missmad said:

It is a shame because it is serious.
My great grandmother had a serious mental illness but was never treated for it properly. She ended up drinking herself to death all alone.

shanti0608 said:

Spookymuffin said:

I love you Spooky.

(no worries Laurel..it is in a brother sister/friend kind of love. )

WTF - so clinical depression is the only mental health issue? Not that I'm knocking people who have CD of course, but it's just the tip of the iceberg. In fact many people are diagnosed as depressive when they're really something else, like bipolar. I had to fight for 5 long years to get the right diagnosis, they told me I had a depressive episode but I'm not. One reason people treat depression as something of slight importance is that it HAS become something some people hide behind and some doctors give you the diagnosis even if you present with a broken leg. If people would just stop saying "I'm so depressed" when they're having a down day that would help a lot, you have no frigging idea what it's like being depressed until you've been there. It numbs your mind and your body, it's like being wrapped in sticky cotton or underwater and you just don't wanna swim anymore.

Bipolar type II depression driven (in the US I'd be type III cos I'm rapid cycling but in Europe we only have 2 types and add 'rapid cycling' to the type) on this side, medicated and proud!
[Edited 5/4/08 9:15am]

No one here is saying that it is the only mental illness. I spoke about depression because it is the one that I personally have dealt with all of my life.
My great grandmother was diagnosed with Schizophrenia as an adult but my mom did some research after she died at the age of 53 and found out that she was abused by our grandfather, she had told her mom but her mom told her to stop making up stories and forget it. So I think that some times things that happen in ppl's lives can cause mental problems such as traumatic situations and stress.

They have come to study and link depression and other disorders to drug abuse, alcohol abuse and stress.

I wish they would do more to help diagnose these illnesses properly and find alternative solutions to some of the medications they hand out so easily.

MrsMdiver said:

I know, I was reacting to the thread title vs Rhonda's initial post. I grew up in an alcoholic/wife beating home so I know what that type of situation can do. I'm sorry about your great grandmother and that she was never acknowledged. She knows she was right though and she's at peace now.

I have learned a lot about depression since I grew up, most of all cos I WAS depressed but when my hypermanic episodes started to manifest I realised the docs were WRONG. As always, if the patients are well-informed it puts pressure on the healthcare system but it's the most difficult with mental issues because they can have so many different causes. Clinical depression is "the worst" depression because it doesn't have to have a physical reason or cause other than the chemical imbalance, depressive episodes etc. always have an underlying cause like abuse, addiction as you mentioned. The habitual prescription of anti-deps/anti-psychotics hasn't spread as violently to Europe (at least not to Sweden) and I hope it never does, but nevertheless people are wrongly medicated - I was for 4 years until I took action to get my correct diagnosis, and my Mom is right now, she's also bipolar (it's hereditary to some, unknown, extent) and the asshole docs have medicated her against manic/psychotic episodes, medicine that works "from above", meaning they put you down... but her disorder is ALSO depression driven like mine, she's never even BEEN manic and definitely not psychotic. She cant connect to her emotions, she doesn't experience emotions at all, beyond anxiety. I'm fighting to get the docs to change her medications right now, I've read so much and talked to my own doc and she feels I'm right but Mom is too nice, she doesn't want to be a bother and whatnot
Awareness needs to be raised about what you yourself can do to feel better or what you can help a loved one to do besides medication, like exercise. It's HARD to do when you're depressed but with the help pf friends of family and friends it DOES help.
Val

Celebrities (?)were here

MsLegs said:

So many people die every day from depression or related issues - why post so called celebrities? Should we pity them because they were famous? No. Health problems are about everyday people, not the ones we can say "oh yeah that guy/gal" when we see their pic.

MsLegs said:

So many people die every day from depression or related issues - why post so called celebrities? Should we pity them because they were famous? No. Health problems are about everyday people, not the ones we can say "oh yeah that guy/gal" when we see their pic.

Perfect 4 The Org!

I have a friend that does not think that depression exists. She has made a few comments in front of me about ppl with depression. I guess I hide it well.
She is very blessed to have never known it/felt it or suffered from it.

I know why some of us are afraid to speak up about it and get help. It amazes me how ppl look down upon others that suffer from depression and or mental illnesses.
I hope she never has to experience it in her lifetime.

Perfect 4 The Org!

Awareness needs to be raised about what you yourself can do to feel better or what you can help a loved one to do besides medication, like exercise. It's HARD to do when you're depressed but with the help pf friends of family and friends it DOES help.
Val

I'm glad this info is helpful.

http://www.nmha.org

Clinical Depression is a common, real and treatable illness.
Basic Facts About Clinical Depression:
Clinical depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting more than 19 million Americans each year.[1] This includes major depressive disorder, manic depression and dysthymia, a milder, longer-lasting form of depression.

Depression causes people to lose pleasure from daily life, can complicate other medical conditions, and can even be serious enough to lead to suicide.
-Depression can occur to anyone, at any age, and to people of any race or ethnic group. Depression is never a "normal" part of life, no matter what your age, gender or health situation.
Unfortunately, though treatment for depression is almost always successful, fewer than half of those suffering from this illness seek treatment.[2] Too many people resist treatment because they believe depression isn't serious, that they can treat it themselves or that it is a personal weakness rather than a serious medical illness.

Treatments for Clinical Depression:
Clinical depression is very treatable, with more than 80% of those who seek treatment showing improvement.[3] The most commonly used treatments are antidepressant medication, psychotherapy or a combination of the two. The choice of treatment depends on the pattern, severity, persistence of depressive symptoms and the history of the illness. As with many illnesses, early treatment is more effective and helps prevent the likelihood of serious recurrences. Depression must be treated by a physician or qualified mental health professional.

Symptoms of Clinical Depression:
Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood

Sleeping too much or too little, middle of the night or early morning waking

Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain

Loss of pleasure and interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex

Restlessness, irritability

Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment (such as chronic pain or digestive disorders)

Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions

Fatigue or loss of energy

Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless

Thoughts of suicide or death

If you have five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or more, you could have clinical depression and should see your doctor or a qualified mental health professional for help.

Causes of Clinical Depression:
Many things can contribute to clinical depression. For some people, a number of factors seem to be involved, while for others a single factor can cause the illness. Oftentimes, people become depressed for no apparent reason.

Biological - People with depression typically have too little or too much of certain brain chemicals, called "neurotransmitters." Changes in these brain chemicals may cause or contribute to clinical depression.
Cognitive - People with negative thinking patterns and low self-esteem are more likely to develop clinical depression.

Gender - Women experience clinical depression at a rate that is nearly twice that of men.[3] While the reasons for this are still unclear, they may include the hormonal changes women go through during menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. Other reasons may include the stress caused by the multiple responsibilities that women have.

Co-occurrence - Clinical depression is more likely to occur along with certain illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and hormonal disorders.

Medications - Side effects of some medications can bring about depression.

Genetic - A family history of clinical depression increases the risk for developing the illness.

Situational - Difficult life events, including divorce, financial problems or the death of a loved one can contribute to clinical depression.

DexMSR said:

shanti0608 said:

What a loving statement for you to make. Sweetheart, I say this not in harsh judgment of your friend but simply in fact.... she's simply ignorant of the subject. I'm a mental health counselor in the state of Florida. It's so easy to judge isn't it? If I've never tasted the sweet nectar of a peach I can say it doesn't exist. If I've never experienced the internal turmoil of depression it's easy to say it doesn't exist as well.

Please do not look to unlearned individuals in this area for validation. Know and take pride in the fact that you've researched and taken control of your own health. That is an amazing accomplishment.

Eternal blessings,
Ginnie

LittleWing said:

Thank you for your kind words. I have suffered with it my entire life and it takes a lot of energy some days to be around ppl like her and hide it. I do hope that she never knows what it feels like. I would never wish it on my worst enemy..just like cancer, it is an illness.

I really wish there was more tolerance and understanding of it by others that are blessed to not know what it is like to suffer from it.

When it comes to other celebrities/well known musicians that have suffered and succumbed with depression, you take it as trivial as would might think. Now that sound like a Princely attitude to take. Talk about displaying his usually cavalier disconcern I don't give a damn attitude that he's know for. Here it is folks in disguise. You just told on yourself.

MsLegs said:

I'm sorry but I've read your post over and over and it just doesn't make sense. Could you please explain what you mean? Depression happening to people I don't know IS trivial, I can not concern myself with the mental health of everybody in the world. My point is that depression itself isn't more important because well known people suffer from it, my point is that people in all stages and places in life do so it's absolutely useless to bring forth famous (?) people. If you're dumb enough to not realise that it can happen to everybody you won't get it regardless of how many of your favourite stars are depressed.
I care about people I KNOW, and myself. I'd rather spend the time it took you to google those names and pictures to talk to somebody I know who needs it, or to take care of myself. You keep googling. Good luck.