copacetic
King of the Hippies
Because clinical depression is not a bucket of fun, I can assure you.
-
Join the MyBroadband community
South Africa’s biggest forum. Discuss, discover, and connect with thousands of members.
-
Question of the Day: Have you ever been to an airshow?
Dealing with depression
- Thread starter blue-eye-boy
- Start date
Because clinical depression is not a bucket of fun, I can assure you.
copacetic
King of the Hippies
Why? Ask what you need to ask, and say what you wish to say - No harm in that.
Well, my 2c is that you need to confront your problem head on. In this case it's having a very straight forward talk with your dad.
In regards to depression:
If you have major chemical imbalances that you have been tested for, then by all means take a pill to balance that out.
If you are having a **** life and are filled with negative thinking, fix your life and thoughts before popping a pill.
Far too often people can deal with their mental issues, but the easiest way out is to pop a pill.
As someone who has dealt with my own mental issues, there's a lot to be said for:
a) exercising regularly
b) eating healthy
c) dealing with repetitive negative thinking
d) removing\drastically reducing any negative influences on your life (such as a crap job or bad friend)
e) being responsible for your own ****
In regards to depression:
If you have major chemical imbalances that you have been tested for, then by all means take a pill to balance that out.
If you are having a **** life and are filled with negative thinking, fix your life and thoughts before popping a pill.
Far too often people can deal with their mental issues, but the easiest way out is to pop a pill.
As someone who has dealt with my own mental issues, there's a lot to be said for:
a) exercising regularly
b) eating healthy
c) dealing with repetitive negative thinking
d) removing\drastically reducing any negative influences on your life (such as a crap job or bad friend)
e) being responsible for your own ****
I would agree with this. I understand I'm not coming from a point of depression, but it's just so easy to go to a doctor and get a pill. I also think people actually like being 'depressed'. There's also an issue with actually being tested. How does one get tested for depression? It's mostly subjective, and in the words of Dr House, everybody lies.
copacetic
King of the Hippies
Absolutely, this is great advice. But like anything, it's not guaranteed to fix everyone - But it will go a long way to help most.
copacetic
King of the Hippies
I agree to some extent, and I understand where you are coming from, but, I must say - I think your idea of popping a pill and being 'happy', is a bit misguided. Antidepressants are very strong substances, and in many cases have a myriad of side-effects that the patient has to deal with (I was very fortunate in that respect - I have none at all, although trust me, the first month or two was a weird time).
They don't magically make you a happier person, and let you float through life like a grinning zombie - Depression clouds the mind, and distorts your thought process; Reflecting back on the last decade and a half of my life, compared to the last year or so, the medication makes it abundantly clear that it is providing a literally miraculous assistance to my mental wellbeing.
I am not happy - I am still wrapped up in obsessions, neuroses and occasional clouds of misery - The difference is, I can now function (sort of
), which is obviously highly important, and like anyone else, I have good days, and bad ones, as contrasted to a decade of appalling and constant misery. Your view towards pills is better directed at sleeping tablets, and tranquilizers - Those things do what you describe, far more than any antidepressant will.
D3nz
Honorary Master
It seems like Pooky thinks antidepressants are similar to drugs that give you a high.
All they do,Pooky, is allow the chemicals in your brain to be regulated so that you can function like a normal person.
All they do,Pooky, is allow the chemicals in your brain to be regulated so that you can function like a normal person.
OP, this sounds a lot easier in my head than the situation possibly allows, but would it be possible to ask your dad to go to a psychiatrist as well (ideally with you present)? From what you've said so far, and I know it was paraphrasing, but it seems like there are some issues that either your dad needs to deal with, or the 2 of you need to sort out...
Perhaps in the company of a professional, your points can be made more clear to your dad?
Perhaps in the company of a professional, your points can be made more clear to your dad?
Last edited:
I agree to some extent, and I understand where you are coming from, but, I must say - I think your idea of popping a pill and being 'happy', is a bit misguided. Antidepressants are very strong substances, and in many cases have a myriad of side-effects that the patient has to deal with (I was very fortunate in that respect - I have none at all, although trust me, the first month or two was a weird time).
They don't magically make you a happier person, and let you float through life like a grinning zombie - Depression clouds the mind, and distorts your thought process; Reflecting back on the last decade and a half of my life, compared to the last year or so, the medication makes it abundantly clear that it is providing a literally miraculous assistance to my mental wellbeing.
I am not happy - I am still wrapped up in obsessions, neuroses and occasional clouds of misery - The difference is, I can now function (sort of
Your view towards pills is better directed at sleeping tablets, and tranquilizers - Those things do what you describe, far more than any antidepressant will.
I know what they do. A lot of antidepressants have tranquilizing effects though. I don't believe antidepressants provide a long term solution, and this is a problem because there is a high case of relapse after stopping them, or even while taking them.
copacetic
King of the Hippies
guest2013-1
guest
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2003
- Messages
- 19,800
- Reaction score
- 13
Define normal
AlmightyBender
Executive Member
+ 1 million^1 million
Depression can also be a by product of numerous physical health issues. For example, one of my best friends has a wonky thyroid gland which also causes major depression for him. He is on meds for his thyroid, but it's not enough to sort him out perfectly so he can still get depressed. In addition to his thyroid meds he gets an anti-depressant to keep him on track.
D3nz
Honorary Master
That has got to be one of the hardest things to define. Psychologically and physically, every person is different. I suppose I should have said "function like someone who does not suffer from depression".
Last edited:
Klipspringer
Active Member
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2009
- Messages
- 63
- Reaction score
- 0
Which may indicate that its not wonky thyroid glands giving depression
Klipspringer
Active Member
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2009
- Messages
- 63
- Reaction score
- 0
jacqvt ; I dont know what you call your occupation (butcher ?) but would you be willing to do your job from 8am to 5pm 5 + 1/2 days a week with out getting paid( a salary) for the job, what I'm trying to get at do you love your occupation that much that it is more a case of love ( stupid voorbeeld, maar kry die idee, as jou vrou vleis uithaal om kos te maak , gryp jy dit by haar om dit te sny vir die pot, hoe baie laaik jy om met vleis te werk,droom jy daaroor/dink jy baie aan vleis werk /met respek, naas jou vrou, is vleis werk al wat jy op jou brein het, wil jy dit met jou heler hart en verstand doen) , i.e. do you absolutely love blood/raw meat/working with meat etc
m.a.w gee jou job jou a kick van lekker kry omdat jy dit geniet om met vleis te werk ?
of doen jy jou job om jou pa te help, of net om n inkomste te he, of omdat jy dalk eendag die slaghuis gaan erf?
m.a.w gee jou job jou a kick van lekker kry omdat jy dit geniet om met vleis te werk ?
of doen jy jou job om jou pa te help, of net om n inkomste te he, of omdat jy dalk eendag die slaghuis gaan erf?
Last edited:
copacetic
King of the Hippies
I think the key word is functional, not normal.
Severe depression limits your ability to positively contribute to yourself, and to society.
Yes, it's common for meds to have side effects, but I've known the guy for a while. Before he was just on the thyroid medication he was way more depressed. After he was put on the thyroid medication he had a much more positive attitude, but still got quite badly depressed from time to time. It was only after he settled into his thyroid meds that he was prescribed an anti-depressant.
is jacqvt's problem depression or is he just unhappy/discontented/frustrated? if it's not depression then i agree pills probably aren't the answer. several posts here have offered potential solutions, one of which might be right for jacqvt.