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Are you depressed?
- Thread starter GodsTyro
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Vennt
Unconfirmed Member
I used to suffer depression, and took years to even recognise the fact.
About 10-15 years ago I started recognising my mood swings as being "not quite normal" with week-long bouts of hyper-elation (everything's good! - Isn't life grand?) swinging to months of "severe blues" (Everything sucks! - Isn't life pointless).
I never took any drugs for it as I felt I should be able to deal with my own issues sans medication.
I slowly managed to change the things in my life that I felt strongly were the cause, including throwing away an IT/Datacoms career that would have seen me financially secure for the rest of time. The job change was the kicker. I may now be poorer (severely so in fact.), but I'm Happy. (Real Happy too, not that false, heightened elation I used to put others through).
Freeburn.
About 10-15 years ago I started recognising my mood swings as being "not quite normal" with week-long bouts of hyper-elation (everything's good! - Isn't life grand?) swinging to months of "severe blues" (Everything sucks! - Isn't life pointless).
I never took any drugs for it as I felt I should be able to deal with my own issues sans medication.
I slowly managed to change the things in my life that I felt strongly were the cause, including throwing away an IT/Datacoms career that would have seen me financially secure for the rest of time. The job change was the kicker. I may now be poorer (severely so in fact.), but I'm Happy. (Real Happy too, not that false, heightened elation I used to put others through).
Freeburn.
Kuramu
Member
for some reason, nothing ever gets me down. there must be a chemical explanation for my constant feel-good buzz. it's almost as if i'm not human. i guess i should feel guilty about not being an emotional person, but that doesn't bother me either. maybe there's a drug the school system should have forced down my throat to fix me ;p
DaCocoBrova
Finally bought a new PSP, but then pushed the demon onto someone else. Jesus.
DaCocoBrova
Finally bought a new PSP, but then pushed the demon onto someone else. Jesus.
For those that do feel as though they're depressed... Take time to think about being in the same situation, but in a wheel chair... Or in jail... Or something.
Can always be worse. Try not to dwell on negativity.
Can always be worse. Try not to dwell on negativity.
Cerebral Palsy
Banned
GodsTyro said:
Yes.
Yeah, I've been down a lot lately. Especially since the past 2 years have been some of the best of my life, this comes as being extremely strange. I'm kind of leaning towards the chemical imbalance side of things, but like you, I don't want to take any medication. But as far as I know, drugs may be necessary in that case. I have nothing to be sad about. Lately I've tended to be much more sensitive to situations that I see on TV, in movies, etc. than I would have had no problem dealing with a couple months ago. Kind of like seeing something on TV and then fretting about how it would feel to be in that situation, even though I know its completely illogical to think I would even find myself in a spot like that. Sometimes I can be pretty happy still, but others I just feel depressed, like I'm not connecting well with other people and that I don't feel like I want to do *anything.*
Once again, I lean towards the chemical imbalance thing, because I sit here and I know that this is not how I should be or normally feel. There is nothing genuinely wrong in my life. I was doing fine in school, I have a nice girlfriend, I have supportive parents. My group of friends was somewhat deteriorating (fewer people wanting to hang out and all due to drama and other things), but this has been happening for awhile and it would've happened a lot earlier if that was such a big issue. So, I realize I feel this way, and I don't WANT to feel this way, but I can't just will myself out of it (I've tried). I've been seeing a psychologist for anxiety problems that also started a couple months ago for no reason, so I'll likely bring this up with her next time I go.
Once again, I lean towards the chemical imbalance thing, because I sit here and I know that this is not how I should be or normally feel. There is nothing genuinely wrong in my life. I was doing fine in school, I have a nice girlfriend, I have supportive parents. My group of friends was somewhat deteriorating (fewer people wanting to hang out and all due to drama and other things), but this has been happening for awhile and it would've happened a lot earlier if that was such a big issue. So, I realize I feel this way, and I don't WANT to feel this way, but I can't just will myself out of it (I've tried). I've been seeing a psychologist for anxiety problems that also started a couple months ago for no reason, so I'll likely bring this up with her next time I go.
Belfast said:
Yeah, it's the same with me..I'm very sensitive towards things that most people would ignore (films, poverty, etc.)
But like I said..I don't think any of this requires a medical treatment..sure there might be a chemical imbalance but the body IS a friggin chemical imbalance lol..it's not like depressed people are physically disabled or somehting (and I agree with the other guy that it could be much, much worst) and this is something one has control over..it's not hard to change perspectives and try to be positive about things.
I wouldn't say depressed... I get down about some things, but they're usually beyond my control (people dying, etc), but for the most part I just work on trying to get from where I am today, to where I want to be later on. Having a small circle of supportive friends really helps, too.
This is always the obligatory yet useless advice. There's always going to be someone worse off than you are, but that doesn't make your life good and happy by default. Besides, it's hard to feel happy when the chemicals in your brain are fucked up and out of balance....aka, clinical depression.DaCocoBrova said:
As for me, I've been depressed in general lately, mainly because I'm nearly out of college and have zero direction and no real social life now. But I'm coming to accept that, and I'm trying to focus on the fact that I'm still (relatively) really young and still have a chance to dick around and explore for the next several years. It's just kind of hard to get in that mode when you've been psychologically locked up for a long time and seem to have lost the feeling of knowing what it's like to truly have fun and enjoy life.
GodsTyro said:
I don't know. A lot of what I've read said that chemical imbalances either need to be treated with drugs or psychotherapy, or both. A lot of people experience depression, but not clinical depression. You can feel down after a bad day, but you might still have the energy to buck up and keep on going. With clinical depression, its not that you had a bad day, you just plain feel bad for no reason. Thinking positively *may* bring temporary relief, but it won't correct the underlying problem.
demon said:
The second part of what you said..I've found myself thinking the same thing from time to time and I wouldn't doubt that most young people in this period of their life feel the same way ie. no direction cuz our educational system is overly competitive and no social life cuz really no one has a social life..unless u make it for urself..we seem to believe that itll come to us
so basically everyones alone cuz theyre too afraid to look for anyone else and i think thats a dysfunction which stems from our society. Anyway, I've always theorized that these things are trivial because the whole social life thing is highly overrated..sure it feels good or whatever to have a few (or more) friends..but I think people seem to have superficial expectations about it..why not take some of that energy and put it towards making a name for yourself in this world..becoming a writer, a political or religious leader, artist or whatever it may be..believe me, ur social life wont last several years down the line and it certainly wont after ur death..at least do something to have made a name for urself as long as the world exists..ya know?I dunno, that sounds a little too cynical and jaded to me.....considering that humans are innately social creatures meant to interact with one another, and that most of the best times I've had in my past were with other people, I wouldn't say having a social life and friends is "overrated".GodsTyro said:The second part of what you said..I've found myself thinking the same thing from time to time and I wouldn't doubt that most young people in this period of their life feel the same way ie. no direction cuz our educational system is overly competitive and no social life cuz really no one has a social life..unless u make it for urself..we seem to believe that itll come to us
DaCocoBrova
Finally bought a new PSP, but then pushed the demon onto someone else. Jesus.
^^
True.
But...
To say'it could be worse' is useless advice is pretty dumb. Taken literally it might be. But the underlying message is to enjoy what you can when you can and to stop complaining about dumb sh!t.
True.
But...
To say'it could be worse' is useless advice is pretty dumb. Taken literally it might be. But the underlying message is to enjoy what you can when you can and to stop complaining about dumb sh!t.
The Shadow
Member
Freeburn said:
Sounds just like me. I think it started in HS. At least, that's when I'd get the really long bouts of depression. Then once in a while just about everything would put a smile on my face. I actually felt stupid when I'd come down from this "high", because I'd really think everything was grand for absolutely no reason at all. It'd only last a few days though.
Freeburn said:
When I finally realized that I might have an honest to god condition and wasn't just a miserable person, I had a similar feeling. I didn't want to take any of that Prozac stuff. I still feel that way, with the prescription meds, but I've been taking St. John's Wort and it's helped so much. I actually feel normal and don't feel depressed all the time.
Even if you don't want to take the more serious stuff, you should give St. John's Wort a try. I only take 1/2 the recommended dosage and it's made a huge difference for me.
I've been successfully fighting my tendencies towards depression by putting myself under an undue amount of stress. If I keep things fast and hectic, I don't have time to overthink anything. Right now, I'm in a situation where if I let my motivation weaken for even a day, I could lose the good thing I've got going. That's usually all I have to think about to get myself out of bed in the morning (or at night, as my schedule goes).
Then again, this is the first time in my life I've really done something big that I've really wanted. I'm wondering if I'd be depressed at all if I actually tried to stop and smell the roses, but I'm too scared to slow down and find out.
But for now, life is good to excellent.
Then again, this is the first time in my life I've really done something big that I've really wanted. I'm wondering if I'd be depressed at all if I actually tried to stop and smell the roses, but I'm too scared to slow down and find out.
But for now, life is good to excellent.
That on its own is good advice. But to say that one should "always be happy because there's always someone worse off than you" can be turned around as you should never be happy because there's always someone better off than you. Reality is, you're not someone else, you don't live in their world, and it doesn't matter. If my life is crap and I have a lot of bad things going for me and nothing good in my life, thinking about the legless bum on the street corner isn't going to make me feel any better.
On another note, like I said, I've decided recently to improve my life and to start doing things that I've always wanted to do. After I get dressed (yes, I just got out of the shower and am naked as I type), I'm going to go to a music store and buy a guitar as I've wanted to for a while, and start playing (which shouldn't be hard considering I've had years of musical experience with instruments I didn't really care for). I'm going to guilt-trip my dad into buying me a good camera and really get into photography, since my parents have finally acknowledged that they never supported me in discovering my own interests when I was younger (instead my mom forcing me into her goal of me being a violin player) even when I displayed a clear interest in photography at one point. I'm getting a car later this summer, so I'm going to probably go on some road trips. Ever since I took a meteorology class in college I had a real interest and fascination with tornadoes, and I've decided that when the time is right (right time of year, etc) I'm going to do what I've fantasized about doing for a long time and go tornado chasing in one form or another, with my new camera of course. And one of these days, I'm going to go sky-diving. And so on, and so on. I've been doing nothing for too long, and it's no wonder I've been depressed and apathetic.
MrAngryFace
Banned
My mood is all over the place. I swing from depressed to happy within hours. It frustrates people I work with, but oh well. I think it has to do with my blood sugar.
Plus ive gained a liking for lots of advil to help cope. Yay for depression.
Plus ive gained a liking for lots of advil to help cope. Yay for depression.
way more
Member
No, but several people in my life have become depressed. This girl I dated was diagnosed as being bi-polar and I've made friends with a girl who lost her fiancee'. What I've learned is that saying "cheer up," does not help, what is needed is support, and fun.
I've been reading into how to cope with mourning, and one thing it tells you is that acceptance in not the same as happiness, but it is a step forward and a willingness to cope with reality. Edit: So just because you're not happy as you used to be, don't think it's depression.
So you feel depressed that you will die without leaving your mark on the world? People always want to accomplish more then they can, it's what makes us human. What you should think about is if you really want to be remembered by the history books or by people in your life. I believe once you die, your only presence in the world a hereafter is the memories held by those who knew you. It's those connections you shared with people and the memories that they hold, they are the only things left once you leave.GodsTyro said:
I've been reading into how to cope with mourning, and one thing it tells you is that acceptance in not the same as happiness, but it is a step forward and a willingness to cope with reality. Edit: So just because you're not happy as you used to be, don't think it's depression.
MrAngryFace
Banned
3-4 advil has a nice low level effect. Truth be told the source of my depression is pretty easy for me to discern, however the realization that I cannot do anything about it for a little while yet has driven me to a mild abuse of over-the-counter ever so mild painkillers.
Smiles and Cries
Member
I'm just hungry
Mike Works
Member
I actually don't mind being depressed, because I usually DON'T eat junk food, and it's good to feel those emotions that you usually blank out when you're feeling normal every once in a while. As long as it doesn't last for more than a couple days, I welcome it every couple months.
V
Vennt
Unconfirmed Member
Chemical Imbalance was a fucking great single by a band called "The Skatenigs" - and that was as much as I knew, or had ever heard of the phrase, so to me it just felt like something in my outlook had to change to solve things.
Tackling life with severe optimism, reducing my tendency to over-analyze things, reducing stress inducing circumstances among other things has had as much of a positive benefit on my life, and outlook in far greater a way than I can imagine a prescription drug would have been capable of.
Oh, and having kids too, damn does that shake your shit up a bit and put stuff in perspective...(And make having a smoke damn uncomfortable, damn doorstep.)
Freeburn.
Tackling life with severe optimism, reducing my tendency to over-analyze things, reducing stress inducing circumstances among other things has had as much of a positive benefit on my life, and outlook in far greater a way than I can imagine a prescription drug would have been capable of.
Oh, and having kids too, damn does that shake your shit up a bit and put stuff in perspective...(And make having a smoke damn uncomfortable, damn doorstep.
)Freeburn.
MrAngryFace
Banned
Its hard to 'be optimistic' when youre in a pissy mood cause you are completely aware you are deluding yourself.
I think what it comes down to is how much time you spent alone and how much time you have to think. I've found im far less aware of the reality of my situation vs expectations/personel goals when im out with friends doing something.
I cant just BE happy, because when youre depressed, its because YOU CANT BE HAPPY. People who are able to exist in an atmosphere of happy on a consistant basis need to understand that they are as unable to fully grasp depression, as I am to fully grasp consistant happiness.
I think what it comes down to is how much time you spent alone and how much time you have to think. I've found im far less aware of the reality of my situation vs expectations/personel goals when im out with friends doing something.
I cant just BE happy, because when youre depressed, its because YOU CANT BE HAPPY. People who are able to exist in an atmosphere of happy on a consistant basis need to understand that they are as unable to fully grasp depression, as I am to fully grasp consistant happiness.
tree fiddy
Member
I've been depressed for years but as of a few months ago, I've gotten better. You will never understand depression until you experience it first hand. I always thought depressed people just needed to grow a backbone but it's totally not true. Depression is a combination of things(drug use, situations, chemistry, etc.) and not even I can pinpoint the cause of my depression. It's a complicated thing.
In my experience, anti-depressants made me worse off. They were pure evil in my case. But, keep in mind everyone reacts differently to drugs.
Talking with people helps a lot. If you're like me and don't want to talk about your depression with family or friends, see a counsellor or call one of those help lines. It may sound corny but it helps a lot.
Also, I philosophise a lot less these days. Too much of it led to all sorts of pessimistic and cynical thoughts which made me more depressed.
In my experience, anti-depressants made me worse off. They were pure evil in my case. But, keep in mind everyone reacts differently to drugs.
Talking with people helps a lot. If you're like me and don't want to talk about your depression with family or friends, see a counsellor or call one of those help lines. It may sound corny but it helps a lot.
Also, I philosophise a lot less these days. Too much of it led to all sorts of pessimistic and cynical thoughts which made me more depressed.
MrAngryFace
Banned
There's feeling down, and there's depressed. When youre feeling down you can be cheered up. When youre depressed youre generally in it for the long haul, and worst of all, all by yourself. Cause when you are depressed people cant really pull you out of it because its a state of mind that requires a person to essentially fix themselves.
Easier said than done since it SEEMS impossible to understand the positivity of others, and for that reason there's no way out. Whats worse is that some people become so used to being depressed, they work to be so.
I worry sometimes thats where I am right now.
As for philosophy, it can make things worse since it deconstructs the soul of existence into parts which when seperate are utterly meaningless, and thats a bad thing for someone prone to depression. However as a person who suffers constant depression, I am repulsed by the idea that happiness is found at the end of the path of ignorance. There has to be another way, inner peace or some shit.
Easier said than done since it SEEMS impossible to understand the positivity of others, and for that reason there's no way out. Whats worse is that some people become so used to being depressed, they work to be so.
I worry sometimes thats where I am right now.
As for philosophy, it can make things worse since it deconstructs the soul of existence into parts which when seperate are utterly meaningless, and thats a bad thing for someone prone to depression. However as a person who suffers constant depression, I am repulsed by the idea that happiness is found at the end of the path of ignorance. There has to be another way, inner peace or some shit.
MrAngryFace
Banned
For some people its a chemical thing, and hell, that may be my issue. Who has the money for drugs tho argh.
Im gonna stick to the cheap way of just trying to deal with it.
Im gonna stick to the cheap way of just trying to deal with it.
You don't have health insurance, MAF? I know you work full time, your job should offer it. I pay only a $20 copay each month for the medicine.
I'm not saying anti-depressants are the magic solution to depression (though honestly, anyone with serious depression should at least talk to their doctor and discuss methods of treating it somehow), I just don't think they are as evil as everyone thinks; the pain is finding one that jives with your body though. I went through like 2-3 before settling on effexor.
I'm not saying anti-depressants are the magic solution to depression (though honestly, anyone with serious depression should at least talk to their doctor and discuss methods of treating it somehow), I just don't think they are as evil as everyone thinks; the pain is finding one that jives with your body though. I went through like 2-3 before settling on effexor.
MrAngryFace
Banned
No, I work full time hours at a part time position cause of this ass school. They offer part time healthcare, but with all my bills I can afford to dish out extra for that crap right now.
After reading all of this and having my own continual experience (with clinical depression/anxiety) it's obvious that there's one clear answer...me (and the rest of you) just take certain things too seriously and need to totally relax about everything (and while the first thing that comes to mind is "drugs" thatll only cause more problems..as u well know).
Oh, btw, this relaxation technique isnt meant for the insane..that's more difficult to deal with..just those who have control to some extent should find things to do to relax and change their perception of life/existence to match everyone elses.
Oh, btw, this relaxation technique isnt meant for the insane..that's more difficult to deal with..just those who have control to some extent should find things to do to relax and change their perception of life/existence to match everyone elses.
MrAngryFace
Banned
All of us know what we need to do, but the mindset of depression leaves us ill-equipped to actually do what we need to.
Also, I would like to ask the rest of you (given that we created a little group of depressed people here)..would you say that self-image/self-esteem whatever is a BIG contributing part of the depression? cuz i kinda have a theory that it is..perhaps the only part..and there can be things done to cure that in its entirity...cuz ive always kinda thought that if u think ur good looking or have a lot of confidence theres almost no way to be depressed (even if there are established chemical imbalances)
..i dunno if i should expect an honest answer about this tho
..i dunno if i should expect an honest answer about this tho
MrAngryFace said:
Are you reading my mind?!
I've always chalked up my cynicism to the idea that I tend to think more than others about the bigger things in life. A lot of people can get by doing the day-to-day stuff, but when you start thinking about what is beyond all of that, you begin to place less and less importance on yourself. The problem with this is that you have no real ego to back it up, so you end up not only berating others and avoiding relationships with them, but you also feel shitty about yourself and wonder why you would matter to anyone or anything. Its kind of a paradox, but it sucks. Over time, I've learned to hate this feeling and thinking too far into the future about death, ending up in a bad spot, not being successful, and in general just being a complete loser in life.
But, like you said, its hard to believe that happiness may lay in ignorance because its something we've taught ourselves to hate for *years.* The problem with philosophy and such is that once you become aware its hard to go back. No matter how much you convince yourself to go forward and think about things differently, you'll always come to back to those things you philosophize about.
Its likely why so many "smart kids" suffer from depression. Knowledge on the philosophy leve can, in and of itself, be a bane.
MoxManiac said:
Simply put, it actually makes some people *worse.* Not everybody, but some people. These horror stories get around and it makes people afraid. That said, the stories are true, so it makes people apprehensive to take anti-depressants because they might end up even worse than when they started.
GodsTyro said:Also, I would like to ask the rest of you (given that we created a little group of depressed people here)..would you say that self-image/self-esteem whatever is a BIG contributing part of the depression? cuz i kinda have a theory that it is..perhaps the only part..and there can be things done to cure that in its entirity...cuz ive always kinda thought that if u think ur good looking or have a lot of confidence theres almost no way to be depressed (even if there are established chemical imbalances)
..i dunno if i should expect an honest answer about this tho
Yeah, I did have problems with that in high school, but I can tell that what I felt then and what I feel now is completely different. What I felt then I could tolerate. I knew where the feelings were coming from. For the past two years, in college, I've felt on the whole pretty good. Things were going great for me. Then, BAM, it hits for NO reason. And besides, I know people that think they're good looking and act like they have a lot of confidence, but are just as screwed up in reality.
way more
Member
GodsTyro said:Also, I would like to ask the rest of you (given that we created a little group of depressed people here)..would you say that self-image/self-esteem whatever is a BIG contributing part of the depression? cuz i kinda have a theory that it is..perhaps the only part..and there can be things done to cure that in its entirity...cuz ive always kinda thought that if u think ur good looking or have a lot of confidence theres almost no way to be depressed (even if there are established chemical imbalances)
..i dunno if i should expect an honest answer about this tho
I am fucking hot and I still get depressed.
I see what you're saying, but yes attractive people can get depressed, Marilyn Monroe comes to mind. So can rich people, healthy people, and big shots on message boards.
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