Posted by Shar on March 17, 2001, at 19:02:09
In reply to Re: What DOES one do?, posted by Dr. Bob on March 17, 2001, at 16:37:42
> However, the idea wasn't that brushing your teeth makes you less depressed, but that brushing your teeth -- if you can -- is part of having a life despite being depressed. The more of a life you can have, the better, right?.......In the broadest and most general interpretation possible, I agree that the more of a life you can have, the better. With respect to depression, I am hesitant to agree. When I am depressed (say halfway between being slightly blue and the deep dark pit of despair), the depression is always with me. It does not abate. I do not get a break from it. There is no relief.
Plus, until quite recently, I had no choice about having a "full" life--I had to work to eat, etc. When I brushed my teeth, I was depressed. When I swept the floor, I was depressed. When I drove to work, I was depressed. When I did the grocery shopping, I was depressed.
So, it does not really matter Too Very Much whether I have "more" of a life or not. If I am depressed, that will be with me no matter what. I suppose there are people who would get some satisfaction out of "depression not getting them down" or "it can't beat me in the game of life" or something. To me, it's a matter of survival with two major goals...not killing myself and remembering my meds.
> BTW, it's controversial, how responsible for their drinking to consider people with alcoholism. One way to look at it is as a symptom of their illness. In which case it's their choice as much as hallucinating is for people with schizophrenia.That is very interesting! I never thought of my alcoholism as something akin to schizophrenia, and had not heard that theory. I will have 14 years sobriety in June, and I have to say the "bottle as Siren" is a strong call for me. It always seemed like a choice not to take that first drink. Hmmm, very interesting.
>
> Sharyn
poster:Shar
thread:5149
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010209/msgs/5152.html