I've been very sad all my life.

Well almost all my life. I started taking anti depressants about 3 years ago. It took a few combinations, but I now want to live. I still feel bummed at times, but now it's something I think I can overcome. And guess what? I usually do overcome whatever is bugging me.

If you are sad, get professional help. Find the right doctor.

I love my shrink.

I once had a depression from a drug as a side effect. The depression was severe and nothing made me happy, it was weird. As soon as I got off the drug, I went back to normal.
I think some of the depression in peoples lives is from trying to fit in our societal cliques. The inclusion and exclusion aspects.

On a related note: My boss recently told me that he like the way I handle bad news, to which I said, "Well, I can't change the situation, but I certainly can choose the way I react to it." I think that maybe key into finding more happiness in our lives. We choose how to react to each situation.

Now, I'm not saying drugs aren't needed or therapy for some, but I think how we precieve things is key to happiness.

kewlschool said:

I once had a depression from a drug as a side effect. The depression was severe and nothing made me happy, it was weird. As soon as I got off the drug, I went back to normal.
I think some of the depression in peoples lives is from trying to fit in our societal cliques. The inclusion and exclusion aspects.

On a related note: My boss recently told me that he like the way I handle bad news, to which I said, "Well, I can't change the situation, but I certainly can choose the way I react to it." I think that maybe key into finding more happiness in our lives. We choose how to react to each situation.

Now, I'm not saying drugs aren't needed or therapy for some, but I think how we precieve things is key to happiness.

It's important to note that we are ALL unique individuals, mentally and physiologically.

What works for me may not work for you, whether it be pills, therapy or whatever.

I tried to self-medicate with when I was going through the worst of mine, and it only made matters worse.

Therapy is a better fit. On the flipside, I know someone for whom therapy only made him MORE depressed!!!

Good to see that you noticed the effect of your medication and took action.

A person doesn't choose life-long depression; it chooses you. That type of depression one can learn to manage and live with...but it is like an ex-spouse you can never completely get rid of.

purplethunder3121 said:

A person doesn't choose life-long depression; it chooses you. That type of depression one can learn to manage and live with...but it is like an ex-spouse you can never completely get rid of.

Depends. If the depression is brought about through a poor self image or low self esteem then the depression can be released by bringing the unconscious deficiency beliefs into conciousness for release.

ConsciousContact said:

BobGeorge909 said:

ConsciousContact said:

Depends. If the depression is brought about through a poor self image or low self esteem then the depression can be released by bringing the unconscious deficiency beliefs into conciousness for release.

Low self-esteem and poornslf image are symptoms of depression...not causes.

Not in most cases.

Low self-esteem and poor self image typically (not always of course) the result of experiences or triggers/trauma that can happen in childhood and usually in the teenage years cement themselves into the psyche.

The EFFECTS include a wide array of issues...nervousness, lack of confidence, addiction, self-mutilation, promiscuity, and clinical depression.

As I mentioned before, we are unique and are effected in different ways by different things, so it is absolutely possible I suppose that someone's depression could lead to low esteem...BUT, typically if you have low esteem/self image issues AND depression, you would treat the former to rid yourself of the depression, not the other way around.

1ststatestereo said:

I've been very sad all my life.

Well almost all my life. I started taking anti depressants about 3 years ago. It took a few combinations, but I now want to live. I still feel bummed at times, but now it's something I think I can overcome. And guess what? I usually do overcome whatever is bugging me.

If you are sad, get professional help. Find the right doctor.

I love my shrink.

I also agree finding the right doctor and medication helps. I'm in the process now. I suffer from BPD so it's hard to find a good doc esp being in the military.

PurpleJedi said:

BobGeorge909 said:

ConsciousContact said: Low self-esteem and poornslf image are symptoms of depression...not causes.

Not in most cases.

Low self-esteem and poor self image typically (not always of course) the result of experiences or triggers/trauma that can happen in childhood and usually in the teenage years cement themselves into the psyche.

The EFFECTS include a wide array of issues...nervousness, lack of confidence, addiction, self-mutilation, promiscuity, and clinical depression.

As I mentioned before, we are unique and are effected in different ways by different things, so it is absolutely possible I suppose that someone's depression could lead to low esteem...BUT, typically if you have low esteem/self image issues AND depression, you would treat the former to rid yourself of the depression, not the other way around.

I agree. It is identifying with beliefs that causes behaviour such as isolating and medicating feelings that can lead to depression. I don't believe I was depressed when I was born or a toddler. The depression seemed to develop at about age 6 when I started to identify myself strongly with thoughts in my head that were a reaction to less than nurturing experiences.

Like I said we can try experimentiing with bringing to conscious awareness these deficiency stories and the uncomfortable feelings that seem "stuck" in the body and if supressed can lead to depression. We can bring them forth for release and the depression may clear up.

To add my little grain of sand on the topic...

.

I've been depressed b4. For most of my life I would go thru ups and downs in a very cyclic manner, but usually depressive phases would last a few days, a few weeks, 1 to 3 months at most, then I'd go up again for some time, etc. Because the phases were short I lived with this quite as well, then the shit started to hit the fan and phases would last longer and longer. The last one, which ended in April 2013, lasted 3 years and a half. 3 years and a half of my life lost, honest. Life went on, sure, but everything was tasteless What kept me alive was the notion that I'd been there b4 and that, eventually, it would always end, so I was waiting for it to end. But I've got to admit that the last few months were really tough: after so long I began to think maybe it was forever.

.

Now I'm working real hard making everything in my life and mind OK, so I won't fall back, and so far so good, for the last 17 months I've been really balanced ans happy. I know it could happen again any time, though, but I also know I can help preventing it, so I'm doing my best. My fear is that given that the previous phases were always longer than the one before, the next one may be the last one, last for 5, 6 years, maybe even forever. Depression is hell, u live, u eat, u do the things u love, u make love, but everything is grey, tasteless, unlike it used to be. U're being negative and pessimistic about just everything and even though u perfectly know this is all subjective, there's nothing u can do about it. It's like a reversed effect of MDMA/ecstasy, exactly, except it lasts much longer. I'm not going back there, no fucking way. I'd rather die now that to go thru another 3 years and a half like that, honest.

.

One thing that really shocked me back then was that it's a very lonely experience. Save those who've been depressed before, no one understands. If u share it (something I usually didn't do), people stare at u with embarassment, they don't have a bloody clue what u're going thru or how to help. This, I'm sure, only makes it waaaay worse for many depressives, this loneliness in it :/

1ststatestereo said:

I've been very sad all my life.

Well almost all my life. I started taking anti depressants about 3 years ago. It took a few combinations, but I now want to live. I still feel bummed at times, but now it's something I think I can overcome. And guess what? I usually do overcome whatever is bugging me.

If you are sad, get professional help. Find the right doctor.

I love my shrink.

Congrats, seems u're on the right path

If u found the "right" shrink, it'll help a lot. Besides meds and traditional therapy there are many other things u may wanna try and that may help u really: meditation, energetic arts (yoga, tai-chi or chi-cong), hypnosis, sophrology... As far as I'm concerned those things don't do much for me when I'm low, but they sure help not going down again when I'm high.

wildgoldenhoney said:

databank said:

To add my little grain of sand on the topic...

.

I've been depressed b4. For most of my life I would go thru ups and downs in a very cyclic manner, but usually depressive phases would last a few days, a few weeks, 1 to 3 months at most, then I'd go up again for some time, etc. Because the phases were short I lived with this quite as well, then the shit started to hit the fan and phases would last longer and longer. The last one, which ended in April 2013, lasted 3 years and a half. 3 years and a half of my life lost, honest. Life went on, sure, but everything was tasteless What kept me alive was the notion that I'd been there b4 and that, eventually, it would always end, so I was waiting for it to end. But I've got to admit that the last few months were really tough: after so long I began to think maybe it was forever.

.

Now I'm working real hard making everything in my life and mind OK, so I won't fall back, and so far so good, for the last 17 months I've been really balanced ans happy. I know it could happen again any time, though, but I also know I can help preventing it, so I'm doing my best. My fear is that given that the previous phases were always longer than the one before, the next one may be the last one, last for 5, 6 years, maybe even forever. Depression is hell, u live, u eat, u do the things u love, u make love, but everything is grey, tasteless, unlike it used to be. U're being negative and pessimistic about just everything and even though u perfectly know this is all subjective, there's nothing u can do about it. It's like a reversed effect of MDMA/ecstasy, exactly, except it lasts much longer. I'm not going back there, no fucking way. I'd rather die now that to go thru another 3 years and a half like that, honest.

.

One thing that really shocked me back then was that it's a very lonely experience. Save those who've been depressed before, no one understands. If u share it (something I usually didn't do), people stare at u with embarassment, they don't have a bloody clue what u're going thru or how to help. This, I'm sure, only makes it waaaay worse for many depressives, this loneliness in it :/

Exactly.

Let's not talk about it,because it's so depressing.

iaminparties said:

Let's not talk about it,because it's so depressing.

Talking about it is healthy.

PurpleJedi said:

BobGeorge909 said:

ConsciousContact said: Low self-esteem and poornslf image are symptoms of depression...not causes.

Not in most cases.

Low self-esteem and poor self image typically (not always of course) the result of experiences or triggers/trauma that can happen in childhood and usually in the teenage years cement themselves into the psyche.

The EFFECTS include a wide array of issues...nervousness, lack of confidence, addiction, self-mutilation, promiscuity, and clinical depression.

As I mentioned before, we are unique and are effected in different ways by different things, so it is absolutely possible I suppose that someone's depression could lead to low esteem...BUT, typically if you have low esteem/self image issues AND depression, you would treat the former to rid yourself of the depression, not the other way around.

I think it is a "what came first, the chicken or the egg" situation.

Having gone to an extreme to get rid of my depression meant to go as deep as possible into it to look at it. During my childhood I was not a terrible kid but not the "dream child" and so I didn't get a lot of back patting. Instead I got an endless list of ways that I could do better, be better liked, look better to those around me.

It was basically the story of the ugly duckling. The issue wasn't that I was a failure among ducks, the issue was that I WASN'T A DUCK TO BEGIN WITH.

I read something on Facebook lately that said it all,

Growth is painful

Change is painful

But nothing is as painful as staying somewhere you do not belong.

This is simply one persons story. I used diet and exersize as well as making drastic outward changes. I didn't care about what anyone said because I felt that I was dying inside and out. The anti depressants were causing huge weight gain. I was turning 50 and having many problems typical of an obese person. It was just crazy, so I left everyone and everything in hopes of finding my way back to sanity.

kewlschool said:

I once had a depression from a drug as a side effect. The depression was severe and nothing made me happy, it was weird. As soon as I got off the drug, I went back to normal.
I think some of the depression in peoples lives is from trying to fit in our societal cliques. The inclusion and exclusion aspects.

On a related note: My boss recently told me that he like the way I handle bad news, to which I said, "Well, I can't change the situation, but I certainly can choose the way I react to it." I think that maybe key into finding more happiness in our lives. We choose how to react to each situation.

Now, I'm not saying drugs aren't needed or therapy for some, but I think how we precieve things is key to happiness.

kewlschool's experience is completely different than mine in that medication started the problem. Genesia also spoke of a more physical cause. It is an interesting topic IMO.

All I can say is if you realize you cannot cope anymore PLEASE get help before you cause others pain that they have to deal with for the rest of their lives .

luv4u said:

iaminparties said:

Let's not talk about it,because it's so depressing.

Talking about it is healthy.

yes, talking about ones depression is healthy. it's like opening up and

letting the negative go. [i'm sending flowers to myself and others hoping they stay in health]

Serious said:

All I can say is if you realize you cannot cope anymore PLEASE get help before you cause others pain that they have to deal with for the rest of their lives .

This is true. I went to therapists for years and the result was that I was numbed out on anti depressants but not getting any real change. I was frightened for my 9 year old daughter that had to live with me. I was frightened about what living with someone who never really smiled or did much of anything was doing to her. I also felt like I just wanted to be dead. I read enough about the children and families of suicide victims to know that for the families, especially very small children, suicide is devastating.

It is a horrible place to be in. You can't be cheery ever but you know that just taking yourself out behind the barn and shooting yourself isn't the answer.

Deadflow3r said:

Serious said:

All I can say is if you realize you cannot cope anymore PLEASE get help before you cause others pain that they have to deal with for the rest of their lives .

This is true. I went to therapists for years and the result was that I was numbed out on anti depressants but not getting any real change. I was frightened for my 9 year old daughter that had to live with me. I was frightened about what living with someone who never really smiled or did much of anything was doing to her. I also felt like I just wanted to be dead. I read enough about the children and families of suicide victims to know that for the families, especially very small children, suicide is devastating.

It is a horrible place to be in. You can't be cheery ever but you know that just taking yourself out behind the barn and shooting yourself isn't the answer.

A friend of mine tried to kill himself because of me (being just friends with me wasn't enough for him as he is crazy in love with me) a few days ago. I found him in time so that he was saved, but I will never ever forget this horrible experience in my life. He had been battling depression for years, but refused to get help until now. I wish he had gotten help before he caused himself, his children and me all the pain and shock we have to go through now .

Serious said:

Deadflow3r said:

This is true. I went to therapists for years and the result was that I was numbed out on anti depressants but not getting any real change. I was frightened for my 9 year old daughter that had to live with me. I was frightened about what living with someone who never really smiled or did much of anything was doing to her. I also felt like I just wanted to be dead. I read enough about the children and families of suicide victims to know that for the families, especially very small children, suicide is devastating.

It is a horrible place to be in. You can't be cheery ever but you know that just taking yourself out behind the barn and shooting yourself isn't the answer.

A friend of mine tried to kill himself because of me (being just friends with me wasn't enough for him as he is crazy in love with me) a few days ago. I found him in time so that he was saved, but I will never ever forget this horrible experience in my life. He had been battling depression for years, but refused to get help until now. I wish he had gotten help before he caused himself, his children and me all the pain and shock we have to go through now .

PurpleJedi said:

Serious said:

A friend of mine tried to kill himself because of me (being just friends with me wasn't enough for him as he is crazy in love with me) a few days ago. I found him in time so that he was saved, but I will never ever forget this horrible experience in my life. He had been battling depression for years, but refused to get help until now. I wish he had gotten help before he caused himself, his children and me all the pain and shock we have to go through now .

thank you !

my son just told me he was depressed & full of anxiety. he wanted to talk to a therapist. our dr did some blood tests & wrote him a script for zoloft.

i hope it helps, i ive been reading about side effects & focusing on the negative....

ive been on 2 in the past 10 yrs...celexa & cipralex(sp) & the only side effect has been weight gain.

maybeone of those would have been better?

Serious said:

Deadflow3r said:

This is true. I went to therapists for years and the result was that I was numbed out on anti depressants but not getting any real change. I was frightened for my 9 year old daughter that had to live with me. I was frightened about what living with someone who never really smiled or did much of anything was doing to her. I also felt like I just wanted to be dead. I read enough about the children and families of suicide victims to know that for the families, especially very small children, suicide is devastating.

It is a horrible place to be in. You can't be cheery ever but you know that just taking yourself out behind the barn and shooting yourself isn't the answer.

A friend of mine tried to kill himself because of me (being just friends with me wasn't enough for him as he is crazy in love with me) a few days ago. I found him in time so that he was saved, but I will never ever forget this horrible experience in my life. He had been battling depression for years, but refused to get help until now. I wish he had gotten help before he caused himself, his children and me all the pain and shock we have to go through now .

:-O Woah!

psychodelicide said:

Serious said:

A friend of mine tried to kill himself because of me (being just friends with me wasn't enough for him as he is crazy in love with me) a few days ago. I found him in time so that he was saved, but I will never ever forget this horrible experience in my life. He had been battling depression for years, but refused to get help until now. I wish he had gotten help before he caused himself, his children and me all the pain and shock we have to go through now .

:-O Woah!

Thanks