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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CarolAnn on May 3, 2000, at 9:39:46
I've don't think I've ever known of any "stupid" people who suffer depression, I mean the kind of depression we psycho-babblers deal with. Why is this? Is ignorance really bliss? Is it because they rarely think beyond "physical" needs? Is it because stupid people aren't introspective? Do they just "not" know if they are depressed?
Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm stupid for wondering about this! Boy, I think I've been alone with a 2yr old too long! Just ignore me, or give me something worthwhile to think about!!! CarolAnn
Posted by Greg on May 3, 2000, at 9:56:33
In reply to didja ever wonder.....?, posted by CarolAnn on May 3, 2000, at 9:39:46
CarolAnn,
Maybe they just think it's.....all in their heads? Sorry, bad joke. I'm having an unusually good day and feeling kinda silly.I think there's an awful lot of people who have never recognized their depression. Many come from families where discussing this type of thing is tabu, you know, "Your a man, You're not supposed to cry" type of thing. They keep things bottled up inside until they explode, or die.
Just the humble opinion of a VERY sick puppy.
By the way, how's the baby (and the mommy) feeling today?
Greg
> I've don't think I've ever known of any "stupid" people who suffer depression, I mean the kind of depression we psycho-babblers deal with. Why is this? Is ignorance really bliss? Is it because they rarely think beyond "physical" needs? Is it because stupid people aren't introspective? Do they just "not" know if they are depressed?
> Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm stupid for wondering about this! Boy, I think I've been alone with a 2yr old too long! Just ignore me, or give me something worthwhile to think about!!! CarolAnn
Posted by Noa on May 3, 2000, at 10:17:05
In reply to Re: didja ever wonder.....?, posted by Greg on May 3, 2000, at 9:56:33
Unfortunately, I think depression is an equal opportunity disease, and people of all cognitive ability levels suffer from it. However, it is likely that many people don't have the language skills, or the critical thinking skills to name it, talk about it, analyze it, and strategize about how to deal with it, as psychobabblers do. So, it might be experienced by some as something unnameable, or as something else altogether, or may be masked by all kinds of coping strategies that themselves can be harmful.
Many mental health professionals don't like to work with cognitively challenged people, because talk therapy is not well suited for someone with poor language skills, or not as interesting for the clinician. It might require a more psychoeducational approach, some cognitive-behavioral, or behavioral approaches. Therapy for them can be hard, and requires working with families and other support people, to build up support networks.
But they're out there, those people like us who suffer with depression, but unlike us in not being able to advocate for ourselves and articulate what is wrong.
Posted by Cynthia M. on May 3, 2000, at 10:41:04
In reply to Re: didja ever wonder.....?, posted by Noa on May 3, 2000, at 10:17:05
CarolAnn- Hi, I hope you don't mind me replying, It seems that since I have started getting into therapy , I have become much more aware of how I am feeling. Instead of just "dealing with it" I am now able to recognize my emotions for what they are, namely , the beginning of a manic or depressive episode. Now, I consider myself to be relatively intelligent but before I started therapy I just allowed my emotions and moods to overtake me instead of recognizing them as warning signs as I do now. So, maybe it is not intelligence, but education? Just a thought . Oh! I know how it can be with the 2 year old. I have two 3 year-olds at home right now (my youngest) and things can get a little fuzzywhen you are always thinking on their level. Thanks for the breather- Cyndy
Posted by tina on May 3, 2000, at 11:59:25
In reply to Re: didja ever wonder.....?, posted by Cynthia M. on May 3, 2000, at 10:41:04
Whoa!!! You guys are WAY too smart for me.
> CarolAnn- Hi, I hope you don't mind me replying, It seems that since I have started getting into therapy , I have become much more aware of how I am feeling. Instead of just "dealing with it" I am now able to recognize my emotions for what they are, namely , the beginning of a manic or depressive episode. Now, I consider myself to be relatively intelligent but before I started therapy I just allowed my emotions and moods to overtake me instead of recognizing them as warning signs as I do now. So, maybe it is not intelligence, but education? Just a thought . Oh! I know how it can be with the 2 year old. I have two 3 year-olds at home right now (my youngest) and things can get a little fuzzywhen you are always thinking on their level. Thanks for the breather- Cyndy
Posted by Kathie on May 3, 2000, at 14:52:38
In reply to Re: didja ever wonder.....?, posted by tina on May 3, 2000, at 11:59:25
tina!
Ya no kidding eh!! I feel like that quite often when I read some of the posts here. I think some of the people here think far deeper than I ever could. All I really want out of life is to be happy and content with my lot in life. I feel for the starving and war torn, but I don't lose sleep over them...I must be evil or short sighted or something. I figure I have enough on my own plate, managing a job, a home, a family to get too caught up in much else. Even concentrating on those things didn't save me from the ugly brain altering chemical imbalance called depression!! Sheesh, if I were to worry about the rest of the world I think I would be suicidal!
Kathie
Posted by tina on May 3, 2000, at 15:40:53
In reply to tina!! hehehe!!, posted by Kathie on May 3, 2000, at 14:52:38
Sometimes I feel soooooo stupid when it comes to all this stuff. I have enough trouble trying to figure out my job and this damn computer I'm using let alone the problems of the world. That's probably why my brain chemicals go out of whack sometimes. Do ya ever feel the world is just too much to deal with on a daily basis and the depression is just a way for our brains to register a "time-out"?
> tina!
>
> Ya no kidding eh!! I feel like that quite often when I read some of the posts here. I think some of the people here think far deeper than I ever could. All I really want out of life is to be happy and content with my lot in life. I feel for the starving and war torn, but I don't lose sleep over them...I must be evil or short sighted or something. I figure I have enough on my own plate, managing a job, a home, a family to get too caught up in much else. Even concentrating on those things didn't save me from the ugly brain altering chemical imbalance called depression!! Sheesh, if I were to worry about the rest of the world I think I would be suicidal!
>
> Kathie
Posted by Noa on May 3, 2000, at 16:12:45
In reply to Hey Kathie, posted by tina on May 3, 2000, at 15:40:53
Do ya ever feel the world is just too much to deal with on a daily basis and the depression is just a way for our brains to register a "time-out"?
I feel this way a lot.
Posted by Janice on May 3, 2000, at 17:07:47
In reply to Re: didja ever wonder.....?, posted by Noa on May 3, 2000, at 10:17:05
Hi CarolAnn,
I agree with Noa--that mental illness is mostly an equal opportunity disorder.
I do believe, however, mental illness can bestow certain gifts on individuals if they already have the innate ability for a certain field--especially with creativity and sensitivity. I was a dancer for many years, and I firmly believe that the gifts from my illnesses helped me achieve what I did. I could always easily hear every note of music, and I could feel music as sensations in my body, I also believe my love of movement is a result of ADHD.
I do believe mental illness takes the box out of our lives, and allows for less conventional, deeper probing, more creative thinking and a greater sensitivity. But it always works with our natural abilities.
Janice
Posted by Renee N on May 3, 2000, at 17:39:47
In reply to Hey Kathie, posted by tina on May 3, 2000, at 15:40:53
Do ya ever feel the world is just too much to deal with on a daily basis and the depression is just a way for our brains to register a "time-out"?
Tina, I most definitely feel this way quite often! You are smarter than you realize! Renee N
Posted by SD on May 3, 2000, at 18:37:00
In reply to didja ever wonder.....?, posted by CarolAnn on May 3, 2000, at 9:39:46
> I've don't think I've ever known of any "stupid" people who suffer depression, I mean the kind of depression we psycho-babblers deal with. Why is this? Is ignorance really bliss? Is it because they rarely think beyond "physical" needs? Is it because stupid people aren't introspective? Do they just "not" know if they are depressed?
Okay, now I'm probably *really* overanalyzing this, but have you ever heard the expression "fat, dumb and happy" to indicate kind of a carefree and mellow state? And how about the stereotype of overweight people as being 'jolly'.
I don't know much about genetics but I have a hunch that there could be found (slightly) meaningful groupings on the "weight-intellect-mood axis". I.e. fat, dumb & happy people vs. thin, smart & miserable people. (I'd pick the former in a heartbeat, but I don't seem to have a choice :-(
Certainly antidepressants more often cause fatitude and dumbitude than the opposite, though I suppose that's most likely due to the 'dirtiness' of medications.peace and health,
S.D.
Posted by grrrilla on May 3, 2000, at 18:51:01
In reply to Fat dumb happy (Re: didja ever wonder.....?), posted by SD on May 3, 2000, at 18:37:00
> > I've don't think I've ever known of any "stupid" people who suffer depression, I mean the kind of depression we psycho-babblers deal with. Why is this? Is ignorance really bliss? Is it because they rarely think beyond "physical" needs? Is it because stupid people aren't introspective? Do they just "not" know if they are depressed?
>
> Okay, now I'm probably *really* overanalyzing this, but have you ever heard the expression "fat, dumb and happy" to indicate kind of a carefree and mellow state? And how about the stereotype of overweight people as being 'jolly'.
> I don't know much about genetics but I have a hunch that there could be found (slightly) meaningful groupings on the "weight-intellect-mood axis". I.e. fat, dumb & happy people vs. thin, smart & miserable people. (I'd pick the former in a heartbeat, but I don't seem to have a choice :-(Actually I've seen plenty of stupid depressed people-many of them with great vocabularies!
Grrrr{:o)
Posted by Cindy W on May 3, 2000, at 20:35:48
In reply to Re: Depression as Overload Alert System, posted by Noa on May 3, 2000, at 16:12:45
> Do ya ever feel the world is just too much to deal with on a daily basis and the depression is just a way for our brains to register a "time-out"?
>
> I feel this way a lot.Noa, I feel this way a lot too. Sometimes, I just want to "shut down" from the mental overload and think depression sometimes is my body's way of saying, "time for a break."
Posted by CarolAnn on May 4, 2000, at 9:01:44
In reply to Re: Depression as Overload Alert System, posted by Noa on May 3, 2000, at 16:12:45
Guess I struck a chord or something...Greg, thanks for asking, yes baby and mommy are improving.
Noa, you win the prize for most politically correct! "cognitively challenged"? You mean there's no such thing as being "stupid" these days? Noa, I love you, but I'm sorry, I had to laugh at that phrase!
As far as depression being a response to brain "overload", I have to agree there. The other day, I caught myself thinking, "God, all I want to do is curl up in bed and pretend that I don't exist!".
As for "fat dumb happy"...I'm already fat, I suspect I'm getting dumber everyday, so when do I get my happiness?!?What a lot of great responses to my "coginitively challenged" thread! CarolAnn
p.s. please don't mind the teasing Noa, it was just so cute!
Posted by grrrilla on May 4, 2000, at 9:35:50
In reply to Re: what a can of worms! (to Greg, Noa, all...), posted by CarolAnn on May 4, 2000, at 9:01:44
>
> As for "fat dumb happy"...I'm already fat, I suspect I'm getting dumber everyday, so when do I get my happiness?!?
>
Are you trying to say you're emotively challenged? Just kidding {:0)
Posted by FP on May 4, 2000, at 23:37:10
In reply to didja ever wonder.....?, posted by CarolAnn on May 3, 2000, at 9:39:46
> I've don't think I've ever known of any "stupid" people who suffer depression, I mean the kind of depression we psycho-babblers deal with. Why is this? Is ignorance really bliss? Is it because they rarely think beyond "physical" needs? Is it because stupid people aren't introspective? Do they just "not" know if they are depressed?
> Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm stupid for wondering about this! Boy, I think I've been alone with a 2yr old too long! Just ignore me, or give me something worthwhile to think about!!! CarolAnnAs Doestoevsky's character, "The Underground Man" oberves, "Consciousness is a disease." But I also agree with Greg, too.
FP
This is the end of the thread.
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