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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Trotter on October 14, 2008, at 5:45:25
I used to enjoy music many years ago. These days when people ask me what music I like it is difficult to answer, because I rarely listen to it. I only recently realised that this is probably related to my chronic depression.
I find a good indicator of my mood is to put the radio on in my car. If I can appreciate a music station then my mood is very good. Usually I listen to talk-back radio because this is more tolerable when my mood is just so so.
Anyone else experience a loss of appreciation for music when depressed? I think music may be a way of identifying the difference between feeling depressed and just sad. When feeling sad, sometimes it's nice to listen to sad songs. I can't stand sad songs when I'm depressed.
Posted by linkadge on October 14, 2008, at 6:33:26
In reply to Music and depression, posted by Trotter on October 14, 2008, at 5:45:25
YES!
I notice the exact same thing. When music sounds good again, this is a sign that I am feeling well.
Unfortunatley SSRI's do precious little to reverse that hedonic deficit.
Linkadge
Posted by raisinb on October 14, 2008, at 9:46:18
In reply to Music and depression, posted by Trotter on October 14, 2008, at 5:45:25
Absolutely. I'm a big geek about music--mainly underground hip hop, indie, and bluegrass. When I stop searching for and enjoying new stuff, it's like when dog stops eating--very bad sign.
Posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2008, at 10:45:01
In reply to Re: Music and depression » Trotter, posted by raisinb on October 14, 2008, at 9:46:18
I never related the fact that I now listen to talk shows in the car to depression. But I can't stand music is almost hurts if that makes any sense? Phillipa
Posted by sam K on October 14, 2008, at 13:08:40
In reply to Music and depression, posted by Trotter on October 14, 2008, at 5:45:25
when I get depressed i lose intrest in life.. and I never turn on my music. When I wanna lift my mood I put on rap and dance. When Im in a good mood Ill listen to anything, even country because I find it funny. When Im hopeless I turn on something that says things are going to get easier. I turn on tupac "keep ya head up".
When I have no motovation I turn on Outkast "git up, git out" Thats a very good song for me!!!!!
Posted by Trotter on October 14, 2008, at 16:23:14
In reply to Re: Music and depression, posted by sam K on October 14, 2008, at 13:08:40
> when I get depressed i lose intrest in life.. and I never turn on my music. When I wanna lift my mood I put on rap and dance. When Im in a good mood Ill listen to anything, even country because I find it funny. When Im hopeless I turn on something that says things are going to get easier. I turn on tupac "keep ya head up".
> When I have no motovation I turn on Outkast "git up, git out" Thats a very good song for me!!!!!That's pretty interesting, that you use music to improve your mood, even when you don't really feel inclined to listen to it. It's a bit like getting out and socializing when you really don't want to, but because you know it helps.
Anyone know of any research proving the benefit of music for relieving depression? Perhaps it activates part of the brain that raises mood.
Posted by Trotter on October 14, 2008, at 16:47:42
In reply to Re: Music and depression, posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2008, at 10:45:01
> I never related the fact that I now listen to talk shows in the car to depression. But I can't stand music is almost hurts if that makes any sense? Phillipa
Yes, it hurts me too. Trotter
Posted by Sigismund on October 14, 2008, at 18:12:31
In reply to Re: Music and depression » Trotter, posted by raisinb on October 14, 2008, at 9:46:18
When I am depressed I don't get it together to turn on the music.
Sometimes, after an hour or two I can muster the optimism and focus to get to the dial and the switch.
But having said that I have consistently used music to improve my mood with at least some good result. It's the usual thing....some kind of catharsis, (which as has been said, might not be possible on SSRIs).
Posted by manic666 on October 16, 2008, at 12:29:00
In reply to Re: Music and depression, posted by linkadge on October 14, 2008, at 6:33:26
today i went fishing , while driving i banged on a ramones album an opened the window like a 18year old it was so loud i thought my ears would bleed i must be fu/ki/g crazy im 60 year old , but i carnt stop being 20. manic666
Posted by Phillipa on October 16, 2008, at 22:53:20
In reply to Re: Music and depression RAMONES, posted by manic666 on October 16, 2008, at 12:29:00
Manic good for you I'm giving you a new name kid manic 666. Been gone all day. How's it going silly kid? Love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on October 18, 2008, at 5:30:08
In reply to Re: Music and depression RAMONES » manic666, posted by Phillipa on October 16, 2008, at 22:53:20
Yes -- music and the attachment to lyrics and tone definitely are affected by depression and vice versa.
I don't know -- I guess sometimes when I'm depressed I find myself listening to downcast songs literally to make myself let out my feelings. But its sort of like self-flagellation.
I tend to take some things very literally, not particularly any fault of mine, but lyrics that I've heard I somehow grab onto them.
On the other hand there are groups that some would find more morose, like Coldplay, that I am a fan of, so its a mixed bag. I could play "Clocks" on repeat....
But then there's a list of "songs to be depressed by" I think, personally, such as "Landslide". Some might find it wistful, I see it because I'm caught up at the moment with a disorder that I recognize I'm growing older and I see others I know who I used to remember hanging out when I was 15 years younger going about their lives. But growing older is just a part of life, I just want to be joining it not seeing it go by.
Its hard not to, but comparing to others doesn't end up serving a purpose. It is like being hard on yourself, and its hard to pull away from the negative.
-- tidings
Jay
Posted by Trotter on October 18, 2008, at 14:15:32
In reply to Re: Music and depression, posted by yxibow on October 18, 2008, at 5:30:08
>I see it because I'm caught up at the moment with a disorder that I recognize I'm growing older and I see others I know who I used to remember hanging out when I was 15 years younger going about their lives. But growing older is just a part of life, I just want to be joining it not seeing it go by.
I can relate to this. I remember before depression that I was hardly even aware of growing older. It didn't bother me. I was just getting on with life. Now it bothers me a lot. As you said, its watching life go by without living it. To me I am wasting too many years in depression that I will never get back. I think people like to look back on their lives as well lived, not with regret.
Posted by Sigismund on October 18, 2008, at 15:44:09
In reply to Re: Music and depression, posted by Trotter on October 18, 2008, at 14:15:32
>I think people like to look back on their lives as well lived, not with regret.
Then there is the possibility of looking forward with regret.
Posted by yxibow on October 18, 2008, at 19:35:43
In reply to Re: Music and depression, posted by Trotter on October 18, 2008, at 14:15:32
> >I see it because I'm caught up at the moment with a disorder that I recognize I'm growing older and I see others I know who I used to remember hanging out when I was 15 years younger going about their lives. But growing older is just a part of life, I just want to be joining it not seeing it go by.
>
> I can relate to this. I remember before depression that I was hardly even aware of growing older. It didn't bother me. I was just getting on with life. Now it bothers me a lot. As you said, its watching life go by without living it. To me I am wasting too many years in depression that I will never get back. I think people like to look back on their lives as well lived, not with regret.
Yes, there is a subconscious look back at parts of your life as the best times -- and don't get me wrong, they may well have been, but sometimes people (including myself) look at certain periods through rosy lenses or forget certain aspects that may not have been the best. That doesn't mean you didn't make it through them though, too, and maybe succeeded despite them.
I guess my point is that one can't live in the past nor the future and end up missing the present, the Here and Now, where we all live, because that is how life goes.That doesn't mean as I said you have to beat up yourself over depression that as a biological and psychological condition you may or may not have had as much control over as you wish -- it means pushing yourself a bit, building your self esteem and going forward, in the present.
-- best wishes
Jay
Posted by elanor roosevelt on October 20, 2008, at 22:56:37
In reply to Music and depression, posted by Trotter on October 14, 2008, at 5:45:25
for me it's a matter of remembering to listen to music
Posted by utopizen on October 22, 2008, at 20:06:03
In reply to Re: Music and depression, posted by elanor roosevelt on October 20, 2008, at 22:56:37
> for me it's a matter of remembering to listen to music
>
>depression is when Elliott Smith makes sense. I'd start out with Figure 8, maybe move on to Either/Or.
But I don't care how incapable of feeling pleasure on is... I felt so pathetically hopeless and lethargic one summer, and I started playing Figure 8... Got to "Junk Bond Trader." I kept re-playing it, over and over again. It reminded me... I could feel things. I was an emotional being, and it was time to celebrate that.
I am in remission, have been for awhile, off meds ('xcept desoxyn). I still feel the same everytime I hear those songs- so alive.
Posted by Phillipa on October 22, 2008, at 21:07:14
In reply to Re: Music and depression, posted by utopizen on October 22, 2008, at 20:06:03
Such great news how did you do it and what meds were you on in the past? Love Phillipa
Posted by Trotter on October 23, 2008, at 4:52:44
In reply to Re: Music and depression, posted by utopizen on October 22, 2008, at 20:06:03
Elliott Smith transforms depression into sadness, ... and sadness is a way better than depression.
Posted by Jeroen on October 23, 2008, at 6:54:40
In reply to Re: Music and depression RAMONES, posted by manic666 on October 16, 2008, at 12:29:00
hey manic, lets chat, post a date and hour plz
Posted by FredPotter on October 30, 2008, at 18:06:26
In reply to Re: Music and depression, posted by linkadge on October 14, 2008, at 6:33:26
Me too. Music is just a meaningless, irritating noise when I'm depressed. This is particularly sad as I'm supposedly very talented. Jazz, classical, anything, and I can play for 6 hours in a restaurant without music and keep everyone happy. Lucky them! So I agree. Loss of interest in music is a very good indicator of serious depression. You need to be an appreciator of music in the first place for it to work though.
Fred
Posted by Phillipa on October 30, 2008, at 19:48:10
In reply to Re: Music and depression, posted by FredPotter on October 30, 2008, at 18:06:26
Fred where you been and hows the med doing? Phillipa
Posted by Questionmark on October 31, 2008, at 18:22:18
In reply to Re: Music and depression, posted by Trotter on October 18, 2008, at 14:15:32
Yeah. Growing older is one of the most depressing things for me. And the one thing that is impossible to make better. The one thing that will only get worse. Oh, sorry. But ... we can be positive and all that jazz.
Anyway. Yeah, i too agree with these sentiments. When i am depressed enough, even my most cherished songs in the world are just... just empty, meaningless, farcical noise.
Wow, i'm starting to get depressed just thinking about depression.
I also agree and like that a couple of you have pointed out how sadness is a different bird than depression, and the latter far worse.
Hey shouldn't this be in a different board by the way?
... So many thoughts; ideas. I must stop.
> >I see it because I'm caught up at the moment with a disorder that I recognize I'm growing older and I see others I know who I used to remember hanging out when I was 15 years younger going about their lives. But growing older is just a part of life, I just want to be joining it not seeing it go by.
>
> I can relate to this. I remember before depression that I was hardly even aware of growing older. It didn't bother me. I was just getting on with life. Now it bothers me a lot. As you said, its watching life go by without living it. To me I am wasting too many years in depression that I will never get back. I think people like to look back on their lives as well lived, not with regret.
Posted by Questionmark on November 9, 2008, at 22:56:33
In reply to Re: Music and depression » Trotter, posted by Questionmark on October 31, 2008, at 18:22:18
"Music is essentially useless, as life is."
- George SantayanaHow's that for depression and music?
This is the end of the thread.
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