Poll: Have you been depressed?

[Mozared]

Depends on your definition of 'depressed' (as demonstrated by your second reply), but yes. I can't really help you though, I don't know how I got over it, if I even did; I just stopped being sad at some point and went first to numb and then to a numb feeling of happiness (the state in which I've been for a year and some more, now), though nothing has really changed in terms of what caused my depression in the first place.

 

[MR T3D]

I used to be sad. then i stopped being sad and became awesome.
true story.

 

[Goodluf]

I quite possibly have manic depression, however I've never been diagnosed with anything more than just plain old vanilla depression. It's something I've battled extensively all my life, and for most of that battle, I was really losing badly. Things do improve, though. Keep your chin up, and have good friends who you've explained everything to, that can support you when you're down. Just remember that the lowest thing you can do is to exploit the concern of your friends to feel good, rely on them when you need someone to help you, not when you want attention. Writing and talking about it, online or off, is a pretty good way of staving off the sharper pangs.

To be honest, I've often just wanted to write about my own depression online, but was afraid what people might make of it. Sad, eh?

Real depression can be a real pain-in-the-ass to deal with, but it's definitely not impossible. I have been dealing with mine for a long time, but it can't defeat me, so to speak. I have good friends who tolerate me and some things do to in my life, so it's not over yet!

Anyway, I think it's quite useful to talk, or in this case, write about your depression. It helps a lot to be able to talk about things.

Though people can be a bit careful about what they tell about themselves to others, so it's not unusual to be afraid to do so, even here. I didn't really post anything "secret" about myself until resently. You can be relatively anonymous in the internet, so you can talk just about anything without getting into too much trouble. And as far as the internet goes, The Escapist is relatively safe and understanding place to write about your problems.

 

[TheEnglishman]

I watched lots of American TV and fell in love with House, I also became obsessed with a girl and formed a good friendship with her. I just really keep busy and try and make people smile.

 

[[Kira Must Die]]

I thing I have insomnia.

I'm depressed, and always so...fucking...tired...

 

[Sad Robot]

No. And I bet that quite a few posters in here who say they have, haven't been truly depressed. Life's too good to be depressed.

While I can't agree with the whole "life's too good to be depressed" argument (it's a complete misunderstanding of the disease), as someone who suffers from depression, I will agree with you that most people who clicked "yes" don't know what they are talking about. Most people have no idea what depression is to begin with. I know, there are different kinds of depression, but feeling a bit down isn't depression. It's more like a form of diabetes unknown to modern medicine. If you can find the right treatment, whatever that may be, you may have a shot at a "normal" life but it's life with a disease, you don't get cured. It doesn't necessarily mean you can't enjoy anything but it does make everything difficult, painful and complicated.

 

[EeveeElectro]

Yeah, I have.
I randomly get it too :/ sucks.
I just sang and forced myself to do things I enjoyed. Talked to my friends and eventually life got better.
Anyway, I'm good with advice if you ever need an ear.

 

[Talyn.Co]

I've had shitty days before where I felt sad for no real reason, everyone does, but that is not depression. That's being human (or being a teenager in most cases). I put no in this poll because I believe there is a big difference between actual depression and the normal mood swings that are just a part of being human. I've seen depression and what it can do to a person, and even on my worst days it was nothing compared to what they had to deal with day after day.

To the OP, go talk to someone about this. A friend or family member. If it's as serious as you say then talk to a psychologist or school counselor. I found that talking about my problems with a counselor really helped me a lot in high school. They also have doctor patient confidentiality (unless suicide or self harm is mentioned) and having someone there to listen and who you know is going to keep your secrets is a great help.

This raises an interesting thought...
I've found that when one is suicidal, it is one of the loneliest moments in ones life...
For there are few you can share it with...
Some people are utterly cold and assume you are merely attention seeking and this helps nothing...
Some people become uncomfortably concerned and/or have no idea how to address the issue, give you too much attention...
And some people become very afraid and you feel bad for ever frightening them.
I found these moments easier to face alone rather than the humiliation entailed with confessing.
Because sometimes you don't need to be locked up in a rubber room... Sometimes you just need a discreet chat with someone who will listen and give a hug.
And sometimes you do need a rubber room.

 

[Xan Krieger]

I found smoking to be effective at treating depression. I once put a gun to my head but thanks to smoking I wasn't quite at that trigger pulling point. Smoking also helped this year when my dad died.

I'm not sure to simply call you unorthodox or straight up declare "TOBACCO COMPANY BOT", but I've never heard someone give so much credit to a drug. Tough live you've had there; keep it up, it doesn't sound like it's going to get much worse from here, given the state of the world.

Yes, I am depressed. I visited facebook to set up an event with some friends, and I found out that every girl that I've ever really liked is currently in a relationship. I haven't been in one since 8th grade when a girl was luring me with sex so that I'd do all her homework. And I haven't kissed a girl since then. Say, what do you recommend, marlboro or virginia slims?

Well here's how my life has been with smoking. My mother smoked as long as I can remember. Then at age 16 I started doing it. I smoked for 2 years then quit. Then when my dad died I immediately started doing it again. I quit after a week. I took a breathing test at th doctor's office and scored a 112%. This is amazing given my smoking and the fact that I have pectus excavatum. What it means is I can breathe 12% better then a person of my height (6'4") and weight (168lbs) should be able to.

 

[Pyro Paul]

no, you didn't used to suffer from clinical depression

I stopped reading, here.

The awful spelling, and using the 'argument' that I'm wrong, to prove that I'm wrong?
Seriously, that's fucked up yo.

It is the internet, so spelling be damned. If I was typing a research essay then I would take more time and read over what I said 3-4 times before submitting what I state. However since such things are some what time consuming I forgo doing it. Further more, through several composition, literacy, and psychological classes, I know for a fact that so long as a majority of the wording is correct then your mind will automatically fill in the gaps unless if you suffer from some sort of cognitive disorder.

I am starting to actually question you're competence in the matter as you don't actually argue against any single point I make but rather try and attack me personally through contrived statements which further bring into question your actual intelligence level.


I don't see in any which way, even with EaSL, which would cause you to come to the conclusion that I?m using the statement 'you're wrong' as the evidence in the argument to prove you wrong...

statement- no, you didn't used to suffer from clinical depression
reasoning- if you feel drained and like a zombie while on anit-depressants then you don't suffer[from it]



So, do you care to try again?
Maybe this time you could fail less...

 

[EscapeGoat_v1legacy]

Yeah, I went through a couple of periods of depression during secondary school, although I'm not too bad now. To be fair, I've been pretty relaxed ever since VIth form, and one teacher I had even commented that it had made me a lot more mellow.

 

[hazabaza1]

Yes. I needed therapy.

 

[axia777]

Yes. I used to be a very depressive person. I use exercise to keep myself up and full of energy. It the only way I know to really defeat it when I get down. Not that I do that much anymore. I do 40 minutes of cardio and 40-50 minutes of weight lifting 5 times a week.

 

[irrelevantnugget]

no, you didn't used to suffer from clinical depression

I stopped reading, here.

The awful spelling, and using the 'argument' that I'm wrong, to prove that I'm wrong?
Seriously, that's fucked up yo.

It is the internet, so spelling be damned. If I was typing a research essay then I would take more time and read over what I said 3-4 times before submitting what I state. However since such things are some what time consuming I forgo doing it. Further more, through several composition, literacy, and psychological classes, I know for a fact that so long as a majority of the wording is correct then your mind will automatically fill in the gaps unless if you suffer from some sort of cognitive disorder.

I am starting to actually question you're competence in the matter as you don't actually argue against any single point I make but rather try and attack me personally through contrived statements which further bring into question your actual intelligence level.


I don't see in any which way, even with EaSL, which would cause you to come to the conclusion that I?m using the statement 'you're wrong' as the evidence in the argument to prove you wrong...

statement- no, you didn't used to suffer from clinical depression
reasoning- if you feel drained and like a zombie while on anit-depressants then you don't suffer[from it]



So, do you care to try again?
Maybe this time you could fail less...

Whoa whoa, mister internet tough guy. Did your dad help you fix the spelling all of a sudden? Sheesh.

I was clinically depressed, period. Why do you refuse to believe that and say that I'm a simple minded person who believes in the very thing I'm denying the whole time?
I also told the OP how I coped with it as a suggestion. Does being able to cope with depression make me a dumb person? Oh, ok.

Also:

Further more, through several composition, literacy, and psychological classes

So textbook knowledge > real life experience? K, sure. Uh huh.

Move along, people.

 

[Pyro Paul]

no, you didn't used to suffer from clinical depression

I stopped reading, here.

The awful spelling, and using the 'argument' that I'm wrong, to prove that I'm wrong?
Seriously, that's fucked up yo.

It is the internet, so spelling be damned. If I was typing a research essay then I would take more time and read over what I said 3-4 times before submitting what I state. However since such things are some what time consuming I forgo doing it. Further more, through several composition, literacy, and psychological classes, I know for a fact that so long as a majority of the wording is correct then your mind will automatically fill in the gaps unless if you suffer from some sort of cognitive disorder.

I am starting to actually question you're competence in the matter as you don't actually argue against any single point I make but rather try and attack me personally through contrived statements which further bring into question your actual intelligence level.


I don't see in any which way, even with EaSL, which would cause you to come to the conclusion that I?m using the statement 'you're wrong' as the evidence in the argument to prove you wrong...

statement- no, you didn't used to suffer from clinical depression
reasoning- if you feel drained and like a zombie while on anit-depressants then you don't suffer[from it]



So, do you care to try again?
Maybe this time you could fail less...

Whoa whoa, mister internet tough guy. Did your dad help you fix the spelling all of a sudden? Sheesh.

I was clinically depressed, period. Why do you refuse to believe that and say that I'm a simple minded person who believes in the very thing I'm denying the whole time?
I also told the OP how I coped with it as a suggestion. Does being able to cope with depression make me a dumb person? Oh, ok.

Good grammar, and its defense, is often only there to serve the purpose of feeling higher than others.

I disagree that you where clinically depressed, as you where diagnosed with it during a time when the definition of 'clinically depressed' was so tangible that near all social induced depressions where ubiquitously attached to it with little to no actual scientific or medical backing to support it. Quiet literally, the only thing that actually diagnosed you with clinically depression was you're word and the way a doctor interpreted it. There was no test at the time based in clear medicine or science in order to clearly prove that you where clinically depressed at all, only words and interpretations.

Based on this, you're suggested coping method is inadequate and borderline criminal negligence. This is because you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, and adherence to this can lead to the physical harm or death of an individual suffering from true clinical depression.

Also:

Further more, through several composition, literacy, and psychological classes

So textbook knowledge > real life experience? K, sure. Uh huh.

Move along, people.

Yes. Textbook knowledge is based on measurable fact.
Your anecdotal evidence is based on your perception which may or may not be adequate to the situation.

From my personal experience with injury, a simple bandage is sufficient for any bleeding injury. But openly assuring individuals that merely to wrap a deep gash which transects the Femoral Artery as being sufficient to staunch bleeding... well that is gross negligence.

There is a reason why science calls ?real life experience? anecdotal evidence?

 

[irrelevantnugget]

Good grammar, and its defense, is often only there to serve the purpose of feeling higher than others.

I disagree that you where clinically depressed, as you where diagnosed with it during a time when the definition of 'clinically depressed' was so tangible that near all social induced depressions where ubiquitously attached to it with little to no actual scientific or medical backing to support it. Quiet literally, the only thing that actually diagnosed you with clinically depression was you're word and the way a doctor interpreted it. There was no test at the time based in clear medicine or science in order to clearly prove that you where clinically depressed at all, only words and interpretations.

Based on this, you're suggested coping method is inadequate and borderline criminal negligence. This is because you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, and adherence to this can lead to the physical harm or death of an individual suffering from true clinical depression.

Oh, so only 2 years ago (arbitrary number of years), psychologists have learned to adequately define people as depressed? And my method works, for me at least. Else I would've offed myself 10 years ago, no? I doubt you've been lying in your bed with a knife, ready to jab it through your heart. Or contemplating jumping out of a window on the 8th floor of an apartment multiple times. I was suicidal for over 3 years, I had no friends to rely on (trust issues since I was 10, my best and only friend betrayed me, I didn't trust people for over 5 years) and no reason to live (until I started defining new goals in life). I don't know about you, but I'd say those are signs of some sort of depression.

And I'm enjoying life now. Got a problem with that or something?

Further more, through several composition, literacy, and psychological classes

So textbook knowledge > real life experience? K, sure. Uh huh.

Move along, people.

Yes. Textbook knowledge is based on measurable fact.
Your anecdotal evidence is based on your perception which may or may not be adequate to the situation.

From my personal experience with injury, a simple bandage is sufficient for any bleeding injury. But openly assuring individuals that merely to wrap a deep gash which transects the Femoral Artery as being sufficient to staunch bleeding... well that is gross negligence.

There is a reason why science calls ?real life experience? anecdotal evidence?

Science? This is social science, NOT exact science, and you should be the one to know that even the most solid theory thinkable can't be 100% correct.

Also, anecdotes? No. Cases, yes.
Cases that are analyzed, and theories are built upon. Of course my theory isn't perfect, I'm not saying it is. But from my perspective and personal experiences, this is what I see as a good help to the OP.

 

[irishstormtrooper]

Probably not. I might even be a heartless bastard, because I don't remember feeling sad or depressed at any of my family's funerals.

 

[quiet_samurai]

No... I'm to stubborn and cocky to get depressed. I've had depressing moments, but I'm not rally an emotional person so i'm able to shake them off fairly quickly.

 

[Taern]

Yes, I'm medically... or is it clincally? Depressed right now.

 

[AWC Viper]

Quite often actually but i find videogames and getting a hug from my partner makes it better, for a while.