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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 almondjoy on November 8, 2003, at 11:35:51
I found a helpful site a few months ago...http://www.geocities.com/eugenieza/DepressionMushrooming.htm
Even though I don't take or remember most of the advice the one thing that really stuck in my head is TO LET MYSELF BE DEPRESSED. I've been in a sort of flat depression for a few months. Frequently anxious, sometimes moody and irritable, but no where as desperate as in the past. After being in treatment for almost 5 years, it hadn't occured to me that it was ok to feel depressed. Instead I created more pressure for myself, why can't i be like everyone else, i "should" be out doing this or that...
But since the summer I've felt a bit better about myself by not trying to hide my depression from aquaintances, professors, and schoolmates. If I'm feeling moody, I sit in the back of the class with my hair in my face, cancel social plans when I don't want to go out, and tell my friends I'm feeling antisocial instead of forcing myself to smile.
I can't always think things out like that, at other times. Actually most of the time. But I want to get comfortable with bieng depressed, compared to a year ago, I don;t think i beat myself up as much or try so hard to be like everyone else. Cos I'm not. Everyone has thier struggles, but mine is getting out of bed, and going to four classes, and going to the store so I have something to eat. And thats the way it is, and I can expect it to be indefinetely, but that doesnt mean theres anything bad, insignificant or stupid about me. Just that my brain is sick and I feel proud that I did get up today.I'm here, I'm sick, and I'm trying to get used to it
Posted by almondjoy on November 8, 2003, at 11:41:17
In reply to Depression pride, posted by almondjoy on November 8, 2003, at 11:35:51
I didn't mean to sound like Stuart Smalley (or whatever SNL guy's name is) I just wanted to tell you all that you're OK, and not to pressure yourself for having your struggles.
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 8, 2003, at 15:09:58
In reply to Depression pride, posted by almondjoy on November 8, 2003, at 11:35:51
> I found a helpful site a few months ago...http://www.geocities.com/eugenieza/DepressionMushrooming.htm
>
> Even though I don't take or remember most of the advice the one thing that really stuck in my head is TO LET MYSELF BE DEPRESSED. I've been in a sort of flat depression for a few months. Frequently anxious, sometimes moody and irritable, but no where as desperate as in the past. After being in treatment for almost 5 years, it hadn't occured to me that it was ok to feel depressed. Instead I created more pressure for myself, why can't i be like everyone else, i "should" be out doing this or that...
> But since the summer I've felt a bit better about myself by not trying to hide my depression from aquaintances, professors, and schoolmates. If I'm feeling moody, I sit in the back of the class with my hair in my face, cancel social plans when I don't want to go out, and tell my friends I'm feeling antisocial instead of forcing myself to smile.
> I can't always think things out like that, at other times. Actually most of the time. But I want to get comfortable with bieng depressed, compared to a year ago, I don;t think i beat myself up as much or try so hard to be like everyone else. Cos I'm not. Everyone has thier struggles, but mine is getting out of bed, and going to four classes, and going to the store so I have something to eat. And thats the way it is, and I can expect it to be indefinetely, but that doesnt mean theres anything bad, insignificant or stupid about me. Just that my brain is sick and I feel proud that I did get up today.
>
> I'm here, I'm sick, and I'm trying to get used to itI think that's a very important message. Thank you.
You're talking about what I call acceptance. Acceptance is *not* approval. It's merely an acknowledgment of reality, of what is true for you. Instead of creating arbitrary hurdles to jump over, or accepting the hurdles placed before you by others (almost guaranteeing failure), you self-assess, and you do what you are able to do. Who can reasonably ask more of themselves than the best they can do? Every day, in every way, I'm the best that I can be. And, that's good enough for me. The rest of the world can go f*** themsel...., uhhh, you get the drift.
Lar
Posted by octopusprime on November 8, 2003, at 23:39:38
In reply to Depression pride, posted by almondjoy on November 8, 2003, at 11:35:51
> I'm here, I'm sick, and I'm trying to get used to it
hmmm, depression pride, eh?
if i wasn't so damned anti-social i'd have a paradeok i know what to do
drape myself in a black flag
blast the cure
lie down in the middle of the street
take a nap
and give the cops the fingerthat will be depression pride day :)
(ok kidding aside almond joy - acceptance of depression and the way we act and the way we are is a gift. accepting our limitations and working around them is the way to go)
Posted by Destroyo on November 12, 2003, at 2:57:27
In reply to Depression pride, posted by almondjoy on November 8, 2003, at 11:35:51
Eccliastes;
With much knowledge comes much suffering
and he who increaseth knowledge, also increaseth suffering.
Posted by pixygoth on November 12, 2003, at 8:54:10
In reply to Re: Depression pride, posted by Destroyo on November 12, 2003, at 2:57:27
Hell, if we tell enough people to turn up with banners, *some* of them will feel up to it on the day. Having sat in front of policemen before, I say -
YAY for Depression Pride
Lets paint the town black. (hee hee)
(P.S. almondjoy, I'm glad you're giving yourself a break. Does the black humour help, or should we shut up?)
love,
S
Posted by Destroyo on November 12, 2003, at 14:34:06
In reply to Depression pride, posted by almondjoy on November 8, 2003, at 11:35:51
Please allow me to correct that Ecclesiastes biblical cite I made earlier. It should read:
With much knowledge comes much sorrow
And he who increaseth knowledge also increaseth sufferingI've always felt that those of us who suffer from depression, whether alone or in combination with other mental difficulties (moi), are in good company when we chat with each other. We're on average a little smarter than the great unwashed public, as the ancient biblical wisdom sort of implies. I also like this bumper sticker wisdom: "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention". I'm a big fan of National Public Radio (NPR) talk programming. Naturally they're accused of having a liberal bias, but in fact what they do is expose their listeners to information that often embarasses certain politicians who were counting on the electorate to remain ignorant of their activities.
Posted by almondjoy on November 12, 2003, at 18:37:52
In reply to Re: Depression pride, posted by Destroyo on November 12, 2003, at 14:34:06
I actually have that button ("if youre not outraged...") on my backpack...
I'm just glad I'm at a point now where everyday doesn't feel like I'm waiting to die or miraculously fully recover, and be like I was "before." Its not that I don't think about both of those things, but I don't feel like my life is waiting for one or the other to happen.
Anyway, that parade sounds like a great idea...I'm not sure I can make it though ;)
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