Comments, questions, anecdotes (or antidotes) to share?

-- Paulineee (paulineee_@hotmail.com), April 11, 2001

Answers

God, depression is hard. When you're in it, it feels like a character flaw. No one could have convinced me, during my depressive episodes, that it wasn't all my fault and that I couldn't just pull out of it on my own by 'trying harder.' I think that's what's so insidious about telling someone who is depressed that they should just 'snap out of it.' Not only is that truly bad advice, but also it feeds into the way the depressed person feels anyway - subhuman. I feel for you if you're going through that now. I keep it at bay with a combination of St. Johns Wort and exercise (the exercise is the hardest, by far). But nothing is easy about depression. Nothing.

-- Catherine (hinesc@mindspring.com), April 11, 2001.

That's what gets me most, the character flaw thing. Why do even people who really do know better, react that way? Is it something we were taught from childhood in the politically incorrect fifties? Do younger people brought up in a more enlightened, tolerant atmosphere have that bias too?

Depression IS hard enough but I think it helps to be able to look at it dispassionately, especially when you're in it. I for one resisted therapy at first; I've corresponded with people who did the same. We would never hesitate to see a doctor for diabetes or a broken leg.. why do we feel we can heal ourselves of this?

I guess anyone who reads me regularly can look forward to the occasional entry about this (rant or otherwise) because it must be talked about.

-- Pauline (paulinee@colba.net), April 12, 2001.

I could not agree more that it must be talked about. That's one way to dispell the stigma that still surrounds "mental illness." People you know, people just like you, have a psych diagnosis. It's not Them - it's Us. When I'm deep in it, though, I have a hard time talking at all, let alone talking about how bad I feel. I can, though (thank You, God) talk to my husband, who also suffers from depression. We can encourage one another, and that helps tremendously.

-- Catherine (hinesc@mindspring.com), April 13, 2001.

I have been on anti-depressants since 1987 after being clinically, suicidally depressed. Under medication I maintain quite well. Am I ashamed of it ? NO. I would sincerely beg someone in depression to go to the doctor before they get as bad off as I was.

-- Denver doug (ionoi@webtv.net), May 06, 2001.

Hi Paulinee - I've never posted to your forum before, but started reading some of your journal entries, etc after seeing your links from Bob's forum.

I just want to comment on this depression subject. I so appreciate everyone's honest words and I agree with Denver Doug that we should never be ashamed to admit we take antidepressants. I take Prozac and I'll announce it to the world. I am thankful to be on it because it has truly helped me to feel so much better emotionally than I would otherwise. It also helps me not to worry so obsessively. I highly recommend it to others who struggle with depression or obsessive qualities. I think it is truly a gift from God and I'm thankful I live in a day and age where they have so many anti-depressants to choose from. Why go around barely functioning when you can actually feel joy and happiness with a little help from a legal pill? :-)

-- Sandy (sscmack@juno.com), June 14, 2001.

Pretty much how I feel about it, Sandy. And welcome!

-- Pauline (p_brock@hotmail.com), June 15, 2001.