Regarding Freeper Obit. TrappedInLiberalHell and Depression

self | Self

[joesbucks]

The problems of depression and despair.

[joesbucks]

Think of all the years people suffered through what we are talking about without the benefits of modern medicine or medicaiton. Tough it out, have faith, get real........not too many years ago those were the only solutions. Those who suffered mental illness were thought to be demon possessed and that prayer was the only answer. We now know that there are severe chemical imbalances that can severely affect mood and mental state.

[E Rocc]

They certainly are not religious in nature, as I am an agnostic. Let me amend that: I am a Deist. For most of my life I was an agnostic. For most Freepers, that amounts to the same thing, anyway.

Actually, to many it amounts to "atheism". Agnosticism actually covers a wide range. Both a normally strong atheist and a Cardinal in the Vatican technically qualify if they have the slightest of doubts about their beliefs.

Personally I don't believe that God makes a habit of interfering in the affairs of man, any more than a good parent meddles in the lives of their adult children. However, I don't tend to push this point of view. I know a lot of people who draw great comfort from their religious faith. If that's what they want, that's fine and perhaps even a good thing. Most of the time.

The problems start when people become so convinced of their faith that they begin to believe that their views should be enforced. The writing of the Constitution was one of the turning points in world history largely because it established a place where this was not supposed to happen.

-Eric

[Monty22]

"I'm no longer surprised. Freepers are a cross-section of society. When Rush gave me the courage to come out about my (in-recovery) addiction to drugs, I was stunned at the number of people that came forward or Freepmailed me that they, too, were members of Narcotics Anonymous."

Well look at all the pro-drug threads here. I'm not surprised at all. The internet crowd seems to be almost entirely drug addicted. I see to be one of the very few that is not.

I'm not sure why it is, but I wish there weren't so obsessed and in love with their drugs. It makes it so difficult to talk rationally to anyone online on the topic.

[ClancyJ]

Not boil-the-pet-rabbit obsess. I guess everyone uses that as the fatal attraction obession/metaphor.

Seems rather odd to me.

Laz - you have such a talent for humor and it cheers so many that read your comments. Hope you work through your problems. Remember, we are all working through problems of one sort or another.

[Kevin Curry]

But faith defeats doubt. And the consolation for doubters is in the Bible.

I have witnessed miraculous rescues from the abyss of darkest depression through prayer and active faith in God. I'm thinking of one woman, a friend of the family, who had constant suicidal ideation about three years ago. She would lie in bed for weeks on end, as miserable and dark as any human being I've ever seen. She went to a psychiatrist, who prescribed first one powerful antidepressant, and then another. But these treatments brought with them other effects that only worsened her lot. Finally, she thanked God for her life, got up, made her bed, and walked fully in faith that she would be healed. And she was. She says she still has her down moments, but they are temporary and easily bearable. For the most part she is cheerful and fully engaged in life.

I know other apparently equally faithful men and women who have tried and failed repeatedly by these means (prayer and faith). Some have seen improvement, sometimes dramatic, after being prescribed antidepressants. Others simply struggle and struggle, and struggle. I have no answer for these people. Do they have a thorn in the flesh that God in His wisdom has chosen at present not to remove? I don't know. But I pray for them.

There is a powerful mystery of the mind, in the mind, and of the spirit. Its mechanism bewilders me. I know a man who smoked for decades, who simply could not overcome the addiction no matter how much he prayed, no matter how many smoking cessation techniques he attempted. Then he became engaged to a woman who told him flatly she would not marry him if he continued to smoke. His love for this woman had taken over center stage in is life. He told me, "That did it. I stopped smoking immediately and have never looked back. I have never even had a craving. I can't explain it. When I became convinced at some deep level that smoking was no longer an option, it was not something I could even bargain over, at that very moment it was like some 'central controller' said 'Okay, I've unlocked your shackles, and you're free.'"

I believe with some people depression can lift and dissipate by the same mechanism. Each man's struggle is his own. My own struggle is sufficient for me. Thankfully, I have not had to contend with intense depression (or smoking addiction).

[frithguild]

ignorant

[TheSpottedOwl]

I've often wondered why there is such a huge need for antidepressants, etc. Is it the complicated society in which we live? Maybe because on top of that, we aren't as religious these days.

It's a common fact that the holidays are the most stressful time of year. I don't know if that's because of trying to fulfill everyone's expectations, or because one is alone.

Thank you for posting this thread. Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year to you and your family. May Trapped rest in peace.

[E Rocc]

Well look at all the pro-drug threads here. I'm not surprised at all. The internet crowd seems to be almost entirely drug addicted. I see to be one of the very few that is not.

Being pro-legalization does not mean being pro-drug. I'm very pro-legalization and very much against the recreational use of anything stronger than pot or alcohol. Many of us just feel that the costs of Prohibition are higher than the potential costs of legalization. Especially when our liberties are eroded in the name of the "Drug War".

-Eric

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

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.

Yes. My faith in God was never in doubt. My faith in myself on the other hand....

The best way I can describe it is that it felt like a energy leach was attached to me. Getting out of bed when I didn't have to was to much trouble. I wasn't asleep but I would just lie there and not move. It was two terrible years of grayness. Why I didn't turn to drugs or alcohol can only be explained by His grace.

By the time it ended I had done a lot of damage to my life that I am still repairing. The happy little people who chirped that "If you just had more faith in God..." made the problem worse. Now days I just tell them to go read the book of Job and see if they recognize themselves anywhere in there. Back then only extreme self control along with the fact that I was just so tired kept me from loosening a few teeth.

[Monty22]

Well, pot use itself is a big sign of problems.

The I'm not 'except the ones I use' mentality is a bad sign.

You can use that to justify anything.

[ClancyJ]

I hope you realize how blessed you are. I envy people who are positive thinkers and are optimists. Being a pessimist is such a dire way to live.

[Monty22]

Oh, and please don't prove my point by starting the pro-drug posts. grrrrr..

Here it comes, another drug lover manic thing. Sorry I started it.

[Nataku X]

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 say that all those who lead active Internet lives are more likely to be depressed than society at large, but conservatives are less depressed than liberals. This time last year I was depressed, so down that I wrote a FR prayer request thread.

Nothing could help me. Cynicism and bitterness ate at me. I tried my best to hide it from those who loved me, knowing that NO ONE likes a depressed friend who's saying "there's nothing to life".

But, I'll share my observations--high school kids, single people, and college students have a much higher rate of depression than today. My theory--which my mother inspired--is that humans aren't meant to live within themsleves, they're not meant to live for themselves. If you're single or in high school or in college, your world revolves around--guess who? YOU!

My depression was cured when I got an apartment, a job, and 2 cats. I was no longer living for myself solely. I have responsibilities to my apartment and my two lovely cats.

My mother echoes that the thing that made her the happiest was having children. She no longer lived within herself--she lived through her two children. If you're living in a "me" world, you're going against God's design.

I know that the very thing that hurts a depressed person the most is "it's your fault" and "you're depressed because you're not close enough to God". Neither is true! American culture encourages the exact you-are-center-of-the-universe lifestyle that makes you empty and bitter and depressed. Is it so surprising that depression is so high in America and in European cultures where "me" is the #1 rule?

[Barnacle]

If you think you may have depression, don’t mess around. See a doctor.

___________________________________________________________________________

[E Rocc]

The first thing I can testify will NOT work is all the New Age mumbo-jumbo: building self-esteem

That's become a big problem, particularly in the schools. "Self esteem", has come to mean feeling good about oneself unconditionally, without the need for objective evidence. In order to preserve it, said objective evidence is often de-emphasized or even discarded. We are logical beings and eventually the logic sneaks in.

In the pursuit of "self esteem", some would suppress "self respect", which can be described as "self-esteem" based upon objective justification. Self respect is a much stronger and more durable feeling. Leaving aside the social and cultural hazards of de-emphasizing achievement, this is very dangerous.

-Eric

[snopercod]

You guys just snapped me out of my depression. Thanks.

[riri]

re: your 113, I know where you are coming from.

It is hard for me to explain really. I would like to be a person who could thrive in the cold and rain, etc as all the places I would really rather be living (Montana for example are bitter cold) but I shut down in that type of weather.

As much as I hate 110 degrees, I have no problem getting out of bed and getting the day going. OTOH, it was about 38 degrees when I woke up this morning, I don't even want to get out of bed.

[Nataku X]

But, I'll share my observations--high school kids, single people, and college students have a much higher rate of depression than today. My theory--which my mother inspired--is that humans aren't meant to live within themsleves, they're not meant to live for themselves.

should be corrected to:

But, I'll share my observations--high school kids, single people, and college students have a much higher rate of depression than other groups today. My theory--which was inspired by my mother--is that humans aren't meant to live within themsleves, nor for themselves.

[E Rocc]

The I'm not 'except the ones I use' mentality is a bad sign.

Actually I don't use pot. The point was that pro-legalization and "pro-drug" are not the same thing. I'll leave it at that.

-Eric

[Amelia]

American culture encourages the exact you-are-center-of-the-universe lifestyle that makes you empty and bitter and depressed. Is it so surprising that depression is so high in America and in European cultures where "me" is the #1 rule?

Good observations.