Thank you PJ fans for understanding about major depression.

2-feign-reluctance

Many people criticize what they don't understand. We don't focus enough as a society on talking about how depression can be treated - and people CAN intervene when someone is feeling suicidal. So many misconceptions out there. But hey, I am a therapist, so I'm pretty fucking biased.

lolobugg

the real cowardly thing is being uneducated on this topic and then flaming someone's twitter account who just lost their father.

I consider PJ fans to be a little more educated than the typical asshole on the street.

It's great to see that validated on these boards.

JOEJOEJOE

I suffer from moderate depression, and unfortunately, it went untreated for the first 37 years of my life. I sometimes wonder how different my life would be today had I taken action at an earlier age.

I was never too motivated as a student, and I have never been too much of a trailblazer when it comes to ascending up the professional totem pole. However, I do consider myself lucky to have attained what I have.

badbrains

JOEJOEJOE said:

I suffer from moderate depression, and unfortunately, it went untreated for the first 37 years of my life. I sometimes wonder how different my life would be today had I taken action at an earlier age.

I was never too motivated as a student, and I have never been too much of a trailblazer when it comes to ascending up the professional totem pole. However, I do consider myself lucky to have attained what I have.

Joe, you're still here and battling so man, you're winning. That's the main thing bro. Don't give up and stay strong.

JOEJOEJOE

badbrains said:

JOEJOEJOE said:

I suffer from moderate depression, and unfortunately, it went untreated for the first 37 years of my life. I sometimes wonder how different my life would be today had I taken action at an earlier age.

I was never too motivated as a student, and I have never been too much of a trailblazer when it comes to ascending up the professional totem pole. However, I do consider myself lucky to have attained what I have.

Joe, you're still here and battling so man, you're winning. That's the main thing bro. Don't give up and stay strong.

Thanks for the kind words........I try not to let it get in the way of anything!

PJ_Soul

ldent42 said:

A lot of the stuff I've been seeing online encouraging people to seek help if they're struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, usually includes a statement along the lines of "no one will judge you"
But meanwhile Zelda Williams had to deactivate her social media accounts.

Don't get me wrong, I completely agree that depression is a illness, suicide can hardly be called a "choice" under those circumstances & I have nothing but compassion for those suffering. That's why this statement irks me. It's borderline condescending to pretend there are not judgemental asshats out there who won't believe you & who'll tell you to just cheer up or get over yourself.

The stigma associated with mental illness is real, & it ought to be confronted rather than denied & ignored.

I actually know a human being who doesn't believe ptsd is real, claims it's just ppl being "melodramatic". This kind of ignorance is frightening.

Totally true. People SHOULDN'T be ashamed of depression, but there is a very good reason that they are. Unless someone has dealt with it themselves, they just can't understand it, and since understanding is the key to acceptance, getting rid of the stigma surrounding depression (and mental illness in general) is going to be a long, hard battle that may be impossible to win. The better solution is to find ways to prevent it or cure it.... of course, acceptance leads to research funding.... and around we go.

norm

Robin Williams' death: An opportunity to prevent more suicides

Something positive may come out of the tragedy of Robin Williams' apparent suicide: Suicide prevention hotlines are seeing a spike in calls from people seeking help.

The 160 local hotlines that make up the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline saw their collective call volume more than double in the 24 hours after Williams' death, according to Lifeline officials.

In Los Angeles, the folks manning the phones at the Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center — the nation’s oldest and largest — are reporting a similar phenomenon. There has been a 95 percent spike in calls since Williams' death, from about 160 a day to more than 300 a day, says Center Director Robert Stohr.

The comedians' death seems to have had a particularly strong impact among Latinos experiencing mental health crises, if calls to the Center's Spanish language line are any measure. Before Williams' death, there were a couple of calls a day, and since then there have been more than 50 a day, Stohr says.

Whenever a high profile figure takes his or her own life and there is tremendous media coverage, experts worry about "suicide contagion," particularly among adolescents.

So the services provided by suicide prevention hotlines are even more critical at a time like this.

brianlux

This thread originally focused on Robin Williams and depression but since I couldn't find another "depression" thread figured I'd just post here.

Depression is a sneaky bastard. You think you've got it under control and out of the blue- WHAM- it smacks you up the side of the amygdala. That's what happened to me last night. It didn't help that I watched two depressing movies back-to-back. Didn't think much of it until about an hour later when it was late, dark, hot and stuffy here. Suddenly, down comes that heavy smothering blanket of darkness.

It's something worth being prepared for, I guess. You can't ever get too cocky about conquering it. You have to keep your guard up, learn to be tough, hack or pack. Today I'm hacking.

All good thoughts going out to any of you dealing with this... and so many of us do.

Strength!

jnimhaoileoin

Hope you can push through it and come out the other side stronger....

brianlux

Thank you Jenny. I'm always working toward that goal!

badbrains

Brian's a good dude. Someday I'm gonna tell him that in person.

ldent42

brianlux said:

Thank you Jenny. I'm always working toward that goal!

Should we have a forum dance party for you b-lux? Might help!

Me n Tempo were talking about this band (playing here next month w00t) and this song is rather quite bouncy! Stick it in you "hack" supply tool belt:

https://youtu.be/QVJeQbZgAZ0

brianlux

badbrains said:

Brian's a good dude. Someday I'm gonna tell him that in person.

That will be excellent, bb!

brianlux

ldent42 said:

brianlux said:

Thank you Jenny. I'm always working toward that goal!

Should we have a forum dance party for you b-lux? Might help!

Me n Tempo were talking about this band (playing here next month w00t) and this song is rather quite bouncy! Stick it in you "hack" supply tool belt:

https://youtu.be/QVJeQbZgAZ0

Nice! Thanks Ident. That put a little spark in my day.

RogueStoner

I hate this time of year. I look enviously at all of those that are excited and joyful, wishing that could be me. But I can count on one hand the happy Christmases I had. One in particular was our first Christmas with my now husband. We had known each other for 8 months and, as is typical, had told each other many childhood stories. He listened. And remembered. On Christmas morning, I woke up to a huge pile of gifts. I carefully opened one after another. He had gotten me EVERY toy I'd ever wished for as a kid. He gave me the perfect Christmas I had always dreamed of as a kid. I kept one big teddy bear and a Barbie and then we donated all the rest. The others were the few Christmases we were able to scrape enough to donate gifts to the abused children's shelter. Now we have 4 kids and I spend each and every year stressing because I want to give my kids great Christmases and can't. I don't know how. It's partly gifts but mostly teaching them to give to others...money, time, a kind word...so much can be done for others in this season.
No matter how I try to be happy each year, every year, without a break, those old Christmases come back to haunt me. I feel so anxious and depressed. I feel so vulnerable this time of year. Everything is going wrong. Everything I say and do is wrong. Everything hurts deeper. I'm avoiding people so I don't bring them down but the loneliness is getting unbearable.
Two years ago tomorrow, I tried to kill myself. I don't want to now but the thoughts are still running through my head. All day long. I try to distract myself by reading and posting and "talking" to people but it seems no one can relate or understand. I can't blame them. I'm sure I'm giving off a negative vibe. Or just plain crazy.
So tomorrow will be a tough day for me. And I pray I can get through it, pull myself up, and find a way to cheer up another depressed person for Christmas so they know they are not alone and don't have to feel the pain I am. That is my goal.

hedonist

RogueStoner said:

I hate this time of year. I look enviously at all of those that are excited and joyful, wishing that could be me. But I can count on one hand the happy Christmases I had. One in particular was our first Christmas with my now husband. We had known each other for 8 months and, as is typical, had told each other many childhood stories. He listened. And remembered. On Christmas morning, I woke up to a huge pile of gifts. I carefully opened one after another. He had gotten me EVERY toy I'd ever wished for as a kid. He gave me the perfect Christmas I had always dreamed of as a kid. Now we have 4 kids and I spend each and every year stressing because I want to give my kids great Christmases and can't.
And every year, without a break, those old Christmases come back to haunt me. I feel so anxious and depressed. I feel so vulnerable this time of year. Everything is going wrong. Everything I say and do is wrong. Everything hurts deeper. I'm avoiding people so I don't bring them down but the loneliness is getting unbearable.
Two years ago tomorrow, I tried to kill myself. I don't want to now but the thoughts are still running through my head. All day long. I try to distract myself by reading and posting and "talking" to people but it seems no one can relate or understand. I can't blame them. I'm sure I'm giving off a negative vibe. Or just plain crazy.
So tomorrow will be a tough day for me. And I pray I can get through it, pull myself up, and find a way to cheer up another depressed person for Christmas so they don't have to feel the pain I am. That is my goal.

I'm so sorry, sweetie. For the pain that still is there, and may always be...though hopefully lessened somehow.

It's about two years since my mom tried the same; that hurt was/is felt in so many ways - by me as her daughter and moreso by her.

You have a kickass, amazing husband and children who need and WANT you with them, and to be happier more than sad (which we all hope for). Talking helps, maybe volunteering too?

You need some outlet, release, that takes you outside of yourself right now. And maybe this time of year is the perfect time?

For me, holidays - not necessarily Christmas - were about the warmth and vibe. Maybe a gift or two, but the energy and times with my family are what prevails.

to you and your big heart.

Annafalk

I feel for you RogueStoner. Maybe you can try to think in a more forgiving way towards yourself and others. Try to appreciate the smallest little things like a smile or a kind word maybe just a reflection from the sun. I hope for you to get stronger. Much love

Fifthelement

Hugs to you RS. "Do you see the way that tree bends?"

Christmas doesn't have to be about the perfect gift for your kids. Really, all they need, and will hold tight to in the future, is the knowledge that they are and were loved. (((Hugs)))

whispering hands

Fifthelement said:

Hugs to you RS. "Do you see the way that tree bends?"

Christmas doesn't have to be about the perfect gift for your kids. Really, all they need, and will hold tight to in the future, is the knowledge that they are and were loved. (((Hugs)))

This

whispering hands

I wish I knew more of what to say, R
L"S. I have dealt with many many forms of anxiety, but never anything like this. So all I can offer is a huge hug. Just an idea.. but have you guys ever taken your kids and done gift drops? That is where you have each kid pick out a toy they think a kid their age would like, you wrap it, and then donate them with age/gender info attached to a family homeless shelter. I have been that kid in the shelter, thinking I was forgotten, and those gifts we got those two years gave me hope. I think it might give your kids a bit of perspective they hopefully never have to experience in life, and might make things a little easier on you? Just an idea.