Anxiety said:

Where's the valid coming from?

xplnyrslf said:

no more annoying than my attempts at a compassionate world view, luv.

xplnyrslf said:

"valid" as opposed to, you know, "annoying" - as in someone whining about a hangnail or whatever.

Anxiety said:

I'll give ya a violin.....

Anxiety said:

Are we in P&R?????

xplnyrslf said:

there's more to viewing the world than religion and politics. but don't tell the P&R people that.

Lothan said:

oh I don't think the sad ones are taking anything for granted, they just don't feel the same way you do. The exterior pressure to feel happy because one should is great, and honestly, doesn't help.

ZombieKitten said:

Exactly.

I have been fortunate in that I am surrounded by positive people. I don't know where I'd be without them.

Anxiety said:

You can peg me however you want.....
There's a difference between a state of mind that interfere's with one's ability to function,(which needs RX) and bad attitude: inertia, feeling perpetually sorry for one's self, ( MILD melancholy)
The insessant melancholy, obviously needs professional help.
Are we clear????

ZombieKitten said:

I'm not pressuring anyone to feel good nor be happy.
If one is enjoying their excuses to be miserable, I say "Knock yourself OUT"
Really, wouldn't it be better to be unconscious?

Lothan said:

People like me.

I'm good for an old pep talk!

xplnyrslf said:

people enjoy being sad so they dream up excuses to stay that way?

ZombieKitten said:

Yes. There's one or two out there.....

xplnyrslf said:

so basically if someone thinks they're suffering from depression they should consult with you first because you're the ultimate arbiter of what is chronic depression and what is just being a crybaby? where did you get this awesome ability? it's got to be an overwhelming responsibility, being the lord-judge-god of mental health.

I suffered from depression off and on in my teens and 20s and prefered that people just left me alone during my dark periods.

Then suddenly, I turned 30 and I just seemed to snap out of it on my own. I have ups and downs but I feel totally different these days. I don't really know how else to explain it.

To be honest, being around depressed people drags me down. So, if it's a close friend, I just try to be there for them if they want to talk, but I don't go out of my way to try and cheer them up or actively try to talk to them about things they are going through. I find really depressed people draining...just as I'm sure I drained those around me when I was really having trouble.

ZombieKitten said:

maybe some people don't know the difference. maybe some people have been conditioned to believe they don't deserve happiness. or a kajillion other things.

Anxiety said:

Hell NO! I wouldn't consult with me about anything!
We're discussing personal philosophies.

xplnyrslf said:

I would not describe you as positive.

xplnyrslf said:

OK, I have everything I could possibly want in this world.

I don't know why I am sad. I don't want to be sad and empty of enthusiasm. All I can do is hope the day passes and tomorrow turns out differently. I don't enjoy feeling melancholy and restless, I prefer to keep it to myself, because frankly talking about it over and over makes me feel a LOT worse.

Am I selfish? Should I be on meds? Am I feeling sorry for myself?

JustErin said:

i feel the same way. i had really intense periods in my teens and 20s but it seems more manageable now. i don't know if it's due to life experience or a change in body chemistry. i guess it doesn't matter as long as things are working better.

Anxiety said:

you mean like religion?

ZombieKitten said:

i'm not one to god-bash, but if the dogma fits...

xplnyrslf said:

then WHY on god's grey earth would you take it upon yourself to make these arbitrary distinctions of "medical" depression and "wallowing in self-pity", and then have the nerve to assign some kind of value to those categories? i mean, do you understand how some people might find that offensive or alienating?

Anxiety said:

I'm not assigning anything. It's not black or white.
I never mentioned "medical depression".
With anything in life, if it interfere's with your ability to function, or life, one needs to seek treatment.
I am not implying, nor stated, my comments are directed to those who need professional care. ?????
[Edited 10/24/07 20:59pm]

xplnyrslf said:

Nevermind.
[Edited 10/24/07 20:34pm]

i go through it on and off. every now and then it comes out when im going through something. I talk to friends but generally prefer to stay to myself when I go through it. I appreciate my friends help but they can only be there so much especially when they other things going on in their lives and they can't be at my every beck and call-and i respect that. Just to listen and talk every now and then is good enough. I don't think continous depression is a drain i think it can become a drain when the listener is expected to be obligated to it over and over. and some people can't help that but it just is. that being said i talk about it a little but tend not to go too much in depth about it unless its my sister.

heybaby said:

xplnyrslf said:

you edited "grey" to "green".

Lothan said:[quote]

xplnyrslf said:

Nevermind.
[Edited 10/24/07 20:34pm]
[/quot
[Edited 10/24/07 20:55pm]