Care To Share?

[Guest]

Funny how when I tell people I have depresssion, they look at me and say "But you always seem so happy!".

Same here, Abby. It's a job educating others about it.

Here's the thread for those who haven't seen it. Lots to wade through but much gold to find.

Perdita

 

[Guest]

Same here, Abby. It's a job educating others about it.

Here's the thread for those who haven't seen it. Lots to wade through but much gold to find.

Perdita

Yep, same for me, too. I'm the life and soul of the party, apparently.

That thread is great and sure as hell helped me at a time of feeling extremely low.

Thank you, all of you, for making this such a wonderful thread. I'm reading everyone's posts and they are all touching me, in one way or another.

Lou

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Same here, Abby. It's a job educating others about it.

Here's the thread for those who haven't seen it. Lots to wade through but much gold to find.

Perdita

Thanks P, funny how the more people you meet, the less alone with this you find you are.
I'll check the link.
Speaking of links, do you think there might be one between creative people and depression? Maybe we can get gov't funds to study it??
~A~

 

[Guest]

Thanks P, funny how the more people you meet, the less alone with this you find you are.
I'll check the link.
Speaking of links, do you think there might be one between creative people and depression? Maybe we can get gov't funds to study it??
~A~

I've always thought that to be the case. Maybe it's because the (us?) creative types tend to think more, and withdraw into ourselves in the process. I know when I'm busy, even doing the most boring of tasks, I'm not sitting and dwelling on things that might be troubling me. When I'm alone and sitting down, trying to be creative, I find it hard to get my mind off things that don't seem well in my little world.

Whereas, in fact, I do lead a very blessed life. I just need to keep reminding myself of that fact.

Lou

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I've always thought that to be the case. Maybe it's because the (us?) creative types tend to think more, and withdraw into ourselves in the process. I know when I'm busy, even doing the most boring of tasks, I'm not sitting and dwelling on things that might be troubling me. When I'm alone and sitting down, trying to be creative, I find it hard to get my mind off things that don't seem well in my little world.

Whereas, in fact, I do lead a very blessed life. I just need to keep reminding myself of that fact.

Lou

Same here love, I grappled with it again last week. It just sort of sits in the shadows and whispers to me sometimes. I told a dear sweet friend who was helping me through it, it's hard to explain, but sometimes I need to be alone with it and do battle. I read a book called "The Beast", by a woman who gave her depression that name. I think its more of a demon to me and every now and then, I have to do a self exorcism. Writing is one of the best ways to do so I think.
And you're right, I too have a blessed life and many good friends here on Lit.
Great thread Lou.
~A~

 

[Guest]

Abby and Lou: There is a link, and it's been studied much. When I was doing a presentation on Byron in college I read Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and The Artistic Temperament by Kay Redfield Jamison. It's excellent, even if you're only interested in the depressive bits.

She also wrote An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness about her own experience, how she (a psychiatrist) needed someone else to tell her she was ill.

Perdita

edit: p.s. there is also much in Shakespeare on the similarities between "the poet, the madman and the lover".

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Thanks again P, I will have to check it out.
~A~

 

[Pornofan420]

post deleted

 

[rgraham666]

Thanks P, funny how the more people you meet, the less alone with this you find you are.
I'll check the link.
Speaking of links, do you think there might be one between creative people and depression? Maybe we can get gov't funds to study it??
~A~

I do believe creative people do suffer from depression more than others.

I think it has to do with the fact that we are more aware of the world than many and often we are more empathetic than many others. Our imagination can imagine the pain of others and it hurts us almost as much as it hurts them.

I also believe that a great contributing factor to our depression is cultural. As Westerners we think that that we are very powerful. It is an unstated truth in our society that we can solve anything. And when things aren't solved, we think it is a matter of weakness and lack of resolve. We think that we are much less than we could be. Than we should be.

I know that was a contributing fact to my illness. In fact it's such a common attitude I sometimes refer to it as "The North American Disease".

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I do believe creative people do suffer from depression more than others.

I think it has to do with the fact that we are more aware of the world than many and often we are more empathetic than many others. Our imagination can imagine the pain of others and it hurts us almost as much as it hurts them.

I also believe that a great contributing factor to our depression is cultural. As Westerners we think that that we are very powerful. It is an unstated truth in our society that we can solve anything. And when things aren't solved, we think it is a matter of weakness and lack of resolve. We think that we are much less than we could be. Than we should be.

I know that was a contributing fact to my illness. In fact it's such a common attitude I sometimes refer to it as "The North American Disease".

Makes perfect sense along with the whole thing of having to be a certain kind of person, live in a certain kind of house, etc. That's why I like being me again, got out of that mind frame and trying desperately to be me again.
Let's toss in some Chronic Fatigue to go with it.
~A~

 

[Svenskaflicka]

I also believe that a great contributing factor to our depression is cultural. As Westerners we think that that we are very powerful. It is an unstated truth in our society that we can solve anything. And when things aren't solved, we think it is a matter of weakness and lack of resolve. We think that we are much less than we could be. Than we should be.

I know that was a contributing fact to my illness. In fact it's such a common attitude I sometimes refer to it as "The North American Disease".

Throw 9 months of dark, cold winter on top of that, and you have The Swedish Disease right there.

 

[Sshafer]

Care to share

I was once told by some one older when I was young and dumb. That when you reach the edge of the obisse you will find yourself. I been to the edge a few times and found it to be true. You cann't lie to yourself when your alone.
P.S I hope no one that knows me reads this. They might belive that I have an I.Q. higher than a monkey.

 

[CharleyH]

I posted something in the No Topic thread, but feared it might get lost and swallowed up there.

I'm always on the lookout for profound inspiration, not only with regard to my writing, but for life in general. I seem to go through a myriad of moods and emotions, in just one day, and sometimes a little snippet I read or hear makes me think about things differently.

Do you have anything you want to share?

Here's what I posted in the No Topic thread...

A friend sent me this...

Michael Collins wrote a fantastic book called, "Carrying the Fire: an astronauts Journey." He orbited the moon whilst Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were on the surface. While orbiting the dark side of the moon, in total darkness and out of radio communication with Earth he wrote,

"I am alone now, truly alone, and absolutely isolated from any known life. I am it. If a count were taken, the score would be three billion plus two over on the other side of the Moon, and one plus God knows what on this side. I feel this powerfully- not as fear or loneliness – but as awareness, anticipation, satisfaction, confidence, almost exultation. I like the feeling."

I think I know what he meant.

Lou

Here's a gal who wakes in the morning and sits and watches the turning of leaves in the wind - I know myself - I know myself well -and can be inspired by the smallest detail, the greatest love, or the most wonderful people. Thanks Lou/ Katie

 

[Guest]

Re: Care to share

I was once told by some one older when I was young and dumb. That when you reach the edge of the obisse you will find yourself. I been to the edge a few times and found it to be true. You cann't lie to yourself when your alone.
P.S I hope no one that knows me reads this. They might belive that I have an I.Q. higher than a monkey.

Sshafer, thank you. You are right, it is very true. When it really comes down to it, who do we have, but ourselves? We might try to fool even our own self at times, but we can't, not really.

I struggle with myself at times - with those inner demons and my memories - but I do like myself. *That*, I think, is the most important thing: I am happy with who I am. I truly didn't realise that until recently.

Here's a gal who wakes in the morning and sits and watches the turning of leaves in the wind - I know myself - I know myself well -and can be inspired by the smallest detail, the greatest love, or the most wonderful people. Thanks Lou/ Katie

Thank you, Charley, that was wonderful. I'm getting to know myself pretty well, too, and I am throroughly enjoying what I'm finding out.

I used to think that people talking about "finding themselves" and "knowing and loving themselves" was a complete load of bollocks. But, I didn't know anything back then, least of all who I was and what I wanted, and even expected, from life. The innocence of youth is a fine thing, but give me the complete awareness of "mature" adulthood, anyday. I'll never forget and ignore my inner child, though, that's what helps to keep me, on the whole, bright and fun-loving.

Katie

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Re: Re: Care To Share?

Here's a gal who wakes in the morning and sits and watches the turning of leaves in the wind - I know myself - I know myself well -and can be inspired by the smallest detail, the greatest love, or the most wonderful people. Thanks Lou/ Katie

I envy you, you are very fortunate indeed.

 

[Pornofan420]

"North American" Depression

<snip>
I also believe that a great contributing factor to our depression is cultural. As Westerners we think that that we are very powerful. It is an unstated truth in our society that we can solve anything. And when things aren't solved, we think it is a matter of weakness and lack of resolve. We think that we are much less than we could be. Than we should be.

I know that was a contributing fact to my illness. In fact it's such a common attitude I sometimes refer to it as "The North American Disease".

Gotta disagree with you on that one. Depression is not limited to North Americans. We merely have a name and diagnosis for it. The SF Chronicle recently ran a piece on how depression and mental illness is endemic in Afghanistan. You can't tell me that survivors of the Rwandan genocide don't suffer depression.

I refuse to believe that the female maquiladora workers just south of Texas (who just want to have an income, even if it means making cheap goods for the American market in an industrial poison/environmental free-fall zone) aren't depressed about the serial killer(s) that have been running around unmolested, leaving a trail of dead female factory workers by the roadside.

I highly recommend The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression as an enlightening book. Even if it were just North America, literally billions of dollars are lost yearly to its effect on people's productivity. As far as beyond U.S. borders:

"Worldwide, including the developing world, depression accounts for more of the disease burden, as calculated by premature death plus healthy life-years lost to disability, than anything else but heart disease. Depression claims more years than war, cancer, and AIDS put together. Other illnesses, from alcoholism to heart disease, mask depression when it causes them; if one takes that into consideration, depression may be the biggest killer on Earth."
-TND, pg. 25

 

[Guest]

Re: "North American" Depression

Gotta disagree with you on that one. Depression is not limited to North Americans. We merely have a name and diagnosis for it. The SF Chronicle recently ran a piece on how depression and mental illness is endemic in Afghanistan. You can't tell me that survivors of the Rwandan genocide don't suffer depression.

I refuse to believe that the female maquiladora workers just south of Texas (who just want to have an income, even if it means making cheap goods for the American market in an industrial poison/environmental free-fall zone) aren't depressed about the serial killer(s) that have been running around unmolested, leaving a trail of dead female factory workers by the roadside.

I highly recommend The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression as an enlightening book. Even if it were just North America, literally billions of dollars are lost yearly to its effect on people's productivity. As far as beyond U.S. borders:

"Worldwide, including the developing world, depression accounts for more of the disease burden, as calculated by premature death plus healthy life-years lost to disability, than anything else but heart disease. Depression claims more years than war, cancer, and AIDS put together. Other illnesses, from alcoholism to heart disease, mask depression when it causes them; if one takes that into consideration, depression may be the biggest killer on Earth."
TND, pg. 25

Thanks, Pornofan, I was thinking the exact same thing earlier, though not in so much detail.

Thanks for the link, too, I'll have to look that up.

Lou - English and former sufferer of depression (yes, I HAVE beaten it... I HAVE sent it away, whelping, with the tail between its legs - feeling very strong and grounded recently ).

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Re: Re: "North American" Depression

Lou - English and former sufferer of depression (yes, I HAVE beaten it... I HAVE sent it away, whelping, with the tail between its legs - feeling very strong and grounded recently ).

Hoping some day to do the same, in the mean time I'll still jump in the puddles and FYI, if I were to meet the Queen, I would just have to ask her what's in her purse!!!

~A~ Inquiring mind

 

[Pornofan420]

You're most Welcome, Lou. BTW, I have never, until seeing your new AV, had such lascivious, depraved thoughts involving the English national flag.

And rgraham666, didn't mean to come off as too aggro and I apologize if I did. Just a close-to-home subject.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, again, Pornofan. This time for sending me off to bed with much more agreeable thoughts on my mind.

(See the "W" thread, and an EVIL pic of Dubya, posted by Abstruse. )

Lou

P.S. Abs, you WILL get there, honey, I can feel it in my water.

 

[Liar]

Re: "North American" Depression

Gotta disagree with you on that one. Depression is not limited to North Americans. We merely have a name and diagnosis for it. The SF Chronicle recently ran a piece on how depression and mental illness is endemic in Afghanistan. You can't tell me that survivors of the Rwandan genocide don't suffer depression.

I refuse to believe that the female maquiladora workers just south of Texas (who just want to have an income, even if it means making cheap goods for the American market in an industrial poison/environmental free-fall zone) aren't depressed about the serial killer(s) that have been running around unmolested, leaving a trail of dead female factory workers by the roadside.

I think you're confusing what he calls "The North American Diseasse" with what you call depression. The people of Afghanistan and Rwanda have all the reason in the world to feel depressed. They have suffered oppression, genocide, gruesome wars, and a lengthy raping of civilisation as we know it. By comparison, we all live blessed and sheltered lives, in wealth, comfort and security for us and our coming generations.

And still we are depressed. That is the NE Disease (ok, it should probably extend to western Europe, SE Asia, Oz, and Rich Dudes In General too, but that would make for a pretty silly name for it... )

I guess sometimes depression finds a reason, instead of is caused by one.

#L

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Let's not forget depression is a chemical imbalance.

 

[shereads]

So Sher,if you would like to, you can jump in the puddles with me or kick the leaves with RG...or we can just hangout here and maybe save a few souls.

I'll be happy to jump in the leaves or kick the puddles, and thanks for the invitation.

As for saving souls, I'll have to pass. I'm certain there isn't a soul in the forum that's in bigger trouble than mine.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I'll be happy to jump in the leaves or kick the puddles, and thanks for the invitation.

As for saving souls, I'll have to pass. I'm certain there isn't a soul in the forum that's in bigger trouble than mine.

Anytime love, and don't be so sure about redemption...it's always possible.

 

[Liar]

Let's not forget depression is a chemical imbalance.

True. I hope I didn't come off as implying that it wasn't, or that those in the western world with depression has a less valid reason. I only tried to say that it is this downward slope and depression when seeminly everything "should be just dandy" that is the western curse.

Now, I'm not a scholar, not even a layman on the subject, but I'd guess that the imalance is dormant in many of us, and that it doesn't take all that much to trigger it. Sometimes nothing at all. The question is, can it also be caused by severe trauma in people that otherwise would not get depressed?

And should I move this over to the depression thread, so that Lou's thread is kept for the inspirational posts?

#L