Poll: What do you think of depression?

[Outright Villainy]

I knew someone who had it, and yeah, it was suck town. That said, they used it as an excuse for treating people like shit, and that's not on. I'm definitely sympathetic to people with depression, but if they think that gets them a free pass to take it on everyone, well they can fuck right off.

I've seen this happen a few times, but I guess people will use any excuse for bad behaviour.

 

[Jamous]

I suffer from clinical depression, and I have seen a lot of people dismiss depression on the internet. They say that depression is an excuse, or to "just get over it", but I know from experience that depression is very real and not easy to shake off. It seems to me people dismiss depression in order to protect themselves from it, and people that have encountered depression are more accepting of it.

Dear reader, what are your thoughts on this matter?

I have had serious patches which have apparently seemed to point to depression, although I try to avoid self-diagnosis; especially seeing as my mother suffers from it and reads a great deal into psychological health. As such I really haven't a clue as to whether I have or have not genuinely encountered it; though that may just be me second guessing myself. As a mental condition that can seriously screw you up however, I most certainly recognise it. Fucked my family up wonderfully when my mother was suffering. I only question whether or not I have had it personally.

 

[Special Kiz]

Depression has never been so popular it seems. I worry about that fact in general.

 

[WolfThomas]

It's a real condition, though I don't like it when many people self diagnose when they may just being having normal sadness, bereavement or adjustment issues. The key characteristic is the length of time and how pervasive it is. Best treatment for the most severe depression is ECT, some people will definitely disagree, it's a controversial issue to the public (yet surprisingly not to actual doctors /sarcasm). Though the ECT only jolts them out of the depression, you have to maintain the mood with SSRIs and cognitive based therapy.

 

[JMeganSnow]

Self-reinforcing is right. I get depressed because I am depressed. I cannot become un-depressed because I am depressed.

Exactly. And stuff that makes you feel better can actually make it worse in the long run, because you can't sustain the high and when you're not at the high all you can remember is a.) how much work it was to get there and b.) how very little benefit you got out of it. And the chemical changes that take place in your brain are like a rut, constantly redirecting your thoughts to "it didn't last" and "that's all there is?" instead of "I wanna do that again!"

Not to mention that the fact of your depression can completely *cancel* the enjoyment that normal people would get out of normal activities. A normal person who goes out and looks for a job at the end of the day may feel tired and stressed, but at least have some sense of "I accomplished something". A depressed person won't feel that. At all. They'll feel even MORE tired and stressed than usual and all they can think of is that they have to go do this again tomorrow. And the day after. And the day after.

Life can seem pretty impossible when you can't bring yourself to do anything but dwell on problems, because there's ALWAYS another problem. Nothing is ever solved permanently, and the thought of being *slightly less deep* in the hole *ten years from now* is not motivating.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

and when you're not at the high all you can remember is a.) how much work it was to get there

Exactly I am always effected by how much effort it takes just to 'be normal' around my family, at work or at a social event. It's almost like having to act for that time and it's really exhausting. Any pleasure that you could have gained from things is always overridden by the sheer force of will and effort you have to sustain.

 

[SenorNemo]

Depression is a real problem, though the trick is who is really afflicted and who only believes so because they misunderstand what it is, or believe it cool an fashionable. I've known enough people with some variety of it throughout my life to know it's not something to be taken lightly, though being deadly serious about it all the time isn't going to help anybody actually cope with the thing. As for me, I'm pretty sure of my many problems, neither clinical depression nor bipolar are among them. I do seem to have self-esteem issues: I more or less despise myself. Does this lead me to feel depressed sometimes? Definitely. Is this the same thing as actual depression? Nope. I suspect this may lead me to understand it a bit more at least.

 

[Joshimodo]

People who don't understand clinical depression dismiss it as a mood/down state, as if being unhappy was actually being depressed.

I've lived with my unipolar depression for many years. My mother has the same, though hers manifests primarily as anxiety. My oldest sister and my grandmother also suffer with similar veins of depression.

Typically, my depressive episodes manifest as low moods, intense distance from anything, and total loss of interest in things I normally enjoy/am interested in. Similarly to my sister, it occasionally manifests as anger.

Even outside of those episodes, it is difficult to manage. C'est la vie.

 

[Daniel Allsopp]

I don't entirely dismiss it, but I think it is HEAVILY overdiagnosed. I think there are people who do have clinical depression, but there are far more people who are on antidepressants when they really don't need to be.

Also, the fact that babies, children and pets get given antidepressants disgusts me so much that I have lost all faith in the world.

Babies... And pets? What.

I wish it WAS that easy though. I don't even have depression and I still fell for you. Just try doing the thing you enjoy most, except if that happens to be cutting yourself or something, then don't do that, although I may just be getting that from goth stereotyping or something (ramble ramble lol). Anyways, also try you laugh you lose youtube videos and I guess whatever else you can think of excluding suicide (Whoopsy, another stereotype). Also, could you please help me with these stereotypes? I don't want to look like an ignorant asshole. Already looked enough like that with my recent PC fanboyism rant.

I hope that "fell" was a typo and not a confession of love xD. Stereotypes exist for a reason, so I treat them as rough guidelines.

Exactly I am always effected by how much effort it takes just to 'be normal' around my family at work or at a social event. It's almost like having to act for that time and it's really exhausting. Any pleasure that you could have gained from things is always overridden by the sheer force of will and effort you have to sustain.

I'm very quiet and introverted, and make no effort to hide it. I can still play around and smile with my mum, though. I don't have to expend effort unless I am in a social situation with strangers, then I have to force myself to not leave due to the "pressure" I feel. Seriously, socializing with someone I am not comfortable with is like being physically crushed.

 

[UberNoodle]

I tend to ignore it if I don't know the person. I care a little more if I do.
I think a large part of why people tend to dismiss it on the internet is because of the growing fad of people self-diagnosing themselves with mental illness as an excuse for being socially inept. Although it's usually something other than depression that people say they have. Aspergers is a popular one.

But there's also a growing fad of not giving a crap about anybody but yourself, especially on the Net. This coupled with a growing fad of 'knowing everything' and having to tell everybody about it. Anyway, I really don't think that too many people would rather be known as mentally ill than as socially inept. For those that do, they are doing a very real issue a great disservice.

 

[Zyxx]

I use "clinical depression" and "being depressed" to differentiate between a medical condition and a normal emotional response, because the two are different. If being depressed is like having a wet blanket thrown over you, clinical depression is like having a heavy wet blanket made of lead thrown over you and nailed to the ground on all sides.

But yes, clinical depression is a real thing, though I sometimes wonder if it isn't overdiagnosed in my country. Sometimes, it can be resolved through lifestyle changes: reducing stress, eating better, etc. Other times, it is a basic chemical problem, often with a genetic cause, which can only (or best) be resolved through chemical means (medicine). In some cases, a person only needs low-dose medicine, or something to take in emergencies to get him or her through the really bad days.
Any psychiatrist worth his degree will tell you that each case is unique and requires treatment specific to that person: the idea of merely diagnosing an antidepressant to anyone who walks in and says "I feel sad" is dangerously irresponsible.

People who haven't had to suffer with mental illness usually just don't get it. One shouldn't begrudge them their good fortune, but it can certainly be exasperating to here people tell you to "just get over it." If it were that simple; if I could cure myself with a mere act of will, or by cutting off an arm, or by shooting you in the face, you'd best believe I would have done it a long time ago.

 

[Racecarlock]

I wish it WAS that easy though. I don't even have depression and I still fell for you. Just try doing the thing you enjoy most, except if that happens to be cutting yourself or something, then don't do that, although I may just be getting that from goth stereotyping or something (ramble ramble lol). Anyways, also try you laugh you lose youtube videos and I guess whatever else you can think of excluding suicide (Whoopsy, another stereotype). Also, could you please help me with these stereotypes? I don't want to look like an ignorant asshole. Already looked enough like that with my recent PC fanboyism rant.

I hope that "fell" was a typo and not a confession of love xD. Stereotypes exist for a reason, so I treat them as rough guidelines.

*Facepalm* D'OH! That was meant to say "Feel". I feel for you. < That also sounds kind of creepy.

 

[curintedery]

I don't entirely dismiss it, but I think it is HEAVILY overdiagnosed. I think there are people who do have clinical depression, but there are far more people who are on antidepressants when they really don't need to be.

Also, the fact that babies, children and pets get given antidepressants disgusts me so much that I have lost all faith in the world.

Babies... And pets? What.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/magazine/13pets-t.html

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/babies-given-mood-drugs/story-e6freoof-1111118375620

Quietly weep for humanity with me?

 

[Daniel Allsopp]

My girlfriend (for example) is outgoing, she dances, she knows famous people, she basically IS a famous person, etc. and what do I do? I sit around, play video games, and work at a part time job, doing nothing of any particular importance (I'm going to college, but I took a semester off). yet somehow she loves me? Wtf is this?! It's very hard sometimes, because moments that should be fun and memorable turn into awkward situations because I just don't feel right about it (I feel anxious). And it's not like I can hide the fact I feel horrible. It makes things difficult sometimes.

But when you fight through those things, when you sit there and say you'll TRY to beat them, everything changes. For example, I've tried dancing with her, I've done all sorts of crazy shit with her, and slowly but surely she's bringing me out of my shell...... but you need to make the effort first.

You're one hell of a lucky guy. Someone accepted you for what you are and made it their mission to help you and make you into what you could potentially be. I don't believe in god, but if I were as lucky as you I might be tempted to. I had a girlfriend for 3 years, but to be honest, she wasn't exactly happy either. It was a mutually beneficial relationship, and as soon as she saw a better alternative, she took it.

 

[UberNoodle]

I suffer from depression because of the neurological and pain condition on my right hand, neck and torso... I can't sleep properly, I am unable to use my right hand properly and I am in constant pain and most of all I am losing my ability to play video-games... And If someone says that is a bad excuse of not doing stuff because I am depressed, I welcome them to join my world and see how shit it is to live like this, a world in which the simple task of using a spoon/fork/knife or hold pen properly is a fucking achievement...

I take Anti-depressants for 2 reasons, to relax my mind, release tension, help with depression and for the side-effect that the medication has: it increases tolerance for physical pain. I am getting pain counseling an psychological help to live and manage the physical and mental pain.

Tho there is different types of depression. I accept people depression if they really have a problem, but not depression like "My life is OK, I am healthy, I have friends, I have money and I have no real mental/health issues" - aka Emo depression... No one should play being depressed just because they can or want attention, it is not a thing to joke about really, it hurts people, it destroys lives and is a sign of real issues that should be dealt with.


But yeah: If you have a real proper issue to be depressed, I am OK with it, I might even try to help you with it since I know how it feels. But if you want to be depressed because you can or want attention I will slap you and tell you to act like a grown-up...

I agree with what you said here, but I would like to remove the bolded parts because the crux of the matter is not the nature of our outer reality (being healthy, having friends and money, etc), but what our inner reality enables us to experience. It's all chemical, thats why the chemicals used to fight it also mess us up. The only reality we can be sure of is that reality inside our heads. Depression carries with it a level of delusion. A person can have all the happy things in the world yet not be able to see all that.

 

[Nickompoop]

The existence of depression is a bit...depressing.
Heyoo!

But, in all seriousness, it's a legit condition and, while I may not understand it since I've never had depression, I recognize that it's a real condition, and should be treated as such.