxiety, then it is obviously the denial to mentally deal with the stress and anxiety. Because in the end of the day stress and anxiety only exist if you see them as such and as threatening things. Of course I have never been depressed, because I deal with things as they are (and things never turn out as bad as they may seem at first, anyways). Depression is only for the unintelligent and those whose minds are unacquainted with reason.

Do you know what equivocation is and why it's a fallacy? You're using denial differently than when speaking of the psychological term. You know it. We know it.

Meanwhile, I think rather silly attacks on the clinically depressed for for the "unintelligent and those whose minds are unacquainted with reason." What's my basis for the claim? The fact that your claims are provably false and yet you choose to make them.

Can we see some studies on the intelligence of the clinically depressed? Certainly, since you're a person who is so acquainted with reason, you have some evidence for the lack of familiarity with reason you claim about the clinically depressed. Since you're so reasonable, you have evidence for the "unintelligence", no?

Or perhaps, you're just spouting the same hateful tripe we find you spouting from thread to thread, unsupported and ridiculous as it may be.

Again, you make positive statements devoid of evidence. It's widely medically accepted that chemical imbalance is a major factor in depression. Can you please post some evidence for your claim that these theories hold no water?

Perhaps you should explain how chemical imbalances work. IIRC, they CAN be caused by genetics, among other factors.

Depression is nothing but prolonged self-pity. Chemical imbalance? Caused by what? And what life struggles? And since you are still alive, it could not have been so bad after all, could it?

Again, you make positive statements devoid of evidence. It's widely medically accepted that chemical imbalance is a major factor in depression. Can you please post some evidence for your claim that these theories hold no water?

Whoa! Double time warp!:eek:

Depression is the denial to think and to face and deal with the respective issue in question. Depression is the abandonment of reason. And since most people are incapable of building up mental discipline themselves, it is very unlikely for them to overcome depression through their own efforts.

By the way, is cancer the denial of the ability to produce cells properly? If only people had mental discipline, these problems would disappear. I wonder why no one is presenting that as a cure? You could get a nobel peace prize with that little gem.

Cure for cancer, reason. Cure for a broken leg, reason. Cure for clinical depression, reason.

Every one of those things is physiological. When did discipline become a way to reason away physioligical maladies?

By the way, is cancer the denial of the ability to produce cells properly? If only people had mental discipline, these problems would disappear. I wonder why no one is presenting that as a cure? You could get a nobel peace prize with that little gem.

Cure for cancer, reason. Cure for a broken leg, reason. Cure for clinical depression, reason.

Every one of those things is physiological. When did discipline become a way to reason away physioligical maladies?

The dark ages. *nods*



Oh, wait, that was God... >.>

As a former clinical depressive, I've gathered that this thread merits my attention in a big way. Long post follows.

I've been depressed for virtually as long as I remember -- that is, I don't remember ever being happy or satisfied with my life. It started around age 12 or 13, and continued until just a few months ago. Depression wasn't a serious problem in my life until I began attempting suicide at 15-16, at which point I started therapy; this didn't work either, so I started medication. I was on medication for almost two years.

Medication didn't work either, in the long run. While it drove suicidal thoughts from my mind, it caused other problems that it had apparently been designed to avoid -- irregular sleeping and eating patterns for instance. Overall it was interfering with my functioning on virtually all levels. So I stopped taking it, and within a month I was back to "normal".

I'm not entirely sure what happened either. As a post facto reconstruction, I gather that perhaps the medication had already given the brain the jolt it needed to return chemical levels to normal, so after that point my continued reliance on the medication was actually harming my brain's functioning. It may be easier to understand due to the peculiar resilience of the teenage brain. But anyway, the point is that trying to make clinical depression go away without seeking treatment is like performing heart surgery on yourself. It doesn't work.

I suppose it's possible to overcome depression on one's own, but no (wo)man is an island -- even doing it "on your own" will require help from outside, in the form of medication or alternately, therapy. Or both. In fact, for years I stubbornly believed that I was perfectly capable of dealing with it on my own, and that it was a psychosomatic illness and my incapability of getting rid of it simply meant that I was a worthless human being (hence why I remained depressed for so much longer).


Fergi America;12397823']Depends on the severity, and the cause.

If it's a regular cause (something really sucky happened that you can't do anything about, it's natural to get depressed because it sucked!), it'll probably go away on its own in due time.

If it's caused by some lousy ongoing situation like a rotten job or no-good boy/girlfriend, getting out of that situation is pretty much a surefire and sometimes even immediate cure.
The main "problem" with this type of cause, is often the person just won't see that leaving the situation IS the best option--or gets too hung up worrying about what they'd do next, to realize that they're absolutely ruining their life by continuing to put up with the bad situation. But the answer is pretty simple in cases like this: get rid of the source of the grief, you get rid of the depression, presto. Like how getting a rock out of your shoe stops your foot from hurting, and it works a whole lot better than what amounts to any means trying to learn how to walk with the rock left in it.

If it's caused by a chemical imbalance of the brain, chances are meds are a good option--they go for the source of the problem, which is the imbalance. I don't see willpower as being able to override something like that. The will can control a lot of bodily reactions, but when the imbalance is in the brain, it can wreck the kind of concentration needed to do that.
QFT.

Ok, well its really not that hard to randomly get someone to be your freind. I can see where the difficulty arises in not being confident enough to so. But confiedence isnt a hard thing to get. Its not some mystical force that only winners have and losers can only dream of getting. Its all about self control and learning the ability to take control of your own life. Anyone can do it. Anyone can fight themselves and force themselves to be a better person. No one is going to hand you your life. No one is going to hand you freinds. You have to go out and grab them by the balls and make your life happen. Just because someone is better than you at something doesnt mean you shoult just give up and cry. Anyone can be strong and confident. And if your a loser, so what? Being a 'loser' is your own mental lable. Other people have branded me as such things but I never gave a damn. Its all in your head and you can control it. I'm a winner because I believe I am and I go out and accomplish things and have fun because I know I can. Don't beg, Dont wine, dont cry. Getsome. Get off the computer, turn off the tv, and enjoy a nice bright warm day, have a beer, turn the music up real loud, drive around exceedingly fast ans scare the shit out of yourself. Dont listen to people who think they have power. Find an enemy and a cause. and fight it.
That's all well and good provided your brain is in fighting shape. The problem in clinical depression is that your brain's very ability to believe in anything, to even care about the cause in question, is completely shut off. Hence, you can't just "go out and do things" because the emotional stimulus that provides the ability for you to "go out and do things" is broken.

Sex is an overrated activity, and really not terribly enjoyable. Not to mention rather a rather disgusting act.
It's been said before, but I'll say it again: If you don't like it, you're doing it wrong. ;-)

At very least, it beats out masturbation...

-snip huge post-
I was going to say, in essence, the same thing..... maybe I should have just quoted a few of the posts in this thread with an up arrow pointing to all of them......

Depression is nothing but prolonged self-pity. Chemical imbalance? Caused by what? And what life struggles? And since you are still alive, it could not have been so bad after all, could it?
Chemical imbalances can be caused by environmental problems -- i.e. the mother's alcohol consumption during pregnancy, pollution or radiation in the atmosphere, toxins, etc. -- or by a trauma, especially one during childhood; or both. The former are especially difficult to deal with because there's no clear-cut cause to talk about during therapy (in fact, I frequently noted that it would be easier on me if I'd been sexually abused as a child, because then I'd have a good reason to be fucked up...); that's why medication is usually the best answer for that.

Every one of those things is physiological. When did discipline become a way to reason away physioligical maladies?
Struthiocracy is the word of the day: all problems can be solved by burying your head in the sand and pretending they don't exist. (Or, when that fails, running like hell.)

Applies to most world governments, for that matter.

Whoa! Double time warp!:eek:

's what happens when Jolt fears the return of the Spamalanche ;)

's what happens when Jolt fears the return of the Spamalanche ;)

Or when there's a temporary return of it?:p

Even this computer is acting funny. :(

Child, you might want to look up the stats on the correlation between mood disorders and intelligence before you spout this garbage.

I think he would find it's just the opposite, actually. Well, at least with psychological disorders as a whole. I am uncertain about mood disorders specifically. They're simply widespread, methinks.

Depression is only for the unintelligent and those whose minds are unacquainted with reason.

Child, you might want to look up the stats on the correlation between mood disorders and intelligence before you spout this garbage.

Depression is nothing but prolonged self-pity. Chemical imbalance? Caused by what? And what life struggles? And since you are still alive, it could not have been so bad after all, could it?

You are, without a doubt, the least knowledgeable person I know on this issue. Please stop now before you humiliate yourself(further).

1. Depression is not prolonged self pity. If you have never had depression, you would not know. You don't go around saying "Woe is me! Woe for me! I am sad!" If you think that is true, you are laughably idiotic in your notions. It differs from person to person, but it is more or less a constant feeling of being "low", in other words, a state of unhappiness, that has rarely anything to do with self-pity. Honestly, you are completely ignorant of the issue. Why do you talk as though you actually know anything about it?

2. Chemical imbalances. Sometimes caused by your glands not working correctly, and others such problems. Usually, in this case, medications will generally work, "kicking" your glands into gear, so to speak. It is scientifically proven, at least for some cases of depression(not all).

3. As said, Depression differs from person to person, however to say it isn't bad just because they haven't killed themselves... wow, man, wow. Your idiocy, once again, is showing. I have been on the the razor's edge many times in my life, and I have a disease that is likened to mild chronic depression(Don't let the mild fool you-it is incredibly difficult to deal with what I have, as it last many years). Just because someone hasn't killed themself yet does not mean they won't-thus the problem should not be ignored.

So, I have discovered two things about you:

1. You talk out of your ass.
2. You are ignorant of the issue at hand.

I think he would find it's just the opposite, actually. Well, at least with psychological disorders as a whole. I am uncertain about mood disorders specifically. They're simply widespread, methinks.

He would indeed. As someone who's been dealing with a mood disorder for a long, long time, I follow information on them pretty closely, and the correlation between mood disorders and intelligence - particularly creative intelligence - is well-established. (I don't know as much about other mental disorders, though what I do know suggests that many of them would also be found with greater frequency in highly intelligent individuals.)

It just amazes me that someone could be so foolish as to suggest that (to pick a few names at random) Lincoln, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Van Gogh, Tchaikovsky, Byron, Churchill, Poe, Schumann, and Twain were "unintelligent."

1. Depression is not prolonged self pity. If you have never had depression, you would not know. You don't go around saying "Woe is me! Woe for me! I am sad!" If you think that is true, you are laughably idiotic in your notions. It differs from person to person, but it is more or less a constant feeling of being "low", in other words, a state of unhappiness, that has rarely anything to do with self-pity. Honestly, you are completely ignorant of the issue. Why do you talk as though you actually know anything about it?

Not necessarily unhappiness. For me it was just not caring about practically anything. As you said, it differs from person to person.

If depression is the inability to cope with stress and anxiety, then it is obviously the denial to mentally deal with the stress and anxiety. Because in the end of the day stress and anxiety only exist if you see them as such and as threatening things. Of course I have never been depressed, because I deal with things as they are (and things never turn out as bad as they may seem at first, anyways). Depression is only for the unintelligent and those whose minds are unacquainted with reason.

Depression is actually often caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain. Of course facts never stop you from posting garbage.

Not necessarily unhappiness. For me it was just not caring about practically anything. As you said, it differs from person to person.

Well, that was the best way I could describe it really. It isn't actually being unhappy, but the only way to really describe it to people whom have never had it is in that way, more or less. Perhaps non-happy would be a better term.

1. Depression is not prolonged self pity. If you have never had depression, you would not know. You don't go around saying "Woe is me! Woe for me! I am sad!" If you think that is true, you are laughably idiotic in your notions. It differs from person to person, but it is more or less a constant feeling of being "low", in other words, a state of unhappiness, that has rarely anything to do with self-pity.

personally, i found it to be that plus the simple inability to feel happy or joy. when even things that you used to enjoy fail to raise even the tiniest bit of happiness inside you, it really, really gets to you over the weeks, months and years it can go on for.

thankfully the pills have helped with that, and generally balanced out my mood so i go less 'low' when i do (generally) and am less up-and-down.


just adding me thoughts :)

edit: plus Catalasia's non-caring thing, yeah

Well, that was the best way I could describe it really. It isn't actually being unhappy, but the only way to really describe it to people whom have never had it is in that way, more or less. Perhaps non-happy would be a better term.
Quite.

personally, i found it to be that plus the simple inability to feel happy or joy. when even things that you used to enjoy fail to raise even the tiniest bit of happiness inside you, it really, really gets to you over the weeks, months and years it can go on for.

thankfully the pills have helped with that, and generally balanced out my mood so i go less 'low' when i do (generally) and am less up-and-down.


just adding me thoughts :)

edit: plus Catalasia's non-caring thing, yeah

Yeah, I think that's a good description for those who haven't had it. It's not about what you feel, but more about what you don't feel. And while people might not realize it, losing your passion, your joy, your bliss, is pretty maddening.

No; not if it's a serious case. It's no good saying that they can attempt to get themselves out of it using various methods of their own free will; in serious cases people don't even have the energy to do so. Serious depression makes people very lethargic in some ways; that's one reason why anti-depressants are dangerous at times, as they will make people feel more energetic before they help with the depression.
Many people who are depressed want to commit suicide but simply lack the energy; imagine the consequences of giving them energy before helping the depression.

Ilaer

He would indeed. As someone who's been dealing with a mood disorder for a long, long time, I follow information on them pretty closely, and the correlation between mood disorders and intelligence - particularly creative intelligence - is well-established. (I don't know as much about other mental disorders, though what I do know suggests that many of them would also be found with greater frequency in highly intelligent individuals.)

It just amazes me that someone could be so foolish as to suggest that (to pick a few names at random) Lincoln, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Van Gogh, Tchaikovsky, Byron, Churchill, Poe, Schumann, and Twain were "unintelligent."

He doesn't know what he's talking about. He's simply an elitist troll.

Yeah, I think that's a good description for those who haven't had it. It's not about what you feel, but more about what you don't feel. And while people might not realize it, losing your passion, your joy, your bliss, is pretty maddening.

Or just never having one.

He doesn't know what he's talking about. He's simply an elitist troll.

Thank heavens you weren't speaking of me. :D
Although I do notice that intelligent people tend to be depressed more often than other groups; I'm considered intelligent by many people (it's kinda compulsory if you go to a grammar school :D) and I seem to suffer from depression often, severe several times.

Ilaer

Thank heavens you weren't speaking of me. :D
Although I do notice that intelligent people tend to be depressed more often than other groups; I'm considered intelligent by many people (it's kinda compulsory if you go to a grammar school :D) and I seem to suffer from depression often, severe several times.

Ilaer

There's always next time. :p

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/Krazie_Sj/GrammarNazi.jpg

There's always next time. :p

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/Krazie_Sj/GrammarNazi.jpg

:)
Being a grammar Nazi is kind of my job...
*points to signature*

Ilaer

:)
Being a grammar Nazi is kind of my job...
*points to signature*

Ilaer

Yeah, I can be as well. Too bad NSEconomy is down, though. :(

Thank heavens you weren't speaking of me. :D
Although I do notice that intelligent people tend to be depressed more often than other groups; I'm considered intelligent by many people (it's kinda compulsory if you go to a grammar school :D) and I seem to suffer from depression often, severe several times.

Ilaer

i have an IQ of about 130 and suffered from depression. my girlfriend, who's even smarter, did too. a good friend at uni - pretty smart - did as well.

a lot of depression, to me, stems from personal introspection spilling over and basically taking over. i'd say that's a trait more seen in intelligent peeps...

if i could be arsed i'd look for some research on the matter :P

I feel like t a bit of a misfit on this thread. I don't have depression at all.:(

i have an IQ of about 130 and suffered from depression. my girlfriend, who's even smarter, did too. a good friend at uni - pretty smart - did as well.

a lot of depression, to me, stems from personal introspection spilling over and basically taking over. i'd say that's a trait more seen in intelligent peeps...

if i could be arsed i'd look for some research on the matter :P
Yeah, pretty much what I was thinking a couple of days ago during a relapse.
I feel like t a bit of a misfit on this thread. I don't have depression at all.:(

That's right: you don't belong. You never will. We have no place for you.


Are you depressed yet? :p

I feel like t a bit of a misfit on this thread. I don't have depression at all.:(

Kill the misfit! :D
You're really not missing anything. I remember the last time I had serious depression. It's the worst thing I can imagine...

i have an IQ of about 130 and suffered from depression. my girlfriend, who's even smarter, did too. a good friend at uni - pretty smart - did as well.

a lot of depression, to me, stems from personal introspection spilling over and basically taking over. i'd say that's a trait more seen in intelligent peeps...

if i could be arsed i'd look for some research on the matter :P

I've considered that in the past as well; it seems pretty likely, actually. One of the causes for a period of depression I went through once was likely something to do with the fact that I didn't know which of my emotions and thoughts were real and spontaneous and which ones were artificial; which ones I premeditated, as it were. Then it got worse as I didn't know whether or not my worrying over that was artificial and it sort of ended in an infinite loop, with me worrying about my worrying about my worrying about my worrying...
*coughs*

Yeah, I can be as well. Too bad NSEconomy is down, though. :(

It is? :(
I like NSEconomy...
Even a member of the NBCyIPsW party can have fun looking at the details. :D

Ilaer

I feel like t a bit of a misfit on this thread. I don't have depression at all.:(


Kill the outsider! Rend his flesh! :p

Kill the misfit! :D
You're really not missing anything. I remember the last time I had serious depression. It's the worst thing I can imagine...



I've considered that in the past as well; it seems pretty likely, actually. One of the causes for a period of depression I went through once was likely something to do with the fact that I didn't know which of my emotions and thoughts were real and spontaneous and which ones were artificial; which ones I premeditated, as it were. Then it got worse as I didn't know whether or not my worrying over that was artificial and it sort of ended in an infinite loop, with me worrying about my worrying about my worrying about my worrying...
*coughs*



It is? :(
I like NSEconomy...
Even a member of the NBCyIPsW party can have fun looking at the details. :D

Ilaer
Yeah, it is. Has been for several days, apparently. I tried it a couple of days ago and it didn't work. Then tried it this afternoon again. Still down. I hope they get it back up. It's almost as fun as the forum itself, for a time. :D :p
Kill the outsider! Rend his flesh! :p

I like how we all had similar ideas about the misfit. :D:p

Kill the outsider! Rend his flesh! :p

*kills Kanabia*
That's what you get for saying 'kill the outsider' after I've already done so.
:D

Ilaer

Yeah, it is. Has been for several days, apparently. I tried it a couple of days ago and it didn't work. Then tried it this afternoon again. Still down. I hope they get it back up. It's almost as fun as the forum itself, for a time. :D :p


I like how we all had similar ideas about the misfit. :D:p

About two seconds; nothing is as fun as the NSG forums for long. :D
It is fairly good though.

Well, what can we all say? We're obviously long-lost cousins... or... something...
I'll shut up now.

Ilaer

*kills Kanabia*
That's what you get for saying 'kill the outsider' after I've already done so.
:D

Ilaer

I wanna fit in! I wanna be an outsider, too! :D

About two seconds; nothing is as fun as the NSG forums for long. :D
It is fairly good though.

Well, what can we all say? We're obviously long-lost cousins... or... something...
I'll shut up now.

Ilaer

Nah, I could spend half an hour there, if I don't watch a clock closely. lol :p

That is possible, actually. Incredibly unlikely, but possible that we are very, very distant cousins. :p I doubt it, though.... so yeah, I should shut up, too... >.>

I wanna fit in! I wanna be an outsider, too! :D

Wait... Isn't that, like, some sort of oxymoron or something?
Duuude...
My brain hurts.

Nah, I could spend half an hour there, if I don't watch a clock closely. lol :p

That is possible, actually. Incredibly unlikely, but possible that we are very, very distant cousins. :p I doubt it, though.... so yeah, I should shut up, too... >.>

*pats Fascist Dominion on the shoulder*
There there.
:D

That phrase solves almost as many things as tea.

Your partner's split up with you? There there.
A shark's got your leg? There there.
You've been told you have cancer? Um... Tea!

Ilaer

I've considered that in the past as well; it seems pretty likely, actually. One of the causes for a period of depression I went through once was likely something to do with the fact that I didn't know which of my emotions and thoughts were real and spontaneous and which ones were artificial; which ones I premeditated, as it were. Then it got worse as I didn't know whether or not my worrying over that was artificial and it sort of ended in an infinite loop, with me worrying about my worrying about my worrying about my worrying...
*coughs*



sounds pretty familiar....
Yeah, pretty much what I was thinking a couple of days ago during a relapse.



i'm pretty convinced that was a big part of it for me at least. perhaps not in what triggered it, but certainly what sustained it.
that, plus i masked it and tried to block it out with weed and booze. stupid...



anyway, found a little on the issue of intelligence:

depression and intelligence

Are smarter people more depressed? Are depressed people more submissive? And does "Star Wars" have anything to do with depression?

According to a forthcoming book on depression by Dr. James N. Herndon, the answer to all of these questions is yes.

"There's been a fundamental lack of understanding of what the feeling of depression actually means," says Dr. Herndon, with the Phoenix-based research firm, Vallis Solaris, Inc.

"In treating depression, the primary objective is to eliminate the depressed feeling. This is typically achieved with one of the many anti-depressant drugs. But the depressed mood is simply covered-up, not cured."

Dr. Herndon supervised one of the largest privately funded research studies on depression. "The results have caused me to reevaluate a lot of my assumptions about depression," he states. ...

"There seems to be a widespread belief that depressed persons are weak and ineffective. Actually, it appears that the more intelligent you are, the more you tend to create complex, negative scenarios in your mind.

"This can ultimately trigger what seems to be a kind of instinctive 'submission response' in the brain. We feel under attack, and are told by our brain to submit to the negative thoughts. It's actually a survival mechanism. But we interpret this as depression."


and more...

Like excessive introspection, intelligence seems to have its downside. "If you're very bright, you see things and are able to empathize with others in a way that less intelligent people do not," said Gjerde. "Intelligence is not necessarily only good. The correlation between high intelligence and happiness is far from perfect."


and this article is something that not only did i think up myself when i was majorly depressed at uni, but i still agree with for the most part: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Is-Depression-a-Sign-of-Intelligence-/46750

Wait... Isn't that, like, some sort of oxymoron or something?
Duuude...
My brain hurts.



*pats Fascist Dominion on the shoulder*
There there.
:D

That phrase solves almost as many things as tea.

Your partner's split up with you? There there.
A shark's got your leg? There there.
You've been told you have cancer? Um... Tea!

Ilaer
Yes, it is an oxymoron... moron! :p [/bad pun]

"I have some bad news for you: I'm afraid you have lymphoma and you only have six months to live."
"Got milk?" :D
sounds pretty familiar....


i'm pretty convinced that was a big part of it for me at least. perhaps not in what triggered it, but certainly what sustained it.
that, plus i masked it and tried to block it out with weed and booze. stupid...

Yeah, same for me. Except I use video game immersion instead of weed and booze. :p

Yes, it is an oxymoron... moron! :p [/bad pun]

"I have some bad news for you: I'm afraid you have lymphoma and you only have six months to live."
"Got milk?" :D


Yeah, same for me. Except I use video game immersion instead of weed and booze. :p

:D
Don't forget two sugars!

I tend to use video game immersion too; I also resort to poetry which makes everyone else depressed and complicated mathematics. :)

Ilaer

I have dealed with depression before, but being the strong willed SOB I eventually managed to overcome it through myself with no medication or anything. Yet, I do realize my case was not bad and so I must say depression is a very sad thing and I recommend people who deal with it to take heed on this thread.

I hadn't thought before voting that so many others would sound as wishy-washy as myself.

I've had my share, and every now and again, there's a tinting of my day with it. But i've figured out a couple things that work well for me that aren't particularly pharmaceutical-based.
Playing email tag with FD, for example! ;)

i hope so

It really depends.

Depends what you are depressed about, and how easily that problem can be solved.

Depends what you are depressed about, and how easily that problem can be solved.

You're talking about situational depression and not clinical depression. Clinical depression is physiological, so they're not necessarily depressed "about" anything.