Anyone here have mild depression and not take medication?

[PVD99]

I think I've had mild depression for maybe the past year... it's not too bad but here are my symptoms that lead me to believe that's what I have:

*aches all over
*loss of interest in some things
*very, very difficult to get out of bed in the morning
*irritability/anxiety (i know that i have generalized anxiety)

I'm wondering if anyone has any advice as to how to help it... I know exercise would help me out so I might try it.

[ebruening]

Exercise does help me. Also, eating on a regular schedule, as opposed to whenever the hell I feel like it. I'm definitely a creature of habit, so I tend to have the same things for lunch and dinner as a way of maintaining "control" over my life. I hope you're able to find a method that works for you :)

[AznHisoka]

I get mild depression ocassionally. Have you tried the Elimination Diet? It might be your diet that's the problem. I know a lot of people get irritated/groggy after they eat a high glycemic-indexed meal. Also, if you don't get enough fat in your diet, your brain will produce less "happy" chemicals.

[bridgetjones]

Running several miles slowly beats anti-depressants for treating mild depression. Plus it makes you look good and when you look good... :)

[jrwilheim]

I probably have mild clinical depression. It takes me half an hour after my alarm goes off in the morning to actually drag myself out of bed. Plus I have a lot of general anxiety and apathy about life.

I haven't found anyone to prescribe meds yet. Mostly psychiatrists are just too damned expensive and my health care plan is for s**t.

[yankeeyosh]

I've started to get therapy today for my issues, and they put me on some meds for my tension...I hope this helps.

[ConMurph]

I am going to the Dr. for the first time this Friday, and I am just so relieved. I am not sure that my problems could be considered "mild," though. I have lived with this crap for so long, and I am just so glad that I have finally given in to going to Dr. about it. My greatest fear is that they are going to diagnos a problem greater than anxiety and depression (I have a strange family history), but I am just ready for this crap to go away, so I am going. I'll let them decide what is best for me.

[SunDevil]

I have been on drugs, but they aren't the fix all solution. Try eating fish or taking Fish oil/omega-3 fatty acid pills and see if you feel better the next day. But if you get enough sleep, and fix any problems you think you have, you should start feeling better.

Or you can try CBT therapy for free on-line:
http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/

[wordsmith]

I'm am wondering if I'm not mildly depressed, honestly. I was thinking I probably wasn't, nothing that dramatic, but, from what I know of the signs, I guess I could be.

My biggest thing is that I just can't even bring myself to do the things that might help...schedule my life, keep busy, exercise, get on some kind of routine, behave industriously to keep my mind occupied...none of that. And I don't want to go see anybody, and I don't want to take any drugs. Basically, I want to cry and sleep.

[Tiean]

I'm am wondering if I'm not mildly depressed, honestly. I was thinking I probably wasn't, nothing that dramatic, but, from what I know of the signs, I guess I could be.

I think a lot of people get this thought when they're unhappy or feeling down. Depression has become sort of a fashion thing, 'eat some Lexapro/Prozac and you'll feel better'. No offense Words. I'm thinking it's natural that you have your ups and downs. I don't know that much about depressions and all but I just feel/think that a lot of people are labelling themselves as depressive... I've got no conclusion or anything- just what's on my mind...

[wordsmith]

I think a lot of people get this thought when they're unhappy or feeling down. Depression has become sort of a fashion thing, 'eat some Lexapro/Prozac and you'll feel better'. No offense Words. I'm thinking it's natural that you have your ups and downs. I don't know that much about depressions and all but I just feel/think that a lot of people are labelling themselves as depressive... I've got no conclusion or anything- just what's on my mind...

Yeah, I'm clearly trying to cash in on the fad.

[WeirdBrake]

Depression has become sort of a fashion thing

You're wrong about this. Depression has never become sort of a fashion thing.

[Tiean]

You're wrong about this. Depression has never become sort of a fashion thing.

If you think short and soft (as opposed to long and hard) about it, you probably know what I meant ;)

[WeirdBrake]

I know exactly what you meant. You're still wrong.

[Tiean]

:surprised Please explain why I'm wrong then. Because people are depressed?

[WeirdBrake]

It's just never been fashionable to be clinically depressed. That has never been an element of our culture/society in the least. If anything, there's still somewhat of a stigma about it, though fortunately, much less so than there was. I've never known anyone who sees it as a fad or as fashionable in any way.

[Tiean]

Unless I'm misunderstanding your understanding of my posts, I think you misunderstood me...

I'm not saying that it's fashionable to be diagnosed depressive. I'm saying that saying you're depressed has become fashionable (just to keep on using that word)... If someone is sad, he'll say 'Oh I'm so depressed'. That's not what depression is about, not even mild ones.

I'll just take Wordsmith hostage here:
Yeah, I'm clearly trying to cash in on the fad.

[WeirdBrake]

Again, I understood exactly what you said. You wrote it in my first language. But you're still wrong. Saying you're depressed is not fashionable and never was. Nor has it become fashionable. You're simply mistaken about this.

[Tiean]

Well then there's nothing more to discuss... We disagree on a basic level. Nothing is likely to change... :cool:

[lilyflower]

Again, I understood exactly what you said. You wrote it in my first language. But you're still wrong. Saying you're depressed is not fashionable and never was. Nor has it become fashionable. You're simply mistaken about this.

Damn right, WB.

Trust me, the last freaking thing depression is would be trendy and cool. Oh yes, all the "IN" people vacation in psych hospitals, they've replaced the Hamptons as the ideal vacation spot. *snort*

I haven't been on medication for over two years now. I'm not going to say that I don't still have symptoms and my bad days but I'm not actively suicidal and unable to function and a lot of the time I was on the meds I was. *shrug*

[WeirdBrake]

Trust me, the last freaking thing depression is would be trendy and cool. Oh yes, all the "IN" people vacation in psych hospitals, they've replaced the Hamptons as the ideal vacation spot. *snort*

LOL!!! You're not ANYONE unless you've been on a psych ward! "Hey, check out my new meds, dude. I just got them from the shrink." "Dude! That's so cool! You got the latest ones!"

[lilyflower]

LOL!!! You're not ANYONE unless you've been on a psych ward! "Hey, check out my new meds, dude. I just got them from the shrink." "Dude! That's so cool! You got the latest ones!"

Oh and don't forget the lovely discharge papers that signify your status. "Look, man, severe depression with suicidal tendencies. I totally scored. They only had to take away anything sharp and my shoelaces and watch me non-stop for 3 days" "Wow, I wish *I* was that cool"

[WeirdBrake]

Oh and don't forget the lovely discharge papers that signify your status. "Look, man, severe depression with suicidal tendencies. I totally scored. They only had to take away anything sharp and my shoelaces and watch me non-stop for 3 days" "Wow, I wish *I* was that cool"

See you at Barnes n Noble for the booksigning. We can meet, Lauren Weisberger, the author of The Devil Takes Prozac. That's sooooo where it's at!

[paiger81]

If mental illness is fashionable, I guess the friends who couldn't handle my OCD were just not cool enough to get it :neutral:

Sorry, claiming that depression or any mental illness is fashionable is an insult to those who have suffered from the diseases.

[biodork]

I think when people going around saying they are "depressed" it's more of them misusing the term when really they are just sad, not that it's the "cool" thing to do.

[J-girl]

I kind of do get what Tien is trying to say since it is a "fad" for some people. And many N. Americans buy into the whole "magic pill" deal that a pill will cure anything.

[paiger81]

I don't agree that it's fashionable. Fashionable means(at least to me) that people embrace a concept and love it. Sorry, but when you tell someone "Oh, I have ((insert mental illness))", they give you this look, that seriously makes you feel like you are a leper.

Looking for a quick fix, may be fashionable. Having a mental illness is not.

[pisces2473]

I'm am wondering if I'm not mildly depressed, honestly. I was thinking I probably wasn't, nothing that dramatic, but, from what I know of the signs, I guess I could be.

My biggest thing is that I just can't even bring myself to do the things that might help...schedule my life, keep busy, exercise, get on some kind of routine, behave industriously to keep my mind occupied...none of that. And I don't want to go see anybody, and I don't want to take any drugs. Basically, I want to cry and sleep.
Jess, this is clearly depression, especially not being able to do things to help yourself, and the crying/sleeping. Take it from someone who's been there, and is still there somedays.

Why don't you want to go see anyone? Sometimes, you need a "kick start" to help you begin with the things that will help you to feel better. As for the drugs, some people need them for a "kick start" too--the drug make them feel better enough to start making positive changes in their lives. Depression is like carrying a lead weight around...you can't start to get better unless you get some help with carrying the weight. It just drags you down.

[pisces2473]

I don't agree that it's fashionable. Fashionable means(at least to me) that people embrace a concept and love it. Sorry, but when you tell someone "Oh, I have ((insert mental illness))", they give you this look, that seriously makes you feel like you are a leper.

Looking for a quick fix, may be fashionable. Having a mental illness is not.
Um yeah. I don't get mad props for having anxiety and depression. I wish I did, maybe I would have been more open with my last employer.

Tiean, you don't get it.

[lilyflower]

Um yeah. I don't get mad props for having anxiety and depression. I wish I did, maybe I would have been more open with my last employer.

Tiean, you don't get it.

Hey, if I got mad props for it, I would flaunt my scars instead of hiding them all the time. :googly:

Plus, I would've been more of a social goddess in college.

[wordsmith]

This isn't the same thing (I don't think), as what Tiean's posted, but it's possible that it IS or HAS BEEN a trend to label something as something it isn't (kind of like telling parents their normally active kids have ADHD to sell them pharmaceuticals, or how in Susanna Kaysen was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and institutionalized in her memoir "Girl, Interrupted," for, in her words, "being a normal moody teenager.")

I do think that people flippantly say, sometimes "I'm so depressed"...in response to a bad day or week. That's not depression. Just like being stressed about something isn't the same as having an anxiety disorder. And like being shy or quiet isn't necessarily indicative of social anxiety disorder. Everything isn't a disorder. I think that's true.

It's also one reason I've hesitated to ever label myself as depressed. I think to do so would minimized the struggles of people actually coping with authentic depression. I just wonder at what point you have to consider that you are, possibly, too. It's not like there's a magic cutoff, I suspect.

[pisces2473]

Jess, from your previous post, I would not hesitate to say you are depressed. And you are struggling. You aren't just jumping on the bandwagon, or minimizing anyone else's problems.

[paiger81]

Um yeah. I don't get mad props for having anxiety and depression. I wish I did, maybe I would have been more open with my last employer.

Yeah, they found me out at work last week. I organized 100 soda cans by type(Coke, Diet Coke, Dr. Pepper, Sprite) while talking to a coworker. Didn't even realize I had done it, till coworker makes the comment "Gee, does someone have that disorder?" :neutral: One thing I refuse to be is ashamed of my issues, but at the same time, work is a tricky place. I figured I better bite the bullet & just let them know. Luckily, they seemed somewhat understanding, though my boss still doesn't know.

[biodork]

Yeah, they found me out at work last week. I organized 100 soda cans by type(Coke, Diet Coke, Dr. Pepper, Sprite) while talking to a coworker. Didn't even realize I had done it, till coworker makes the comment "Gee, does someone have that disorder?" :neutral: One thing I refuse to be is ashamed of my issues, but at the same time, work is a tricky place. I figured I better bite the bullet & just let them know. Luckily, they seemed somewhat understanding, though my boss still doesn't know.
Is it best to hide your disorders from your boss. Sometimes I feel like I should at least tell my boss, because half the time I'm here I feel like I'm a walking wreck, and I'm afraid that it makes me look bad. But it's not like I do it on purpose.

[lilyflower]

Yeah, they found me out at work last week. I organized 100 soda cans by type(Coke, Diet Coke, Dr. Pepper, Sprite) while talking to a coworker. Didn't even realize I had done it, till coworker makes the comment "Gee, does someone have that disorder?" :neutral: One thing I refuse to be is ashamed of my issues, but at the same time, work is a tricky place. I figured I better bite the bullet & just let them know. Luckily, they seemed somewhat understanding, though my boss still doesn't know.

Ouch, but at the same time, it seems kind of funny to me that you can just organize things without realize it. (I know it's not funny at all and probably hell for you sometimes).

[paiger81]

Ouch, but at the same time, it seems kind of funny to me that you can just organize things without realize it. (I know it's not funny at all and probably hell for you sometimes).


Yeah, when I was in my worst OCD time, it was hell. Now, it's almost like a gauge for me to know when I need to relax & re-examine what's stressing me out.

[lilyflower]

Paige, that's good to hear.

Elyse, I personally am going to hide it at all costs. As I've said many times I work in a very cut-throat field and the last thing I need now is to be put on some sort of "light duty" because I'm assumed incompetant. I have enough trouble trying to convince people I'm competant as it is with being 25 and female. :mad:

[paiger81]

Is it best to hide your disorders from your boss. Sometimes I feel like I should at least tell my boss, because half the time I'm here I feel like I'm a walking wreck, and I'm afraid that it makes me look bad. But it's not like I do it on purpose.

My boss is of the mind set that God can cure anything. Seriously.

Although going to church can help relax me, it was/is not a cure.

[biodork]

Elyse, I personally am going to hide it at all costs. As I've said many times I work in a very cut-throat field and the last thing I need now is to be put on some sort of "light duty" because I'm assumed incompetant. I have enough trouble trying to convince people I'm competant as it is with being 25 and female. :mad:
I guess I'm sorta afraid of that, especially since I'm having my boss write recommendations for me. But my boss is also pretty understanding about things too. My co-worker has ADD and he is pretty open about it (although he talks about it almost TOO much for my liking). Then again ADD is something that could really affect his work, so it might be something that's better for people to know.

I just know I walk around all moody and stuff probably half the time I'm at work, I wouldn't want my boss to take things the wrong way.

EDIT: Although, another thing I worry about too is that my problems do get in the way of work sometimes. There will be times when I'm so down that I can't do anything but sit here and stare at my computer screen.

[paiger81]

EDIT: Although, another thing I worry about too is that my problems do get in the way of work sometimes. There will be times when I'm so down that I can't do anything but sit here and stare at my computer screen.

I know you're in a lab & everything, but is there anywhere you can walk around at? When I get anxious at work, I'll tell someone I'm going for a quick walk, I wander about for about 15 minutes & it helps.

[biodork]

There is somewhere I can go for a walk, but it's really just around the building and I'm in a small industrial park so well it's sort of a (for lack of a better word) depressing sight. I have taken walks before though, usually when I started getting sleepy.

[lilyflower]

I guess I'm sorta afraid of that, especially since I'm having my boss write recommendations for me. But my boss is also pretty understanding about things too. My co-worker has ADD and he is pretty open about it (although he talks about it almost TOO much for my liking). Then again ADD is something that could really affect his work, so it might be something that's better for people to know.

I just know I walk around all moody and stuff probably half the time I'm at work, I wouldn't want my boss to take things the wrong way.

EDIT: Although, another thing I worry about too is that my problems do get in the way of work sometimes. There will be times when I'm so down that I can't do anything but sit here and stare at my computer screen.

See, I WOULD tell in the right kind of environment but I've already been backstabbed in this industry and know how desperate people can get to move ahead. (At my last job, the other temp tried to get me fired)

My saying anything would be the equivalent of me saying "Hi! I want to be someone's secretary and do nothing of any significance during my career!" It blows chunks, I admit it, but there's nothing I can do about it aside from quitting this altogether and going to work at the mall or something. :mad:

[wordsmith]

My co-worker has ADD and he is pretty open about it (although he talks about it almost TOO much for my liking). Then again ADD is something that could really affect his work, so it might be something that's better for people to know.

My brother has ADD (diagnosed during college), and it definitely can affect his work performance if he doesn't take a lot of preventative measures. He hates talking about it, but it's something that people you work for DO need to know (just as his college instructors needed to know, so he could take untimed tests, etc). It's a disability, and he's legally protected by the ADA.

[biodork]

See, I WOULD tell in the right kind of environment but I've already been backstabbed in this industry and know how desperate people can get to move ahead. (At my last job, the other temp tried to get me fired)

My saying anything would be the equivalent of me saying "Hi! I want to be someone's secretary and do nothing of any significance during my career!" It blows chunks, I admit it, but there's nothing I can do about it aside from quitting this altogether and going to work at the mall or something. :mad:
I can understand not telling because you don't want to be open with things, but its crap, you should be able to at least tell your boss that you have some things going on in your life that can make it difficult for you sometimes.

Another thing I worry about too...I want to be a Genetic Counselor. I know its definitely not the same thing is being a psychologist or social worker, but how can I do that if I have all these problems?

[summergold]

It's also one reason I've hesitated to ever label myself as depressed. I think to do so would minimized the struggles of people actually coping with authentic depression. I just wonder at what point you have to consider that you are, possibly, too. It's not like there's a magic cutoff, I suspect.

I did this for a long time a while back. I was going to bed really early, waking up really early if I slept at all, ULTRA emotional, but almost zombie-like to my friends. I wasn't suicidal, but I couldn't figure out why I just couldn't handle "normal" life issues. I didn't want to admit, or really think that I was depressed since everything seemed rather mild. Then I started to have anxiety issues, and I finally hit the breaking point when I felt like I was having a mild anxiety attack. I called and made an appointment with a counselor. Just making the appointment made me feel better. I saw her once every two weeks, and I didn't go on meds. It was just a matter of talking and having someone there to listen to me. Once I had that outlet, I was able to start exercising, and SLEEPING. It felt wonderful. There are times when I can sort of feel myself slip back, but I now know some ways to cope with it. After I made that first step though, I felt like I'd been paroled.

[paiger81]

After I made that first step though, I felt like I'd been paroled.

Completely agree. After you make the first step to get help, it's like a weight has been lifted & you can be "normal" again.

Jess-I think you may be like most of us. We were too stubborn to admit we didn't have control of our issues. I used to justify all of my behavior & thoughts, even though I knew, deep down, they were not logical or reasonable.

[lilyflower]

My brother has ADD (diagnosed during college), and it definitely can affect his work performance if he doesn't take a lot of preventative measures. He hates talking about it, but it's something that people you work for DO need to know (just as his college instructors needed to know, so he could take untimed tests, etc). It's a disability, and he's legally protected by the ADA.

I know this is probably the wrong way to look at it, but damn, I don't WANT special treatment. I don't give a shit that I'm covered by the ADA, I don't have a disability, I am able to do what's expected of me and more and I'll be damned if I let myself or anyone else tell me otherwise.

[biodork]

I know this is probably the wrong way to look at it, but damn, I don't WANT special treatment. I don't give a shit that I'm covered by the ADA, I don't have a disability, I am able to do what's expected of me and more and I'll be damned if I let myself or anyone else tell me otherwise.
I think though with ADD it's a little different. I would think mostly with school...and exams. Because sometimes they need that extra time because 1 /4 of it their minds will be wandering all over the place.

[wordsmith]

I did this for a long time a while back. I was going to bed really early, waking up really early if I slept at all, ULTRA emotional, but almost zombie-like to my friends. I wasn't suicidal, but I couldn't figure out why I just couldn't handle "normal" life issues. I didn't want to admit, or really think that I was depressed since everything seemed rather mild. Then I started to have anxiety issues, and I finally hit the breaking point when I felt like I was having a mild anxiety attack. I called and made an appointment with a counselor. Just making the appointment made me feel better. I saw her once every two weeks, and I didn't go on meds. It was just a matter of talking and having someone there to listen to me. Once I had that outlet, I was able to start exercising, and SLEEPING. It felt wonderful. There are times when I can sort of feel myself slip back, but I now know some ways to cope with it. After I made that first step though, I felt like I'd been paroled.

This is similar to how I've been for a while now, in a way. The feeling that I can't cope with ANYTHING that's basically a normal life issue, nor do I really have any motivation to...I spend most of my time avoiding dealing with everything from doing my laundry to returning DVDs to the store to changing my oil to doing my work before the last minute. I have the urge to sleep all day, which I can't do, and lie awake all night. I've always had pretty high anxiety, with the odd panic attack, but it's like it's broken through the ceiling and now I've abruptly gone from caring overmuch about everything to "Well, it's screwed anyway, so I just can't care at all anymore...it's past the point of even stressing about it." Everything around me is a mess (literally and figuratively) and I'm don't have the energy or motivation to do anything about it. Anything that I know would help, like oh, sleeping at night rather than staying up until 3, 4 a.m. or actually getting out and moving around, I just don't feel like doing.

[paiger81]

Oh, Jess, that is depression. I really wish you would see someone, it really does help. :(

[wordsmith]

I know this is probably the wrong way to look at it, but damn, I don't WANT special treatment. I don't give a shit that I'm covered by the ADA, I don't have a disability, I am able to do what's expected of me and more and I'll be damned if I let myself or anyone else tell me otherwise.

No, I don't think my brother gives a shit, or wants an altered workload, either. He's NEVER been one to be comfortable with special treatment, which is why a learning disability went unrecognized until he was 19 years old. I only mention ADA protection because fuckers can't axe you due to job performance if you have a known condition that hinders you from doing the job if they refused to work with you.

[lilyflower]

No, I don't think my brother gives a shit, or wants an altered workload, either. He's NEVER been one to be comfortable with special treatment, which is why a learning disability went unrecognized until he was 19 years old. I only mention ADA protection because fuckers can't axe you due to job performance if you have a known condition that hinders you from doing the job if they refused to work with you.

Oh, I know, Jess, but yeah, I'd only bring it up if it became/becomes a severe problem. I've basically accepted that I'll be dealing with this in some degree for the rest of my life. As long as life is liveable and I still have some happy moments - it's enough.

But I do have to agree with everyone else that you sound like you have clinical depression.

[summergold]

This is similar to how I've been for a while now, in a way. The feeling that I can't cope with ANYTHING that's basically a normal life issue, nor do I really have any motivation to...I spend most of my time avoiding dealing with everything from doing my laundry to returning DVDs to the store to changing my oil to doing my work before the last minute. I have the urge to sleep all day, which I can't do, and lie awake all night. I've always had pretty high anxiety, with the odd panic attack, but it's like it's broken through the ceiling and now I've abruptly gone from caring overmuch about everything to "Well, it's screwed anyway, so I just can't care at all anymore...it's past the point of even stressing about it." Everything around me is a mess (literally and figuratively) and I'm don't have the energy or motivation to do anything about it. Anything that I know would help, like oh, sleeping at night rather than staying up until 3, 4 a.m. or actually getting out and moving around, I just don't feel like doing.

It sounds like exactly what I was dealing with. Feeling apathetic, and then sort of feeling bad about it. I also felt like I was a balloon of anxiety or just negative feelings and wanted a pin to pop it and let all of it out. I just had no idea what that pin could be. When I finally did start seeing a counselor, taking an hour out of my day once every two weeks, it didn't interfere with my life. I was amazed at just how easy it was. Life started coming together. It was a bit slow at first, but then everything clicked back into place.

[wordsmith]

Oh, Jess, that is depression. I really wish you would see someone, it really does help. :(

But it's not like I'm sitting around crying all the time (well, actually, I kind of am, of late, including tearing up right now).

I'm mostly just frustrated and feel paralyzed, because everything that's getting to me right now is stuff I can't do a single thing about. Things that I've put my best efforts and time and love and caring into, and it doesn't count for anything. I can't make somebody look at my resume. I can't make somebody interview me. I can't make somebody hire me. I can't make a guy I care about and who professed to care about me think I'm worth his time. I can't do anything about any of this.

I don't feel sad. I feel powerless and frustrated about that.

[paiger81]

Jess-

That's just it though, depression isn't the exact same for everyone. I didn't think I really had OCD cause I was the classic case--I've never repeatedly washed hands or refuse to touch people for fear of germs. I denied my issues for nearly 3 years before I finally was so bad that I thought I would end up in a mental hospital for the rest of my life. And I really didn't care if that's where I had to go.

You are still fighting the truth. I did that for a long time, too.

[pisces2473]

Totally agree with what everyone has said...and I'm sure Summergold can vouch for my own struggles with depression. Poor thing lived with me.

Jess, I hope you know that none of us want to gang up on you or make you feel badly. We are all seriously concerned about you.

[wordsmith]

I don't feel ganged up on, Jen.

[pisces2473]

Good...I know that when you already don't feel well, and don't feel like doing anything, that any sort of pressure from anyone can make you feel worse.

[lilyflower]

Indeed, I agree with Jen and everyone else here, we're not trying to gang up on you, Jen. Hell, I hate being ganged up on and forced to do things so I can vouch for how much it sucks, particularly when you're feeling crappy.

[bridgetjones]

Gee I guess I am mildly depressed. Although I tend to be ok when employed and doing well enough at work. Oh yeah and being busy helps. I guess you have to logic it thru and just force it.

As for it being trendy to have a mood/anxiety disorder, it is only cool if you are an artist of sorts. Seems to be a connection between being mentally ill and creative. Otherwise you bloody well hide it. I have been made fun of for even not being chirpy and keeping to myself. In business you hide your feelings and weaknesses. The artsies I know almost flaunt it.

[wordsmith]

No, it really doesn't make me feel bad, you guys. It makes me feel cared about. Which is a good thing at this point.

[Tiean]

Again you leave a discussion for a couple of hours and you miss out on the action... I would like to try to clarify what I meant by 'fashionable' before I'm labelled some idiot ___________

I said:

I'm not saying that it's fashionable to be diagnosed depressive. I'm saying that saying you're depressed has become fashionable (just to keep on using that word)... If someone is sad, he'll say 'Oh I'm so depressed'. That's not what depression is about, not even mild ones.

Keyword: NOT fashionable to be diagnosed depressive.

What I mean is that it is fashionable (again, if it's about the word, we can use a another word) SAYING that you're depressive/feeling depressive... I am the only one who have heard perfectly sound people say '.......depressive....' when they're feeling stressed or something like that...

When I read all of your comments I see why you don't agree with me (if you understood what I wrote what you perceived)... but I STILL believe you misunderstood me... even though English is my second language and YOUR first language

(and I can't really comment any more since I'm visiting a friend at the moment... :twisted: )

[WeirdBrake]

Let sleeping dogs lie, Tiean. The discussion on this thread has moved on from there, and you're lucky I'm in a forgiving mood today. Have the sense to know when to quit.

[Cole]

My story, to make a point...


I've always been a super high achiever. My sophomore year of college I was crazy busy: president of a club, social activites chair for the dorms, working on a 6,000 person conference, 18 credits, a show, a job, a boyfriend, and an assistant RA. I slept about 3 hours a day, ate crap for food, and never exercised.

By the end of the year I lost the boyfriend, lost the job because I'd forget to show up, lost my stipend as the activities chair for failing to pull any of it off, failed one class and had to take an incomplete in another because I forgot to go to the final. I was miserable, stressed out, had regular anxiety attacks, and had developed some severely painful back problems.

It was at about this point that they put me on an antidepressant.

I quit everything, moved out of the dorms and got an apartment with friends, and got a steady job. That summer I made myself eat healthy, ran 3 x a week, and didn't allow myself to pick up any other activities besides the one job.

2 months later I was off of the antidepressants.

So now it's been three years. I haven't had anything like that happen again, and my anxiety is almost nonexistant.

I have to be really diligent about not letting my schedule get too full, eating healthfully, (avoiding sugar has been the biggest thing that has helped) exercising regularly, and maintaining enough down time and social life. If I start having trouble sleeping or waking or start losing track of things, I immediately start cutting down on the numer of things I'm involved with. And when looking for jobs, I won't even consider ones that are blatantly high stress or too fast-paced. I know it'll knock me off-kilter. ANd the meditation and bodywork I've gotten involved with has helped immensely.

So the point is, I think that a lot of us get depressed because of stress. And I think most people can manage it without drugs, but it does take a lot of attention and effort. And the hardest part about that is starting, because when you're depressed anything that sounds like effort is going to be too much to handle. That's why I had to literally drop EVERYTHING and start from scratch. And it's still a challenge to not let things get too out of control. But you can do it. And not being on drugs makes me feel so much better; I know I'm really the one that's being successful with managing my life.

i don't look at it as a disorder; I don't think that most "psychological disorders" should be labeled as such at all. They're just different ways of functioning, and each of us has our own challenges with it. It's not a good thing or a bad thing. I wish our culture wasn't so into labeling things in a way that makes a judgment of wrongness or badness. In fact, I wish they didn't label these things at all. I guess what I would say is that despite what I went through, I don't consider myself a depressed person.

Jess: I think you really need to figure out some changes. What you're going through sounds frighteningly familiar, and you shouldn't have to go through the kind of crash and burn I did before you make a change. Things can be a lot better, and you seem way too smart to not do something about it.

[shimmer728]

I just read this thread, and I'm no psychologist, but it does sound like you are depressed, Jess. :( Do whatever you can to get some help.

We all care about you. :)

[coll214]

Jess- You sound exactly like how I was a few months ago. It was bad, i'd be ready to cry just because I was going to work and no other reason. The BF issues didn't help, and my constant family dysfunction just added fuel to the fire. All I wanted to do was sleep and was never able to. And forget about exercise, never made it to the gym. When everyone around me also started noticing how nonchalant I was about things that'd normally get me excited or I'd burst into tears over the dumbest things, is when I decided screw it and went to see someone.

It was the BEST decision I ever made. As of yet, I haven't taken anything, though that may change. She just tells me constantly to eat my turkey and make sure I exercise... but it's also been wonderful to discuss with a completely neutral third party all the crap that i've dealt w/ as of late. Things are definitely no where near perfect, but it's helping. I don't feel quite as anxious over everything anymore and i haven't had a crying fit in awhile now...

[wordsmith]

Jess: I think you really need to figure out some changes. What you're going through sounds frighteningly familiar, and you shouldn't have to go through the kind of crash and burn I did before you make a change. Things can be a lot better, and you seem way too smart to not do something about it.

I know that, and I know the changes that need to be made, but they're dependent upon a lot of things I don't have any control over, so change is slow to come.

[lawya girl]

I know that, and I know the changes that need to be made, but they're dependent upon a lot of things I don't have any control over, so change is slow to come.

I feel ya, Jess. I go in and out of phases like what you are describing. I did change my job but a lot of times, I really feel like I need to change my PROFESSION but for another year, I can't do that because I need the money working as a lawyer provides to pay off debt. I HATE feeling like I'm not in control - and I'm really not. My whole life I've just changed whatever doesn't make me happy in my life and now I'm at a point where I just can't do that. I have gone to see someone once and am going again next week. I'm pulling for ya....

[wordsmith]

Yeah, I'm in the midst of trying to make a career switch happen. Not that I hate what I'm doing. I just have something else in mind.

But, it seems to not be in the cards thus far. I have no problem changing the things that aren't working...but outside forces are making it tough to see the changes I'm trying for through.