Depression

[janbear]

"There is an obvious connection between depression and self-esteem. The more depression we experience, the more difficulty we usually have in retaining a positive sense of self. Depression is flattening. It could actually be a called a spiritual steamroller.

Many excellent books have been written on the causes and cures of depression in all of its faces and degrees. In spite of their various approaches, all of them agree that courage is necessary in dealing with depression. It takes toughness to win. When all the strategizing is done, all the information gained, what is left is simply the call for stamina and grit. Even when "going on" is the last thing in the world we may want or feel able to do.

It takes enormous courage to make a simple affirmation when we feel the world is coming down around our ears. To get out to a meeting when all we want to do is sleep or cry is sheer bravery, and nothing less. To reach out when all we want to do is isolate may take the heroism of a medal-of-honor winner.

When all is said and done, toughness may be my best weapon

[mellotripp]

A fellowmember once taught me that depression is just a blow to the ego, for a normal person. For us chemically unbalanced it must be a direct trip to the physician. I have felt the doom and gloom of chronic depression and it is a state that I do not wish upon no one. Here, the psychological consequences can make the wallow, dangerous. So please, first show of symptoms, directly to the doctor. Anti depressants in most cases take time to get into the system, this just means more time in the dark.

[admin]

I have felt the doom and gloom of chronic depression and it is a state that I do not wish upon no one.

So please, first show of symptoms, directly to the doctor.

I agree. I also have felt the doom and gloom. Same here, first show of symptoms and I am off to the doctor. I do not wish to feel that anymore.

[paulm]

I wallow in my crap too long before I get to the Dr.

My mind tells me it's not that bad, it won't work this time;
My ego tells me that it's going to a waste of my precious time. Don't they know how important or busy I am. I only wish I had the self love you've described, to drop everything and get moving when the warning signs appear.
However, today i went to physcian and got hope and something added to my daily dose, until I get the ego deflated and some realiztion that the weight of the world doesn't have to rest on my shoulders.

[runs10k11714]

Depression is ,left to it's own devices,, cunning, baffling, and insidious. I've never met anyone yet ,including myself, that ever talked him or herself into anything healthy while they were depressed. In my opinion I don't think addiction is something someone makes a conscious healthy decision about. I think for myself a large part of my addiction with drugs and alcohol had to do with avoiding ANY issue that was a "downer"
Sometimes some "are sicker than others" and I try to respect that today and understand where they maybe coming from.
It took me a lot of years to say "Help Me" I don't think it's gonna be the last time I or a lot of us get to be on the other side of the fence. Thanks.