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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 2 to 26 of 26. Go back in thread:
Posted by Sigismund on April 8, 2009, at 4:10:27
In reply to How Do You Define Depression?, posted by karl on April 8, 2009, at 3:26:32
It's not a term I like to use because the meaning has been so recently constructed by industry and academia.
I prefer to say 'I feel dreadful. Life has become a misery. I'd rather be dead,' and so on.
I don't like 'depressed mood' either.
Posted by B2chica on April 8, 2009, at 8:07:41
In reply to How Do You Define Depression?, posted by karl on April 8, 2009, at 3:26:32
no pleasure in anything.
complete isolation
feeling i no longer belong on this earth
no fight left in me
extreme inner pain/contemplation
tears
Posted by raisinb on April 8, 2009, at 9:45:41
In reply to How Do You Define Depression?, posted by karl on April 8, 2009, at 3:26:32
Complete meaninglessness.
Posted by Relapse on April 8, 2009, at 10:44:57
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression? » karl, posted by raisinb on April 8, 2009, at 9:45:41
Constant, painful void (anxiety + depression)
Posted by Phillipa on April 8, 2009, at 10:51:39
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression?, posted by Relapse on April 8, 2009, at 10:44:57
Same as Relapse. But is anxiety really depression? Phillipa
Posted by Relapse on April 8, 2009, at 12:17:30
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression?, posted by Phillipa on April 8, 2009, at 10:51:39
Phillipa - That is a very good question. With me its like a mental stew. I don't know where one leaves off, and the other one starts. I just know they are both there. Hope all is well.
Dave
Posted by SLS on April 8, 2009, at 12:58:05
In reply to How Do You Define Depression?, posted by karl on April 8, 2009, at 3:26:32
No mental or physical energy.
No motivation or interest.
No libido.
Slow thought.
Slow memory.
Slow movements.
Vegetative.
Melancholy.
Sadness.
Numbing.
Crushing.
Emptiness."These are a few of my favorite things..."
There is more...
Enough for now.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on April 8, 2009, at 13:05:53
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression? » karl, posted by raisinb on April 8, 2009, at 9:45:41
> Complete meaninglessness.
Wow.
I had never recognized that as being a part of my depression before. It's true.
Somewhat related, depression crushes one's spirituality, the very thing that one might need to find meaning within such a void.
- Scott
Posted by B2chica on April 8, 2009, at 13:30:05
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression? » raisinb, posted by SLS on April 8, 2009, at 13:05:53
i agree with Scott. i typically find myself isolated not just from people but i feel very unworthy of God's love and i reject it.
at this point i try to turn to my religion at the "half-way point" or before. before it gets too late that i can no longer 'get there'.an interesting aspect in my depression was that at one time i found myself isolating in my religion so much, HOWEVER by being more devout i found myself finding more and more reasons that i DID need to die.
-i would hear sermons and hear them as reasons i wasn't to "stay here".
-how much more painful this place is.
-how i needed to suffer so that i could take some of the suffering away from God
-how i felt i was being called to be more of a spiritual guide than a 'being' on this earth.
-and at one time i felt like i needed to be some sort of 'sacrifice' so that others may not suffer.yes a wee bit delusional, i get that.
but nonetheless.
Posted by Sigismund on April 8, 2009, at 15:58:06
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression? » raisinb, posted by SLS on April 8, 2009, at 13:05:53
I don't know if it is existentialism, but this sounds very familiar from somewhere......the idea that life is absurd and meaningless, and that we nonetheless somehow (don't ask me) we have to find a way to live well and with freedom.
Posted by SLS on April 8, 2009, at 16:41:00
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression?, posted by Sigismund on April 8, 2009, at 15:58:06
> I don't know if it is existentialism, but this sounds very familiar from somewhere......the idea that life is absurd and meaningless, and that we nonetheless somehow (don't ask me) we have to find a way to live well and with freedom.
When someone asks me, "What is the meaning of life?", I always respond, "Life is its own meaning".
Now, you can stop expending energy searching for meaning and simply move on to the next set of issues - living.
- Scott
Posted by raisinb on April 8, 2009, at 18:01:39
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression?, posted by Sigismund on April 8, 2009, at 15:58:06
Yeah, some existentialists (like Sartre) believed that. "Waiting for Godot" is also a nice dramatic summary of that feeling.
Posted by raisinb on April 8, 2009, at 18:02:48
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression?, posted by SLS on April 8, 2009, at 16:41:00
A therapist friend once told me that people who aren't depressed--it doesn't occur to them to ask the question, "what is the meaning of all this?" I think that's true for me. When I start questioning, I'm already in a low place.
Posted by Sigismund on April 8, 2009, at 19:54:56
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression? » Sigismund, posted by raisinb on April 8, 2009, at 18:01:39
Very funny play.
What's the quote from it?
Something like....'It's terrible, no one comes, nothing happens'.
I must read Beckett.
Posted by raisinb on April 8, 2009, at 21:31:37
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression? » raisinb, posted by Sigismund on April 8, 2009, at 19:54:56
Funny and awful at the same time, if you struggle with depression. Those guys sit around waiting for something to give their lives meaning for the whole play, and nobody ever shows.
Posted by Justherself54 on April 8, 2009, at 22:22:31
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression? » Sigismund, posted by raisinb on April 8, 2009, at 21:31:37
A total and utter lack of joy..
Posted by manic666 on April 9, 2009, at 5:10:55
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression?, posted by Justherself54 on April 8, 2009, at 22:22:31
I SAID IT BEFORE, if 100 % depressed an someone says take this pill an you will have 1 hour of paradice , but after the hour you will be twice as bad as you are now , if your 100%you take the hour ,there is no twice as bad only death
Posted by B2chica on April 9, 2009, at 7:58:29
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression?, posted by Sigismund on April 8, 2009, at 15:58:06
i think that's nihilism...right?
Posted by Sigismund on April 9, 2009, at 17:11:38
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression?, posted by Sigismund on April 8, 2009, at 15:58:06
There should be a reading course for depressives.
Beckett, Dostoevsky, and Eliot for sure.
"Notes from Underground" cracked me up, and that is described as nihilism.
Some writers clearly had what we would describe as depression.
Posted by Sigismund on April 9, 2009, at 17:12:36
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression? » Sigismund, posted by Sigismund on April 9, 2009, at 17:11:38
Posted by DebRose on April 9, 2009, at 18:21:23
In reply to How Do You Define Depression?, posted by karl on April 8, 2009, at 3:26:32
Hopeless
Posted by raisinb on April 9, 2009, at 21:12:43
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression? » Sigismund, posted by Sigismund on April 9, 2009, at 17:11:38
I would add E.M. Forster's A Passage to India. What happens to characters in the caves is a profound loss of meaning in whatever way they define it. I love that book.
Posted by henryo on April 11, 2009, at 0:53:54
In reply to How Do You Define Depression?, posted by karl on April 8, 2009, at 3:26:32
emotional anguish / exhaustion
Posted by B2chica on April 14, 2009, at 12:55:09
In reply to Re: How Do You Define Depression? » Sigismund, posted by Sigismund on April 9, 2009, at 17:11:38
thnx Sig, i'm headed to the library and checkin out "notes..."
b2c.
> There should be a reading course for depressives.
>
> Beckett, Dostoevsky, and Eliot for sure.
>
> "Notes from Underground" cracked me up, and that is described as nihilism.
>
> Some writers clearly had what we would describe as depression.
Posted by metric on April 16, 2009, at 16:15:37
In reply to How Do You Define Depression?, posted by karl on April 8, 2009, at 3:26:32
> Regular users of this board:
>
> I invite you to define your 'depression' for me. I'm currently seeking psychiatric help for my 'depression,' which I will be glad to describe should anyone want to hear about it. But I'm interested in how you'd define yours. The fewer words the better, as far as I'm concerned. Not because I'm a lazy reader, but because I don't think it takes many to get the point across. Thanks.I would like to hear you describe your depression.
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