Regarding Freeper Obit. TrappedInLiberalHell and Depression

self | Self

[joesbucks]

The problems of depression and despair.

[MizSterious]

Joesbucks and all--"God helps those who help themselves"--so yes, pray, but also do. We were never promised an easy life, but Jesus has said He would support us when we need it, if we call on Him.

The things that have worked best for me are:

1. When depression sets in (no matter how well-justified--or not), find something meaningful to do. Often helping someone else is the best Rx: volunteering seems to work it out of me.

Also, it's been said that being inactive somehow induces boredom, which can grow into full-blown depression. Walk. Run. Ride a bike. Clean house. Or do volunteer work.

2. Smile. Even if no one's around. Even if a smile seems like the last thing I want to do. Research has shown that simply by going through the motions releases chemicals in the body that help move the depression on out.

I do these things in addition to prayer. The simple activity of praying--just sitting quietly, hands together, in the company of God, often leaves me with a sense of peace I can't find elsewhere--not even close. But one can pray and walk, work, etc., at the same time--as I often do. I don't save it for "just" Sundays.

Some have advised talking it out with others--this is probably one of the best things to do, but not everyone is willing to open up and discuss this sort of thing, not even with family. Still, it's probably good advice, for those who can manage it.

I am so very sorry to hear a Freeper was lost to us in this way. My prayers for him and his family.

[livesbygrace]

Does this sound familiar...
'My eye is wasted away from grief, my soul and my body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing. My strength has failed because of my iniquity, and my body has wasted away.
Because of all my adversaries, I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances. Those who see me in the street flee from me. I am forgotten as a dead man, out of mind. I am like a broken vessel.'

This is David in the Psalms, psalm 31:9b-12. He then cries out to the Lord and puts his trust in Him. Everything changes because of his relationship with God.

[Lazamataz]

Perhaps this would lead to the question: are FReepers more inclined toward depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, addictions, etc. than the society at large?

I'd answer you, but I'm too bummed out and I'm obsessing on it.

[IronJack]

The author indicated that many posters were Christian believers who still experienced depression that their faith couldn't seem to shake. I suggested that their faith WOULD conquer their depression (if doubt was its true origin) but that they had to make a choice to believe instead of doubt.

I believe that some depression is biochemical in nature, and that there are pharmaceutical solutions to these "funks." However, for folks whose despair arises from a crisis of faith, I maintain that the solution lies within their own grasp.

[StatesEnemy]

All suffering is a result of desire.

[Clara Lou]

Just one question: Have you ever been diagnosed as "clinically depressed"?

[prairiebreeze]

I had one episode of serious depression. It was incapacitating and one of the scariest experiences of my life.

My brain chemistry actually felt out of kilter. Really. It's hard to explain, but true. Prozac was a life saver.

I took the medication for a few months and haven't needed it since, and I wouldn't hesitate to ask for it again if needed. It's been probably at least 10 years since that experience. I had some therapy which helped with certain issues too.

I have a firm, unshakable belief in God. And I will say that during that time, without medical intervention, I don't think that would have been enough.

Prairie

[Petronski]

I hear ya, brother.

[Clara Lou]

However, for folks whose despair arises from a crisis of faith, I maintain that the solution lies within their own grasp.
Thanks for the clarification, and I can certainly agree with what you said above. My comments relate to clinical depression-- that's the kind that leads to suicide, the biochemical type, the kind I had some experience with.

[Lazamataz]

Perhaps this would lead to the question: are FReepers more inclined toward depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, addictions, etc. than the society at large?

No, let me be serious for a moment: When I am speaking of obsessive behavior, I want to differentiate that from OCD. OCD is the repetitive 'ritualistic' behavior Howard Stern suffered from, for example. You don't think you closed the door right, so you do it over and over again.

No, when I speak of obsessive behavior, it's not that. I get obsessive over a subject: Freeping or studying physics or handgunning or loving a woman or training a dog. I get 'addicted' to any of these things. I'm a very addictive personality. You could give me a paper clip and three bits of fluff and I would get addicted to it.

[Lazamataz]

All suffering is a result of desire.

All desire is the result of suffering.

[hardhead]

What I and wife did (the funk popped up every holiday season) was to completely eliminate the commercialization of Christmas in our lives. All our kids and grandkids were advised that we would no longer give gifts at Christmas but concentrate on the celebration of their birthdays when they popped up. Each of them gets something special that we have thought out good! Not just numbers and prices. We had a yard sale and got rid of all the 'cute' little holiday trinkets: elves, santas, train sets, wrapped package ornaments, etc., and are re-doing our Christmas decorations with manger scenes, angels, and reminders of The Christ.

We decided to reserve Christmas for the One whose birthday is rejoiced. We concentrated on our faith and not what Wally World thought we should buy for someone. We elected to explore ways to increase our faith through improvements to ourselves and what we could do for others.

Lo, and behold, the blue funk has disappeared. I can honestly say that there has been no Christmas season previous where we have been filled with such joy.

[AlwaysLurking]

I have always been a happy and optimistic person. Always. Oh, I might be blue occasionally but I could easily get over it.

Then I hit that stage in life, 50! And with that the start of menopause. Suddenly I could NOT get over this horrible, never ending feeling of despair and sadness. My life situation had not changed much but apparently my hormone levels HAD! My doctor had to almost force me to use drugs to get on top of this depression. I fought it mightily as I do not want to compound problems with drugs. And I was strong enough, I thought, to get over it on my own.But I was desperate to feel normal again.Desperate to be able to function again. So, I took them.

It has been a great help. They are not addictive and I can stop anytime. I will do so soon.

I also have stepped up my exercise program. This has helped tremendously.

But the action I took which I feel has given me the deepest comfort, is that I turned to God. I renewed my trust and faith in Him. I study and read the Bible. I found a true measure of love and compassion there. I am learning to give Him my troubles and worries.

In other words, for me at least, it was not a single answer that has helped me but a combinations of things. And I can not believe that I have written this and posted it. I never discuss this with anyone. It is a sign of great weakness in my mind to do so. But, I hope that my experience can help someone else.

[IronJack]

I would like to add this: if at any point in his or her life, any FReeper of whatever stripe feels that suicide is the only solution, I will be glad to talk to them about less drastic options.

I am NOT a psychologist or a trained counselor. I am not even a good Christian. All I am is another human being, and at that point, that may be all you need.

[prairiebreeze]

Sister

:^D

Prairie

[VOA]

This site seems to be populated by mostly conservative who believe in inner self
strength, accountability, self reliance and other character traits that
demonstrate individualism. There generally is a leaning toward Judeo-Christian values.

These values generally teach that the solution is found in faith and faith alone.
Faith will sustain and solve the problems. Self inflicting death is wrong.
(Please understand, this is my understanding. I tried to put this in a delicate
wording as possible, yet it still appears to be harsh and judgemental.)

Not to worry, you posed the situation well and kindly.

Let me at least explain the vantage point from which I see the same situation.

A reading of the Old and New Testaments reveals a lot of real, flawed, defective
people that were part of the story of the Jewish and Christian faiths/ethos.
IIRC, Jesus said that it was the sick (in spirit) that needed a physician, not the "well" people.

And, I think a fuller reading of some of the letters following Acts show that
while faith was viewed as a crucial part of wellness...severe illness
required action, e.g., letting the leaders of the church know you were sick,
to have them pray over you and anoint the ill with oil (about as good a medicinal
fix as there was at the time, I suppose). Even Paul prescribes MODERATE consumption of
wine (alcohol and all those good phytochemicals) for an upset stomach.

Speaking for myself alone, I think the real situation is this...people sick (in spirit
and/or body) often are sustained by their religious faith. That is crucial.
BUT, they should seek reasonable medical treatment of their illness, whether it's
psychological or bodily.
I fear that there are some people who suffer from depression and may not seek
treatment because they "put all their eggs in one basket" and expect that
faith, without action, will cure them...and some sink so low they lose their grip and
release themselves via suicide.
They should have faith AND take action by seeking appropriate medical help.
And their family and friends should try to help those who "can't help themselves", if possible.

I guess I would pose a counter-thought question:
"How many suicides are prevented because of faith?"
We can't know the answer to the question, but I suspect the number is substantial.

I admit that my thinking of this has been influenced somewhat by that tough,
pragmatic old Marine...the preacher/pastor Chuck Swindoll (www.insight.org).

[Lazamataz]

For the opposite effect, I offer myself as an example. I'm one of those insufferably happy people. Of course, bad events upset me, and of course I have my "sad" days, but my default state is that I'm really happy. Sometimes my happiness is punctuated by periods of near euphoria, and these are not caused by any events or circumstances in my life.

Me too. I have this constant 'tickle' of current going to the pleasure centers of my brain. I can feel it right this very second.

Of course, this constant 'on' state in my 'joy' button has some serious drawbacks: It has made me a bit of a hedonist and tended to exacerbate my drug problems.

[tubebender]

which seems to amplify as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays approach.

I wonder if the lack of sun light has more effect on this than just because it's the Holidays. I know that alcohol consumption increases here in Humboldt County during the winter...

[Skooz]

My dad used to tell me that people who are happy all the time are "all in the funny farm."

[mlbford2]

L-Tryptophan an amino-acid

Isn't that the stuff in turkey that makes you sleeepy