Understanding Depression »
Posted by: populist 1 year agoDepression is a serious medical illness that is affecting millions of people. Along with the emotional experience of sadness, loss, or passing mood states clinical depression is consistent and can interfere with a person's ability to function. The impact of depression that can occur in any individual can be enormous in suffering.
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humemacdonald1 year ago
While this is true of a normal "blue " mood, it unfortunately isn't enough when dealing with clinical depression. As a former sufferer I can tell you that it feels like nothing that resembles the normal gamut of emotions we feel.
I think it is great that articles like this get people talking because there is so many myths, misconceptions, and ignorance (not talking about you :))regarding mental illness.
Education is step one- A lot of the symptoms go unrecognized unless you know what to look for. I would urge anyone who even thinks that they might have the illness to seek treatment right away because the sooner treatment starts the more likely it is that it will not last as long.
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Pupi1 year ago
As a former AND current sufferer, I agree with the article and I thank humemacdonald for her accuracy and her courage in speaking out about her experience with this disease.
This is a subject that needs to be out in the open despite the myths and misconceptions regarding mental illness, as humemacdonald so aptly stated. I thank her!!
If you have, or if you notice the signs and symptoms noted in the article, I urge you to seek medical help (first) for yourself or your loved one.
Thank you, populist, for the article, and thank you, humemacdonald, for your frankness and courage, and for speaking up.
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humemacdonald1 year ago
Pupi, Thank you for your kind words. I hope that you either go into remission or totally recover soon.
While before I was ashamed to talk about it, now that I know so much more, I feel that we have a duty to inform others, and help break the stigma attached to depression. People are not scared to talk about diabetes so why should depression be any different. It is not a matter of will power because I have plenty of that- after smoking 1.5 packs a day I immediately stopped smoking when I found out I was pregnant-understanding that is so important because you can stop blaming yourself for your condition; No amount of will power can make you better, it just doesn't work that way.
I don't know about you but I think that it is also important for people to know that there is no set pattern to recovery either. Just because one person recovers in 2 months does not mean that you will.
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humemacdonald1 year ago
cont'd
I was ill for 1.5 years before I recovered - they couldn't get the correct drug combo for me, or figure out the right dosage, time of day, etc.. so many variables. Just when I thought oh no I am going to have to start all over again with a new drug, a last attempt by raising the amount of one drug .25 mg worked- it was like somebody threw a switch! To anyone feeling discouraged I say don't give up, and to anyone who has a loved one that is ill I would say, don't give up on them.
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woodsywizz1 year ago
Depression is sneaky, and it can be exacerbated by the shame of having a mental illness. Hiding the disease does nothing for curing it. Yet now, ten years after (finally) recognizing the illness and its pattern, I'm OK. Without doctors or prescription drugs - but WITH herbal supplements and the occasional over-the-counter medication. I'd encourage others to actually see a doctor - I didn't because of military service. The military look down on mental afflictions, happy though they are to cause them!
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humemacdonald1 year ago
woosywizz
I know what you mean- I too went 10 years before it got to a point that I had to seek help. I have a great doctor who I have had since I was a child and she asked me why I did not say something to her earlier, I could only say that I didn't want her to think badly of me. So dumb- I know, but at the time it seemed reasonable.
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OsteoFitKit1 year ago
Oxygon-
I agree with you. funny thing, the other night at my poker game we were sharing thoughts on all the meds everyone was taking...not me. I was not on anything and thought to myself, 'do these people think this is normal or OK to be on meds like that?'
it just shows how much influence the pharmaceutical companies have on the lives of many...
i am the only one there without gray/colored hair, and, I maintain my physique, unlike many there.
we can do allot for ourselves by opening up to the opportunities right at our fingertips.
my apartment is filled with little exercise stations. I also have a body ball and and inversion table for flexibility, to hang upside down to release the "happy' Hormones in natural treatment of depression...but, good rest habits, happy thoughts, well thought nutritious diet and healthy leisure activities, a good job, etc.
it's important to be on the "UP AND UP"
www.osteofitkit.com
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canadianrancher571 year ago
I think that exercise and staying busy are two of the things that depressed people do for themselves to help thier condition but there are only so many hours in a day that you can do either. The problem gets bad when you run out of things to do and if you try to keep busy all the time then you can suffer from physical conditions as well. I really don't like the idea of popping pills for anything but depression can be cause by a chemical imbalance and meds are the only solution.
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Oxgon1 year ago
typo: on "I'm not saying depression is serious"
Can't edit looks like, I meant to say I think depression is serious.
Sometimes people can't get out and exercise due to physical problems this is true. I know first hand how depression works and about the chemical imbalance in the brain. It runs in my family really bad, and I'm pretty sure it is genetically related.
But after popping pills for a year I started feeling like a zombie so I went off them. The only thing I found that helps is getting out and exercising. At first it wasn't anything but a hour walk, then as time went by and I felt the results and I increased activity.
But main point is you don't have to go run miles, just try to get out and walk for as much as you can handle. Moving around will release Endorphins into you brain and will help fight it. If you're dieing of cancer or something serious like this, then yes, pills would be needed. But taking pills as a first resort is a problem in my eyes.
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