Depression.

Jumping onto the tail end of this.

My brother recently (at least from a very noticeable perspective) started showing signs of depression e.g. doesn't like social settings, doesn't want to get out of bed, doesn't return messages/calls etc.

He had/has a lot on his plate at the moment i.e. 2 small children, studies, demanding job etc.

He is currently seeing a therapist and is on Brintellix, seems to be working somewhat.

I do sometimes feel like he must just toughen the F up, but that is the un-sympathetic and frustrated side of me talking..

This got me thinking, how many people suffer micro-depression, myself included, cause there are days where I really have to dig deep to get through the day, do my job, be there for my wife and kids, just basically getting through a day (I also have a hectic job, 3 small kids and just try to overall be a good dad/husband/brother/son etc.)

How do you distinguish between clinical depression and stress/fatigue/burnout - I think I had burn-out last year, or at least on the brink of it.

I imagine we will never know, as it is not something you diagnose via pathology but rather by observation and evaluation. But seems sad that some might never get the help they need and must just struggle through life, un-aided..
Seems to me most people before accepting a psychiatric label, are in a position where they are not managing their life situation properly. For whatever reason.

And then the basic ducks that were until that time, such as sleep, exercise, proper diet and fresh-air/sunshine, in a row, and which are a pre-requisite for basic health, go out of kilter.

Then, instead of reaching for help in correcting that (effectively a poor rudimentary management-) problem, they find themselves being 'diagnosed' as being 'sick'. But in actual fact they are just responding as any sane person would respond, who subjected themselves to the same stresses as other's but with better life contingency.

They were never actually sick from a deficiency in the SSRI/anti-psychotic, in the first place, but it is assumed by the psychiatrist, that the problem is of course chemical in nature. Because he doesn't see any of his patients as spiritual beings. He sees them as biological units of stimulous-response cycles. He doesn't treat a person, because he doesn't see the person. He only sees the body, and pretends to be a spirit/soul doctor. (psyche = spirit/soul).

There are some people in the world who don't think they have agency. Nor do they wish to have any. So when life throws them a bit of curve ball, they have typically have no contingency to draw on, outside of long-suffering family members/friends. These are the typical victims of fraudulent medicine like psychiatry.
 
I always think if something is not chronic yet life style, exercise and diet changes can make a big difference. But people will rather drink pills for a quick fix than changing the way they live or eat.
I would not under any circumstances deprive the individual of at least some personal responsibility for where they have ended up.

Because that is their last vestige of humanity. When you say they had absolutely nothing to do with where they have ended up(by unthinkingly embracing powerful, mind-altering drugs), you may not suspect it but you are handing them a potential death sentence... because you are effectively saying to them you can do absolutely nothing for yourself.

p.s. ofc this does not mean wagging your finger in their face and being condescending about it. That'll usually just make things worse. But hopefully the problem doesn't reach this stage because once you are there... and I speak with some experience, it's very difficult for everyone.
 
I would not under any circumstances deprive the individual of at least some personal responsibility for where they have ended up.

Because that is their last vestige of humanity. When you say they had absolutely nothing to do with where they have ended up, you may not suspect it but you are handing them a potential death sentence... because you are effectively saying to them you can do absolutely nothing for yourself.
95% we are the reason where we have ended up, even with inherited issues, the problems could sometimes be so much less if we change the way we live. A lot of time it is also just lacking knowledge and only know what mainstream is feeding us.

Fortunately I have my wife who regularly reminds me that I am going to die if I don't eat the rabbit food.
 
@Splinter - in most discussions with Lex he and I are arguing, see for yourself in the main secession thread.


@Jings , I think I recall that Biral is based on a plant extract as well. But turned chemical..
Passion flower has known interactions with benzos and certain insomnia medications versus blue lotus flower which doesn't.

Passion flower is literally an SSRI, same with sceletium tortuosum.
 
95% we are the reason where we have ended up, even with inherited issues, the problems could sometimes be so much less if we change the way we live. A lot of time it is also just lacking knowledge and only know what mainstream is feeding us.

Fortunately I have my wife who regularly reminds me that I am going to die if I don't eat the rabbit food.
Diets are a funny thing... they can evoke such strong opinions.

The problem with modern foods is less complicated than most imagine/are told. I find 'Try not to mistreat the food while its still alive/before it ends up on your plate,' is the best advice.

Processing and additives are nutrition killers. (this is probably a conversation for a whole other thread)
 
Diets are a funny thing... they can evoke such strong opinions.

The problem with modern foods is less complicated than most imagine/are told. I find 'Try not to mistreat the food while its still alive/before it ends up on your plate,' is the best advice.

Processing and additives are nutrition killers. (this is probably a conversation for a whole other thread)
Makes no difference if you bought the food from the grocery store.
 
I say the discussion belongs on another thread, but diet is, ofc, on the list of rudiments to keep in check, so your life doesn't begin to unravel in all kinds of ways you may think unrelated.
 
I always think if something is not chronic yet life style, exercise and diet changes can make a big difference. But people will rather drink pills for a quick fix than changing the way they live or eat.
Well that has always been my strategy, I have a tick-box exercise I go through before I even think of getting assistance whether it be therapy or pills.

I always check:
  • Sleep
  • Exercise and Sport
  • Diet
  • Relationships (especially the very close ones i.e. SO, kids, parents, siblings, in-laws)
  • Holidays/Short-Trips
  • Spirituality
Up to now, this has been sufficient to avoid a complete melt-down.

And I must say, when observing people close to me, 1 or more of these are out of sync, but then I do ask myself, are they out of sync due to depression or is the depression the cause of them not caring about it..
 
Jumping onto the tail end of this.

My brother recently (at least from a very noticeable perspective) started showing signs of depression e.g. doesn't like social settings, doesn't want to get out of bed, doesn't return messages/calls etc.

He had/has a lot on his plate at the moment i.e. 2 small children, studies, demanding job etc.

He is currently seeing a therapist and is on Brintellix, seems to be working somewhat.

I do sometimes feel like he must just toughen the F up, but that is the un-sympathetic and frustrated side of me talking..

This got me thinking, how many people suffer micro-depression, myself included, cause there are days where I really have to dig deep to get through the day, do my job, be there for my wife and kids, just basically getting through a day (I also have a hectic job, 3 small kids and just try to overall be a good dad/husband/brother/son etc.)

How do you distinguish between clinical depression and stress/fatigue/burnout - I think I had burn-out last year, or at least on the brink of it.

I imagine we will never know, as it is not something you diagnose via pathology but rather by observation and evaluation. But seems sad that some might never get the help they need and must just struggle through life, un-aided..
Also try some behaviour adjustments. Found it goes along way in trying to solve stress/fatigue/burnout and if you still feeling like you in the wars after a couple weeks then maybe time for a professional.

  1. Get yourself into a proper sleep schedule as best you can with kids to try get that 6.5+ hours sleep at a minimum.
  2. put the phone/tablet away an hour before bed.
  3. get 30 mins of exercise a day. (walking/stretching/gym/running/anything outside).
  4. i am a fan of taking omega 3 and vitamin d supplement. Found a very noticeable shift even after just a week.
  5. reduced added sugar and focus on getting high protein / whole food diet.
  6. cut out booze during the week
3 years ago had major burnout at work and just quit. Spent a year in a bad place mentally (dont think depression but was not in a good place). Last 2 years i have tried my best to stick to the above and change has been really good
 
Well that has always been my strategy, I have a tick-box exercise I go through before I even think of getting assistance whether it be therapy or pills.

I always check:
  • Sleep
  • Exercise and Sport
  • Diet
  • Relationships (especially the very close ones i.e. SO, kids, parents, siblings, in-laws)
  • Holidays/Short-Trips
  • Spirituality
Up to now, this has been sufficient to avoid a complete melt-down.

And I must say, when observing people close to me, 1 or more of these are out of sync, but then I do ask myself, are they out of sync due to depression or is the depression the cause of them not caring about it..
Very good points.
 
Depression is feeling hopeless and being in low spirits and feelings of being unable to achieve anything. Dysthymia is the same thing, except that people are able to function to a certain minimum extent, they drag themselves through life basically without enjoying it. There is no optimism. If money is unable to solve these problems, go see a shrink, otherwise that's just life.
I must also mention a feeling of dread in the symptoms. The struck through text is sort of invalid, even with money you can experience the same symptoms.
 
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So the consensus is that it’s the depressed person’s fault for poor lifestyle choices and they should just snap out of it?

I pray that none of you ever have to go through it, when the apparent solution is to just get out into the sun and go for a jog when your brain is telling you that there’s no point to your existence anymore.
 
I always think if something is not chronic yet life style, exercise and diet changes can make a big difference. But people will rather drink pills for a quick fix than changing the way they live or eat.

Often the medication is the only path towards the longer term lifestyle change.

Also a diet is not a diet is not a diet...but yet there is a mantra in the world that high fibre and rabbit food is the only one true way to be healthy which is utter bullshit for a great many people.

Diets are entirely bespoke to every individual, but there will always be some idiot rattling off about how their diet is the only and only true way. It's a bloody religion.
 
Often the medication is the only path towards the longer term lifestyle change.

Also a diet is not a diet is not a diet...but yet there is a mantra in the world that high fibre and rabbit food is the only one true way to be healthy which is utter bullshit for a great many people.

Lol, you took the rabbit food too literal.
Medication is not evil.
 
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