Depression

[scythe]

Hey guys.
Do you think Depression, or Depressive Disorder, which has now been officially recognized as a Mental Disorder in the DSM-IV, is even worse than cancer?

Many of us have experienced it, and have overcome it...but what about the ones who haven't?
A soccer player in Germany(Goalkeeper) jumped in front of a train and got smothered, because he was depressed.

Depression can strike anyone and at anytime. It is gut wrenching, especially if you are a sensitive person.
Why I consider depression to be such a massive Pain in the Ass is:

1) Because it is very recurrent. It keeps coming and going and is equivalent to that of a slow, painful death.
2) When you are generally depressed, NOTHING seems to go right. Absolutely nothing. You interpret everything thats happening to you, in the light of depression.
3) There is no escape...you feel trapped and helpless..
4) It can maim you, and riddle you of your confidence and mental stability.

So, what do you think? Any depressive episodes that you guys have experienced, please share them here.
Good day.

 

[Waylander]

You picked the right day for this post! (Tax day).

 

[ErictheGed]

Tax days are a bastard! Totally man. I think we have a problem as men, saying "oh, its depression, i can handle this, or else i am weak". I used to think depression was just a buzz-word, a cop-out, you know? I was like "get a grip, who aint depressed!" But its a horrendous condition, that ruins too many peoples experience of life. Robert Enke committed suicide scythe? sh*t i heard he died but i didn't know that. There you go, a guy playing for his country at the highest level, living what we imagine to be the dream. If it got him, it can get anyone. It got me.

 

[scythe]

Tax days are a bastard! Totally man. I think we have a problem as men, saying "oh, its depression, i can handle this, or else i am weak". I used to think depression was just a buzz-word, a cop-out, you know? I was like "get a grip, who aint depressed!" But its a horrendous condition, that ruins too many peoples experience of life. Robert Enke committed suicide scythe? sh*t i heard he died but i didn't know that. There you go, a guy playing for his country at the highest level, living what we imagine to be the dream. If it got him, it can get anyone. It got me.

Yeah, I was shocked to hear that. He would have been Germany's no. 1 for the 2010 WC...
It really makes life unbearable, and it never goes away...it's like the grim reaper stalking you, ready to bring his blade down any second..

 

[UYN]

Hey guys.
Do you think Depression, or Depressive Disorder, which has now been officially recognized as a Mental Disorder in the DSM-IV, is even worse than cancer?

Many of us have experienced it, and have overcome it...but what about the ones who haven't?
A soccer player in Germany(Goalkeeper) jumped in front of a train and got smothered, because he was depressed.

Depression can strike anyone and at anytime. It is gut wrenching, especially if you are a sensitive person.
Why I consider depression to be such a massive Pain in the Ass is:

1) Because it is very recurrent. It keeps coming and going and is equivalent to that of a slow, painful death.
2) When you are generally depressed, NOTHING seems to go right. Absolutely nothing. You interpret everything thats happening to you, in the light of depression.
3) There is no escape...you feel trapped and helpless..
4) It can maim you, and riddle you of your confidence and mental stability.

So, what do you think? Any depressive episodes that you guys have experienced, please share them here.
Good day.

Are you suffering from depression scythe? I have a friend who recently just told us that he was depressed. I really didn't see it coming :S He is managing now though, shrink and what not. Hope you are fine as well

-UYN-

 

[scythe]

Are you suffering from depression scythe? I have a friend who recently just told us that he was depressed. I really didn't see it coming :S He is managing now though, shrink and what not. Hope you are fine as well

-UYN-

The bouts come and go, mate.
One moment, I'm on top of the world, happy as fuck, flying high in the sky....so pleased with my gains, and the fact that I know what I'm going to do in college and in life generally..

And the next moment, I feel really low...upset that I haven't ever had a decent girl, or even held a girl's hand or hugged her...or haven't had my first kiss yet or anything like that...and the fact that my parents have held me back all my life because they are too overprotective.
Sometimes I feel really pathetic.

But fortunately, my best mate helps me through most of these bouts and 'mood swings'

 

[NP97]

Aye brother, I know the feeling. Yesterday I felt fan-fucking-tastic all day. Even though the Penguins lost, lol. Whole day, driving around, singing pretty loud, what a happy day. Then, after I drop my buddy off at his house, BAM! Depression kicks in for no reason. I'm starting to wish there were a place like in 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'. Gotta get this girl outta my head, but she just won't fuck off. It's getting quite irritating. But that's life. Deal with the good and the bad. Just try and remember that there is always someone having a shittier day than you. Life's good, enjoy it.

 

[Gator]

I suffer from manic depression, for which I am medicated and receiving weekly one-on-one therapy. This sounds like what you are going through scythe. You have manic highs where you are, like you said, on top of the world. But then, out of absolutely nowhere, you crash and burn into the gutter. The key is trying to get through the bad days with as little pain as humanly possible. When I feel my mood turning sour, I do whatever I can do to completely immerse myself in something that makes me happy. Whatever that is. For years I decided that that was just the way my mind was programmed. I never wanted to give psychology a chance. But my last crash was a bad one and I made some epically stupid decisions while experiencing it. Enough was enough and I decided that it was something that I could no longer handle on my own. May I suggest you at least consider talking to a professional about it. Now that I am medicated and receiving the therapy, my horrid days are much fewer and much MUCH far between. Additionally, I now feel like I actually DO have control

 

[scythe]

Gator...I don't know what to say, mate. Wow...we certainly have a lot in common.
My parents had suggested that I seek professional help, but I never considered it seriously.
What kind of medication are you taking?
And also, do you think its Bipolar Disorder? It sounds like that..from mania to crash and burn.

 

[ErictheGed]

Could be bi-polar disorder scythe. A good friend of mine was diagnosed with it. One minute up high as a kite, the next down in the depths of despair. I don't know a great deal about it i'm afraid, but i read its being diagnosed more and more, maybe the stresses of modern life.

Your parents just want to make sure you have a good shot at getting set up in life man. Its good to hear you've got direction, with college etc. Is it medicine your going to study? A nice girl will come along soon enough mate, you're obviously a good guy, so don't worry about that. She'll probably be a beauty as well- India always does well in Miss World, lot of stunners over there!

 

[Gator]

Gator...I don't know what to say, mate. Wow...we certainly have a lot in common.
My parents had suggested that I seek professional help, but I never considered it seriously.
What kind of medication are you taking?
And also, do you think its Bipolar Disorder? It sounds like that..from mania to crash and burn.

It's difficult for me to diagnose you because I don't know you. But I have done some reading on the subject ever since I decided to actually care about it. It's my understanding that bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed as such. Bipolar people generally get MAD, not sad. I think that's important to consider. But, self-diagnosis is not the way to go. Really think about talking to a professional, seriously. It's not as bad as you might be thinking. Trust me, I'm probably one of the most stubborn young adults in the state of Florida, and even I easily opened up to my psychologist. I take SSRI medications. I should add that I also suffer from Severe Anxiety Disorder, but that is often synonymous with depressive conditions. If you ever want to talk about this on a more personal level, my PM box is open.

 

[scythe]

Could be bi-polar disorder scythe. A good friend of mine was diagnosed with it. One minute up high as a kite, the next down in the depths of despair. I don't know a great deal about it i'm afraid, but i read its being diagnosed more and more, maybe the stresses of modern life.

Your parents just want to make sure you have a good shot at getting set up in life man. Its good to hear you've got direction, with college etc. Is it medicine your going to study? A nice girl will come along soon enough mate, you're obviously a good guy, so don't worry about that. She'll probably be a beauty as well- India always does well in Miss World, lot of stunners over there!

Well the swings aren't that insane, they come and go, and hang around for sometime. It's not that extreme or completely unbearable..however, I do wish I wouldn't have to wake up one morning feeling happy and content, then the next morning sad and down. It's just an itch that I cannot seem to get rid of.

My parents...well, lets save that for another day. They can't leave me alone for even a second. They have destroyed my self-confidence with their over-protectiveness and obsessions. They never let me go anywhere...IM NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE ONE STEP OUT OF THE HOUSE, EXCEPT IF I HAVE TO GO TO CLASS OR GYM!!!!

Anyway, lets not get into that for now...it'll just piss me off at them even more than I already am.

 

[Gator]

Scythe, try and talk to your parents about it, in a civil and mature way. You never know, maybe they'll start giving you some space. But just remember, they are your parents and they do love you. I think some of you take your relationship with your parents for granted

 

[scythe]

Scythe, try and talk to your parents about it, in a civil and mature way. You never know, maybe they'll start giving you some space. But just remember, they are your parents and they do love you. I think some of you take your relationship with your parents for granted

Haha, you think I haven't tried, like a gazillion times? It's always been ''no!'' or ''absolutely not'' and "We are just trying to protect you"

 

[NSF001]

IM NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE ONE STEP OUT OF THE HOUSE, EXCEPT IF I HAVE TO GO TO CLASS OR GYM!!!!

Ahh, familiar up bringing in some sense. I won't ask for any of your details, I too am ethnically Indian (but now hold a US passport) so I can relate to that on a very personal level. I say, live your life the way you can the moment you get to college. The whole girl thing, yeah I was in that boat for the longest time. My first (real) girlfriend was in College 3rd year, I had never kissed before that too. . Though I learnt a LOT in that relationship and in some sense was caught up to speed with my peers who consistently had gf's.

 

[Mars81]

Hey Scythe, I can imagine how that must feel, before you try going to a psychiatrist, I suggest seeing a counselor (psychologist) first because you might not have a chemical imbalance but rather your problems at home could be the cause of your depression. I am sure when you speak to a counselor he can offer some solutions, and if a counselor says that your parents behavior towards you might be too overbearing, it should make your parents think twice coming from him. Seeing a psychiatrist and being diagnosed chemically imbalanced might be even more of a reason they will try and "protect you" in my opinion, I would say wait on that and see how you feel after your issues between you and your parents, and also the ones within yourself, are resolved. Hope this helps!

 

[pikki]

Everybody has ups and downs they say. But for some it is definitely more extreme than for others. I feel the way you're describing quite often so I think I feel for you too. You're not alone!I think I found the link to my problems. Sadly, it all starts with alcohol. I don't know if you are a binge drinker as well, but it might be something to think about.

I don't consider myself an alcoholic yet, but if I think back, whenever I feel on cloud 9 it's because things have gone well for me on a night of drinking. Of course I can also feel the complete opposite because of the same thing if things go bad! It really benefits and messes up my life at the same time. With women in particular. I know that deep down I am not happy. I get girls, but never the ones I want. I have never been in a proper long term relationship with a girl I truly liked. It makes you feel incomplete.

-Edit- I'm sorry that your parents are so hard on you and controlling. That must really, really suck. You need to talk to them like an adult about it. Show them that you can be mature. If they still don't want to listen to you then I would just cut them off from your emotions. I know it sounds hard but it might be the only way to make them realise. Good luck!

 

[ErictheGed]

I agree with you pikki, booze was definately a major factor in my depression. You say you're not a alcoholic yet- just watch it man, it creeps up on you, real sneaky! I found i was using any excuse to get a drink. Don't know how many "last drinks" i've had, hundreds anyway. Its a major depressant, and sometimes i think the Saudis have the right idea, catch you drinking they chop your head off!

Anyway, back to the topic, Waylander put us onto this site: zenhabits , its a nice kind of general motivation site, including some stuff on fighting depression.

 

[ErictheGed]

Sorry i don't know how to post links properly, that one won't take you anywhere, but it is the name of the site!

 

[Gyrta]

Depression is so hard for a man to understand, if you haven't had it.
Depression is actually a biological and some people are more eager to get depressed than others. It's just in there genes.
Depression isn't accepted as an "illness" and many are ashamed of it, instead of trying to get help they hide it.

I don't think that serious depression can be cured by seeing a shrink. The brain is far too complex and there's a great chance for falling back to bad pattern.
I think it's up to the medical researchers to find a path to cure it. We do know what's causing the depression, but we don't know how to attack it.