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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Noa on March 10, 2000, at 13:36:32
In reply to Re: Television and depression, posted by Janice on March 10, 2000, at 11:49:56
Janice, it might also be an ADD thing--needing background noise. I've known kids who swear they can concentrate better on their homework if the tv or radio or cd player is on than without it. A tv creates a steady stream of noise and perhaps the continuity is calming, rather than silence which can be punctuated by unanticipated noises.
I usually like the tv on when I am home, tho I don't always look at it, either. However, I don't like how the commercials get so much louder than the volume you set the program at. I don't know if this happens in Canada. The sudden loud noise really irritates me. For this reason, public television works well--no commercials.
Lately, with these last few episodes of depression, I have been having the tv on more sparingly, because my sensitivity to noise is so much more pronounced when I am depressed. Plus, my interest in the shows is weaker, and limited to only a few.
I just read an article about Jerry Lewis in the New Yorker. The reporter described that he has at least one, and up to three tvs in every room of his huge house, and that they are on 24/7, with the volume off, set to various news channels.
Posted by Sarah on March 10, 2000, at 15:04:01
In reply to Re: Television and depression, posted by Noa on March 10, 2000, at 13:36:32
Most people have the TV on for many reasons. They just like to watch their shows, background noise, the sense of not being alone, or just because it is there. I used to have it on all the time for the noise or to keep me company during the day. In the last couple of months, I have turned it off and have noticed a marked inprovement in my anxiety. Of course, I have also started on Adderall therapy during this time. I am ADD, and unlike Noa, I couldn't get a thing done with the distraction of the TV or radio. (It is hard for an ADDer to focus on more than one thing at a time.) I would turn it off for a bit and see what it does for you. I still watch my shows I like in the evening and my kids really enjoy Nick and AP, but when there is "nothing" on, it's off. Give it a whirl... It is kinda weird the first few days though... I have found some nice classical music takes it's place much better! Vivaldi, The Four Seasons is a good one, good mix of upbeat and mellow...
Posted by Noa on March 10, 2000, at 15:13:59
In reply to Re: Television and depression, posted by Sarah on March 10, 2000, at 15:04:01
Sarah,
I, personally, cannot do anything that requires thinking or concentration if the TV is on in the background, either.
At work, I close my office door a lot when I need to focus, and apparently, it is contrary to the "culture" around here, where people tend to leave their doors open most of the time. As a new person, it gave people the impression that I was unavailable and not part of the team. Once I explained that I have to close it in order to listen when on the phone, or think while writing, etc. because of the intermittent noise out in the common area, then they understood a bit better. Now, tho, I try to be more conscious of opening it back up when doing things that don't require so much focus.
Also, occasionally, someone will try to have a conversation with me in a room with a lot of talking, and I cannot process what they are saying. I get very unnerved by this, because it seems nobody else around has this problem.
Posted by Sarah on March 10, 2000, at 15:39:32
In reply to Re: Television and depression, posted by Noa on March 10, 2000, at 15:13:59
Sorry, Noa, I misunderstood. I was thinking I have never met an ADDer that could do anything with the TV on besides watch TV! I have all those same problems as you just described. Most of the ppl around me know that I have ADD and I have explained my "special" needs to them. Luckily, I am an at home Mom and don't have to deal with it in the work place! That would be awful!! I have worked, but usually teaching which is great for an ADDer... always different, recess... :-) I was always lotsa fun! About the conversations in a noisey room, those are a pain in the ass as well. We occasionally have to go to those silly cocktail parties and I have to make small talk with the other wives... I know they think I'm flaky and uninteresting, but I can never concentrate on what the hell they are saying so I just smile and kinda look interested. Every now and then they actually talk about something and it will get my attention, no matter how much noise, it just has to be interesting to me. I've always had trouble talking to ppl I don't know anyway. I tend to get too deep into a subject that doesn't warrant the attention (like now maybe? :-)) and I guess I have some far out opinions that aren't the social norm in my husband's carrer social circle. On top of that I had a terrible speech impediment as a child so I never talked much then. (you can't tell I have it anymore, just the spelling impediment!) Anyway, alot of the concentration stuff has been "fixed" by the Adderall. Great stuff! I guess I have gone on long enough...
Posted by Noa on March 10, 2000, at 16:14:41
In reply to Re: Television and depression, posted by Sarah on March 10, 2000, at 15:39:32
Sarah, I laughed at your description of the cocktail parties. What a way to spend an evening!
Interestingly, I don't have ADD, although my pdoc recently raised the idea that maybe I do. I don't think I had these problems as a kid (don't remember) but have them now, perhaps as a result of depression, or maybe as a result of some of my meds? I know my sister, who definitely does not have ADD, is highly sensitive to sounds and noise, and always has been. She has coped by avoiding loud noises as much as she can. On the other hand, with four sons, she eventually learned how to just block out the typcial boy noise, and you can see her reading a book in the midst of the wrestling, shouting and laughing, as though she is in her own little bubble. But that was an acquired skill--a survival skill, I'd say.
Me, I have become more sensitive to noise, and to things like the tag on the inside of the shirt, which someone here referred to as the acid test for ADD. But I wasn't like that as a kid, I don't think.
Posted by Sarah on March 10, 2000, at 17:07:24
In reply to Re: Television and depression, posted by Noa on March 10, 2000, at 16:14:41
Noa, I'm a bit foggy on the meds you are on, but I know when I was on the Effexor I was what could only be described as weird! It was awful and I felt like Iwas walking around in a fog and had no feelings either good or bad. Well, maybe some depression. It was AWFUL! I took myself off it cold turkey one day and never looked back, got a new shrink who directly treated my ADD with Adderall and I am a new person. I still occasionally have a struggle with it, but nothing I can't handle anymore. The Adderall has helped me make everyday easier than it was, but it is still a basic everyday life with all the struggles and rewards. Took me a long time to discover that! I do believe in the less you have to take the better, and I know that will piss off some ppl in here, but it certainly worked for me. Anyway, talk to your doc about the ADD. Once mine was treated directly, I didn't need anymore AD's.
Posted by Janice on March 11, 2000, at 22:56:14
In reply to Re: Television and depression, posted by Sarah on March 10, 2000, at 17:07:24
Hi Noa and Sarah (I also see juniper's name at the end of this thread, but I cannot read what you have written yet)
Today I learn about the millionaire couple's annulment. I must really like gossip to perk up & pay attention at these moments.
yes, the commericials are louder than the shows up here too. I heard that this was illegal, but somehow commercials are louder (people talking really loud, music with many instruments).
I think it is an ADD thing - to block out the children in the background and furnace noises and people's footsteps. I can concentrate with it on, in fact, it helps me concentrate (ADD and all)! I guess the alternative would be to keep getting distracted by uncontrollable noises in the background.
What I think I will do after reading your replies is a compromise. I'm going to do 'the Jerry Lewis thing' (but on a more modest scale) - to have the TV on, volume off & music playing. I like TVso much I know it has to be bad for me -like junk food, cigarettes, staying up all night, alcohol and caffeine. I mean it feels really good - which is a bad sign. It almost feels like OCD - a trance.
I have heard of some studiesdone (one recently where after the introduction of American television in Fiji, eating disorders increased dramatically) and they all seem to indicate that TV is not psychologically healthy. But then I get a little bored listening to so many different countries in the world blaming whatever problem on American television. I mean comeon, don't turn it on then.
Noa,you know you're depression is getting bad when even the TV can't hold your attention.
I wear very soft pink ear plugs in my ears at work so I don't get irritated by all the distractions. Noone sees them because of their colour and I wear my hair over them. I find not only do I not tend to get distracted and irritated...but even more importantly, I look and sound more confident. I talk a little louder and it takes a nanosecond longer for me to respond to what's being said, which slows my reaction time down to normal. Before I always spoke quietly because I just assumed everyone could hear like me, and didn't want to irritate anyone.
It sounds like you are somewhere along on the continum towards ADD (and maybe cycling depression?).
Sarah,
I tend to get too deep into a subject that doesn't warrant the attention (like now maybe? :-)) and I guess I have some farout opinions that aren't the social norm in my husband's carrer social circle.exact same problem! Anyway, Dexedrine gives me the power to keep my mouth shut. What a relief! I would talk about the wackiest things - sometimes I think just to entertain myself. NOt being able to keep your mouth shut is a MAJOR impediment to success and a happy life - kind of like that silly movie, 'Liar, Liar'
thank you both for your replies, Janice.
This is the end of the thread.
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