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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ricardo on July 8, 2004, at 5:56:22
Hi everyone!
I'm depressed right now, getting back on Effexor. My concern at this point is: Am I depressed because I'm depressed or is it because I have really good reasons to be depressed? Right now, I'm full of problems (or at least so they seem considering that I'm depressed): I'm going through bad financial problems and it's been really hard to make ends meet; I'm having some bad relationship problems with my partner. I don't get any of the support that I would hope to get from a love relationship, but I feel like I'm stuck to it. My question is, wouldn't everyone be depressed going though this kind of situation or I'm the one who's making things worse because of my condition?
Thanks a lot!
Posted by linkadge on July 8, 2004, at 8:37:07
In reply to Depression vs. life circumstances, posted by ricardo on July 8, 2004, at 5:56:22
It is natural for your mood to change with lifes circumstances however it is not necessarily normal for you to enter a state of clinical depression during a stressful time.
Do you know that suicide in england reached an all time low during the second world war? Many people are invigorated by lifes challenges. I think events like this brought people together, giving the sence of a strong support network.I think that non depressed people have a greater support network, family, friends, church,work, prayer, whatever. When things go wrong they feel no shame in asking for help. When we had hard times a while ago, our church was so supportive. Bringing food, cleaning our house, paying our bills etc. I think its all about the support network.
Depressed people have a way of iscolating themselves, and getting into "Every man for himself" type of thinking. Non depressed people know *all* of their options, and use them.
It really is in the way you think. For me however, it wasn't till I took medicaton that I got an idea of how well people functioned :)
Just my 2 cents.Linkadge
Posted by lilj on July 8, 2004, at 10:35:06
In reply to Re: Depression vs. life circumstances, posted by linkadge on July 8, 2004, at 8:37:07
Linkage -- thank you so much for this post -- I constantly battle with the am I really depressed because of situation or do I need help -- when you said depressed people have a "every man for himself" attitude, it totally hit home.
I completey tend to isolate and feel that, no one can help me kind of attitude. I've never had someone describe depression in this way, thanks again!!
Jen> It is natural for your mood to change with lifes circumstances however it is not necessarily normal for you to enter a state of clinical depression during a stressful time.
>
>
> Do you know that suicide in england reached an all time low during the second world war? Many people are invigorated by lifes challenges. I think events like this brought people together, giving the sence of a strong support network.
>
> I think that non depressed people have a greater support network, family, friends, church,work, prayer, whatever. When things go wrong they feel no shame in asking for help. When we had hard times a while ago, our church was so supportive. Bringing food, cleaning our house, paying our bills etc. I think its all about the support network.
>
> Depressed people have a way of iscolating themselves, and getting into "Every man for himself" type of thinking. Non depressed people know *all* of their options, and use them.
>
> It really is in the way you think. For me however, it wasn't till I took medicaton that I got an idea of how well people functioned :)
>
>
> Just my 2 cents.
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by nephron on July 8, 2004, at 11:44:01
In reply to Depression vs. life circumstances, posted by ricardo on July 8, 2004, at 5:56:22
Can't it be a nasty vicious spiral of doom?
You're depressed so you don't function as well, so things around you get screwed up, so you get more depressed, so you function less, so the things get more horrible, so you get more depressed...
Dunno. I think I just need to type. Keep my mind occupied.
Posted by linkadge on July 8, 2004, at 11:58:35
In reply to Re: Depression vs. life circumstances, posted by nephron on July 8, 2004, at 11:44:01
You are right, it is a cycle that needs to be broken some way. Bad moods create bad situations and vice versa.
Linkadge
Posted by ricardo on July 8, 2004, at 16:06:21
In reply to Re: Depression vs. life circumstances, posted by linkadge on July 8, 2004, at 11:58:35
Thanks a lot! That's exactly what happens to me. for one thing, I feel ashamed of my state (or of how broke I am), so I tend to isolate myself even from my closest friends. Even when they call, I prefer to have them do all the talking. My therapist is the only one I vent my feelings to, and I feel so much better when I do so. And it's also very good to find support here, in this group. Only I don't think I know as much as you guys, so I canīt offer much knowledgeable help...
Posted by TheOutsider on July 8, 2004, at 18:19:34
In reply to Re: Depression vs. life circumstances, posted by ricardo on July 8, 2004, at 16:06:21
You make an excelent point Linkadge!
I know how you feel ricardo.
The 'every man for himself attitude' is one that I seem to naturaly adopt when I'm depressed.
Its funny because when I'm not depressed I tend to be quite caring and concerned for my friends wellbeing.
When I am depressed, on the other hand I tend to not care about my friends, so I don't treat them so well, then I feel angry with myself e.c.t!
Posted by Caper on July 9, 2004, at 23:20:08
In reply to Re: Depression vs. life circumstances, posted by ricardo on July 8, 2004, at 16:06:21
Hi Ricardo,
I just wanted to make sure you know that just by posting you help others as well as yourself. Take a look back at the previous posts agreeing with linkadge's and other's responses to your question. If you hadn't started that thread with your question, those other posters wouldn't have gotten the validation of their feelings that can help SO much sometimes.
My opinion here is that as long as you're posting to get help or info, or to give it, or to share your own story in hopes of helping others, your post is very worthwhile. You never know what will somehow touch someone else and make them feel better or at least less alone.
Best wishes,
Caper
> Thanks a lot! That's exactly what happens to me. for one thing, I feel ashamed of my state (or of how broke I am), so I tend to isolate myself even from my closest friends. Even when they call, I prefer to have them do all the talking. My therapist is the only one I vent my feelings to, and I feel so much better when I do so. And it's also very good to find support here, in this group. Only I don't think I know as much as you guys, so I canīt offer much knowledgeable help...
This is the end of the thread.
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