[joesbucks]

I've been scanning through the comments in the thread Freeper Obit. TrappedInLiberalHell. I was surprised by the number of people that admitted they suffered through bouts of depression and how many themselves have gone so far as to ponder taking a gun to themselves or even getting the gun in the position of taking their life. Again, I was very surprised.

I will make some observations that are mine, and admittedly may be very wrong or amplified through my own personal experiences. This vanity was created to begin a general discussion as to why there seems to be such an epidemic of this type of condition or illness and why it's showing in what appears to be more frequently than I ever envisioned.

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.)

Again this purpose of this is to exchange ideas on the subject, which seems to amplify as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays approach.

I too seem to suffer from very dark days, although I've never been in the situation where I seriously comtemplated taking my life. I will admit to having felt that life had no true meaning, but never have I entertained taking my life.

I'm interested in what others have experienced, what got them out of their "funk" and are you ever really cured of these conditions. Many will suggest turning to God, Christ or some other form of faith. I have. I try to surround myself with not only ideals based on faith, but anything generally positive. Yet, just the other day I felt for a few moments a horrible despair.

Again, this is for discussion and sources of solution.

Hope your Christmas holiday and New Year are filled with joy, peace, happiness and prosperity.

[PFKEY]

Many will suggest turning to God, Christ or some other form of faith.

I would agree that this is the best answer of all.

I would also add to this general suggestion that to help get out of your 'funk' that you read the Bible. Not just a few chapters but maybe a few books.

Beyound that go to church and beyound that do some type of charity work.

Nothing will make you feel better than helping someone else.

Also, if this is more than just an occassional thing certainly see a doctor. There are many wonderful drugs that will help as well as advice a doctor can give on changing things that might be causing your depression.

[Beenthere1]

I have been a long-time lurker, and at one time or another I thought to post, but for one thing or another I never did. However, after reading some of the posts on this thread, I believe that I should write this. May be it would help someone.

I believe in personal responsibility and self-reliance. So whenever I would hear about depression or a depressed person, my first thought was that they weren't trying, trying the wrong, thing, etc.

My sister-in-law was (still is) depressed. She is a very smart and ambituous person, with an extremely sweet personality. It is hard to imagine a better person. She tried different therapists. She was also diagnosed various medications, dosages, and combinations of medications. She even changed her job. However, she kept getting worse.

The whole time, I thought it was her fault.

Sometime after we (my wife and I) moved in with her and her parents (my in-laws), she took a quick turn for the worse. Shortly thereafter she attempted suicide. Thankfully, my wife and her parents were home, and after a lengthy medical hospital stay, followed by a psychiatric hospital stay, she was allowed to return home.

For all of the people who claim that suicide is a selfish act, I believe that you must never have been around a person like my sister-in-law. She was not thinking at all. She could not reason. And you could not have a conversation with her at all.

My in-laws were retired and my wife stopped working, so they tried to talk to her and help around the clock. When I would come home from work, I would relieve the others, and I would try with all of my might to get her to read something, get a hobby, think differently, reason with her, etc. Nothing worked, she wanted to commit suicide again, so we had to watch her around the clock. She even said that it would be better for us if she died. In my mind, there is no way she could have made any sort of selfish decision, for the simple reason that she could not reason. There was no logic or coherence in her thoughts. We tried mightily, and when we thought we had made some progress, we notice that she would go back to her old ways. This was the hardest part. As soon as we thought she was coming out, we realized she never left.

For all of you who have suffered or suffer through this, I feel for you, and I wish you the best. We had no idea what to do, where to get information, what was the best treatment, etc.

I too have suffered from depression, but not as bad as her. It was getting worse, so a short time ago, I took the plunge and started receiving treatment. At my worst, I learned a little bit how your mind loses it. From everything I read, I "knew" what I needed to do, but I could not do it or follow through. I could only imagine, how much worse it must have been for her. I have thought about suicide, but thankfully, I think of my wife, parents and sisters, and I quickly change my mind. If i did it, it would truly be selfish because I can still reason. However, as I mentioned earlier, my sister-in-law could not reason at all. It has now been close to one year, and little by little she has been making great progress. She is almost like when I originally met her.

For the wife of Chris, I offer my condolences, and I wish you the best. From all of the nice things I been hearing about Chris the last couple of days, I sure looks like he was a wonderful person, and he will be missed. Sorry for the long rant.

[Conservative til I die]

Frankly, I am not interested in the personal lives of any person I post to on the internet.

[ladyinred]

Like everyone I have had bouts of depression. The death of my father, dealing with the disease I have, etc. I usually wallow in it for a while, them I self talk myself out of it. I would not hesitate to take medication for it if I felt that I needed it, nor do I see any shame in doing so, either from a Christian perspective, or just a social one.

I have been blessed or cursed, depending on the perspective, to appear upbeat and happy even when I am down in the dumps. My hubby and friends marvel at my ability to do that. When they are depressed, everyone knows it. I keep it to myself, and cry and make a scene only when I am alone. I am not sure if that is good or bad!

[mhking]

Depression is a b*tch. Been there, done that - and at times, I'm still there (especially since I'm still job-searching). Prayer, friends and comfort in the knowledge that "this, too, shall pass."

The good Lord doesn't put more on our shoulders than we can bear. Some people cannot see that, unfortunately.

When the burdeon gets to be beyond our capabilities, turn your eyes to Him.

Not long after I started posting here, a good friend killed himself. I realized then, that those who are close can be the biggest help, simply by being there. Simply by letting you know that you matter.

My FRiends, know that I'm here, should anyone need.

[Cinnamon Girl]

DON'T GIVE UP ON FIGHTING DEPRESSION. TELL YOUR MEDICAL DOCTOR. GET MEDICAL HELP. IT MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE.

[hope]

Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It is truly possible that the Lord can give a person joy in their hearts that is unspeakable. In other words, joy that is not of your own doing but of the Holy Spirit that is within you once you have come to the knowledge of Christ and His plan for you.

The Lord said that we'd still go through valleys, but that He would be there with us. He also promised we'd soar like the eagle. It may seem complicated but, if you put all of your trust(faith) in Him, He will not disappoint... Feelings of guilt and self worth come from a life of sin. We are all sinners but, the good news is that Jesus does forgive if we come to Him with an contrite heart, He will forgive us and remember it no more...

We are the gate keeper to our minds...It is important to have the proper prospective on faith...The Lord said" My people perish for lack of knowledge". The Word of God is there for whomever is willing to take it up...

His Word is full of so many promises and that Word was and still is today very powerful.. How can anyone doubt it?

[discostu]

The one time I seriously contemplated ending it I couldn't do it because I couldn't insult my friends like that. I knew they were great friends and were doing everything they could, I knew the fault was all mine, but I knew they would blame themselves. That was the only reason I could come up with but it was compelling and I still think it's compelling, contemplating what you'll do to those you leave behind is something I don't think enough people do.

[mabelkitty]

I submit that therepy with a trained mental health professional should be treatment first - before prescription drugs are introduced. The drugs are not as safe as claimed. Studies have proven they can make depression worse.

[Tax Government]

Without writing a big treatise, I believe this:

In the last couple thousand years, and especially the last few hundred, our culture has switched from an oral one to a visual one.

For millions of years, we relied on interpersonal communication, speech and music to create and maintain our society. Now, a big part of the culture is visual.

I contend the visual channel is overtaxed, and inadequate to create the two-way communcation on which our emotional health depends. We were active participants in the oral tradition, but are much more passive and overloaded in the visual culture.

This is just an idea to throw into the mix.

On FR we are actually overcoming one of the deficits of the visual culture, by using it for two-way communication. That is very healthy and restorative, imho.

[the invisib1e hand]

all natural phenomena are perverted and exacerbated by demonic influence.

[maxwell]

self-ping

[KangarooJacqui]

I've been scanning through the comments in the thread Freeper Obit. TrappedInLiberalHell. I was surprised by the number of people that admitted they suffered through bouts of depression and how many themselves have gone so far as to ponder taking a gun to themselves or even getting the gun in the position of taking their life. Again, I was very surprised.

FYI, my late husband never owned a gun of his own. And didn't take a gun to himself to die, either. (You REALLY wanna know? You can FReepmail me, coward!)

Reading this post almost nine months after the event, yes, it still hurts to see your utter insensitivity and self-involvement in even beginning this thread. How you think your moments of self-doubt compare with suicidal despair, I will NEVER know. But I know this: you are evil to have started this thread, and more evil still not to have posted (vanity) in the title.

That said, I wish you no ill. There are levels of evil in this world, and your (I assume) well-intentioned post doesn't even figure on the scale of Saddam's Iraq, Nicolae Caecescu's Romania, and so on...

I still think this was a vanity that piggybacked on my tragedy, however, and I despise you for it.

FRegards, KaJac.