Have you ever/ do you suffer(ed) from depression!?

Latchy

Unlike depression ,It doesnt take a chain of events to start a panic attack and some people are so depressed that asking them ' have you ever / do you suffer with depression ' ? will be met with a blank response because trying to explain or put into words how they feel is not possible , but that's part of their depression .

As Abie said words like like ' panic attacks ' and also 'depression ' are bandied about that it's hard at times to understand what's happening to the person .I say so as somebody who has suffered a bit with both at some time in my life but thankfully not of late .

Disease Ridden

No longer wanting to come across as somebody who hasn't a clue what they're talking about(!), I'd just like to ask a question now.

Would anybody here be able to believe that 70% of the population definately suffer/ed from depression at some point? Personally I think that figure is far too high. I would say it should be more around 25%? While I understand that many of you who have posted so far have genuinely suffered from clinical depression at some point, perhaps it is slightly overdiagnosed in the western world? That dosent mean that those who are a case for a genuine diagnosis don't really have it; it means that there are many people out there who dont truly have it but may have been treated as if they did.

Abi

Disease Ridden wrote: »

No longer wanting to come across as somebody who hasn't a clue what they're talking about(!), I'd just like to ask a question now.

Would anybody here be able to believe that 70% of the population definately suffer/ed from depression at some point? Personally I think that figure is far too high. I would say it should be more around 25%? While I understand that many of you who have posted so far have genuinely suffered from clinical depression at some point, perhaps it is slightly overdiagnosed in the western world? That dosent mean that those who are a case for a genuine diagnosis don't really have it; it means that there are many people out there who dont truly have it but may have been treated as if they did.

Are you basing this solely on the poll? the statistics would be slightly flawed, in that this is only a small catchment area. Also, some have marked 'maybe', so some may not have been treated / professionally diagnosed. I really think you should befriend Google, and find out a lot more about the condition. Im not being cheeky about it, just that you might give you some more insight.

wudangclan

i suffered a bad dose in my early twenties,for about 9 months,the type were when i went to sleep i didn't want to wake up.i didn't go the the medication route as it drugs played a big part in getting me into that condition instead i found a cure in meditation.i never got to try the psychotherapy route as the meditaion worked out fine.it requires a bit of effort and is no instant fix but i found happiness therein,

Latchy

Disease Ridden wrote: »

No longer wanting to come across as somebody who hasn't a clue what they're talking about(!), I'd just like to ask a question now.

Would anybody here be able to believe that 70% of the population definately suffer/ed from depression at some point? Personally I think that figure is far too high. I would say it should be more around 25%? While I understand that many of you who have posted so far have genuinely suffered from clinical depression at some point, perhaps it is slightly overdiagnosed in the western world? That dosent mean that those who are a case for a genuine diagnosis don't really have it; it means that there are many people out there who dont truly have it but may have been treated as if they did.

You might have to go back and ask what is depression ? If you were to ask everybody on this forum if they or a member of their family, friends suffered with depression? I would imagine a large % might say yes .Then if you were to ask how many of them were actually diagnosed as such ? you might get only a small % .

Why ? Because as has being mentioned ,not everybody feels they will be taken serious by family ,friends, work colleagues, and can go to a doctor and open up for fear of being a considered ' a burden ' ( not by doctor ) .We do live in a society that expects instant answers to all our problems ,real or imagined and people of other generations were pretty good at 'getting on with it ' because they didn't have any choice .But then I suppose what can seem to be a big problem Magnified ten fold to one person is just a fly in the ointment to another .Those people might have an neurosis which is not nessacarly the same as depression .

Snowie

Disease Ridden wrote: »

How can you know I don't; perhaps I'm just trying to assess the situation from a rational point of view? If I felt I was suffering from depression I'd have to ask myself "how can that be the case, given that there is nothing in my life that is a genuine threat or danger to my well being or survival, as is the case with many people in the world". From the perspective of people living in much worse conditions, surely we have much to be content about?...And I don't just mean the basics of survival, we have enough money to go out and have fun (every now and again), raise children knowing that they will most certainly survive in the world and many other things that arn't available to lots of people in the world.

because if you suffered from it you wouldnt of made the post in the first place because you would understand what depression is like...

wudangclan

Disease Ridden wrote: »

Would anybody here be able to believe that 70% of the population definately suffer/ed from depression at some point? Personally I think that figure is far too high. I would say it should be more around 25%? .

i would imagine that the statistics here would be slightly skewed in that the thread title attracts a higher percantage of people who have suffered depression and would hardly be a reliable indicator of true figures

Kiera

I haven't myself but a very close family was hospitalized because of it. Its an extremely sad illness and heartbreaking to know you cant help the person who is suffering.

My name is URL

I had a panic attack 2 years ago, it was completely out of the blue and I hadn't been feeling stressed or depressed prior to it.

When I went to the hospital (thinking I was having a heart attack, lol) the doc told me what had happened and I felt more embarrassed than I ever had been before.

He explained to me the physiological manifestations of depression and how it can be triggered by seemingly insignificant events, he also explained that you don't need to be 'sad' to be suffering with depression or anxiety and that it can manifest itself in many ways.

Telling my mates that I had an anxiety attack was hard tbh because of the stigma around mental health, but they were cool about it.

I've changed various things in my life now and haven't suffered an anxiety attack since.

Disease Ridden

Snow-Monkey wrote: »

because if you suffered from it you wouldnt of made the post in the first place because you would understand what depression is like...

Okay, I realise that me talking about the fact the people who suffer from depression in this country have all of their physiological needs met, may have come across as a bit insensitive and probably a meaningless statement to those sufferers. I wrote the original post to enquire as to why the supposed rate of depression in this country should be so high, despite the fact that, on paper, our standard of living, as a society, should be near optimal.

I understand that you do/did suffer from clinical depression; many people think they do but actually dont. Yes, its a horrible debillitating illness that robs a person of their ability to get on with life; but the statistics are crazy...the figures, at least in the poll featured here, are far too high.

Yes I googled for other statistics and, while they are admittedly lower, I assume that is because the statistics were compiled by a medical professional and not by use of a poll on a public forum like this, whereby voters might be confused with the definition of depression. Apparently 1 in 10 teenagers in Ireland suffer a major depressive episode; those figures seem more in line with what might be true.

Orla K

I've been depressed for the past 13 (maybe more) years(also I'm only 24), at this stage I don't care what makes me better, I'll take/do whatever the doctors want me to. Since my friend died I have been alot worse, I can't seem to function properly, I don't have a job and can't get one (who would want to hire someone whos miserable), cleaning up is really difficult too. That one sounded stupid when I was typing it but it just overwhelms me and then I end up having (as Stephen Fry put it) a tourettes view of myself.

I would have thought depression is really common. Most the people I know have had it then again most the people I know have had someone close to them die.

kraggy

KStaford wrote: »

Hi OP

Depression is really an illness that can not really be quantified by your yard sticks. It is irrelevant that we have healthcare, work, food etc. Depression at a chemical level, is about depleated serotonin and odd levels of dopomine in the brain. At a psychological level, it can be caused by a lack of vitamin D (lack of sunshine). Alcohol is a major contributor as it affects the chemical balances I speak of above and then there is the fact that a lot of people have some unresolved hurt or sadness in their lives. This will often be a deep rooted cause for drinking/drugging etc. Irish people in particular are emmotionally insecure and not very good at expressing themselves socially. This too can lead to a sense of isolation and a feeling that there is no one to talk to about an issue or just about reality. It is unsurprising to me that many people in the western world (not just Ireland) are depressed these days. Unfortunately, many are put on pills when waht they really need is group / talk therapy, exercise, diet and a new life. Pills are required by some but in reality unfortunately they are severly over prescribed by medical practitioners.

What you refer to above is the bottom rung of Maslow's hierarchy of needs (shelter, security). These are the basics required for survival but as you travel upwards along the hierarchy, Maslow identifies things such as love, belonging, esteem, experience, purpose etc as being of far greater importace to humans than the things you mention.

Just to add to this...

The words "I'm depressed" are bandied about far too casually.

Depression is an illness, not just a state of mind. Some people, when something bad happens them, claim to be depressed when in actual fact they are just pissed off. There's a difference.

As alluded to in the post I've quoted, all the benefits, money, healthcare in the world do not guarantee protection from depression. Because it is an illness, to suggest that such benefits should protect one from depression is the same as suggesting the same things should guarantee protection against cancer. They don't.

And drugs, change of diet, excessive alcohol use, a distressing episode etc are not necessarily needed for somone to develop depression. Depression, like any illness can occur for no apparent reason at all.

I think the most difficult hurdle that people suffering from depression have to meet, besides the horrible experience of dealing with the illness itself, is the social stigma attached to it. Perhaps this is to do with the fact that in the past, such people were deemed to be crazy and locked up with other mental illness patients. However, the main reason, in my opinion, is that no physical wounds are apparent. They cannot put plaster of paris on the mind to make it heal.

Remember, just because you don't see a cast on the person's head, doesn't mean their illness warrants less respect than any other.

Latchy

If you take the meaning out of people life's than they cease to have a goal .If a person loses their job which is the means on which their whole family stucture is based, then a spiral into depression can and does take hold .The feeling of not being in control or having as much say and freedom of choice in your life as you once did can be the trigger. That's not to say people who are working away dont get depressed to ,of course not .But their busy job or career no matter how stressful, allows them to focus ahead and doesn't allow much time to be depressed . This of course is only one other type scenario .

Wurly

Yep - i've had it..

Had your token crap childhood and a few other things thrown into the mix. It was inevitable that it was gonna happen to me. I was very very bad by the time I did something about it.

I was on meds and in counselling for 1.5 - 2 years. I have my life back and I actually want to live now.

The stigma of mental ilness is a disgrace in my opinion and i'm delighted that there is a thread about this here. Also, the poll speaks volumes. Lots of people who have depression think they're the only one so this thread is a blessing.

To anyone reading that feels they may be depressed - its can be a difficult journey but with proper help, you'll be alright. In fact, in my experience, I am now the happiest i've ever been. Like I said, it was inevitable that it was gonna happen to me so im glad it happed when I was younger. Of course, im also glad its over.

I now have a happy life, great family and friends, a wonderful boyfriend and a near constant smile on my face.

The pain of depression is worth the life I have now.

Best of luck to anyone going through it at the moment. Sorry for the ultra soppy post but its a matter close to my heart.:)

flyswatter

I've suffered from it in the past and am on medication. Thats all I have to say really. Don't really feel like discussing it any more on an internet forum.

Abi

Upward Spiral wrote: »

When I went to the hospital (thinking I was having a heart attack, lol) the doc told me what had happened and I felt more embarrassed than I ever had been before.

Thats how I found out too I thought I was having a stroke, and went to the A&E. I thought it was a piss take when the doctor just told me to sit in the corner for a while, nobody seem to be taking it seriously! that made it worse, and I eventually passed out. When I came to, everybody was going on as normal, I was so angry. When the doctor came back, I told him I blacked out he just said 'I know thats the best thing for it'. He asked if I had suffered from depression before, and I told him it comes and goes. Apparently they are linked to depression. He gave me a few pointers before I left, on how to deal with them. I still do get them, but know how to stop it from turning into a full blown attack.

Telling my mates that I had an anxiety attack was hard tbh because of the stigma around mental health, but they were cool about it.

I found it hard to tell anybody, because as frightening as they are - nobody seems to understand how scary it is / how much it hurts (like a stroke). I get so annoyed when somebody uses the word so flippantly.

But if you've ever had one before, you may suffer one again. Its your bodies chosen way of dealing with stress.

* Always keep a paper bag in the house

* Entirely cover your mouth and nose, so no oxeg€n can get into the bag

* Spend as long as it takes for the pain to subside

* Watch for the symptoms you had before the last attack, and go straight for your paper bag before it turns into a full attack. I usually start to get stiff and sore around the neck and shoulders before it starts across the chest.

Over-breathing causes too panic attacks, and the problem is there is too much oxeg€n in your blood. The point of the paper bag is restrict your oxeg€n intake.

Sorry about the long post, but ^^ that is pretty handy to know if you have / may ever get an attack! :pac:

Latchy

Abigayle wrote: »

I found it hard to tell anybody, because as frightening as they are - nobody seems to understand how scary it is / how much it hurts (like a stroke). I get so annoyed when somebody uses the word so flippantly.

But if you've ever had one before, you may suffer one again. Its your bodies chosen way of dealing with stress.

A1 and great advice Abie
.

Disease Ridden

Thanks everybody for the replies so far. I should point out that I realy am not one of the "oh cheer up" brigade, sorry if I came across as that! If people feel the need to speak about anything I think they always should like, bottling things up doesnt help anybody after all.

Eric Cartman

KStaford wrote: »

Bear in mind that there is no "happy life". There is no constant state of euphoria. A lot of people spend a lot of energy looking for this. In reality life is up and down. Its happy, sad, exciting, dull, scary, exhilerating, depressing, boring etc etc and thats pretty normal. Thats the way it is for most and thats the way it should be. Dont waste your time looking for some nirvana that just dont exist.

Have to disagree here, ive never been close to anything that can be called depression, life isnt sad, sad is a relative term , everyone on boards has it better than an awful lot of people in the world, theres no need to be sad/depressed when we have so much, I would consider my life a happy life im not saying people dont have depression, it is a real condition, but denying that somebody can live a life and just be happy is just as bad as saying nobodys really depressed

I have suffered from very severe depression. Infact, I lost my job because of it last year (although I hated my job which only added to my illness)

I've had depressive tendencies since I was very very young, I got bullied in school, I have great parents but I realise now that they are such perfectionists that it probably put pressure on me (no direct pressure) to always be the best, which in itself is a huge responsibility, and worse still when you're not the best at things!!! My dad spent time in St John of Gods for depression too. My mum has always suffered from her nerves and worries about everything.

I worry constantly that I'm not good enough, even though, if you met me you would think I am the most confident person alive and I love to laugh and seem like a very happy person all the time but once I stop and start think about anything, I overthink it and then worry about it. I suffered insomnia for about a year which was just horrible. Thankfully I've never suffered from agoraphobia but I did find it hard to get out of bed in the mornings, fortunately I had no choice as I had a daughter to drop to school. Once I had left the house though I didn't want to go back to it as then I would be alone with my thoughts!

I think what was hardest for me was that I have been through quite a "tragic" event and felt I couldn't break down in front of people so they all thought I was "so strong" and "amazing" when really my insides hurt but I couldn't let anyone see I wasn't as great as they thought so I hid it away from the world!

Thank god I have come out the other side of it alive and very very happy. I still have bad days but as I said to my husband last week, the bad days remind me of how lucky I am that it is only the odd day and not 24/7.

I really think that it's almost impossible to even have an inkling of what depression is like until you go through it which is why I would never get angry at anyone being a bit ignorant on the subject as it's not comprehensible to someone who is happy most of the time!!

Re statistics, according to aware.ie who I'm running the mini marathon for btw!!! 400,000 people in Ireland suffer from depression at any one time which equates to approx 1 in 10 (I think!)

Latchy

A lot of people choose to write about their depressive expierences in poems and song which is why music can and does play a big part in people lives, by helping them express themselfs .As long as we can ( or try ) allow the positives in our lifes to outweigh the negitives and get a balance and perspective ,then we can have some control .But life never was and never will be a bed of roses .Just by typing stufff down as we do helps .

Dudess

Disease Ridden, seriously, cop on. It's an illness (like a physical illness), it's not "feeling blue" - people with seemingly wonderful lives have killed themselves because of depression. Some of the funniest, happiest acting people you could meet... have depression. Abigayle here for one. And Terry (emphasis more on "funniest" ). Numbers only appear high because people aren't afraid to admit to it nowadays. And back in the day, people thought they were adopting a "just get on with it" strategy, but they weren't really - they were self-medicating with drink, and it was manifesting itself in other ways - e.g. through violence.

Of course though, depression can actually be caused by circumstances, environment - e.g. bereavement, abuse, a relationship ending, redundancy - but sometimes there's no reason, a person can simply just have it due to hormones, brain chemicals etc.

Yes, I had depression throughout my teens - it was more than likely hormonal, because since leaving my teens, it's finito (save for a bit of anxiety now and again, but exercise and positive thinking knocks that bad boy on the head).
I can pretty much pinpoint when it started - I was 12 and a half. I went from happy, typical 12-year-old girl, obsessed with clothes, pop music, being old enough to wear make-up, pretty trinkets for my Laura Ashley room, Jackie magazine... to sullen 12-going-on-13-year-old girl wearing only dark, baggy clothes, listening to gloomy indie, becoming disinterested in most stuff, withdrawn, despondent, apathetic, lazy, unmotivated, lethargic.
Obviously, to an outsider it was going to look like typical self-indulgent teenage carry-on but it really wasn't. A huge involuntary change had occurred in me overnight - I felt it, and despite my seemingly couldn't-care-less attitude, I secretly wondered what the **** was wrong with me.

Mine wasn't that serious though and I'm glad, in a way, that I experienced it because it's given me an understanding of such a common illness.

I wonder when a bunch of ****ing ***** (who have never had depression) will come along and say "it's all in the head" etc. Because they will...

IvyTheTerrible

Thankfully I have never had depression, but I know a lot of people who have/had it.

I don't believe it has anything to do with standard of living. Two of my friends who are very successful in their professions are on depression medication. For them, it's not about that.

Saibh

I have never suffered from depression, but I knew of someone who did.

Don't think you can truly understand what they are going through, all you can do is be there for them.

Disease Ridden

To all the people here slating me saying "you dont understand", I actually do understand what depression is like; I know for a fact that I've had it for the past year or so, but in the last week or so I can feel it lifting. All I'm doing is questioning how people, myself included, can feel that way despite the fact that, on the face of it, our lives are better than those nearly any other person has ever lived. And where people will jump in here, saying depression results from a "chemical imbalance" I say "I know, but that imbalance arises out of continous negative thoughts and stress"...I can guarantee you that if a person from a third world country was put into any of our shoes they would much better get on with things, seeing as they realise that the things that stress us out are laughable when looked at closely. Our lives are brilliant compared to most in fairness, even most depressed people should be able to admit that.

orestes

Disease Ridden wrote: »

How can you know I don't; perhaps I'm just trying to assess the situation from a rational point of view? If I felt I was suffering from depression I'd have to ask myself "how can that be the case, given that there is nothing in my life that is a genuine threat or danger to my well being or survival, as is the case with many people in the world". From the perspective of people living in much worse conditions, surely we have much to be content about?...And I don't just mean the basics of survival, we have enough money to go out and have fun (every now and again), raise children knowing that they will most certainly survive in the world and many other things that arn't available to lots of people in the world.

Disease Ridden wrote: »

Look, I've had a good few setbacks myself, felt unreal miserable for a few years. Still do some days. But I never got treatment for it because I couldnt accept that my situations in life were bad enough to warrent treatment. They shouldnt be. I might be coming across that I dont know what depression is but that's just because I'm trying to look at it in a rational light; maybe too rational.

Disease Ridden wrote: »

To all the people here slating me saying "you dont understand", I actually do understand what depression is like; I know for a fact that I've had it for the past year or so, but in the last week or so I can feel it lifting. All I'm doing is questioning how people, myself included, can feel that way despite the fact that, on the face of it, our lives are better than those nearly any other person has ever lived. And where people will jump in here, saying depression results from a "chemical imbalance" I say "I know, but that imbalance arises out of continous negative thoughts and stress"...I can guarantee you that if a person from a third world country was put into any of our shoes they would much better get on with things, seeing as they realise that the things that stress us out are laughable when looked at closely. Our lives are brilliant compared to most in fairness, even most depressed people should be able to admit that.

I'm a post-graduate psychology student in Trinity who is being treated for clinical depression, and I can tell you with 100% confidence that I know that you know absolutely fuck all about depression. Not a single damned thing. And if you would care to discuss this matter "rationally", I suggest you go do some real damned research rather than using the result of a poll on a single thread on an internet forum. Until then, stfu.

The thing that pissed me off most when I was diagnosed was that "ah cheer up, it could be worse, there are plenty of people worse off than you" crap that people who are utterly uninformed on the subject of depression come out with. Do you tell people who broke a leg to look at paraplegics and feel better about themselves? It is a medical illness, and one that is woefully misunderstood in this country.

For anybody in this thread who is thinking they might have had depression, you didn't. If you had real depression you would know it. This isn't meant to sound like a "you don't know what it's like" attempt at garering some sympathy or something, but real depression isn't just feeling down or a bit sad for a while, it's a living hell, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

TL : DR synopsis:

op is wrong and depression is bad

Dudess

Disease Ridden wrote: »

To all the people here slating me saying "you dont understand", I actually do understand what depression is like; I know for a fact that I've had it for the past year or so, but in the last week or so I can feel it lifting. All I'm doing is questioning how people, myself included, can feel that way despite the fact that, on the face of it, our lives are better than those nearly any other person has ever lived. And where people will jump in here, saying depression results from a "chemical imbalance" I say "I know, but that imbalance arises out of continous negative thoughts and stress"...I can guarantee you that if a person from a third world country was put into any of our shoes they would much better get on with things, seeing as they realise that the things that stress us out are laughable when looked at closely. Our lives are brilliant compared to most in fairness, even most depressed people should be able to admit that.

It's an illness, over which you don't have control - like glandular fever... how is that so difficult to comprehend? Brilliant lives - irrelevant. People in third world countries getting on with it - so what? They might still have depression, they may still be killing themselves. Plenty of people get on with it here too when they have depression, because they have to - e.g. women with postnatal depression.

Disease Ridden

Disease Ridden wrote: »

I can guarantee you that if a person from a third world country was put into any of our shoes they would much better get on with things, seeing as they realise that the things that stress us out are laughable when looked at closely. Our lives are brilliant compared to most in fairness, even most depressed people should be able to admit that.

Ok, I was saying, if you don't understand it's not your fault etc etc but this statement has angered me greatly. You have no idea what peoples lives have been like, no idea whatsoever.

Disease Ridden

orestes wrote: »

I'm a post-graduate psychology student in Trinity who is being treated for clinical depression, and I can tell you with 100% confidence that I know that you know absolutely fuck all about depression. Not a single damned thing. And if you would care to discuss this matter "rationally", I suggest you go do some real damned research rather than using the result of a poll on a single thread on an internet forum. Until then, stfu.

This infuriates me to be honest; have a bit of courtesy. I didnt start the thread to slate anybody, I'm just asking a question.

orestes

Disease Ridden wrote: »

This infuriates me to be honest; have a bit of courtesy. I didnt start the thread to slate anybody, I'm just asking a question.

And ignorance infuriates me. If you want a question answered, do the research. Until then, quit talking uninformed idealistic shite

Disease Ridden

Deleted User wrote: »

Ok, I was saying, if you don't understand it's not your fault etc etc but this statement has angered me greatly. You have no idea what peoples lives have been like, no idea whatsoever.

Well I'm sorry. It is impossible for me to know the individual circumstances of everybody and I'm quite sure that lots of you have had tragic episodes in youser lives, but I stand by my statement that we live a life of luxury compared to the rest of the world. Next, cue somebody saying "it dosent matter how much you have, you can still get depressed"...I KNOW...but shouldnt having these things allow people a greater chance at not having depression than not having them would? I know that if I lived in a country where my family were dying before my eyes of diseases or starvation I would be infuriated looking at the western world with half the population complaining about depression while they have enough to eat etc. Again, I know that I've had depression in the last year and to be honest it really does make me feel guilty about feeling ungrateful about living here with so much oppurtunity etc.

Dudess

Disease Ridden wrote: »

This infuriates me to be honest; have a bit of courtesy. I didnt start the thread to slate anybody, I'm just asking a question.

Yes, but the way you're wondering how so many of us are/have been depressed in recent years, when life's been so good, indicates you really don't know what you're talking about. It doesn't matter how good life is.

Do you know that, according to studies, during war-time, rates of suicide actually drop? Now how is this the case when life is so harsh? The theory is that war bonds people, makes them rally together, so people are less lonely.

And then there are people who have lived through absolute horror and it just makes them stronger, more resolute and more eager to grab life by the throat and be ultra positive - yet surely they'd be among the ultimate candidates for depression/suicide?

Things aren't always as they seem.

Disease Ridden

Disease Ridden wrote: »

Well I'm sorry. It is impossible for me to know the individual circumstances of everybody and I'm quite sure that lots of you have had tragic episodes in youser lives, but I stand by my statement that we live a life of luxury compared to the rest of the world.................
but shouldnt having these things allow people a greater chance at not having depression than not having them would?

No. If that's your only question then the answer is a definitive NO.

have a nice day.

Disease Ridden

orestes wrote: »

And ignorance infuriates me. If you want a question answered, do the research. Until then, quit talking uninformed idealistic shite

Then please point out where I say something wrong and correct me; dont use your moderator privelages to try to make me look like an idiot; because I assure you I am not.

Dudess

Oh believe me, if I or orestes insult you (and I'm desperately trying not to) we'll get banned from After Hours, possibly by Terry, a man who has had serious depression. So lose the paranoia about "moderator privileges" :rolleyes: Orestes does not moderate After Hours, nor is he "in cahoots" with the After Hours mods.
And you've had it pointed out to you repeatedly where you've said something wrong.

Disease Ridden wrote: »

but shouldnt having these things allow people a greater chance at not having depression than not having them would?

Not necessarily. Does wealth decrease a person's chances of developing cystic fibrosis? No, it's genetic, as is often the case with depression. I use that analogy because mental illness can be comfortably compared to physical illness. In fact I think an awareness campaign doing that very thing might get the point across.

I know that if I lived in a country where my family were dying before my eyes of diseases or starvation I would be infuriated looking at the western world with half the population complaining about depression while they have enough to eat etc.

Christ, will you ever get a grip?! :mad:
If people have depression, they have depression. A person saying (not complaining) they have depression, in the same way as a person saying they have cancer, is not disrespecting those who are starving around the world.

Again, I know that I've had depression in the last year

I very much doubt it - you don't even understand what it is. You think it's moaning and complaining instead of being grateful for what you have.

and to be honest it really does make me feel ungrateful about living here with so much oppurtunity etc.

Pretty much a confirmation that you HAVEN'T had clinical depression.

orestes

Disease Ridden wrote: »

Then please point out where I say something wrong and correct me; dont use your moderator privelages to try to make me look like an idiot; because I assure you I am not.

I am not a moderator on this forum, I am a user here like anyone else. How's that for pointing out where you are wrong? I don't have to try and make you look like an idiot, you're doing a fine job of it all on your own.

Disease Ridden

Dudess wrote: »

Yes, but the way you're wondering how so many of us are/have been depressed in recent years, when life's been so good, indicates you really don't know what you're talking about. It doesn't matter how good life is.

Do you know that, according to studies, during war-time, rates of suicide actually drop? Now how is this the case when life is so harsh? The theory is that war bonds people, makes them rally together, so people are less lonely.

And then there are people who have lived through absolute horror and it just makes them stronger, more resolute and more eager to grab life by the throat and be ultra positive - yet surely they'd be among the ultimate candidates for depression/suicide?

Things aren't always as they seem.

There was also a spike in suicides during the Great Depression in America. And yes, I've heard about the wartime drop in suicde rates; I would have put this down simply to the fact that young men (who make up a large percentage of the suicide commiting population) are being kept busy, and have a goal namely. they are out fighting a common enemy.

javaboy

orestes wrote: »

I can tell you with 100% confidence that I know that you know absolutely fuck all about depression. Not a single damned thing. And if you would care to discuss this matter "rationally", I suggest you go do some real damned research rather than using the result of a poll on a single thread on an internet forum. Until then, stfu.

Cool it a little please.

Disease Ridden

Like I said Dudess, I'm on the up at the minute; made a very big life decision over the last while that was crushing down on me for ages, pummeling me to the ground...robbed me of the last year to be frank. I've had the very real inability to concentrate or apply myself to my college work where I once fcuking excelled, inability to enjoy life, no appetite, suicide iddeation, zero interest in anything, memory loss, an uttery bleak outlook....I swear I have had it. And yes your right, when you're suffering from it you dont care if somebody is worse off than you; it doesnt alleviate your depression...I wont continue because I've already made enemies of enough of yas!! I was just trying to get a debate started as to WHY its the case that having material wealth, collectively, dosent reduce depression levels in a populaton...all I've got is a confirmation by everyone that it simply doesn't.

Dudess

But saying you feel ungrateful is balderdash - it implies a person has control over getting the illness. Studies have actually shown that telling people with depression to remember how badly off other people are, only compounds the illness because it leads to feelings of guilt.

AckwelFoley

There is a world of difference between being depressed and suffering from depression. its the name itself that leads to most of the most common misconceptions about this serious illness.

Alot of people think.. ah, hes got depression.. hes sad .. poor guy, hel snap out of it, lets take him to see a funny movie WRONG.

When Liverpool beatMan United 4 - 1 half the country was depressed.. they didnt suffer from depression, yet sadly, incompitent doctors will prescribe drugs to anyone in my view that are having a low few days.

Depression is when all you are greiving for your entire family that just got wiped out in a car crash and you are left with nobody in the world.. can you imagine that feeling? Well, take out the element of the dead family, they are mad alive and in great shape but you have that feeling of grief inside you that wont go away and can stay there for months on end.. thats depresion.

You could be in croke park with 80,000 people and cheering at a game, yet inside feel hollow and be absolutely all alone, you cant see depression on people, They can be the life of a party, laughing and making ewveryone laugh - and after the party when everyone goes home - cry.

Ive Bi Polar depression (Manic Depression) The Manic is refrence to one side of the mood condition "Mania" and obviously the depression being the other side and more harmful aspect of the disorder. The problem is with people that have this Bi polar (BP) is that they dont have a steady level of seratonin which is responsible for regulation mood, one day - even moment you feel like you have no care in the world, the greatest task is only a mole hill to cross, yet within days the same mole hill can be a mountain to far to cross.

There is no cure for BP Depression just control, the best anyone can do is control it through self awareness, Specialist Medical Monitering, Medication and cognative behavioural therapy.

The Greatest single difficulty with the illness in my opinion is the lack of knowledge with depression, Joe soaps think they know what its like to suffer from depression because if the perception that its "being sad" and because everyone gets sad makes us all think we are experts. The reality is that Depression has nothing to do with being sad, Depression is the feeling unsurmountable grief, agony and anguish.

The reason it kills so many young men is the culture we live in, young men dont know whats wrong with them and think they are weak and just soft and dont want to talk to anyone for fear of being considered a "pussy" This is very difficult to overcome and if a person with BP can get passed their adolesence and into a more mature age where they have the confidence to confide in people there is a better chance to get on the road to stability.

Ive suffered from Bi Polar depression since my teens, it was diagnosed when i was 23 shortly after i had my first serious considerations to commit suicide, although it was not a concerted effort, it was enough for me to finally seek help. That was just the beginning and much worse was to come, but acceptance is the first step.

Dudess

Great post snyper, and so true about the difference between "being depressed" and "having depression".

Y'know, when I had depression, I didn't even feel "sad" per sé. Horrendously negative thoughts yes, no hope, the feeling nothing good would ever happen for me again, major lack of interest in stuff that previously held huge interest for me... then there was the physical side: indescribable exhaustion yet being unable to sleep, aches and heaviness everywhere - climbing the steps to the top deck of the bus was a monumental task, it used to finish me. Absolutely zero appetite - I got frighteningly thin.

All of this caused me great upset and anxiety all right, but "sadness" as a symptom of my depression - it wasn't really there...

Sometimes people actually don't feel anything when they have depression, just a "numbness"...

Disease Ridden

Right, if I apologised to yous for looking at things or explaining things in the wrong way will yous accept? :pac:

Dudess, Orestes, Abigayle, Snow Monkey, Whoopsadaisydoodles and others : None of you's know me and so dont know what might be going through my mind every day. To be honest, when I started this thread I was half trying to delude myself that I have nothing worng with me anymore, I was trying to think as many non-depressed people think.

Dudess

That thought occurred to me just now - people with depression can often feel guilty for having it, they can wonder to themselves why the **** they're so miserable when their lives are pretty darn sweet. I was like that.

Sorry for getting cross with you...

AckwelFoley

I openly tell people i have depression, ive had people tell me to fcuk off and laugh when i tell them because the see me as Mr Fun Guy and sur hes a great laugh... but the inside tells different tale.

After the break up of a relationship of 8 years i had in July 07 it put me into an uncontrolable spiral downwards, people seen me as the guy that was "great craic" when i was out and ironocally pulled more women in the following 4 months than i did in me teens, because i seemed do upbeat and great craic.. problem was that between those "false highs" of nights out, drinking, sex and the craic, i was an empty shell, i lost 3 stone,locked myself into the toilet in work and would spend an hour crying - go on the internet, make funny posts, in a few more hours lock myself into the toilet to cry again and by october i had enough.. wont go into the details of what happened but i had a short sejour in hospital and was out from work for 3 months. Drinking is a demon when you are in this state, ive seen people fall into the same trap. You need to go cold turkey and grab the bull by the horns (i was going to say bite the bullet! ) and get help. All the medicine, doctors and friends cant help if you dont want to help yourself.

The reason i am so open about it with people around me is to try and diminish the "shame" in it that it might just relate to some one ive said it to and help them come to the conclusion.. oh.. sh!t.. Brian has depression.. Perhaps its ok to get help..



Yea... snyper cries. Who'd believe it!

Abi

Disease Ridden wrote: »

Right, if I apologised to yous for looking at things or explaining things in the wrong way will yous accept? :pac:

Dudess, Orestes, Abigayle, Snow Monkey, Whoopsadaisydoodles and others : None of you's know me and so dont know what might be going through my mind every day. To be honest, when I started this thread I was half trying to delude myself that I have nothing worng with me anymore, I was trying to think as many non-depressed people think.

You dont have to apologise, I wasnt angry. More frustrated though. If you do feel depressed, do go to your doctor. You dont have to be living in poverty to be depressed, you only have to be human to qualify.

orestes

snyper wrote: »

I openly tell people i have depression, ive had people tell me to fcuk off and laugh when i tell them because the see me as Mr Fun Guy and sur hes a great laugh... but the inside tells different tale.

After the break up of a relationship of 8 years i had in July 07 it put me into an uncontrolable spiral downwards, people seen me as the guy that was "great craic" when i was out and ironocally pulled more women in the following 4 months than i did in me teens, because i seemed do upbeat and great craic.. problem was that between those "false highs" of nights out, drinking, sex and the craic, i was an empty shell, i lost 3 stone,locked myself into the toilet in work and would spend an hour crying - go on the internet, make funny posts, in a few more hours lock myself into the toilet to cry again and by october i had enough.. wont go into the details of what happened but i had a short sejour in hospital and was out from work for 3 months. Drinking is a demon when you are in this state, ive seen people fall into the same trap. You need to go cold turkey and grab the bull by the horns (i was going to say bite the bullet! ) and get help. All the medicine, doctors and friends cant help if you dont want to help yourself.

The reason i am so open about it with people around me is to try and diminish the "shame" in it that it might just relate to some one ive said it to and help them come to the conclusion.. oh.. sh!t.. Brian has depression.. Perhaps its ok to get help..



Yea... snyper cries. Who'd believe it!

Great post again Snyper, particularly the part in bold, I'm the same way myself an am open about it to people to try and remove the stigma associated with depression in this country. I don't bang on about it or use it as an excuse for my actions or anything, but if it comes up and is relevant I won't shy away from it or feel guilty about talking about it or anything.

Disease Ridden

Dudess wrote: »

That thought occurred to me just now - people with depression can often feel guilty for having it, they can wonder to themselves why the **** they're so miserable when their lives are pretty darn sweet. I was like that.

Sorry for getting cross with you...

Thats really it; its impossible to will yourself to appreciate or enjoy your life and it makes you feel guilty, does anybody else get that? I find it very frustrating

orestes

Disease Ridden wrote: »

Thats really it; its impossible to will yourself to appreciate or enjoy your life and it makes you feel guilty, does anybody else get that? I find it very frustrating

Yes, I know where you're coming from now man.

Sorry for losing my temper a bit, this is a fairly emotive topic for me for various reasons, my apologies

Dudess

Dudess wrote: »

That thought occurred to me just now - people with depression can often feel guilty for having it, they can wonder to themselves why the **** they're so miserable when their lives are pretty darn sweet. I was like that.

Sorry for getting cross with you...

yeh I feel pretty crappy too but if you have a look at your arguments I guess you'll understand why we were getting defensice. And as above, it is normal for people to think, why the hell can't I be happy when my life is so good. I think like that alot which is why I know that it's not about material things, if it was, I would be a very happy person, inside and out.

Sorry that we were mean to you

I hope you feel better, it's nothing to be ashamed about