| "Depression" and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/13/2007 3:22:23 AM | I hope this "THREAD" does not get deleted as I am not looking for pity, attention, or anything that would make some of you want to delete this!
This is a topic that the majority of people in society trys to hide ! But it is a known fact that it does exist and it can affect each and everyone of us, and it does in some way...shape... or form! It affects the depressed person and the people around him/her! Anyone who suffers from this Illness...knows to some degree what another person with depression goes through...Is it something to be embarrassed about? Should a person who suffers from depresion "hide" it ?My opinion....NO! I would like for anyone who has thoughts on this topic to share with us what they think ! I AM A PERSON WHO LIVES WITH THE ILLNESS..."DEPRESSION"...I am not ashamed, embarrassed or feel I should hide it! If someone wants to look down on me because of this Illness well...they are missing out on getting to know ME...I would just like some thoughts from others on the Illness "DEPRESSION".......and if there is anything you want to ask, please feel free to do so..... Thank you
C68 | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/13/2007 4:32:24 AM | Hi Cindy
Very brave lady to start this thread, something you should be proud of. And I know that finding something good about yourself when suffering from depression is extremely hard, if not impossible at times.
I never understood depression, until it hit me like a ton of bricks. I ignored what was going on in my head until the illness started to manifest itself physically. What I mean by this is that I could not hide my illness to the outside world anymore because it affected my appearance, my weight, my ability to communicate with people amongst other things.
I was also registered disabled for a period of time through depression.
The kind of depression I suffered was due to a large number of stress related incidents happening very quickly in my life. I wasn't given enough time between each incident to pick myself back up and put each one to rest before the next one hit. Hope that makes sense?
I lost everything practically due to my illness, and luckily for me I realised the extent of my illness before I lost the only thing I managed to keep a hold of, my son.
It took high doses of medication, councelling and various other specialist over a 6 or 7 year period of time to get me back on track. I have been for a good few years now, and have (again luckily for me) not had any signs of my condition returning. I know what they are now, and god forbid if they ever returned I wouldn't let them get a grip of me again.
I'm a very strong minded person, always have been. My friends used to say that I never listened and always did what I wanted to do. It is hard to explain that I did listen and very carefully and the majority of the time followed their advice. What they didn't know was that I am the type of person that does not make excuses for my actions, I don't lay blame on something or someone else for my mistakes. If my friends had thought I had followed their advice and it went wrong, I didn't want them to feel anyway responsible.
My point here is that I went from that person to someone who basically shut themselves away and hid behind anything or anyone. I didn't feel I had a right to walk the same streets as the people around me, I wasn't good enough. So I know where your coming from Cindy and the number of people feeling the way you do is increasing. The stigma attached is slowly being erased. Depression is becoming a visable disability just like a broken arm.
Now, I'm that strong person again. I was the one that felt it was time to give someone else my weekly councelling spot and time to wean myself off medication, and I did. That felt good believe me.
I would like to say that I hope this gives some kind of reassurance that there is light at the end of the tunnel, because I've built my life back up and become more successful and a more understanding person, but I do know that it isn't that easy. What works for me doesn't necessarily work for everyone.
All I can say is you'll know and feel it and until you do, just let people help you.
Hope you haven't fallen asleep on your keyboard Cindy?
Catch you later. X | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/13/2007 4:54:23 AM | Wow taylor38.You have expressed exactly the way i feel/felt.
I also weaned my-self off medecation,if anyone that read's this thinks about doing the same remember always do it with your Dr. approval and closely monitoring you as well.
Depression sneaks upon us in my ways/form's.If you have any question or concern's.That's the time to seek help.
There is no shame in depression.The shame is not seeking help for a disease that could potentially kill you.Good luck everyone  | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/13/2007 4:55:31 AM | Hi Taylor38......First of all, I am awake... .....Thank you for your kind words...I to have been there and back. I was diagnosed in 1998 with Depression and have since then off and on been on medication......I am doing wonderful right now as "I AM IN CONTROL", not depression in control of me! A lot of people who doesn't understand this Illness do look at people who suffer with it in a different way, which is understandable but one should never judge a book by it's cover....until you find out what's on the inside you will never know.......Depression is not curable but it is "CONTROLLABLE"..... I hope that by starting this thread, people that know me, do not look down on me or judge me but that of course is there choice! I have nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of....It can be a number of things that gets an individual depressed..."stress"...losing something or someone in your life, there are to many to mention. I am who I am....and I enjoy life to the fullest...I go to bed with a smile and I wake up with a smile, or at least I try  Everyone suffers with some form of depression but a lot of society hides it as they feel it is something to be ashamed of and it is because of society that people feel that way! "DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU"......No one is perfect...who are we to judge another.........
Cindy | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/13/2007 5:01:56 AM | Hey Peiprincess101...you beat me to a response ......To you I say thank you also for replying to this thread...I hope there are alot that will speak up and reply in here. DEPRESSION....It is NOT something to be ashamed of, it is an Illness, and It is REAL! There is not enough openess about depression...WHY.....everyone has there reasons... I am a person who well OK .... I LOVE TO TALK  and I am to honest (at times it gets me in trouble) and I got nothing to hide so I thought I would share my feelings...my experiences...my depression.....with others. Who knows...it may help someone out there...feel free to ask or state anything in this thread.....
Cindy | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/13/2007 5:20:07 AM | Sorry Cindy
I think I may have sounded as if I was preaching a little back there. I realise now that like me you've been there and come back again. Definately a stronger person by the sounds as well.
I love your finishing quote "do unto others .....................................", couldn't have put that better myself.
I think this thread will do very well, especially, as you will well know, people who have suffered and are still suffering from depression seem to .... not sure how to word this, but I think you'll know where I'm coming from ...., find a better level of understanding of people and their feelings and needs as well as own.
Strange to think that I'm probably a nicer, calmer person after going through a "living hell" (which I felt at the time). Look forward to tracking your thread.
Taylor | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/13/2007 1:42:47 PM | It helps cindy to get some pamplets on depression for your family and friends,that have never experienced depression before.It helped my daughters understand why mommie couldn't get out of bed.I also suffered from aniexty disorder.My oldest daughter got so good at reading my face she could tell the second a panic attack was coming on.What a relief for me that she always knew exactly what to do.
I didn't feel that you were preaching either taylor38 all you said took courage and i for one took it to heart.
It's helps to know that your not alone when in a depressed state,not that i am now but i was and the darkness can slip back in at any time.
Great topic cindy.I do hope more people share their stories.Knowledge is power.
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Nan60
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Joined: 6/7/2006
Msg: 9 | |
| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/13/2007 3:25:06 PM | | people will always find a reason to put you in a 'place' ....society is just like that. I know enough about depression from sisters, cousins, friends and acquaintances to relate. Coping is always better with friends, online ones too! | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/13/2007 6:52:33 PM | I agree with you both Nan60 and Peiprincess101...And I would like to say you are very welcome Peiprincess...I was going to start this thread a week or so ago and I didn't...reason for it is because I know what society is like and how they may look down on someone for even the illness "depression" ! But I changed my mind and I am so glad that I did! If anyone in here or anywhere else wants to look down on me for any reason...It is there loss I am hoping by starting this thread that people will post there views, comments, personal experiences and so on concerning this topic! What a lot of people don't stop to take into consideration is that..."depression can get any of us".....So do not judge, look down or assume anything about anyone unless you know them .....
C68 | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/14/2007 3:43:13 AM | I hear you Peiprincess101...Alot of people just look at the "internet" as just that! I look at it as just that plus a way to make friends and I do not take my friends lightly, I cherish them in my heart! And because of being there and dont that, I am such a STRONG person and I can speak when I need to and sometimes when I dont (or shouldnt) ..... Call me foolish, a fool, a nut, etc...etc... but hey I am me and at 38 I am not gonna change so like me , love me and accept for who me is
Anyone who has read this thread and have or know someone that has suffered with the illness "depression", please feel free to add a comment, ask a question, or just VENT! If more people were open to this subject, in my opinion, it wouldnt be looked down on as much as it is! By starting this thread I am hoping that myself or anyone who replys or reads it, may be able to help some one out there in some way, shape or form! Hey jsut call us...""Dr' "net with cookies ""(COME TO THE DARK SIDE...DEM COOKIES ARE REAL GOOD)
Live each day as if it may be your last
No worries what you may have done in your past
Life takes us on paths we didnt know we would travel
Sometimes we feel like we may just unravel
Put a smile on your face, put one on someone else's too
For by doing so you dont realize what you may do
To brighten there day, or just brighten your own
No matter where you are to...you are never alone
Just reach out...accept...do something to make you feel great
No worries ... As it's never to late....
C68 | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/14/2007 11:03:39 AM | Depression - a word that scares people and makes some people avoid the "afflicted" one. I too have suffered from depression. I didn't know anything was wrong. Lucky for me my regular doctor went on a vacation and I had an appointment with the fill-in doctor. She asked me some questions about how I felt, eating habits, etc and told me. The depression was the result of a change in my marriage which I didn't understand. I had a very loving spouse. We talked about everything, made decisions together, & Sunday was family day. Shortly after our 25th year together this changed. It was little things first but soon our whole relationship had changed. Finally I couldn't take the rejection any longer and moved out. Then my spouse ended up in hospital and it was one complication after another. Since I was still in love with him I moved back home. There was no time to recover from one crisis before the next one hit. My whole life was devoted to his care for almost 5 years. Upon his death in November 2005 I withdrew from the world. My doctor changed my medication. My friends and family wouldn't leave me alone. I am now on the verge of stopping all medications. It has taken a few years but I haven't felt this good in about 10 years. There were some who avoided me because of my illness. I guess they didn't understand that it is not contagious. My new friends probably have no idea I suffer from depression .
It takes a lot of work to fight this illness. I can now go to a friend's place for supper without feeling the urgent need to get back home. I can meet people for a coffee and carry on a converstion. I have won this battle.
I think the more we talk about how we handled our depression, the stronger it makes us. Plus there are others that get encouragement from reading our stories. | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/14/2007 12:33:07 PM | | Thank you gennienut for sharing in here with all of us......I know where you have been...DEPRESSION is an Illness which isn't curable...BUT it is controllable if a person is getting medical help with it. Left alone and it can do alot of damage . A lot of people do not understand it and they tend to look down on people who suffer with this. Is that right or wrong ?? For me I have been through a lot that would get some one down. Just for starters, I'll go back to September 2001....The Flood the we had in St. John's...I lost everything because we were living in a basement apartment and we had "sewage" water in the apartment up an inch or so past my knees. The things that meant the most that we lost were personal things like all my photos, the things my two children had when they were babies, just items I had owned that can not be replaced....gone ! I went through a rough period at that time. In two weeks I lost 30 pounds, isolated myself from everyone...drank on the weekends to drown my pain...and so on ! BUT....Here I am today, even though I don't have these things, I have my two children and I am much stronger....I know that I am a SURVIVOR....That doesn't mean I won't still have bad days, down days, but I know that I can and I will survive...... | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/15/2007 3:46:22 AM | It's me again ... There is so much I can say concerning "depression"...Perhaps bit by bit...I will share ! One thing about depression is knowing that something isn't right with how you feel and seeking help from your family Doctor. Some do not need medication, but there are others who do...(I am one of them) Talking...keeping busy...couselling...groups and discussions...talking to family and friends...they are very important when you are feeling down. To avoid people...isolate yourself...not see a doctor, cousellor, take medications...not talk to anyone....all of this will only make you feel alot worse. A person has too be willing to seek and want help in order for anything to change. It is a "VERY" hard thing to do when you are depressed but
"one day at a time" .... is what will get a person through anything....SUPPORT..from family, friends or a significant other...is also a very important part of controlling the depression. Myself when I was in a ten year relationship, my S/O didn't support me in any way ...shape ... or form and I only got more depressed, but didn't know it at the time. There are alot of groups out there that will help any one out in any way that they can...you just have to be willing to reach out and want it..............
C68 | |
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Nan60
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Joined: 6/7/2006
Msg: 17 | |
| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/15/2007 6:32:49 PM | | Good advice Cindy...DO GET OUT at every opportunity, don't think your're bother cause your're not UP or socialable, it may even make your friendships stronger is you show your friends you trust them to listen and just 'be there'. Other people can't read your mind ya know!! | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/15/2007 6:46:23 PM | I so much agree with you Nan60...BUT when a person is depressed they don't want to talk to anyone! NOt because they don't want to but because they can't! A depressed person when not on medication and is at an all time low...will isolate him/her self form everyone and everything....don't eat right, sleep is all disturbed and so on....Friends and family are there to listen but we as depressed individuals is in our own little world......It's a horrible thing depression, but when it is recognized it makes a lot more sense as to why a person feels like they do.....
C68 | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/17/2007 1:32:15 PM | Hi Cindy& Peiprincess,
Just popped in to see how the thread was going, looks like its going to be a popular one. I hope so.
I personally think it will make others feel less alone and that can only be a good thing?
T | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/17/2007 3:26:07 PM | Hi to you to Taylor...Peiprincess...gennienut...nan60...and everyone else that reads this post ! I think it is going to be a great thread and as you said Taylor...It may help some one else out if they suffer from depression and is not up for psoting in here or talking to someone about it. I also agree with you Peoprincess...I to hope that more people post their thoughts in here and share with all of us their experiences or some of those that people they know have went through ! So many people are affected when they or someone they know are a sufferer of "depression".....and it is hard to understand why one feels like they do. But if more people come out with the fact that they suffer with this illness......it may help some more people...It may not....but there is no harm in trying!
If I can help someone in some way
It helps me as a sufferer, get through my day
I will do what I can and a whole lot more
As you'lll never know when depression comes knocking at your door
It can attack me...you...even someone you know
The Illness depression is always on the go
You may feel fine one day then the next Oh my
You feel like all you want to do is cry
For those who feel like this I want to say
This Illness is curable....don't let depression have it's way....
Do what you can and more if you must
Family and Friends are ones you can trust
But no matter what...who...when...or why
Anyone can beat this Illness....all you got to do is try....
C68 | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/20/2007 8:04:09 AM | When the darkness starts to creep back in.How do you cope?What are some of the thing's that help you?Sometimes when i start to feel sad,lonely,depressed.I call my Daughter's or get my oldest one to take the boy's in to see Nannie.You can't help but feel happy when your grandbabies are around.
Everyone has different way's of coping.I would love to hear the way's that you handle not getting down when thing's happen in our life to overwhelms us. | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/20/2007 9:08:28 AM | Hi Peiprincess101...for me when the sun is shinging outside...but it's dark on the "inside"....I do pretty much the same. I call a family member......my best friend......or I try and think positive thoughts such as....It could be worse thatn what I am feeling right now !!! I have the use of my arms and legs where as some don't ! I can see and hear...some people do not have that privilege ! It is very hard at times to come out of the darkness but God willing, thus far I have! I also try and do something that puts a HUGE SMILE on my face. Writing is a good way to release some of it as you can tell by the posts I have in here.. ! Walking is another thing I find helps((I don't do alot of it)) it clears the mind, refreshes the ol' tinker.....and exercise is GOOD for us ....Identifing that one isn't feeling the way they should is a major accomplishment. Doing something about it.....is an even bigger accomplishment.....for any one that does suffer with depression, I can say this...."hang in there..believe it or not, there is a better day ahead" !!!!!!
C68 | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/20/2007 5:53:31 PM | | Dear cindy, you are doing very well indeed, and as a woman, I'm proud of you. What works for me is a little strange and may not work for everyone, but it really does work well for me. I just go out looking for homeless people and give them a hand. Sometimes it means taking somebody to a clinic, or to a church, or to a shelter and seeing that they get a shower and a meal. I do a lot of charity work, and have a pay assignment coming out of my paycheck which goes to certain charities too. Any time I'm not busy I get depressed so I find something elese to do that will benefit some persons or animals. There's always lots to do, so I'm seldom idle long enough to get depressed any more! | |
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| Depression and how if affects us all.....
Posted: 4/20/2007 6:03:54 PM | Hi "lady mara" and thank you for your kind words! I think it is a wonderful thing that you do for people. Some people may not believe that I am a sufferer of depression as I try and have a smile on my face at all times...a smile does go a long way......When I go out to the stores I am always joking around with poeple I have never talked to or even seen before...just to put a smile on their face...that does a lot. One time when I was shopping, a couple of elderly ladies were looking at a dress, one of them was interested in the dress but there was a long line up for the dressing room. I was right alongside of them so I said to her "ah just try it on here over your clothes"...I'll give you a hand. So she did! And the dress looked really nice on here so I told her this and her friend did to. Anyways...I helped her with the dress to put it on and take it off...carried on with them both and we all laughed a little...When she was done she said "thank you"...I said to her , oh no problem but if you wants to go trying on any "undies" I'm not helping ya with them! They got quite a laugh at that. The point of telling this is...By helping someone and putting a smile on their face...It made my day a whole lot brighter!....So there is certain things that can help when one is feeling in a dark mood.......
C68 | |
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