Depression

Duke · 04-22-2005, 01:15 PM

From the Front Page

Ever feel depressed for a short while but were able to shake it for one reason or another? Imagine if you felt that way every waking minute of ever day. According to the World Health Organization, depression is doubling every ten years and will be the second most pervasive illness, second only to heart disease, in 2020.

In the past, it's been assumed that depression was primarily a condition that affected women, in fact, there were medical statistics that showed women were twice as likely to suffer from depression as men. This is now being denounced and it's thought that the numbers may be more equal.

Recent studies have also shown that depression is not just a state of mind but may also contribute to medical ailments such as osteoporosis and heart disease.

The good news is that if you suffer from depression you can beat it.

Please refer to the links provided below for in-depth information on depression including the following:
- understanding depression.
- depression statistics.
- treatment options.

Depression.com
Uplift Program.com
DBSA Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

Duke · 04-22-2005, 01:16 PM

I really had no idea how big of an issue this was when I started looking into publishing an article on it. I must say that it's a real eye opener.

Have you ever suffered from depression and, if so, how did you beat it/ how are you dealing with it?

Stone · 04-22-2005, 01:35 PM

Obviously I am dealing with some major depressions issues at the moment if I wasn't pregnant I would go out with friends, take a vacation, and have some long walks with a glass of wine on the beach but I can't do much and it is making it worse.

Greg is Bi-polor and he can't seem to beat his depression so he is self medicating by drinking. Bi Polor is a very serious condition BUT can be controled graciuosly. I've been to support groups with him ect it's a very complicated diagonosis....

( AURRGGG I can't spell)

Duke · 04-22-2005, 01:38 PM

Just know that you've made good, lasting friends here Stone.

Star · 04-22-2005, 02:28 PM

In the past 3 to 4 years since Krystal sarted all her behavioural problems, I have fallen in and out of depression. In fact, I was in a bit of depression around christmas time last year.

What I do to get myself out of depression is basically force myself out of it. I force myself out of bed in the morning and do what i need to get done in the day. I've never taken any meds for depression even when my family doctor was willing to give me some. I deal with things head on and without the meds.

Gerry knows when I'm depressed so he's very good at getting up and around and doing stuff. He'll do everything in his power to chear me up and it does work every time.

It isn't easy to get yourself out of it but once you've done that, you're very happy that you did.

Quote:

Greg is Bi-polor and he can't seem to beat his depression so he is self medicating by drinking. Bi Polor is a very serious condition BUT can be controled graciuosly. I've been to support groups with him ect it's a very complicated diagonosis....

Stone, I know everything about Bipolar disorder. When Krystal was misdiagnosed with this I did all the research and became quite the expert on it actually. Greg's drinking will only make his disorder a lot worse, especially if he's on meds. Bipolar is a mixture of a lot of other disorders put into one. Depression being one of them. It is a very hard disorder to have to live with.

07-01-2005, 11:58 AM

Depression or BiPolar disorder...what a debilitating illness!
A dear friend I know has it and it is devastating to see! When life is great for her, nothing stops her, she's out there doing good for her Church and her friends and acquaintances. But when the illness hits...everything comes to a halt...it renders her immobile...it's all she could do get through the day, and the days are so long...
I admit I was one of those "Advisors" on saying "if you only do this or that" you'll snap out of it. It's a wonder she's my friend after saying stuff like that. She has friends telling her to get out of the house, and she is unable to at times, unless she uses all the will she has to do it, and it takes it's toll. Doctors that she has been to just give more and more medication.
If she was able to get out of it, she would....that's why it's so debilitating!
She can't handle people telling her she should be doing this or that, it just makes it worse for her....then friends stop calling or stopping by...and she's left tragically to just face her illness.
I stop by when I can and just sit with her now, sometimes just being there and saying nothing but "I love you, my friend". No advice, no answers, because I don't understand the real tragedy of this illness, but all I can offer is my love....

Luba · 07-01-2005, 12:01 PM

:oops:
I'm no "Guest" it's Luba, and I forgot to login for the previous post!

Vautrin · 07-01-2005, 12:41 PM

Bi-polar is a very debilitating illness. I know - I suffer from it also.

There is little you can do, to make someone snap out of it. It still has a paralyzing effect on you at times, and at other times you feel can take on the world. The disorder can end relatively quickly, but can also last for many, many years.

The best chance is medication - but even medication is not guaranteed to work - one of the few personality disorders that can be treated fairly effectively with drugs. You will still suffer from the highs and the lows, albeit in a bit less extreme fashion.

It is also an illness that is hard to understand, for people around those who suffer from it. And the limitations that puts on people who suffer from the disorder.