Clinical depression

[Psyblast]

There once was a time when I viewed people who were "depressed" as just weak. I had a foolishly juvenile "get over it" attitude towards them. I always thought there was nothing THAT major that could drive people so low that they'd need extensive therapy and had suicidal thoughts.

The passage of time has changed my outlook. I no longer view the depressed as weak. I view them as courageous. The battle depression patients have to go through every day is unimaginable to those who don't experience it. People take so many things for granted...for people with depression, something as simple as getting out of bed is often a milestone.

So, if any OSers are dealing with it, or have dealt with it, a hearty shake of the hand to you, my friends. Cherish each day. Love those close to you. Indulge yourselves in happiness. If you can't find it, seek it out. And no matter what, don't give up. Don't ever give up.

[Hooe]

Re: Clinical depression

So, if any OSers are dealing with it, or have dealt with it, a hearty shake of the hand to you, my friends. Cherish each day. Love those close to you. Indulge yourselves in happiness. If you can't find it, seek it out. And no matter what, don't give up. Don't ever give up.

Quoting this part for emphasis. Great post, Psyblast.

For the record, I am actively in treatment for clinical depression. It is tough sledding at times, and I'm still not beyond it per se, but I'm definitely in a much better place than I was a year ago when I first reached out for help.

[p2xgamers]

Re: Clinical depression

Great post. I think suicide, while I can certainly understand the stigma surrounding it the act is often, hmm, not sure how to word it, but I guess I would say that while yeah suicide is stupid some people view it as this awful thing done out of the blue. Most of the time it's something someone battles with for quite a while and often doesn't have someone to talk with, maybe has abusive parents, etc.

Also definitely agree about depression in general, it is a mental thing that is quite difficult to deal with. Although I suppose a depressed person would say that finding happiness isn't possible at times as crazy as that may sound.

[Sublime12089]

Re: Clinical depression

Less than a week ago, my gf, who has battled depression for over a decade, attempted to take her own life after a fight we had. The near year I have been with her has certainly changed my opinion about many related issues also. This was a very timely topic for me, and very in-line with what I have been beginning to feel.

[Scottdau]

Re: Clinical depression

The thing is People that are depressed don't take their own lives. They don't have the energy too. It is when they get help with the depression like Meds for example, that is when they get some engery then some do take their own life. At least that is what happen in my friend's dad case. Also a doctor told that to my wife and I when I got on Meds. Pretty scary stuff.

[Scottdau]

Re: Clinical depression

Less than a week ago, my gf, who has battled depression for over a decade, attempted to take her own life after a fight we had. The near year I have been with her has certainly changed my opinion about many related issues also. This was a very timely topic for me, and very in-line with what I have been beginning to feel.

Sorry to hear that bro. I hope you got some good help.

[Sublime12089]

Re: Clinical depression

Sorry to hear that bro. I hope you got some good help.

Yea, thanks. It is back to therapy and maybe back to the mental institution, depending how things go. I just want her to be alright, you know? I can't understand why she would want to do something like that, even for a moment, but I am trying to be there for her as much as possible.

[Scottdau]

Re: Clinical depression

Yeah that is heavy. Hang in there bro.

[Bighoff]

Re: Clinical depression

Yea, thanks. It is back to therapy and maybe back to the mental institution, depending how things go. I just want her to be alright, you know? I can't understand why she would want to do something like that, even for a moment, but I am trying to be there for her as much as possible.

Being a person who suffers from fairly harsh depression myself the best thing I can say is that you just need to be there for her and be supportive of her in whatever treatment options she's seeking. A person's reasoning for a attempt at suicide most likely it's not just one single thing but multiple things that build up over time and the fight was that kind of last straw type thing that final put her over the top. Depression is a hard thing do deal with on a daily basis but all anyone can do it try their best to make it through. Meds help to a point but it's always best to use both meds and therapy together.

[PVarck31]

Re: Clinical depression

Psy you hit the nail on the head my friend. I have always been leery of making this known on here, mostly because of being a mod and people seeing me as weak, and only a few know it. But what the hell, I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder about a year and a half ago. I have had problems with depression and mania as far back as 2001. It took a combo of psychologist and psychiatrists almost 10 years to get a real diagnosis. I am on a multitude of meds right now. I think they have helped but I still have a long way to go.

It really is an agonizing disease. I'm not looking for for sympathy, but some nights are hard to even get through. I also have a lot of irrational fears and phobia's. I have thought about turning to drugs, hurting myself, or even suicide. If I didn't have my wife who is incredibly supportive I'm not sure if I would be typing this right now. Not mention having OS. Seriously OS has been a God send.

So there. My cat's out of the bag. Finally.

[Bighoff]

Re: Clinical depression

Psy you hit the nail on the head my friend. I have always been leery of making this known on here, mostly because of being a mod and people seeing me as weak, and only a few know it. But what the hell, I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder about a year and a half ago. I have had problems with depression and mania as far back as 2001. It took a combo of psychologist and psychiatrists almost 10 years to get a real diagnosis. I am on a multitude of meds right now. I think they have helped but I still have a long way to go.

It really is an agonizing disease. I'm not looking for for sympathy, but some nights are hard to even get through. I also have a lot of irrational fears and phobia's. I have thought about turning to drugs, hurting myself, or even suicide. If I didn't have my wife who is incredibly supportive I'm not sure if I would be typing this right now. Not mention having OS. Seriously OS has been a God send.

So there. My cat's out of the bag. Finally.

The best thing is that you stuck out the rough times and stuck with finding the right combo of meds and such that work for you. Too many people give up way too soon. I'm some what in the middle of having doubts of ever finding the right mix to get me on something that could be considered even keel.

[Sublime12089]

Re: Clinical depression

Thanks ScottDau, I truly appreciate it.

And yea, Bighoff, she keeps telling me that it is not my fault and that I can't change what is in her head, and if it hadn't been then, it would have been another night. But my thinking is more along the lines of it happened minutes after she slapped me, I said **** you, and left the car. Hard for me not to blame myself. But at this point, the only thing I can do is be better about helping her, which I have always tried to do whatever I can, but she doesn't let me "in" very often.

Also, she hates meds, but is coming to the realization that if she does not want to go back to the institution, she may have to go back on them. Just don't know what to do.

Hang in there 31, It is great that you have such a good support system, in my limited knowledge, that seems to be one of the most important things in situations like these. And if anyone thinks you are weak for that then....... Ban them! ;-)

[Bighoff]

Re: Clinical depression

Also, she hates meds, but is coming to the realization that if she does not want to go back to the institution, she may have to go back on them. Just don't know what to do.

I can sympathize with her on not liking the meds. Staying out of a institution is one of my reasons for staying with the meds. Just be there for her and support her in whatever she does, I know is sounds like a broken record but it's true. I wouldn't be where I'm at right now if it weren't for my room mate being there to help me when I needed it wither i know I needed the help or not.

[Scottdau]

Re: Clinical depression

31, you have a lot to be thankful for, just keep remembering that. Every body has **** they have to deal with. Hang in there bro and keep think going strong. The key is that you know what you have and are getting the right treatment for it.

[SPTO]

Re: Clinical depression

Depression sucks. I've had to deal with it in my high school years to the point of seeing a shrink for a while and taking paxil. Luckily I clawed my way out of it but it's true what they say that you can never truly shake it off as i've had mini relapses since then.

So yeah, going through depression is not a question of weakness in fact, I think it takes a lot of bravery and hard work to get out of those moods.