The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

[go0gle]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

I've always had a hard time identifying depression.. I am 29 now and I've gone trough a few low points, but was it depression ? I could never be sure. Once you get to the point of suicidal thoughts, and that whole concept enters your realm, does it ever go away completely and "forever" ? Is that what depression is ?

I've had plenty of periods/days where I didn't feel like talking to anyone, or just didn't feel like doing anything.. being in a sad modd.. but I could never say if I was depressed or not because then I will have much longer periods of feeling that are on the other end of the scale.

Its almost like a mental reality that can be accessed pretty much instantly at any given point.. I see it as a very fine line, its almost as if you have to reason with it like any other dilemmas/doubts you might have. If your soul is content/whole with your current state of being, the notion doesn't come up anymore, but is it gone ? I dunno.

Then on top of that you start seeing it around, and its obviously part of society, which makes into a "realistic proposition" once your brain registers it as such. Just look at the recent events.. how many days of main headlines, articles, news stories, etc. are we going to get ?

Anyway, my advice is when you get down there, and even worse get stuck, get yourself some good psilocybin, or even better, a solid DMT hit.. nothing works better when it comes down to it. All the meds you get from the pharmas just prolong the situation, and of course it many cases they do help, but they are no where near as effective as the above mentioned psychedelics.

[floridaorange]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

^I have similar questions about Bi-polar disorder actually. What I am wondering about are what the thoughts are going through a persons mind who has bipolar. Like a good friend of mine, I asked him this morning on the way to church. What does he think about when he's going through it. What tapes are being played in his mind? Is is the same every time, does it feel like insecurity, or what? He couldn't explain it, and just said what the dr. told him, which is that his brain doesn't produce a certain chemical.

[Micko]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

Bipolar Disorder is a tricky one to explain in that in can run along a continuum ranging from the lows of depression to manic highs. A person diagnosed with the disorder can suffer deep, deep depressions while at other times endure mania which can lead to all sorts of other difficulties. I appreciate a discussion of bipolar disorder is a sensitive one around MS.

For what it's worth, a person can suffer some of the symptoms of schizophrenia and some of the manic elements (normally associated with bipolar disorder) and be diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder. This last diagnosis is very contentious.

[Micko]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

He couldn't explain it, and just said what the dr. told him, which is that his brain doesn't produce a certain chemical.

The medical model still prevails unfortunately - if anyone is interested, check out "Madness Explained" by Richard Bentall - he proposes psychological models for mental ill-health (based on up-to-date research).

The book also traces the history of psychiatry and how diagnostic criteria for various conditions has evolved over time.

From my experience working in mental health, it is by far better to treat a symptom than to treat a diagnostic label

[feather]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

I've always had a hard time identifying depression.. I am 29 now and I've gone trough a few low points, but was it depression ? I could never be sure. Once you get to the point of suicidal thoughts, and that whole concept enters your realm, does it ever go away completely and "forever" ? Is that what depression is ?

I've had plenty of periods/days where I didn't feel like talking to anyone, or just didn't feel like doing anything.. being in a sad modd.. but I could never say if I was depressed or not because then I will have much longer periods of feeling that are on the other end of the scale.

I'm similar ... I was not brought up with an awareness of depression and it's never occurred to me to see anyone about it. I just assumed I was a pessimistic person. The only way I can describe it is being in a state of low-energy flatline although in the past I've had what might be extreme highs and downs, I don't have anything to compare it to.

But I don't affect the people around me and no one has ever mentioned anything to me so I don't think I'm exhibiting anything extreme. Maybe because I've had to deal with my ex over the years who is actually diagnosed with bi-polar among a host of other issues and I've cauterized myself from her extremities to the point that I just don't react much to anything. My colleagues actually think I'm really calm and zen.

What bothers me is this general perception of depressed people being mopy and down. I can deal with that, I think it's 'easier' to be sympathetic and 'be there' for the person and if that person can at times come out of it to see they are not alone.

I don't know what other cases of depression are like because when you read about it in the media it always paints the person deserving of sympathy and a victim.

My experience with my ex has been different. She oscillates between down and angry and despair. When she is down she shuts off and needs her own space, when she despairs she is sometimes able to communicate and I've tried to talk her through it. But when she is angry, it's a Mr Hyde scenario. She turns on anyone and whoever is at hand or close to her, she looks for things to destroy whether physically or emotionally, herself and around her; it's completely impossible to understand her when she's in that mode because she twists and misinterprets, projects whatever she is thinking or feeling words, read between the lines. It's basically a storm and people can only pick up the pieces.

I don't know if depression is simply narrowly defined as people in that mental state of being down but like I said, my own experience has included more than that and frankly paints a different picture of how the media has portrayed it. The person is a victim of the condition but not necessarily accessible, helpable, and is actually antagonistic towards help.

When a celebrity dies and depression is part of it, we get a sympathetic picture of the situation. And it certainly is. But my own experience makes me wonder if there are other sides to the situation that we don't all see.

[floridaorange]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

But when she is angry, it's a Mr Hyde scenario. She turns on anyone and whoever is at hand or close to her, she looks for things to destroy whether physically or emotionally, herself and around her; it's completely impossible to understand her when she's in that mode because she twists and misinterprets, projects whatever she is thinking or feeling words, read between the lines. It's basically a storm and people can only pick up the pieces.
.

What exactly does she bring to the relationship that makes up for this? Because frankly, that kind of toxicity would be enough to bring anyone down with them.

[DIDI]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

I'm similar ... I was not brought up with an awareness of depression and it's never occurred to me to see anyone about it. I just assumed I was a pessimistic person. The only way I can describe it is being in a state of low-energy flatline although in the past I've had what might be extreme highs and downs, I don't have anything to compare it to.

But I don't affect the people around me and no one has ever mentioned anything to me so I don't think I'm exhibiting anything extreme. Maybe because I've had to deal with my ex over the years who is actually diagnosed with bi-polar among a host of other issues and I've cauterized myself from her extremities to the point that I just don't react much to anything. My colleagues actually think I'm really calm and zen.

What bothers me is this general perception of depressed people being mopy and down. I can deal with that, I think it's 'easier' to be sympathetic and 'be there' for the person and if that person can at times come out of it to see they are not alone.

I don't know what other cases of depression are like because when you read about it in the media it always paints the person deserving of sympathy and a victim.

My experience with my ex has been different. She oscillates between down and angry and despair. When she is down she shuts off and needs her own space, when she despairs she is sometimes able to communicate and I've tried to talk her through it. But when she is angry, it's a Mr Hyde scenario. She turns on anyone and whoever is at hand or close to her, she looks for things to destroy whether physically or emotionally, herself and around her; it's completely impossible to understand her when she's in that mode because she twists and misinterprets, projects whatever she is thinking or feeling words, read between the lines. It's basically a storm and people can only pick up the pieces.

I don't know if depression is simply narrowly defined as people in that mental state of being down but like I said, my own experience has included more than that and frankly paints a different picture of how the media has portrayed it. The person is a victim of the condition but not necessarily accessible, helpable, and is actually antagonistic towards help.

When a celebrity dies and depression is part of it, we get a sympathetic picture of the situation. And it certainly is. But my own experience makes me wonder if there are other sides to the situation that we don't all see.

There most certainly are other sides and unfortunately people like you who try to understand and be there are the people that are bearing the brunt of those other sides.

I have no idea what to do about this but wish you all the luck in the world.

[KiwiTollway]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

The media and films depict depression unrealistically just as they do most all mental illness & most life experiences, therefore, myths exist and will continue to until dialog & education are widely offered/accepted:

Maybe a bit over-simplified, but accurate:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2014/08/12/five-common-myths-about-depression/

@Feather, maybe your ex has undiagnosed PTSD (7.7 million people suffer from it) which makes her unable to maintain close relationships if they trigger her symptoms unknowingly. Sometimes people unknowingly have patterns of behavior that trigger symptoms of a PTSD sufferer. The reason I'm suggesting this is because you described her as sometimes inaccessible, antagonistic to being helped, at times raging with anger, etc.

With PTSD, depression is one component. I don't know how old she is or anything about her past, but if she's pretty young, even 30ish, it could be she's unable to identify what triggers her and what soothes her traumatized brain (if she's been traumatized by something). A journal is really helpful. If those who love her take time to learn what triggers her and what helps her, that can lead her on her way to being open to help because she'll feel compassion & cared for. We all have buttons that can get pushed, but with PTSD sufferers, their buttons glare & get punched, and result in the breakdown of relationships, which in turns, makes them feel worse and is a vicious/disastrous cycle*.

Compassion is always helpful. Calling anyone toxic, like a chemical/gas is described, is objectifying them & cruel. There are solutions to PTSD, some of which are currently pretty new and innovative, and not widely known, which is sad since so many military personnel suffer from it. Two people can experience the same event and one can categorize it one way, while another develops PTSD. Many components go into developing PTSD. Anyway, there are treatment options not listed in this article, but this seems like an accurate one to consider*:

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/family/ptsd-and-relationships.asp

*There are PTSD sufferers that find a life partner who has a natural way of soothing their souls; that's the power of love for you! Laughter and music, kindness & compassion, love & beauty, nature & pets, these are all very helpful to traumatized people.

[feather]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

What exactly does she bring to the relationship that makes up for this? Because frankly, that kind of toxicity would be enough to bring anyone down with them.

There most certainly are other sides and unfortunately people like you who try to understand and be there are the people that are bearing the brunt of those other sides.

I have no idea what to do about this but wish you all the luck in the world.

I don't know, nothing I guess. But it wasn't that kind of situation where I can weigh the equation and decide, fuck this. I've known her 13 years and have seen the change and know why. There's always a reason that triggers or exacerbates her condition and unfortunately this has been the worst yet. There's really nothing I can do anymore because she won't let anyone. I've reached out to her but she hasn't responded, and frankly with my dad just passing away three weeks ago, I doubt if I can deal with her.

This might be heresy given the sensitivity of depression and the general stereotype that people can't help themselves or do anything about it, all I can say is, shit I've had to deal with myself and from observing how she deals, our problems don't define us but they do reveal who we are, or can, be at our cores.

@Feather, maybe your ex has undiagnosed PTSD (7.7 million people suffer from it) which makes her unable to maintain close relationships if they trigger her symptoms unknowingly. Sometimes people unknowingly have patterns of behavior that trigger symptoms of a PTSD sufferer. The reason I'm suggesting this is because you described her as sometimes inaccessible, antagonistic to being helped, at times raging with anger, etc.

I have only read about PTSD in the context of war and soldiers but yes certainly. I know of at least seven life-changing traumas since I've known her, and two of them are medical conditions with no cure. Without going into the details, I will never wish her experiences on anyone. If I had gone through the same things I wouldn't know what kind of person I would be either. It's why I've always compromised and accommodated the negativity and nastiness. It's easier to write the person off and walk away when you've only met someone for the first time but I've seen this develope over the course of 13 years now.

[benda]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

There's really nothing I can do anymore because she won't let anyone. I've reached out to her but she hasn't responded, and frankly with my dad just passing away three weeks ago, I doubt if I can deal with her.

I feel for you feather. I'm in a very similar place to you - trying to work out how I can help my wife, if at all. I have experienced how the pressures of trying to 'manage' someone like that is at times impossible to deal with alongside your normal day to day life. Having your father pass away must make the situation much more difficult.

I had very little exposure to depression and mental illness before this and the snippets I'd learnt through the media were way off the mark. Needless to say, it has been a steep learning curve for me. Going through what we have together and seeing the inside of a psychiatric hospital has taught me a lot...yet still I feel like I have very little comprehension as to what is really going on. It's a difficult one to grasp.

[DIDI]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

I feel for you feather. I'm in a very similar place to you - trying to work out how I can help my wife, if at all. I have experienced how the pressures of trying to 'manage' someone like that is at times impossible to deal with alongside your normal day to day life. Having your father pass away must make the situation much more difficult.

I had very little exposure to depression and mental illness before this and the snippets I'd learnt through the media were way off the mark. Needless to say, it has been a steep learning curve for me. Going through what we have together and seeing the inside of a psychiatric hospital has taught me a lot...yet still I feel like I have very little comprehension as to what is really going on. It's a difficult one to grasp.

Really sorry to read this.

[DIDI]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

I don't know, nothing I guess. But it wasn't that kind of situation where I can weigh the equation and decide, fuck this. I've known her 13 years and have seen the change and know why. There's always a reason that triggers or exacerbates her condition and unfortunately this has been the worst yet. There's really nothing I can do anymore because she won't let anyone. I've reached out to her but she hasn't responded, and frankly with my dad just passing away three weeks ago, I doubt if I can deal with her.

This might be heresy given the sensitivity of depression and the general stereotype that people can't help themselves or do anything about it, all I can say is, shit I've had to deal with myself and from observing how she deals, our problems don't define us but they do reveal who we are, or can, be at our cores.



I have only read about PTSD in the context of war and soldiers but yes certainly. I know of at least seven life-changing traumas since I've known her, and two of them are medical conditions with no cure. Without going into the details, I will never wish her experiences on anyone. If I had gone through the same things I wouldn't know what kind of person I would be either. It's why I've always compromised and accommodated the negativity and nastiness. It's easier to write the person off and walk away when you've only met someone for the first time but I've seen this develope over the course of 13 years now.

So sorry to hear about your dad

[floridaorange]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

It's why I've always compromised and accommodated the negativity and nastiness. It's easier to write the person off and walk away when you've only met someone for the first time but I've seen this develope over the course of 13 years now.

Hey buddy, that makes perfect sense, I get it now. wish you two the best and hopefully you two can get through these difficult times together. keep the faith bro. things will get better

[feather]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

I feel for you feather. I'm in a very similar place to you - trying to work out how I can help my wife, if at all. I have experienced how the pressures of trying to 'manage' someone like that is at times impossible to deal with alongside your normal day to day life. Having your father pass away must make the situation much more difficult.

I had very little exposure to depression and mental illness before this and the snippets I'd learnt through the media were way off the mark. Needless to say, it has been a steep learning curve for me. Going through what we have together and seeing the inside of a psychiatric hospital has taught me a lot...yet still I feel like I have very little comprehension as to what is really going on. It's a difficult one to grasp.

I'm sorry to hear that too ... unfortunately it is this difficulty in comprehension that makes them feel isolated, more alone, and withdraw into themselves. And from my experience they find talking about it tiring, repetitive, and frustrating because 'nobody understands'. The hard part I find is that their mental state colors everything and sometimes stuff just gets skewed, that's when it's challenging to find a common ground to work through things. Many times like this I'm just walking on eggshells and have to be extra careful because a word can be interpreted wrongly and set it all off.

But if and when they do talk it does help, I've observed the difference. In the past sometimes just being there as a physical presence in the room can help too even if they don't want to talk about it. The bottom line, I once told her, even if I can't get into her head and understand it, its effects on her are very physical and visible and all I can do is ameliorate those.

Thanks DD, FO, this has been my worst year but there's really nothing to be done, it's beyond me, just gotta ride it out.

[KiwiTollway]

Re: The reality of depression - Decoded Magazine

I'm sorry to hear that too ... unfortunately it is this difficulty in comprehension that makes them feel isolated, more alone, and withdraw into themselves. And from my experience they find talking about it tiring, repetitive, and frustrating because 'nobody understands'. The hard part I find is that their mental state colors everything and sometimes stuff just gets skewed, that's when it's challenging to find a common ground to work through things. Many times like this I'm just walking on eggshells and have to be extra careful because a word can be interpreted wrongly and set it all off.

But if and when they do talk it does help, I've observed the difference. In the past sometimes just being there as a physical presence in the room can help too even if they don't want to talk about it. The bottom line, I once told her, even if I can't get into her head and understand it, its effects on her are very physical and visible and all I can do is ameliorate those.

Feather,
What you wrote is really beautiful and incredibly loving towards her and I think you've really nailed it regarding the lens by which she views/hears/interprets everything, which makes things skewed for her & difficult for you to be around her. I'm glad you're not subjecting yourself to any nastiness or negativity because with your kind heart, you shouldn't have to endure that, especially in experiencing your own loss.

I'm so sorry about your Dad. You certainly have had a rough year to ride out. I hope your Mom is doing okay; I can't imagine losing my spouse like she has; I hope she has a strong support system around her. You have all of us . Please vent anytime you need to.
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Benda,
My husband has gone through what you're experiencing because of my hardships/losses/etc. and we're on the other side of it now for quite some time. Rest assured you are of great help to your wife because you are there for her. You're already doing the single most important thing.

Being present to note what/how anyone thrives or endures their life is a great privilege and loving her through it will, ultimately, bring you two even closer. I know the stress for you must be so hard at times, but hopefully she's getting the great care she needs & deserves. Post anytime you need to, there is great wisdom here when people feel free to participate.
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If someone was suffering a severe kidney infection, lung infection, etc. there would be no stigma attached to being hospitalized and cared for, but because mental illness involves what we need to function (just as important as our kidneys & lungs) our brains & affects our personality & choices, there is no question it is paramount people get the medical attention they need, which sometimes includes hospitalization. This can save a life! Be their strong/constant love, that's the best you can be whatever our significant others/friends go through.
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Eckhart Tolle's writing about everyone's "pain body" really resonates with me, if I've already shared that, forgive me. Here is a snippet from his book I love "The Power of Now" which isn't about mental illness or chemical imbalances, but offers another way of looking at the way people act when it seems they've become their own pain/experiences to their own detriment & those who love them.

“The pain-body wants to survive, just like every other entity in existence, and it can only survive if it gets you [its host] to unconsciously identify with it. It can then rise up, take you over, “become you,” and live through you. It needs to get its “food” through you. It will feed on any experience that resonates with its own kind of energy, anything that creates further pain in whatever form: anger, destructiveness, hatred, grief, emotional drama, violence, and even illness. So the pain-body, when it has taken you over, will create a situation in your life that reflects back its own energy frequency for it to feed on. Pain can only feed on pain. Pain cannot feed on joy. It finds it quite indigestible." -- Eckhart Tolle

http://www.personal-development-inside-out.com/eckhart-tolle.html