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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by secretstrangth on August 5, 2006, at 7:05:25
Do you ever wonder if everyone here, with all the posts, are overly self absorbed????
Do we constantly think about ourselves and our syptoms??????
I know I do.......ESPECIALLY WHEN IN A DEPRESSED STATE.
Does this contribute to our illness......or is it part of our illness???
Every little symptom, every little change in our mood is maximised...... when "normal" people just simply accept the ups and downs of every day life?
Sometimes I really wonder about us.....
Do you ever think like this?
Posted by SLS on August 5, 2006, at 7:16:01
In reply to what's wrong with this picture, posted by secretstrangth on August 5, 2006, at 7:05:25
If I take a sledge hammer and whack you over your right thumb with it, will you not focus your attention on it until it stops hurting?
- Scott
Posted by SLS on August 5, 2006, at 7:39:21
In reply to what's wrong with this picture, posted by secretstrangth on August 5, 2006, at 7:05:25
> Every little symptom, every little change in our mood is maximised...... when "normal" people just simply accept the ups and downs of every day life?
I think you are right to some degree. Depression produces cognitive distortions that magnify the negatives and discount the positives. It creates catastrophes where there are none. It personalizes everything. This is where CBT can be of some benefit. CBT can be a tool to use in the midst of a biological depression to help minimize the damage it does. It helps cope with the destructive force of depression. CBT will not take away the depression, but it can make it easier to live with.
- Scott
Posted by Estella on August 5, 2006, at 9:31:53
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture, posted by SLS on August 5, 2006, at 7:16:01
> If I take a sledge hammer and whack you over your right thumb with it, will you not focus your attention on it until it stops hurting?
not if i give you morphene first...
but then... is that because it doesn't hurt?
?
Posted by willyee on August 5, 2006, at 9:40:23
In reply to what's wrong with this picture, posted by secretstrangth on August 5, 2006, at 7:05:25
> Do you ever wonder if everyone here, with all the posts, are overly self absorbed????
> Do we constantly think about ourselves and our syptoms??????
> I know I do.......ESPECIALLY WHEN IN A DEPRESSED STATE.
> Does this contribute to our illness......or is it part of our illness???
> Every little symptom, every little change in our mood is maximised...... when "normal" people just simply accept the ups and downs of every day life?
> Sometimes I really wonder about us.....
> Do you ever think like this?Ah respectfully disagree,i often,very often feel hoorablely selfish on certain things,when my dogo fo 14 years died it took me a week to finaly cry for him,i was numb,i hated myself for worrying about me being sick when my dog of 14 years who i should have been balling over the min we put her down was gone,i felt guilty and selfish,but like sls said,if someone has a torch on ur back all day burning u,its kinda hard to put that on the back burner,but i do understand what you mean,and im sure to people who dont understand we must appear that way.
Posted by SLS on August 5, 2006, at 10:34:32
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture » SLS, posted by Estella on August 5, 2006, at 9:31:53
> > If I take a sledge hammer and whack you over your right thumb with it, will you not focus your attention on it until it stops hurting?
>
> not if i give you morphene first...Preemptive antidepressant treatment?
That's a first.
:-)
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2006, at 11:10:59
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture, posted by SLS on August 5, 2006, at 7:39:21
Scott how? I know you replace a negative thought and and humm is this realistic, then say no that's not really true I can do this, and write the outcome. At least this the way it was taught to me. But there was no consistency to me CBT. Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2006, at 11:14:16
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture » secretstrangth, posted by willyee on August 5, 2006, at 9:40:23
Willyee I just had to "meltdowns" crying uncontrollably. My dogs both Brandy and Sheeba died within a year of each other. Age l7 and l2. I never cried then but with a new pup it started the grieving process. And yes I went to your website and you did a fabulous job. Love Phillipa
Posted by SLS on August 5, 2006, at 11:26:04
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture » SLS, posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2006, at 11:10:59
> Scott how? I know you replace a negative thought and and humm is this realistic, then say no that's not really true I can do this, and write the outcome. At least this the way it was taught to me. But there was no consistency to me CBT. Love Phillipa
No. I mean really. Let's forget about CBT or any other type of psychobabble. Answer the question. What is the worst thing that can happen?
- Scott
Posted by SLS on August 5, 2006, at 11:27:53
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture » Phillipa, posted by SLS on August 5, 2006, at 11:26:04
Posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2006, at 11:39:47
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture » Phillipa, posted by SLS on August 5, 2006, at 11:26:04
Scott which thread title as I looked below. Love Jan
Posted by SLS on August 5, 2006, at 11:58:51
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture » SLS, posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2006, at 11:39:47
> Scott which thread title as I looked below. Love Jan
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060802/msgs/673997.html
- Scott
Posted by secretstrangth on August 5, 2006, at 17:30:39
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture, posted by SLS on August 5, 2006, at 7:39:21
yes, i think you are right.....thats what happens,
and i hate that i am ALWAYS thinking about myself, and now it has become such an awful habit.and i WAS wondering if CBT worked...thot i might need to try it.
> > Every little symptom, every little change in our mood is maximised...... when "normal" people just simply accept the ups and downs of every day life?
>
> I think you are right to some degree. Depression produces cognitive distortions that magnify the negatives and discount the positives. It creates catastrophes where there are none. It personalizes everything. This is where CBT can be of some benefit. CBT can be a tool to use in the midst of a biological depression to help minimize the damage it does. It helps cope with the destructive force of depression. CBT will not take away the depression, but it can make it easier to live with.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by linkadge on August 5, 2006, at 20:48:55
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture, posted by secretstrangth on August 5, 2006, at 17:30:39
I think there is a natural tendancy for people to think that everbody sees the world the same way that they do. (I know that I assume people feel the same way I do about certain things. Its what helps me to feel normal.)
The type of influence that this page has on people could take many forms. In some situations, it could, like you say, cause people to focus attention on themselves. In other situations it could help people get better, which might cause them to think less about themselves.
For many people, a depressed state will cause them to think about themselves whether they are on the computer or not.
This page can at least offer people the ability to interact with others, to talk to people with similar problems, and perhaps to get the help they need. Human interaction, in any form, sure beats sitting around and ruminating.
People are here for answers. They are here to get better. I'm sure somebody could open up a chat site for people who are "depressed and want to stay that way".
All in all, I don't think this is a place with many purposes, only one of which is to focus on ones self.
Linkadge
Posted by Estella on August 6, 2006, at 0:19:29
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture » Estella, posted by SLS on August 5, 2006, at 10:34:32
> > > If I take a sledge hammer and whack you over your right thumb with it, will you not focus your attention on it until it stops hurting?
> > not if i give you morphene first...
> Preemptive antidepressant treatment?So you think it is preemptive pain treatment? Yeah, I guess that is what it is typically taken to be. Is there an analogy for depression?
Perhaps...
Medication can help prevent relapse...
Therapy can help prevent relapse...Things are interconnected.
The question is a little like 'did the chicken or the egg come first'. Mind / Brain interactions are like a dynamic system. Thinking causes feeling and feeling causes thinking and round and round we go... Into the depressive spiral. Is the best intervention therapy to help with the thoughts or medication to help with the chemicals? The best intervention is both. Attacks on all fronts.
Posted by wacky on August 6, 2006, at 8:47:21
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture » SLS, posted by Estella on August 6, 2006, at 0:19:29
It seems to me that there are two precipitating events which trigger an acute depressive episode. One is a life event (such as in my case), a loss. The other is chemical. It seems that with a loss, the thoughts associated with the loss trigger a cascade of brain chemicals which cause the brain to get stuck in a loop - like when the computer locks up and needs to be shut down.
When an acute depressive episode cannot be tied to a negative life event, then are brain chemicals to blame entirely?
It seems that medication, when the correct combo/dose is found, acts like shutting down the computer and re-booting. It gets it off that loop and back on a normal track. Why else would medication work at all? One day - you wake up - and look around - and realize that you haven't thought about being depressed for 2hrs, 4hrs, 4days, etc. And you realize you are coming out of it - and you're afraid you're not - you're afraid you'll jinx it if you are elated that you're better - and so goes the lifting - up, down, more up, less down, some more down, then more up. . .
Just my ramblings.
Posted by SLS on August 6, 2006, at 8:50:14
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture, posted by wacky on August 6, 2006, at 8:47:21
> It seems to me that there are two precipitating events which trigger an acute depressive episode. One is a life event (such as in my case), a loss. The other is chemical. It seems that with a loss, the thoughts associated with the loss trigger a cascade of brain chemicals which cause the brain to get stuck in a loop - like when the computer locks up and needs to be shut down.
>
> When an acute depressive episode cannot be tied to a negative life event, then are brain chemicals to blame entirely?
>
> It seems that medication, when the correct combo/dose is found, acts like shutting down the computer and re-booting. It gets it off that loop and back on a normal track. Why else would medication work at all? One day - you wake up - and look around - and realize that you haven't thought about being depressed for 2hrs, 4hrs, 4days, etc. And you realize you are coming out of it - and you're afraid you're not - you're afraid you'll jinx it if you are elated that you're better - and so goes the lifting - up, down, more up, less down, some more down, then more up. . .
>
> Just my ramblings.
Cool!
- Scott
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 6, 2006, at 12:26:11
In reply to what's wrong with this picture, posted by secretstrangth on August 5, 2006, at 7:05:25
> Do you ever wonder if everyone here, with all the posts, are overly self absorbed????
> Do we constantly think about ourselves and our syptoms??????
> I know I do.......ESPECIALLY WHEN IN A DEPRESSED STATE.
> Does this contribute to our illness......or is it part of our illness???
> Every little symptom, every little change in our mood is maximised...... when "normal" people just simply accept the ups and downs of every day life?
> Sometimes I really wonder about us.....
> Do you ever think like this?I think you are right. I know i have a tendency (especialy when i'm not doing well)to be self absorbed, and this just makes me worse. You make some excellent points in your thread, that i can absolutely relate to. Yes, we (everyone) needs to learn to accept some of the negative things in their lives, this is the key to "happiness" to be content in all situations. "Normal" people i think are better at doing this. But, i do believe it is part of our illness too. When i am deeply depressed, i can't help but to be extremely self absorbed, unfortunately..no matter how hard i try, i can't seem to get myself out of this mode. Excellent thread. :)
MJ
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 6, 2006, at 12:27:20
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture, posted by SLS on August 5, 2006, at 7:16:01
> If I take a sledge hammer and whack you over your right thumb with it, will you not focus your attention on it until it stops hurting?
>
>
> - ScottGood analagy Scott.
Monte
Posted by james K on August 7, 2006, at 2:32:12
In reply to what's wrong with this picture, posted by secretstrangth on August 5, 2006, at 7:05:25
> Do you ever wonder if everyone here, with all the posts, are overly self absorbed????
---I've been thinking about myself all night.
> Do we constantly think about ourselves and our syptoms??????----It is more important for me to remember that my thinking could be a symptom. Sometimes I forget, and just assume I should procede based upon my best latest thought.
> I know I do.......ESPECIALLY WHEN IN A DEPRESSED STATE.
> Does this contribute to our illness......or is it part of our illness???
> Every little symptom, every little change in our mood is maximised...... when "normal" people just simply accept the ups and downs of every day life?"Normal" people, at least in my country, kill each other and themselves at a completely unneeded rate. They intoxicate themselves to the point of overdose, spousal and child abuse, and murder. Road rage, assualt, child molestation, theft. These are what "normal" people do every single day.
"Normal" people stuff themselves to the point of immobility and even death with 99 cent double cheese burgers and America's Funniest Home Videos.
I think that the average "normal" person, has big problems.
> Sometimes I really wonder about us.....
--- I don't wonder about us. I'm aware that I have failings. Some of them involve poor thinking, overactivation of my fight or flight reflex, genetic predisposition, and negativity. That is why I hang around on a web site about mental illness and psychiatric drugs.
> Do you ever think like this?I thought I should just be normal a while back, and I failed.
James K
Posted by linkadge on August 7, 2006, at 4:57:39
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture » secretstrangth, posted by james K on August 7, 2006, at 2:32:12
This page is about hope. When you believe things can get better in some way, then it is easier to take your mind off yourself.
Linkadge
Posted by secretstrangth on August 7, 2006, at 12:58:32
In reply to what's wrong with this picture, posted by secretstrangth on August 5, 2006, at 7:05:25
Thanks to everyone to responded...
it gives me something to think about (laugh)your thots help to clarify my own mind ramblings
Posted by over 55 on August 9, 2006, at 10:04:28
In reply to Re: what's wrong with this picture, posted by secretstrangth on August 7, 2006, at 12:58:32
Just as I was "thinking about myself" and how I was feeling about things; wondering if I should post somewhere on here to get some feedback, I come across this post. Incredible!! I love it. The struggle between light and darkness which is what I face daily. I am evil; no, I am just a struggling "light" being. Definitely not a "lite" being as I have gained 75 pounds in my "medicated life". So, now off all AD's for 6 weeks and I am wondering if I will ever feel "normal" again? Am I lost forever or is the new "normal" just different and I don't recognize ME? I am older now you know, so maybe the lethargy is just "that" or the extra person I carry around on my a**. Who knows. But what I do know is I have gained incredible insite and courage from reading and sharing on this site for the last 6 weeks. I know I do not struggle alone and mental illness/wellness is a lonely place. I thank you all for being willing to share and care which really means we are not "selfish" at all.............maybe.
Posted by nicky847 on August 9, 2006, at 10:46:36
In reply to what's wrong with this picture, posted by secretstrangth on August 5, 2006, at 7:05:25
> Do you ever wonder if everyone here, with all the posts, are overly self absorbed????
> Do we constantly think about ourselves and our syptoms??????
> I know I do.......ESPECIALLY WHEN IN A DEPRESSED STATE.
> Does this contribute to our illness......or is it part of our illness???
> Every little symptom, every little change in our mood is maximised...... when "normal" people just simply accept the ups and downs of every day life?
> Sometimes I really wonder about us.....
> Do you ever think like this?alot of CBT focuses on acceptance of symptoms, especially anxiety..
the problem is the instinct is to try and find a way out of the way of you are feeling..but the earliest psychological techniques focus on identifying the way you are feeling, floating thru it, and letting time pass..its really really hard to have faith that will work, and it takes alot of time..but when you make a habit of it it decreases the amount of stress and fatigue you place on your brain, which in turn makes it function better and closer to normal, not depressive
This is the end of the thread.
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