This Cures Depression
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I think what OP is referring to is the kind of lower-grade "depression" that occurs in normal cycles in a normal person's life. That is NOT true depression. The word depression is thrown around much too liberally these days.
You certainly can't tell me that this would work with a soldier with PTSD-induced-depression that has a rope around his neck! PTSD-induced-depression is circumstantial.
My clinical depression is a part of who I am. After therapy and medication, I realize that. And part of my problem that made it worse was that I was trying to convince myself I was ok - put on a smile and surround myself with happy people. Guess what - it didn't work! *gasp*. Even after trying to "shake it off', I still found myself with my hands around my colicky daughter's neck because she wouldn't stop crying (no worries I didn't do anything, but it scared the living *kitten* out of me and I got help; she is now 8 and a beatiful wonderful girl).
This kind of 'advice' actually adds to the stigma surrounding mental health. 'Don't worry be happy' does not work
Sorry OP, I'm sure your heart was in the right place, but you missed it on this one. Have a great day though :flowerforyou:
^^ this. You are not qualified to be doling out what is not only useless, but insulting advice. Next time, just don't.0 -
I had post partum depression.
Damn, I should have just thought happy thoughts to fix it.
+1. Seriously the worst time in my life, holding this tiny person for whom I was supposed to be overwhelmed with love and joy and just feeling numb and completely unattached, then hating myself even more for feeling that way. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.0 -
Honey, I have been where you are. Refusing to admit that medication was needed, insisting that counseling, diet and exercise were going to be enough. I didn't want to have to take pills every day. I didn't want it to change my personality. Well, duh! My personality needed to be changed, that was the point! :laugh: Now I look back more than a dozen years and think, WTF was I worried about?! I still have all the same stressors and I still have to do the work in counseling and I still have to eat right and exercise, but now it doesn't seem to take an inhuman amount of will to do it or an impossible amount of energy to focus. Merely a large amount. *That much* I can muster. :drinker:
No. depression is an illness that makes you feel utterly worthless and like there's absolutely no point in you doing anything, and trying to get anything done when you're suffering from it is like wading through treacle when there's absolutely no point to wading through treacle and it's better to just let yourself stagnate, drown and die.
This is a perfect description of how I feel almost all of the time. And I have not given up on a g*dd**n thing. I continue to search for additional non-medicinal ways to manage this evil thing that has invaded my brain, and every single day I still get up and take care of my family. Most days I'd rather lie in bed, and some days I'd much rather kill myself, but guess what? I keep fighting it. But it doesn't mean it's not real, and it doesn't mean that "positive thoughts" will "cure" it. Also, as I've spent the last two + years pretty much exhausting all non-medicinal routes, this is probably the year I will have to go on medication for it. Because I am so sick of feeling like this.
TMI. *shrug*
ETA: just a note that I have absolutely no reason to feel this way. I have an amazing life, and yet here it is, dragging me down the rabbit hole.
Also, thanks to zyxst for posting that blog...great stuff.
The cruelest thing about depression is it causes you to not have the wherewithal to do the one thing you need to do most- reach out for help.
If you can just do that one thing, I promise it's the hardest step.0 -
I have no problem with your sig. And I don't think you got where you are without being open to learning and education. This is just a new thing for you to learn about.
No I've experienced it, I just have no expertise in it. And what don't you like about my sig? It's legit.From my experience, a depressed person really just gives up on everything.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
You clearly have no experience in this arena as you haven't added it to your ridiculous signature.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
I put in effort and energy with my own trainer to try to improve myself. I want you to know that would not be possible were I not medicated. I wish you could see what my close family members were like. They're not overweight like I am, so you might look at them and immediately think that they're more on-the-ball than me. Until you observed them for a few days to a week, and then you would see how much more capable I am than they are. I think the main difference is the medication and the commitment of years of my time to improving my mental health as well as my physical health.0 -
That is so cruel. I'm glad that this is a temporary condition for most mothers, and I'm glad there are treatments available to help you through it. It's really scary for me to think of what happens to some babies, and I don't even like children!I had post partum depression.
Damn, I should have just thought happy thoughts to fix it.
+1. Seriously the worst time in my life, holding this tiny person for whom I was supposed to be overwhelmed with love and joy and just feeling numb and completely unattached, then hating myself even more for feeling that way. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.0 -
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tl;dr0
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Wow thanks, I'm cured now. Over a decade of clinical depression and it was this simple :huh:
Bloody hell, this dude should be rich after finding a cure this simple, eh? :laugh: :noway:0 -
I too am an internet psychologist...
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Excuses or solutions. You can't go wrong with thinking positive. So... why not!?
All of the negative and sceptic posts here are simply people being closed minded and its those people that are missing out on the wonderful potential that the world has to offer.
Think positive and its incredible how things transform. When you change your attitude about what you are looking at, what you are looking at changes.
Great original post. Thank you. :flowerforyou:0 -
Excuses or solutions. You can't go wrong with thinking positive. So... why not!?
All of the negative and sceptic posts here are simply people being closed minded and its those people that are missing out on the wonderful potential that the world has to offer.
Think positive and its incredible how things transform. When you change your attitude about what you are looking at, what you are looking at changes.
Great original post. Thank you. :flowerforyou:
I don't believe we're being closed-minded at all. Most of us are speaking from our own experiences. Most of those experiences demonstrate that if you're in the throes of depression, you CAN'T think positive. You just can't.
I know if you haven't experienced it yourself, it probably appears to be something that's an easy fix. But if it was, there simply wouldn't be so many people struggling with it every single day.
It's not just about cheering up. It goes far deeper and it takes a LOT of work, one way or another. There's no easy fix here.0 -
It's even worse than that. It's not just that it takes a LOT of work, but the chemical imbalance makes you believe that the immense efforts will nevertheless be futile. Why would you waste all that energy for nothing when you don't even have the energy for basic self-care tasks?Excuses or solutions. You can't go wrong with thinking positive. So... why not!?
All of the negative and sceptic posts here are simply people being closed minded and its those people that are missing out on the wonderful potential that the world has to offer.
Think positive and its incredible how things transform. When you change your attitude about what you are looking at, what you are looking at changes.
Great original post. Thank you. :flowerforyou:
I don't believe we're being closed-minded at all. Most of us are speaking from our own experiences. Most of those experiences demonstrate that if you're in the throes of depression, you CAN'T think positive. You just can't.
I know if you haven't experienced it yourself, it probably appears to be something that's an easy fix. But if it was, there simply wouldn't be so many people struggling with it every single day.
It's not just about cheering up. It goes far deeper and it takes a LOT of work, one way or another. There's no easy fix here.
If/when someone manages to take the first step to get treatment, and things go well, they can continue to build on that if they're willing to put in the effort. There's so much *if* leading up to those circumstances that it's just ridiculous to hold it against someone if they're not in a place where they're able to do that.0 -
As soon as positive thinking is shown to fix pneumonia or schizophrenia, I'll believe you.Excuses or solutions. You can't go wrong with thinking positive. So... why not!?
All of the negative and sceptic posts here are simply people being closed minded and its those people that are missing out on the wonderful potential that the world has to offer.
Think positive and its incredible how things transform. When you change your attitude about what you are looking at, what you are looking at changes.
Great original post. Thank you. :flowerforyou:0 -
Excuses or solutions. You can't go wrong with thinking positive. So... why not!?
All of the negative and sceptic posts here are simply people being closed minded and its those people that are missing out on the wonderful potential that the world has to offer.
Think positive and its incredible how things transform. When you change your attitude about what you are looking at, what you are looking at changes.
Great original post. Thank you. :flowerforyou:
Wow... I can't even begin to explain how ignorant this post is. I can tell you from experience that when depression is caused by a chemical imbalance you can't just "think positive". You should really try to actually see where people like me and some the others are coming from because you have no clue.
Maybe try to be a little less close minded yourself...0 -
So all I've needed the past three years I've been dealing with my depression has been a little exercise? Good to know, and great to know my psychology studies are all wrong!
In all honesty, if you've never dealt with or known someone who was clinically depressed, 'thinking positive' is extremely difficult. It's more than just being sad.0 -
Oh, I was incredible at thinking positive and finding fun things to do and happy people. I was constantly trying to outrun the thoughts that were just in my head for absolutely no reason. Horrible thoughts. It did help me get through the day. The nights were so terrifying, though
The thoughts don't just go away, and nobody can go run and find something fun every single night while needing to sleep, you know? It always let me know it was there, dammit. I hated it!
But now I love, love my everyday medication. Love it! It made the thoughts just shut up. Like magic. I can't speak more highly of any medicine I've ever taken, lol. I never thought the thoughts could shut up. But they did
I KNEW those weren't my real thoughts; that's part of the frustration with the disease (for me). 0 -
from someone who's been suffering bi polar for over 15 years, this has been one of the best motivational articles i have ever read.
it makes sense, and i agree with it totally, and what you say in the article works.... done it myself many times!!!
Also, since i moved to Sweden 3 years ago, my mental health has improved dramatically , and i mean dramatically. In Australia, I never got the support or understanding I needed, it was a very negative environment for me constantly.
bravo for writing this John!!0 -
So all I've needed the past three years I've been dealing with my depression has been a little exercise? Good to know, and great to know my psychology studies are all wrong!
In all honesty, if you've never dealt with or known someone who was clinically depressed, 'thinking positive' is extremely difficult. It's more than just being sad.
dont knock a good walk, ever tried going for a walk when your depressed? the endorphines kick in BIG time and before you know it,
you feel great, the dark cloud lifts from your mind and you start to feel free again, and guess what?... Happy!....... take it from someone who's been suffering for over 15 years with bi polar.
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I noticed a surprising thing Losing weight makes my depression go away...so does making money !!!!:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:0
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I personally don't WANT to be dependent on medication either...but that's not something I have the luxury of choosing. If I decide to not take my medication, it takes all of 36-48 hours for me to forget that life can be great and go back to hiding under the covers feeling hopeless. I will say though, that medication is not the single answer...but taking my medication makes it possible to to the other things that help me feel better, like exercise and socializing with friends and loved ones.
I didn't say a person with depression or a person with something broken don't need meds.....I'm saying NOT everyone one does......some people go about it because others encourage them or direct them in that particular way.So tell me clearly why the broken hand needed medicine but the brain of a depressed person doesn't, please. I'm not getting why you believe that the human brain shouldn't/isn't able to be aided by medical science when the limbs should be/are.
He's actually saying that the broken hand didn't need medicine. He just powered through it. You know. Like ya do.
I personally don't want to be dependence on nothing but food and oxygen but I'm not everyone.......we aren't getting personal hear...we are taking about an overall subject.
I've been suffering from depression since before I even hit puberty...and I had an amazing childhood and loving parents...nothing circumstantial to cause me to be depressed. It's part of how I'm made, and just like people born with some physical disabilities, it requires medical care and attention in order for me to have a satisfactory quality of life.0 -
I just want to add one more thing before i leave this thread for another ciggy. as this subject is close to my heart.
All John wrote in his post is true. Its a state of the mind, if you let the demons in your mind win, they will.
this is how it starts.... "im so fat, ill never lose weight, im broke again, i never have any money for anything, if i wasnt mentally ill i could get a job, maybe i should just rob a bank?, everything is so unfair, why am i this way? Im always being punished for something, i hate my life, ill never amount to anything, i hate everyone around me, no one has ever understood me... **** the world, why the hell do i even bother?.... what is an easy way to sucicide without suffering much? or maybe i should suffer, let them see the pain i went through,
soul tourmenting stuff isnt it? its dark, depressive and grabs you and tries to pull you into the bottomless pit which you cant escape.
hearing voices, paranoia, thinking the whole world is out to get you, you cant leave your house...no fun i can tell you.
So believe me when I say that Johns article is truly sound and good advice.
Unless you've been to the pit of hell and back (like me) you really should think about what your saying, until you've been there.
and before you knock what he says, why not try it ?? it wont kill you, and you will be suprised if you put more of a half *kitten* effort into it.
rant over.0 -
What you don't realize is that telling someone who is diagnosed with major depressive disorder, or bipolar, that they just need to "put in more than a half *kitten* effort" to think positively is like saying "you aren't trying hard enough". There were days I couldn't even find the energy to brush my teeth...the last thing I needed was to feel like MORE of failure because I didn't have the strength to suck it up and think happy thoughts.I just want to add one more thing before i leave this thread for another ciggy. as this subject is close to my heart.
All John wrote in his post is true. Its a state of the mind, if you let the demons in your mind win, they will.
this is how it starts.... "im so fat, ill never lose weight, im broke again, i never have any money for anything, if i wasnt mentally ill i could get a job, maybe i should just rob a bank?, everything is so unfair, why am i this way? Im always being punished for something, i hate my life, ill never amount to anything, i hate everyone around me, no one has ever understood me... **** the world, why the hell do i even bother?.... what is an easy way to sucicide without suffering much? or maybe i should suffer, let them see the pain i went through,
soul tourmenting stuff isnt it? its dark, depressive and grabs you and tries to pull you into the bottomless pit which you cant escape.
hearing voices, paranoia, thinking the whole world is out to get you, you cant leave your house...no fun i can tell you.
So believe me when I say that Johns article is truly sound and good advice.
Unless you've been to the pit of hell and back (like me) you really should think about what your saying, until you've been there.
and before you knock what he says, why not try it ?? it wont kill you, and you will be suprised if you put more of a half *kitten* effort into it.
rant over.0 -
*smacks forhead* Oh gee, if I just think happy thoughts I'll be cured!!! Why didn't I ever think of that before!!!
:huh: :grumble: :noway:
Seriously dude, I'm the happiest depressed person you'll ever know. There's this little thing called a chemical imbalance. But nice happy thoughts try for you!
Love this response....0 -
So all I've needed the past three years I've been dealing with my depression has been a little exercise? Good to know, and great to know my psychology studies are all wrong!
In all honesty, if you've never dealt with or known someone who was clinically depressed, 'thinking positive' is extremely difficult. It's more than just being sad.
I think it depends how severe the depression is.
I was diagnosed with mild depression, and the number one thing my doctor wanted me to do was to start exercising, and I must admit for me it helps, when I am exercising regularly the symptoms of depression come along much less frequently.
Seeing a good therapist helped as well.
But I would not expect what has worked for me would work in every case.
To the OP, I have always considered myself a happy, upbeat person. Nothing was more exhausting than trying to keep up that persona whilst in the midst of depression.0 -
If you don't have depression- don't tell people who do how to cope with it.
If you haven't been in this fight- you don't know anything bout it.
So zip it.0 -
I just want to add one more thing before i leave this thread for another ciggy. as this subject is close to my heart.
All John wrote in his post is true. Its a state of the mind, if you let the demons in your mind win, they will.
this is how it starts.... "im so fat, ill never lose weight, im broke again, i never have any money for anything, if i wasnt mentally ill i could get a job, maybe i should just rob a bank?, everything is so unfair, why am i this way? Im always being punished for something, i hate my life, ill never amount to anything, i hate everyone around me, no one has ever understood me... **** the world, why the hell do i even bother?.... what is an easy way to sucicide without suffering much? or maybe i should suffer, let them see the pain i went through,
soul tourmenting stuff isnt it? its dark, depressive and grabs you and tries to pull you into the bottomless pit which you cant escape.
hearing voices, paranoia, thinking the whole world is out to get you, you cant leave your house...no fun i can tell you.
So believe me when I say that Johns article is truly sound and good advice.
Unless you've been to the pit of hell and back (like me) you really should think about what your saying, until you've been there.
and before you knock what he says, why not try it ?? it wont kill you, and you will be suprised if you put more of a half *kitten* effort into it.
rant over.
That, I presume, is your experience with depression.
It is not, however, mine.
My depression... my mental illness... did not start with negative thoughts. I've seen people like this and frankly, I envy them. If only my depression was based on something as simple as being down on myself about my weight or my family or my circumstances. Those are fixable things. Tangibles.
I'm not saying it's any easier for those people, I'm saying it's different from what I experience.
In the simplest way of thinking, there are two basic forms of depression.
One is that your moods are depressed, or taken down into the negatives.
The other is that your moods are dampened, or taken away, buried so that you no longer feel or care.
For the first one, yeah, trying to turn around your way of feeling could be helpful, though many will just find it as one more thing to beat themselves up about because they simply can't.
For the other, not so much, because there's really nothing to turn around.0 -
^
i was in a deep depression myself last year, drank every day out of misery, almost comitted suicide on 1 drunken night and generally didnt gave a **** about life anymore.
doctor gave me anti depressive meds, but after taking 1 i already had side effects so was really fast done with those. Than i got a foster dog for 2 months, he pulled me out of my depression, when he left i almost slipped back and boozed 2 days again till i had enough of it.
Been 9 days clean now of smoking and drinking and doing insanity and p90x since monday.
When i was depressed it was fighting for my life every day and now i am still fighting in a different way so for people that want to talk about depression but never experienced it themself, up yours :flowerforyou:0 -
Wow! I just read thru these posts. Having had family members and friends with a variety of mental health issues (co dependency, anxiety, depression, chemical addiction) that required medical professional treatment, I have to say I was not offended by the OP or any of the posts. Accepting that a person close to you needs help, and even those not so close to me that require professional help and being supportive in the right way is something we can all learn. I have lost two close family members to suicide - my biological father and an uncle. I don't understand how it feels to feel that much despair, but that doesn't mean that the despair isn't real. Pretty real my family members are gone now.
But for those of us who get "blue" or "sad" or allow negative thoughts to impede our life enjoyment we do need to pull that weed right out of "minds garden". Due to my family history, I guard my mental health. I have learned I can't let my weight get out of control and If I don't get my activity level up during the day, I don't get my minimum sleep in. Don't get my sleep in, my judgement is impaired and I feel tired and yucky. I have to drink my water or my body and brain aren't hydrated.
Visualizing success includes dealing with any roadblocks to our success. Mental health and physical health are inseparable in my world.0 -
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