Depression is NOT a Real Disorder

Originally posted by Skid Mark
Thanks for this thread. A lot of people unfortunately think that people suffering from depression are seeking attention and it makes me sick. I guess you really don't understand what it's like until you're there. I wonder if part of the cause is environmental, like the world we live in. The negativity in the world and on the news, and television in general. Getting bombarded by that every day can't be good for you. S&F for you.

If you were/are referring to me I'd like to talk bout it.
The environment (unfortunately) has a role to play with people's behaviour.
It isn't *the* determining factor.

Growing up amongst drug dealers, murderers, gang members, bullies and even worse
ask me how or why I never became ANY of these even though I was surrounded by it?
I've never done drugs AND I don't drink, or smoke.

A person's
-Will
-Determination
-Aptitude
-Efficacy

Is where it's at and these are all derived from: The mind.
We are co-creating our lives based on experiences we've encountered.

I have no doubt the OP, and others have had a hard time in life. (I know I have)
This doesn't give a person the right to kill their self.

Case in point:

A suicidal person is only thinking of their self when the they follow through and do it.
They have just horribly and irreversibly destroyed their families' lives=permanently scarring them.
^^^Please tell me this is the right thing to do.

At this point the Suicidal person says, "But see, you don't know what its like..."
I say: Are you considering their feelings before taking your life?

The answer is NO. (almost always)
If the answer is YES...The person still lives...
No grey area to speak of...It's either XXX or YYY...

Now, IF the person had zero family, and zero collateral damage
Now the situation is different. (although slightly)

On one hand I still believe a person should never take the easy way out...
On the other if they feel only THEY have the right to take their own life and hurt no one in the process?
Who am I, who are you, who is anybody to tell them different?

For those of you that are either desensitized or flat out indifferent to the struggles that people with depression face, let me put it into perspective for you, for all of ATS to understand.

Depression is like Gitmo. You are sent there against your will. It is dark and scary. You are tortured and if you ever get out, you will never be the same. Medication is like solitary confinement. People on the outside don't have to be around you, so they feel as though something has been done. And having people tell us that it is just a phase and we will get over it, or to have people cast us aside when we are the most vulnerable is like waterboarding. We feel like we are drowning, but in reality, the only damage that is being done is psychological.

I cannot blame you for wanting to be away from the depressing and the doom and the gloom. I don't want to live in that world either, nor does anyone in their right mind. But grow up and see that there are real reasons why we are like this. It isn't simply a choice. It is much more complex than that, and the medication alleviates that choice.

My friend has been on medications for three years now and she has been more depressed than ever before. Once she stopped, guess what? She got better. She got a boyfriend. She is going to college. She has her own small business going. She is happy.

She got the help she needed. It wasn't medication, and it certainly wasn't simply waking up one morning and declaring 'I'm going to be happy today.'

I, too, have clinical depression and have been treated for PTSD due to 12 teenage years of mental and physical abuse at the hands of someone who should have been more nurturing.

Anyway, the buildup of all the crap results in me having anhedonia. This is the clinical term for someone who cannot feel emotion. I wish I could FEEL the happiness that I should feel when someone or even myself has something good happen to them.

I wish I could empathize and show compassion for those with problems. But I actually feel nothing. Well except for the anxiety and stress of the depression. And that's pretty much genetic on both sides of the family.

Originally posted by ThichHeaded
reply to post by hisshadow

 

Actually it doesnt.. I played before.. it wasnt fun.. trying to be the best of the best.. it sucked.. it felt like work more than play..

I have also heard of cases where some people have suicided because they couldnt get into thier special guild or something..
I would not suggest this game to someone who is depressed, the game is suck anyway..

Do you see the correlation between this game...
and your outlook on life?

Of all the people who I've come across in this thread claiming depression, it seems they all have this commond thread, they're all serious and take things seriously and take themselves seriously.

News flash, your SELF is #ing with you.

The body you're trapped in is #ing with your mind on purpose because you have chosen to take it seriously, which shows the level of intelligence you possess.

Also, I've seen a lot of "you can't comprehend how it feels unless you've been through it" is a really stupid thing to say given I was feeling my friend's internal state in vivid detail simply because they were near-by. She claims to be depressed and I could definitely see why given how I felt being in her state of awareness.

If you really believe that nobody can comprehend how you feel then you feel alone, but even reading this thread I've picked up on the negativity or lack thereof from people posting from the other end. It's called empathy. Your consciousness is not as private as you think.

Here are my thoughts on the issue. I believe that depression is a diagnosis which is far too readily used as a means to deprive law-abiding citizens of the right to own firearms. I've noticed it especially among friends of mine who are veterans of OIF and Afghanistan who came home with re-adjustment issues and were told that because they sought counseling for stress and anxiety (quite normal for any combat veteran), they were being denied firearms permits in their state. Depression can be defined in many ways, and many folks who occasionally have stress and anxiety from issues that they must deal with every day are not necessarily clinically depressed but the term is a convenient tool for those in authority who want to dis-arm we the people.

I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar, depression and others. I chose to go off of my medications and do it myself.

I have to say, I have never felt better. While I agree that depression is a real disorder, I think with the proper mind state and diligence, things can be overcome without medication. There is a conspiracy within the medical world. Drugs are not the answer for everything, no matter what the pharmaceutical companies will tell you.

Originally posted by starchild10

Originally posted by george_gaz

I really don't want to bring "strong" and "weak" minded into the equation but from the way you explain it I see it as follows:

Depressing stuff on TV. I am weak minded thus get depressed and let it affect me.
Depressing stuff on TV. I am strong minded thus will just get on with it and not let it affect me.

Come on.

We all see the same # that you do. The same depressing TV. We don't all get affected

Wow and double wow. Have you truly not learnt anything from this thread? A colleague was diagnosed with clinical depression. He had a good job and a good family. He was not miserable in any way. He was not depressed by the TV, he was not 'weak minded' - geddit? Then one day he forgot why he was going to a work meeting and that was the start. Of course it can start with feeling down, but many times it comes out of the blue and is not related. Just LISTEN to what people are telling you.
Sheesh....

I hope you know that perception does NOT = reality.
If you disagree let me know I can easily dispose of this myth rather quickly.

2nd, You are pin pointing clinical depression versus situational depression
which is more common.


When I look at the TV and I see death, when I see
people, poor people that do things just to survive, my eyes well up.
Do I dwell on this and let it ruin my entire life. No. why not?

Self preservation of life is missing in depressed people...

The key to understanding depression is to either have it OR
to extensively study it.

Without hesitation this is what it is:
Imagine not *feeling* or having the motivation to live life, not wake up.
Soon...even getting up and out of bed becomes a chore.
Soon after that you sleep in for so long you wish you didn't have to wake up.

The natural instinct of self preservation of life is GONE.
The will to live is absent..."What is the point?" -consumes the mind...


The solution=rather simple in my mind...
Then again my will is limitless which is why I don't have Clinical depression any longer.

Let me join in, I suffer from major depression, suicidal ideation, borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder. I suffer with this alone here, because apparently 'there is nothing wrong with me', and 'its all in my head', because I can hide it so well. I hid it so well when I was in the Army, my section Sgt wasnt aware anything was wrong til I tried to OD on Prozac, because noone believed me it made me hear voices. Because people think its alll BS, i am alone in my crap. I dont take meds because it simply dont work, and I dont wanna be a zombie as a result, and i dont wanna be dependent on drugs the rest of my life.
Like others here, I suffer from bad days and have good days as well. Mine is a mix of both situational and clinical, and some here know my story as to my situational things, but it also runs in my family.
I chose to 'bite the bullet' (no pun intended...) and ride out the bad times alone,especially when something triggers the downward spiral, because thats what i know. I will come on chat and talk to others both here and on Second Life about whats going on in my mind and amazingly, I AM NOT ALONE!!! My peer support in both places are outstanding.
This is what works for me, other people have their ways for combating this monster, my peers and hobbies help me. I distract myself when I feel depressed or suicidal, which can hit me several times a day.

First off, congratulations on being brave and stepping up. Im not agreeing with you, but i do hear you.

And when i say Im not agreeing with you, it means i don't see things quite so single-sided.

Your choice to hear all sides or not brome.

I could tell you my story but i think you've heard enough.

I have been living in severe chronic pain for about four years now. My back is mainly effected, which seems to be part of an arthritic disease that is hard to diagnose. I was severely depressed at one point, when every day was a constant struggle of agony as I had to do everything that everyone else was doing being a college student. The doctors weren't giving me any good painkillers either for a period of time since the proof of pain didnt show up in tests for like 2-3 years. I was in complete agony, with no where to turn. So I naturally turned to alcohol as a pain reliever/ antidepressant. Every single day for months I used to get home from school, get drunk, lay on the floor to relieve the pain, and contemplate suicide. It was to the point where it was becoming the only thing I would think about. I never tried it because I realized it was selfish, and that I would cause so much suffering to those who love me..... Since then, things have gotten a bit better, I have medicine that helps me more, and I have learned to live with my condition better, although you can never really get used to living in pain all the time fully. The biggest thing that has helped me was my understanding of thoughts and existence.. read on..

Depression is totally real. Society ignores anything that has to deal with thoughts, emotions, and mental health. The schools don't teach you how to be happy and healthy, they teach you to become the next middle class working slave. NO ONE in mainstream society helps out with understanding the mind and thoughts. After some searching, I discovered that thoughts were in fact on a much more REAL level than our society admits. In fact, our thoughts ARE are reality, since 99.9 percent of everything is empty space. Check out the book -- The Holographic Universe, and research quantum physics. You start to understand that science is showing us that the physical world is an illusion on one level. The physical world can be used as a tool to condition your mind to think in certain corrupt patterns. We are all born feeling content and at ease. We sleep, and we have no worries of the future. It is our CONDITIONING that makes us worry and stress out. The way society is structured, and the way the keep this important information from us is a huge reason why we feel depressed. So to sum it up, I took back control of my own mind. This is possible for any of you out there who are suicidal or depressed. Realize that all you think you know is bull# from previous conditioning in this illusory world. No matter how much you think you "know". It is important to draw your attention to the NOW. The past is history, and the future is nothing but unreliable guesses, most of which, never come true. The power to feel content, safe, happy, and loved is our birthright. When you learn to control your thoughts, you control your reality. You cannot expect the physical world to cure your depression and suicidal thoughts. You must look within. For more information check out the following books-- The Science of Mind, The Holographic Universe, many books by Deepak Chopra, and also metaphysics and quantum physics information in general. Good luck to you in solving your problems. Email me if you need any advice.

This entire thread is, well, rather depressing.

I remember when we were forced to attend SUICIDE AWARENESS TRAINING. Every quarter we had to attend that briefing. You were happy and chipper and light-hearted, and then you got the briefing. Afterwards, you'd feel sorta depressed and sad and heavy. The training had the *opposite effect* than what was intended.

People who had never even considered suicide suddenly found themselves thinking about it. I speculate that several suicides were probably generated by thoughts prompted by that training. However, probably many more suicides were prevented.

I imagine that most people have been depressed from time to time throughout their lives. My recommendation is to stop eating junk food, do start EXERCISING even if it's only walking, do start getting out into public, and start researching something, like art or whatever interests you. Frequent museums. Start learning a martial art, ---it's never to late. Point is to ENGAGE YOURSELF and challenge yourself. And, most importantly, VOLUNTEER. Go to a homeless shelter and help out in the soup kitchen. Volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Volunteer to visit vets or the elderly in retirement homes.

What you'll soon realize is that a LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE IT WORSE OFF THAN YOU, and that you can matter and make a difference. Plus, you will surely come across some of the rememered magic shared to you by others that you interact with. Connections lead to other connections to more connections... ad infinitum. One of these connections might just surely change your life in a positive way.

You can't sit in your home, eat junk food, watch TV or play video games... and expect Destiny to intervene. Sure, it has happened, but really you need to engage yourself and get out there. Stop worrying about whether depression is an actual disease or psychological condition. Shake yourself out of the rut. Start DOING. Like Nike says: JUST DO IT. --And by "Do it" I don't mean suicide. I mean get out there and exercise, make connections, volunteer.... BECOME A MOVER AND A SHAKER. Help others. Helping others awakens an almost "magical" energy inside of you, around you... and things really do start turning for the better.

I'm glad to see that you are able to deal with your issues without medication, baked. I also believe that the medical industry is involved for money. They use the people who are suffering as lab rats to test their latest concoctions, some of which produce side effects that are far worse than the depression itself. Also, natural herbs and remedies such as cinnamon oil, thyme, etc. have been known to do a far better job when used as part of a daily regimen. The gov'ts of the world know this, but they need to stay in control, hence the Codex Alimentarius issue. In the former Soviet Union, any dis-agreement or even questioning the gov't was considered a mental illness, and it seems like we are going into a similar situation with all of these fancy new names for various "dis-orders" that the pharmaceutical industry is only too happy to provide meds for.

reply to post by george_gaz


I wasn't saying they were weak minded at all. 2nd line.

Ive suffered from anxiety and depression allegedly for the past 5 years.
I feel constant nausea....from the moment i open my eyes until i eventually fall asleep. My doctors have told me that this is due to depression and anxiety...but i am sceptical as none of the hundreds of drugs prescribed have ever helped me.
Im currnetly on anti nausea tablets for people undergoing chemo therapy....they dont work either

I think my depression has materialized because of the way i constantly feel....imagine feeling like your about to throw up for years on end with nothing to help it.
My life has been ruined by my illness....nothing helps and i constantly have suicidal thoughts because of this. I just want my pain and suffering to end

Ive been let down by my doctors and the NHS...all they want to do is shove tons of pills down my throat to make them money...they wont investigate my constant nausea...they say its all in my mind. BUT i have a Hiatus hernia which was found 5 years ago...when my nausea kicked in.

Depression is very real, people who have never experienced it are VERY lucky people. All i can say about it is that depression will end a lot of lives because of not only society but the health care systems in place. When you have no hope what do you do??

Dont worry im not going to kill myself....i think about it at least 3 times a day....for the past 2 years and im still here lol.

Just wanted to join in the discussion: Depression is a real condition. period. Seems most of us here agree with that, in fact, I've never personally known anyone who doubts its existence. Those who experience it, like myself, or witnessed it via a family member suffering with it, like myself, know without question it is a real, treatable condition.

I say treatable, because the alternative horrifies me.

Mine began seasonal when I was very young, maybe 8 or so...crying myself to sleep at night for no reason other than I just felt sad and hopeless. I knew even then that this was a gift from my mother, who suffered through it for most of her life. Thank God she did, and understood it, and helped make sure she did everything possible to help me through it....doctor / medical intervention, psychiatry, counseling, days off from school, whatever I needed when it got really bad.

It dissipated somewhat in high school, and almost non-existent in college, but it was always there...waiting to pounce if I ever let myself into "stinking thinking"...it comes and goes now in my adult life, and I deal with it in a way I would never recommend to anyone else....but to fight it unarmed is an exercise in futility I know from years of experience.

Some common factors about those who suffer from depression:

* A close family member has it as well...there is a genetic link, I'm positive. It may skip a generation sometimes, but it rarely appears in a family unfamiliar with it. Chances are it was undiagnosed somewhere if it appears in normie families.

* The victims are usually above average intelligence...not have to be genius. Although, there is a strong correlation between depression and genius/ high intelligence. Also, drug abuse/ alcoholism may mask a victim's true problem.

* Those with depression really do have an accurate/ realistic view of their life and self awareness. We do not usually mope over non-existent life challenges. It's the everyday monotony that makes us feel hopeless.

Medical intervention is a must. I think suicidal tendencies are the inevitable result of going into battle with severe depression unarmed. Something (drugs) somewhere will be effective enough to at least get you through the really rough cycle and give you a chance to "re-set". For me, depression is all about living to fight another day.

Let me start by saying I do believe that depression is a provable medical condition, despite it being "all in your head." I have suffered through bouts of depression since I was a child, but never sought help in any way. It led me to self medicate, and we all know what happens when you go down that dark road....

Anyways, I am astonished to see how many people on here claim to have chronic anxiety, depression, panic attacks etc. I feel for you, I really do, but I cant help but to wonder a few basic concepts.

1) Why do SOOO many people currently suffer from Depression? Has our species always been this way? If so, how did humans cope with this debilitating problem for thousands of years? Somehow people survived.

2) Is it possibly a new, man made affliction (like cancer), or perhaps its the result of fast paced work environments despite being physically sedentary? Maybe our bodies were designed or evolved to hunt, and be efficient, running miles and miles just to eat a meal. Now people moan and whine if they have to park more than 100 feet from the entrance to a restaurant, or better yet just hit the drive thru. Clearly, staying physically fit has a tremendous influence on your mental health.

3) I see many of you claim you would be lost without your meds. This brings us back to question 1. How did people cope before they had a million different pills they could pop to "solve the problem." I know they work wonders, my girlfriend takes stuff for her depression and its like night and day, believe me. But doesnt that seem like admitting defeat? You now HAVE to take DRUGS TO FEEL LIKE YOU "NORMALLY" SHOULD FEEL.

I'm sorry but that just seems redundant. Eventually, all of you will have to face the reasons you feel depressed, and find a way to LIVE. Popping a few pills when you feel sad is sure convenient, but the problems are still there.

At least the pharma companies are happy!!! They love making money off your pain and suffering,

Originally posted by Mdv2
Have you ever tried high doses of high quality and concentrated fish oil?

I assume you mean the Omega 3 fish oil? No, I have not. But I do use flaxseed oil, which has a higher concentration of Omega 3 than fish oil. I also drink orange juice with Omega 3 in it.

Originally posted by trika3000
If no one had told you that you were "clinically depressed", what would you have thought it was?
And if they didn't have medication available for "depression" what do you think you would have done?

No one had to tell me I was clinically depressed. I already knew. My depression started in August; I didn't see a doctor until late September. The visit only confirmed what I already knew.

My depression was only getting worse, so if I had not taken the Xanax, I would probably be even worse than the episode that prompted me to go to the emergency room. I do not believe I would be dead because my preferences regarding methods of suicide are very limited and I have access to none of them.

reply to post by HomerinNC


I notice people with bipolar tend to contradict themselves. You said you were alone in this but then you said you weren't. Sounds like a memory problem to me where you literally don't even remember things you've stated that contradict each other.

reply to post by cosmolidity


I'm not contradicting myself; Outside my internet friends, I dont have support, I am told its all in my head there is nothing wrong going on, thats what I meant.