Posted on 08/12/2014 6:58:09 AM PDT by BenLurkin
"Depression is one of the most tragically misunderstood words in the English language," writes Stephen Ilardi, an associate professor of clinical psychology at the University of Kansas, in a blog post on the Psychology Today website. "When people refer to depression in everyday conversation, they usually have something far less serious in mind," than what the disorder actually entails. "In fact, the term typically serves as a synonym for mere sadness."
Here are some facts about depression:
•Although major depression can strike people of any age, the median age at onset is 32.5, according to Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
•Depression is more common in women than in men, according to Washington University.
•Men with depression are more likely than depressed women to abuse alcohol and other substances... Depressed men may also try to mask their sadness by turning to other outlets, such as watching TV, playing sports and working excessively, or engaging in risky behaviors....
•Men's symptoms of depression may be harder for other people to recognize, and the illness is missed more frequently in men, Goldstein said.
•Men with depression are more likely than women with the condition to commit suicide, Goldstein said. Men with depression may go longer without being diagnosed or treated, and so men may develop a more devastating mental health problem.
•Symptoms of depression extend far beyond feeling sad, and may include: loss of interest and pleasure in normal activities, irritability, agitation or restlessness, lower sex drive, decreased concentration, insomnia or excessive sleeping and chronic fatigue and lethargy, according to Mayo Clinic.
The number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Thanks for posting this. Too many folks think a pep talk and a prayer will get ya going. It is a horrible experience. If you are suffering from it GET HELP! You are not alone.
I never thought this was me. I fought it. I didn’t have depression, I’d continually tell myself. I’m not sure I even believed in depression. Doesn’t everyone get sad? But it went so far beyond to the point where it was nearly impossible to function. I did get help and am doing much better. I hope it remains that way because I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
It’s not depression, it is the human condition, realizing life sucks and there is very little one can do about it, then we get old and broken down, friends betray you and furthermore there is no point to all this suffering.
I found that a good woman solved my issues.
Stop it! You are depressing me!
Your posting is making me depressed!
Depression is far worse than that. it is not something that you can ‘shake’.
A great woman sat me down and got me help. It is tough to do it alone.
Not depression but anxiety disorder here, eleven years ago. And one cannot pull ones self up by the boot straps. It took me medication, therapy, and time. It was what they call situational in that it was triggered by several significant life changing events. I’m better now but will never forget it.
Depression is the LARGEST untreated disease in the world, unfortunately people hear “crazy” and fight treatment.
A better understanding of what it is and what it is NOT needs to be made available to help those suffering from it.
I feel it’s mostly the simple need for human validation. This is why people go to church, or poetry slams, or even the bar after a long hard day at work... so they feel like they are part of the human condition and know they are not alone in it.
Society is trending away from that... all this “social media” and technology isolates people from each other... and human relationships in America, particularly between men and women, have spiraled downhill to a casual hookup culture devoid of any of the dimensions of respect, trust, and love.
Now it’s nothing but dismissiveness, and demeaning mistreatment of each other. Mistrust. Neglect. Zero Mindfulness at all. I, frankly, want no part of it anymore. I have a lot to offer, treat me like it or GTFO. I don’t care how “great” the pussy supposedly is.
ANYWAYS, some of the description for male behavior given in the post is actually textbook “borderline personality disorder” which, in itself, such a diagnosis by some “licensed professional” can be traumatizing. Many are now recognizing Borderline Personality as Post Traumatic Stress... and, actually, I applaud George W. Bush for emphasizing that Post Traumatic Stress is not a “disorder”, but a legitimate “injury”.
You are so correct. I’ve had it and it is debilitating if you don’t get help. I never reached the point of considering taking my life, but having been through depression I understand how the despair can overcome a person and drive them to that extreme. So sad, it is treatable.
By the way... post on this thread and admit to having EVER had depression in your life, and you should fully expect to be placed on a list for a future no-knock raid to confiscate all your firearms.
I know it is not something you can shake. I suffer from it. I have to go forward into the dark having felt no joy for 6 or more years. I put one foot in front of the other. Why? For nothing. Nothing gets any better. There is no earthly reward. I feel like I am living in a nightmare, never knowing what monster will attack me next.
Shake it off? Good luck with that.
A very good friend of mine killed himself a few years ago. Absolutely nobody had any idea he was suffering from depression. He was taking care of his mother at the time. His depression was so severe he didn’t even think or care of the impact to her, his (divorced) father or his friends. It simply never entered his mind. He made a gun out of scrap metal and shot himself with it.
It is depression. Not just the human condition.
I bet he did think of it, but the inner pain was so severe that he just couldn’t take it.
Most people think depression is a low spot in the road. Unless you have actually experienced clinical serious depression, you cannot really believe and/or understand the pain it produces. Unfortunately, sometimes nothingness seems a much better alternative to that pain.
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