Regarding Freeper Obit. TrappedInLiberalHell and Depression

self | Self

[joesbucks]

The problems of depression and despair.

[carlo3b]

Everything is an option, and everyone can, or must explore every option as it relates to their own particular situation. Some folks find it's better to go out at or near the top of their game, others wait until something catastrophic forces them to undertake this heart wrenching decision.

Some are more prepared mentally and physically than others, to look at death as a way to solve problems, or as a favorable solution to their delema. Still others will never really entertain this as a viable choice. I could never give any advice to anyone that had such a finality, but I wouldn't think anyone a coward for having chosen where and when it was time.

However, I have personally lived through what appeared to be intolerable, if not impossible situations, and looked back at them with relief that my determination and mind overcame the emergency, and the crisis passed.

[Lazamataz]

I do, however, think that FR probably has an unusually high number of obsessive people. How many 'normal' people would post and read like we do??

[Lazamataz]

However, I have personally lived through what appeared to be intolerable, if not impossible situations,

Boy, am I glad you made it.

I love you.

[Amelia]

It's not the nature of the place that makes these things more frequent, but the numbers of people and their different orgigins, etc.

I also think some numbers may seem skewed because generally it's the people with prior interest in the subject who'll be posting on any particular thread.

[Neets]

That one I do have to think about.

I am kinda thinking it's the nature of politics tho...and I'm not so sure it's really obsessive more than passion.

[poindexter]

A big problem is that many people don't accept that depression is a medical issue. Everyone has dark hours, or days. Depression is dark _months_, sometimes years. The sufferer stops thinking he has problems, and thinks he _is_ a problem. Without medical intervention there is little hope of long-term improvement.

It makes sense that depression and many other psychiatric problems arise from brain chemistry. Addition of alcohol to the brain certainly makes a difference in behavior. Ditto the addition of LSD, methamphetamine, etc. So if the brain's _natural_ chemicals get out of whack, of course there is going to be an effect on behavior and attitude. We are just beginning to understand some brain chemistry; hence the emergence of some of the "wonder drugs" like Prozac and other SSRI's which push one system of brain chemistry back toward normal. As we understand more and more, new drugs will appear to treat other problems.

Let's make sure we understand; there is a difference between being "blue" and being depressed, between being overly cautious and being obsessive/compulsive, between being a very active kid and being hyperactive. The difference is medical, and needs to be treated as such.

Thanks for raising the issue.

[baseballmom]

And I can not believe that I have written this and posted it. I never discuss this with anyone.

Ditto that. Christmas Blues - big time, wallowing as I type. Time to slap a smile on this face and get busy. Or not.

[leadpenny]

How many 'normal' people would post and read like we do??

Why be normal?

Laz, you're like the resident therapist.

[wimpycat]

I haven't. I've sometimes wondered in an academic sort of way what would be the best way to kill oneself, but I've never considered actually doing it. I've never felt so bad that I thought death was preferable. And it's not that I'm content all the time, or that nothing bad has happened in my life; far from it. It's just that I'm not so affected by life that I've ever thought death would make things better. I feel sorry for those who are genuinely overwhelmed by what life throws our way sometimes. You never know what goes on in some people's heads, even when they seem happy, or at least content.

Anxiety is my particular nemesis, which is closely linked to depression. I'm not clinical, but I have certain tendencies that run in my family. It's an almost constant struggle. You have to be conscious of the fact that you have certain vulnerabilities that other people don't have, and learn to avoid getting yourself worked up into a state.

[carlo3b]

I love you.

We have to stop meeting like this.. But you must know by now, you are my kind of guy.. sigh, eyes rolling.. *<):^}.. LOLOLOL

[Dysart]

Weather! For me it's weather. Since I left the northeast ten years ago and moved to places that are perpetually "sunny--I rarely get depressed."


My twin sister now lives in Seattle, and I swear I have to talk her don from the ledge during every extended rainy period(not literally). We grew up in the sunny south, so the climate in Seattle has an especially depressing effect on her, I think. There are so many internal/external contributing factors for depression-- the complexity of the mind is staggering.

[ClancyJ]

I've noticed the same result when delaying taking the medicine. I am more resilient to daily life events.

The way I understand it - there are transmitters and receivers in the brain. Many that have depression have fewer of the transmitters or receivers. Antidepressants work to increase the transmitting or receiving of the messages that provide a sense of well-being.

If a depressed person has fewer of these messages providing the sense of well-being, of course, he does not have that base providing him with the ability to see things in a normal way. When problems hit, or even in normal day to day happenings, he is less able to renew his feeling of well-being and go on.

So, a person may always have the same fewer receptors or transmitters all through life. Thank goodness for the medications.

[Ben Chad]

A beautiful Italian woman cured my depression but when I raised this subject at breakfast this morning she started talking about murder/suicide. LOL

[Lazamataz]

I am kinda thinking it's the nature of politics tho...and I'm not so sure it's really obsessive more than passion.

No, we're nuts. Let's just eeeeeaaaase back into that recliner called 'Crazy".

And let's go write our names in the snow. Maybe this time you'll take directions. :o)

[Lazamataz]

A beautiful Italian woman cured my depression but when I raised this subject at breakfast this morning she started talking about murder/suicide. LOL

I have never once been depressed while having sex.

Not once.

[MissAmericanPie]

It's very important to keep moving past bad events, to keep moving through failures of character while incorporating a change of heart and character into who you are. To stop and dwell on personal failures is self defeating. Learn, change, and grow. At the end of the day, you end up being who you choose to be.

We may not have control over events that come into our lives, we have complete control over how we react to them and how we allow, or do not allow them to effect us.

People in trouble see nothing in front of them but a immovable brick wall, they have lost all hope for change. In helping them one must work hard to dislodge one of those bricks and allow them to see past that wall to a better future.

If that means self examination and change in character they must see that as possible, if that means an event must be endured, they must see that they can endure it. Sometimes self pity makes a person feel that their problem is unique to them and that no one else has ever faced such a problem, when really most problems are common to all men.

I don't like to ask for things for myself, but when I find myself at the end of my endurance and tapped out of the character and strength it takes to endure, I have a long talk with my Father in heaven. The situation may not change but I feel I am changed.

I'm so sad for TrappedInLiberalHell, it's hard to think on the pain he must have felt and how alone he must have felt.
I pray that God grants him the peace and joy that he could not find here.

[Lazamataz]

We have to stop meeting like this.. But you must know by now, you are my kind of guy.. sigh, eyes rolling.. *<):^}.. LOLOLOL

It's your recipes. I'm a sucker for a man that cooks.

[IronJack]

The problem with the mechanistic theories of physio-psychology is that they lead to passivity. If one is simply a victim of some chemical imbalance or genetic aberration, then some chemical solution is available to correct the deficiency. The sufferer needn't take any more responsibility for his condition than going to a doctor for a prescription.

There are clearly cases where the root cause of depression is chemical. But just as heliobacter is not the sole source of ulcers, chemical imbalances are not the sole source of depression. And just as the brain is capable of creating the chemicals that cause depression, it is capable of creating those that cause euphoria.

So one walks a dangerous line when one relies completely on a mechanistic model of psychology, just as one does if the model is entirely mystical.

[Lazamataz]

The ironic thing was, if you didn't know him well, you'd think he was the happiest fellow around - always a joke or funny story.

He was the classic Sad Clown.

[CajunConservative]

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.

Very good points here. When I was a teenager I had two episodes of major depression, two suicide attempts. It was a combination of physiological and circumstancial. I did not really respond too well with medication or counseling(I was a very private person)but I did respond with a dietary change, exercise, and supplements, especially the B vitamins.

For the circumstantial reasons for being depressed, journaling and intensive Bible study and prayer helped me to understand the power of forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 were life changing for me. It gave me perspective. It was the God of all comfort passage in which I understood that when we go through suffering, God comforts us and then we can comfort others with the same comfort we ourselves received. The other passage that helped with the circumstancial reasons was Philippians 3:13-14 forget what is the past and look ahead.

It was God who led me through the valleys in finding the answers that worked for me. As long as I follow my diet, supplements, exercise and journaling I have never lapsed back into the major depressive episodes. Journaling helps to monitor moods and see if there is a cycle or what triggers things. Therefore, I am in control and if I notice a pattern developing I do something about it.

I also think that people today are simply burnt out with the constant activity and busyness. It's easier to stay busy than deal with the emotions and pain. However, most people can't keep up the constant adrenaline rush. We compensate with food, drugs, alcohol, internet, sex, etc. all to numb the pain.

We as conservatives have a hard time it seems dealing with the emotional side of things, we pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and don't reach out because we don't want to be like the emotional liberals. Most of the time that is what is best, but there are times when we need to tend to the emotional side of things too.