Depression?

[dsmops2003]

Low dose Lamotrigine(Lamictal) + bupropion(Wellbutrin xl) helped someone I know.

 

[Griffolion]

People will hate me for this, but some psychiatrists believe that depression is a CHOICE. We choose it as the best way we know to fix a problem. Depression helps us avoid problems directly, stifles anger, gets us sympathy, gets us out of doing what we don't want to do, and allows others to help us. I sort of agree with this.

Depression is caused by depressive thoughts. Its not biological.

Here's a source.
http://www.wglasser.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=28

Also, my avatar suffers from depression, so I'm kind of an expert.

Depression is not caused by depressive thoughts. Maybe being slightly depressed is, but I'm talking about Depression as in the condition. It's caused by events, or just a chemical imbalance, or in cases like mine fairly severe anxiety. But saying that people cause they're own depression is incredibly insulting, and I must say I take that quite personally. Depression isn't something you would chose. Nor something that you would even wish upon someone else.

Totally agree Sarkule.

 

[Hazy]

and have met a lot of people that think people should just get over it. I'm just wondering what people think about it?

Well, depression isn't something you can just "get over" and it instantly evaporates into thin air.
It lingers, and as stated above, that's just about the worst thing you can tell someone who is depressed.

As for me, I fell into a deep depression around... two years ago. My friends were offing themselves one by one, or drive-bys were doing it for them, and I completely lost the ambition to do anything anymore. Not quite suicidal, just apathetic to my entire existence. My parents hated each other (they still do,) I was in danger of failing the school year (for reasons attributed to attendance,) I couldn't get any sleep, couldn't get out of bed without sobbing, and I felt like the world had completely lost it's mind. It wasn't easy, it wasn't fun, and I don't want to go back there again.

If it's any consolation, this picture might put your mind at ease:

[sub]You'll get past this.[/sub]​

 

[Azure Sky]

I have suffered from Disthymia for years, although its only been diagnosed recently.
Really not pleasant, but meh, I have learned to deal with it.

Wiki exerpt for the people that are interested.

Spoiler

Dysthymia is a chronic long-lasting form of depression sharing many characteristic symptoms of major depressive disorder (in the form of the melancholic depression subtype) These symptoms tend to be less severe but do fluctuate in intensity. To be diagnosed, an adult must experience 2 or more of the following symptoms for at least two years:

* Feelings of hopelessness
* Insomnia or hypersomnia
* Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions
* Low energy or fatigue
* Low self-esteem
* Poor appetite or overeating.
* Irritability.

Generally shouldn't take academic info off Wiki since the same person has probably authored the Battlestar Gallatica episode list on said site. But whoever wrote that as *generally* got it right.

Disthymia tends to be a bout of depression lasting *roughly* 2 years that never comes back after its done with. If its recurring then its probably not disthymia.

Well, it looked correct enough to use, so I just ran with it.

Also, all the experts I have spoken to said nothing about how long it lasts.
If it helps, I was diagnosed with it... 6 months to 1 year ago, and I have felt pretty much the same for at least 5+ years.

 

[Brutus03]

The worst side effect of depression for me was the loss of my ambition to learn things and isolating myself from human contact for a long time. I'm trying to regain my willingness to learn. I'm posting more than 1 sentence on the escapist now and that shows I'm improving a bit.

Recovering what you lost due to depression is the hardest thing.

 

[Robyrt]

There's a lot of confusion because the same word is used for depression (the emotion) and depression (the medical condition). One is a normal condition for teenagers that you will probably get over in a little while, just by growing up and gaining some perspective. One is a serious issue of indeterminate length that is no more "your fault" than diabetes.

Medication sometimes works, so definitely try that, but not everybody responds well to it. I'd also suggest explaining the situation to some close friends, if they don't already know, and see if they can provide any personal input.

 

[TheLoneSeeker]

I suffer from manic depression and anxiety, came to a head a few years back when I had a massive panic attack and basically broke down. Cost me a relationship last year, and I had to split my final year of school over two years due to the amount of time I had to miss. My doctors wanted to put me on medication, but I turned it down (never really been a fan of medication of any sort, I don't like the thought of depending on it) and I'm doing my best to cope with it on my own.

I've seen what its done to my dad (he suffers severe manic depression), and to me in the past (it cost me a great relationship last year), and I guess I just try and remind myself of the mistakes I made then, and distance myself from people if I feel I'm going to make them again.

 

[Sarkule]

I suffer from manic depression and anxiety, came to a head a few years back when I had a massive panic attack and basically broke down. Cost me a relationship last year, and I had to split my final year of school over two years due to the amount of time I had to miss. My doctors wanted to put me on medication, but I turned it down (never really been a fan of medication of any sort, I don't like the thought of depending on it) and I'm doing my best to cope with it on my own.

I've seen what its done to my dad (he suffers severe manic depression), and to me in the past (it cost me a great relationship last year), and I guess I just try and remind myself of the mistakes I made then, and distance myself from people if I feel I'm going to make them again.

I personally think that medication would be a good thing. It doesn't fix it completely for you, but it gives you enough that you can put more energy into recovering from it. And just ask for a fairly mild medication, perhaps Lovan?

 

[Riobux]

If it's any consolation, this picture might put your mind at ease:

[sub]You'll get past this.[/sub]​

I'll take that picture and raise it by one t-shirt.

http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=ASW-PANDA&Category_Code=ASW#pic

Now among all the bad things today, I have the shirt I wanted to buy going out of stock before I had a chance to buy it to add to the list. Thanks.

 

[Sarkule]

If it's any consolation, this picture might put your mind at ease:

[sub]You'll get past this.[/sub]​

I'll take that picture and raise it by one t-shirt.

http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=ASW-PANDA&Category_Code=ASW#pic

Now among all the bad things today, I have the shirt I wanted to buy going out of stock before I had a chance to buy it to add to the list. Thanks.

That is an incredibly depressing shirt :O
Those poor pandas O.O

 

[Elle-Jai]

I have suffered from Disthymia for years, although its only been diagnosed recently.
Really not pleasant, but meh, I have learned to deal with it.

Wiki exerpt for the people that are interested.

Spoiler

Dysthymia is a chronic long-lasting form of depression sharing many characteristic symptoms of major depressive disorder (in the form of the melancholic depression subtype) These symptoms tend to be less severe but do fluctuate in intensity. To be diagnosed, an adult must experience 2 or more of the following symptoms for at least two years:

* Feelings of hopelessness
* Insomnia or hypersomnia
* Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions
* Low energy or fatigue
* Low self-esteem
* Poor appetite or overeating.
* Irritability.

Generally shouldn't take academic info off Wiki since the same person has probably authored the Battlestar Gallatica episode list on said site. But whoever wrote that as *generally* got it right.

Disthymia tends to be a bout of depression lasting *roughly* 2 years that never comes back after its done with. If its recurring then its probably not disthymia.

Well, it looked correct enough to use, so I just ran with it.

Also, all the experts I have spoken to said nothing about how long it lasts.
If it helps, I was diagnosed with it... 6 months to 1 year ago, and I have felt pretty much the same for at least 5+ years.

Isn't Dysthymia meant to be a pervasive low mood? Meaning not quite as "severe" or as "low" as depression (which tends to cycle), but more constantly low/flat?

And I saw "irritability" in that list, young man. Don't get comfortable with the label.

 

[Nbasa Whiteye]

Funny how this topic appeared exactly now. Somebody in my life already has depression and she is much better now but I saw what she had to go through and I couldn't help her in any way except just talk with her. She always said that I didn't understand and I knew that was true.
Well now I think I know what she went through. The last couple of weeks I've been going through pretty much the same thing as she did, same feelings, same everything. Part of my being on this site is because it is one of the rare things that can keep my mind occupied enough so these feelings and thoughts don't take full control over my mind.
Anyway I'm going to the doctors in a couple of days. And anyone who says depression is a matter of choice is talking out his a**.

 

[Azure Sky]

I have suffered from Disthymia for years, although its only been diagnosed recently.
Really not pleasant, but meh, I have learned to deal with it.

Wiki exerpt for the people that are interested.

Spoiler

Dysthymia is a chronic long-lasting form of depression sharing many characteristic symptoms of major depressive disorder (in the form of the melancholic depression subtype) These symptoms tend to be less severe but do fluctuate in intensity. To be diagnosed, an adult must experience 2 or more of the following symptoms for at least two years:

* Feelings of hopelessness
* Insomnia or hypersomnia
* Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions
* Low energy or fatigue
* Low self-esteem
* Poor appetite or overeating.
* Irritability.

Generally shouldn't take academic info off Wiki since the same person has probably authored the Battlestar Gallatica episode list on said site. But whoever wrote that as *generally* got it right.

Disthymia tends to be a bout of depression lasting *roughly* 2 years that never comes back after its done with. If its recurring then its probably not disthymia.

Well, it looked correct enough to use, so I just ran with it.

Also, all the experts I have spoken to said nothing about how long it lasts.
If it helps, I was diagnosed with it... 6 months to 1 year ago, and I have felt pretty much the same for at least 5+ years.

Isn't Dysthymia meant to be a pervasive low mood? Meaning not quite as "severe" or as "low" as depression (which tends to cycle), but more constantly low/flat?

And I saw "irritability" in that list, young man. Don't get comfortable with the label.

I am what I am? ^.^

 

[iLikeHippos]

Wow, I didn't know there were multiple kinds of depressions. I've only experienced some levels of it though.

One made me almost cry in public at several occurrences. I whole heartily blame Nihilism for it.
It can go to Hell.

Another one just made me mopey 24/7. I was forced to take "happy pills" for it.
Had do cut back in 6 months of time because I felt they didn't do very much.

 

[Lemon Of Life]

Dang, I've never been depressed, though I've known members of my family succumb to it. You've only got one life mate, nothing's important enough to ruin it for you.

Chin up.

 

[etherlance]

well how about you get up from your table, take off your dress and end this little tea party!!

sorry to be the one to say it but no one in the world really gives a shit if your depressed so you have two choices:

1. live with it and move on
2. cheer the hell up and and put away the happy pills

this is coming from a guy who has lived with a depressed room mate for 1 and a half years and i said the same thing to her.

 

[Amazon warrior]

I've had bouts of depression on and off since I was a teenager and generally they've been related to external events (e.g., being bullied at school, relationship problems, losing my father); the treatment has usually been counselling of some sort. When my dad died, I was working in a total dead-end job that I loathed and was deeply unhappy and felt absolutely powerless, even though that point of my life (just after uni) should have been full of potential. It was the only time I've been prescribed anti-depressants (Prozac), which just numbed all my emotions. I quit the shite job and lived at home with my mum for a few months (it didn't really help), then ended up getting a job teaching English in Japan for a year. That helped to snap me out of it because suddenly I had something to focus on and felt like I had control of my life again.

My most recent depressive period was the first 18-24 months of my current job. I live and work in Germany now, and when I first arrived I was thrown out of my first apartment after two days thanks to my landlady's crazy father, and ended up living with my boss for a month while I looked for somewhere else to live. HR were unhelpful in the extreme and the people I work with couldn't have cared less and were (are) extremely cliquey and unwelcoming. All this coupled with being apart from my boyfriend of the time meant that I spent a lot of time despising Germany, the people I work with and myself for ending up in this situation. My solution for this was to put my head down and push back - I focussed hard on my work (which at least I enjoyed) as a displacement activity and tried not to think about my situation too closely (with varying degrees of success). Slowly I found friends and have carved out a place and some grudging respect here, but it hasn't been at all easy and was only possible because I'm fantastically stubborn when I get going - I didn't want to let the bastards beat me down. Anyway, my attitude now is "Screw 'em." Next year I'm planning to quit this job, freelance instead and go travelling: just myself, a backpack, a netbook, and the world. Take that, bitches!

 

[Conkzerton]

I've had depression for as long as I remember, recently I was sent for CBT but it didn't end well. Its not what I want, I'd get "better" right now if I could, but you all know its not easy. I found one of the worst things you can do for someone suffering with depression is to tell them to "cheer up". For me, it just increased the feeling of isolation, it feels like they just don't understand. I'm sure they mean for the best, but sometimes you get that attitude of "people with depression are daft, they need to get a life".
Its frustrating.. All the best to everyone here with it, we've just got to keep going

 

[Elle-Jai]

I am what I am? ^.^

What you are is copping out. Step forward.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

I have it myself and it is not fun, there are a lot of people who can't stand it who think i just complain a lot, its very annoying.