The other week, I was walking around with my beloved, discussing terms such as 'depressive' and 'autistic.'
I was very much of the opinion that labelling people in this manner isn't always constructive; that it can lead people to resign themselves to something that could possibly be changed.
G patiently explained that a lot of people find it helpful to be able to understand certain things about themselves; why they act, or feel, a certain way; and that these labels can be instrumental in helping them come to terms with it.
"Well, fair enough" I said in my infinite wisdom, "but I think I'm self-aware enough that I wouldn't need a label like that. I'd have more hope of improvement if I just thought of it as 'a low period' rather than full-blown DEPRESSION. Actually calling it DEPRESSION feels like it would remove any hope of recovery."
Anyway, it seems the joke's on me: I've been diagnosed with clinical depression. My status on MSN has accordingly been upgraded from "sigh" to "bugger."
By the way, the post title is from this strip of the wonderful Questionable Content. Probably one of my top three webcomics (which is saying something since I'm currently subscribed to 28). As usual, the comic will be going up on the left.
While you're here, please enjoy this amazing video of how the song Breakfast at Tiffany's would really go! I love it.
Bear
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Sweet Lady Fate, why dost thou piss on me so?
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I was diagnosed with clinical depression while at university. They put me on pills, which only lowered my libido and not my depression. The best thing for depression is talk.
ReplyDeleteThat is hilarious, if totally lost on anyone who doesn't know the original.
ReplyDeleteI refer of course to the video, not the depression. Diagnosis = knowledge = power to fight irt.
Pretty much everyone has been diagnosed with clinical depression at some point. Ever the individual, I got dysthymia instead (which is essentially to pessimism what AIDS is to HIV). My advice is simply not to take anti-depressants. They're the worst, and take all power away from you. Coming off anti-d's is worse than depression, in my experience.
ReplyDeleteI found the best thing for it was getting rid of the thing that made me unhappy, but then it's not always that simple of course. Talking helps though, as well as watching stand-up comedy. Not for the laughs, but to keep the joke-appreciating areas of the brain active. Whether there's any science behind that I don't know (I never paid attention in neuroscience), but it seemed to do for me.
Thank guys, I was indeed offered the anti-D's but I refused. I've been prescribed a book (for serious!) and I'm going to do things drug-free if at all possible.
ReplyDeleteDan, you're right, many many people have been diagnosed with this. The lad I was talking to last night was diagnosed with dysthymia too so I looked it up... seems like everyone goes through it at some point.
Still, I'm feeling better about things, and I'm going home for a bit on monday. So it's ok. :)
Overdiagnosis is a big problem in psychology at the moment. It means that the condition loses its seriousness amongst those who've never experienced it. It also becomes a one size fits all solution. See also ADHD for kids. People need individual treatments but are just given a handful of pills and a cursory pat on the back.
ReplyDeleteAs Throwdown once so memorably said, "Raise your fist in the air - drug free!"
Still, if you need anyone to chat to, I'm always about. And a trip home sounds like a good idea. Feel the fresh sea air, smell the countryside aromas, gawp at the inbred children with toes on their face..
I too am going to jump on the bandwagon here and say no to the drugs! It's too easy for a busy doctor to precribe drugs rather than get to the root of the problem. They only ever mask the symptoms rather than addressing the cause.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right when you say that calling someone depressed rather than 'a bit low' can make people feel like there is no way out of a situation. We all go through periods of lowness and poor self esteem... it's part of adulthood and is generally a bit poo (but it gets better). I think the term 'clinical depression' is overused too.
I have also been prescribed a book in the past! (when i went all mad and stressed at work). I never got mine...but it may be worth it.
All advice you have been offered is good and I'll add my tuppenceworth too...
- talking is good for everyone (I loves it I does)
- getting out in the fresh air for walks and rosy cheeks is also fab
- writing things down on something you can later read back, giggle at how lame you were and then rip up!
- do things you love - hobbies and stuff
- talk some more
- be nice to yourself
- see your family and friends as much as you can; However tempting it is when you feel low to stay in and not see people it's the worst thing - it just keeps perpetuating your feeling of depression.
I would love to add cleaning to the list but I fear that I'm the only odd person who gets cheered up by a sparkling toilet.
Actually I'm tempted to give the strenuous cleaning a go; my disorganisation isn't helping matters and I'm always happier in a tidy room!
ReplyDeleteDoing a lot of writing - at this stage I'm thankful that I still (sort of) keep a diary. Some thoughts need to stay private!
I'm currently at home with my lovely family. I've got to write a new post soon concerning rugby and things, so, that's forthcoming.