Are You Depressed, Today's Times Poll

i'm okay, right now.....the answer may change after i get my utility bill this week.

Iam ok right now too.

Im depressed like 80% of the time. The 20% im not depressed is when im sleeping. -sigh-

Having worked with hundreds of individuals suffering with depression over a career which spanned 25 years, I can honestly say I know it when I see it. I have suffered with it on and off several times in my life. In my case, I have only had to seek treatment once. It was in the late 80s and I was working exclusively with AIDS patients. I was seeing men, women and children dying at an alarming rate and under terrible circumstances. Many of those individuals had been abandoned and were dying alone. The sense of helplessness was overwhelming. After trying to deal with it myself for weeks, I sought help. After a brief period on medication and a rest, I was back to normal. Fortunately for me it was temporary and I was able to continue working. There are many different levels of depression and we all experience it from time to time. At the moment, I am fine. Last fall and through the holidays I had a mild case. My youngest daughter left for college in Aug. and I am now retired. The approaching holidays were difficult without my babies (now young women, living on their own). Thankfully, I have a loving and attentive husband and good friends. Now I am fine. Depression is different for everyone and is both chemical and conditional. Not everyone needs treatment, but some do. Once an individual finds himself in a deep depression it can take some serious effort to come out of it. Your mind is just like your body - if your body is sick, you go to the doctor. It should be the same for your mind. Most of us know when we need help with either one. Unfortunately many things can prevent an individual from seeking help when it is needed. Men are often the ones who are the most resistant for a myriad of reasons. Anyone suffering from depression can tell their family doctor. In most cases they can offer advice, medication for mild depression or refer an individual to another physician qualified to treat depression. There is not shame in suffering from depression and certainly no shame in getting help.

I was depressed when I was married to my X. As soon as those papers were signed, (several years ago) that cloud lifted and has never returned. I am lucky to be in a supportive marriage now. I have fantastic children, a fulfilling career, cool friends, and great family. I limit time with negative people.

I think depression is our body's way of telling us something isn't right in our lives.

I've also noticed since I signed those papers, I am very rarely sick.

Mean - I think temporary depression in change in life circumstances is very normal. The body, as you know from your career background, does not differentiate between good stress and bad stress. Winning the lottery would be a definite good stress but could still affect a person the same way as being in financial trouble.

When I got insight on my own motives and viewed the motives of others in my life from a 'textbook' approach rather than from a victim approach, depression faded away and has never returned. (btw - I think a victim mentality and feeling not in control of your fate is the biggest cause of depression unreleated to changes in circumstances and brain chemical depression)

**edited because Just Asking brought up an aspect of depression I forgot - brain chemicals.

Empty nest syndrome can really be tough Meanasasnake. I am still bothered by it and my children have been out of college and all of them married for years. My depression is chemical and I have been treated on and off for the past 25 years. It is sometimes debilitating and a person can live half their life with hopes of someday being happy when EVERYTHING is "right". Of course that never happens but you can always hope. There is the stigma of being less than others in society when it comes to depression or any kind of mental illness. The attitude of many people feeling shame for a family member or friend with depression, anxiety or any of the more serious conditions is still prevalent today. One would think that society should be past that kind of attitude toward mental illness in todays world. Unfortunately that is not the case.

George, you brought up another intersting point. Depression, anxiety, panic attacks, etc. can often cause physical illness as well. That too adds to the struggle. Another thing is many medications can in fact make the condition worse. Each person is different in their body/mind chemistry and one drug may work very well for some and have little or no effect for others. So that is a slow tedious process of your physician finding the right one. Oh no! that leads me to paranoia now. Worrying if the meds are helping or hurting!!! In my case I have chosen to leave them off because of the many Drs who over prescribe you just don't know who to trust. ****!!! After this therapy session this morning I think I need to stop typing..lol

I can't say that I have ever been depressed except for a short amount of time after having my daughter, I dealt with postpartum depression, or that's the diagnosis the OBGYN gave me anyway.
I wasn't in the mind frame some women are in while dealing with it, I took care of my baby girl & had no ill wills towards her, but I was really down in the dumps for about 6 weeks after giving birth. I had a traumatic labor & delivery process, ending up with an emergency c-section, then 5 days later, almost bleeding to death from a ruptured incission, and I've always wondered if that may have played a role in it.
All of that was bad enough, I don't see how some people dealing with depression function on a day to day basis, and I guess some are not able to. They tried me on medicine, that I discontinued after 2 weeks, because it only made me feel worse.

I wonder what the statistics are between women and men as it related to depression.

quote:

Originally posted by Ron Pheixising:
I wonder what the statistics are between women and men as it related to depression.

I don't know but I'd like to see those numbers. Im guessing its probably higher in women, but like I said, its just a guess.

Ron, interesting question. Hormonal changes in women are sometimes part of it such as Flo's terrible experience. I don't have any idea about the statistics . Maybe some of the medical professionals will join the discussion and enlighten us. Flo, I am so glad you made a complete recovery. That must have been very hard for you.

quote:

Originally posted by Ron Pheixising:
I wonder what the statistics are between women and men as it related to depression.

I bet it is really the same but is statiscally lower with men because men tend to internalize and not seek help whereas a woman would be more likely to tell her doctor about depression.

quote:

Originally posted by Ron Pheixising:
I wonder what the statistics are between women and men as it related to depression.

According to most studies women do in fact suffer from depression at a rate of nearly two to one. There are, however, variables. Men tend to suffer more from depression after divorce than women. Women have more chemical depression than men. Men experience almost as much mid-life depression as women. Most of the studies I have seen are very convoluted but do reflect that women suffer from depression more than men.
George, you are right. Many men do not acknowledge depression, so that must be factored in.

quote:

Men tend to suffer more from depression after divorce than women.

I would be depressed too if I lost my housekeeper. haha couldn't resist!
My hubby enjoys ironing and cleaning house while watching Sunday sports on TV but I think he is a rare and wonderful breed.

Goodgodamighty George! Hang on to him!!

Depression has had it's place in my life experience. I have worked thru a lot of things, but I don't recall it ever just "lifting" because of a situtional change. Interesting.
Maybe a negative sit. took on a positve spin?

quote:

Originally posted by Justasking:
Ron, interesting question. Hormonal changes in women are sometimes part of it such as Flo's terrible experience. I don't have any idea about the statistics . Maybe some of the medical professionals will join the discussion and enlighten us. Flo, I am so glad you made a complete recovery. That must have been very hard for you.

Thanks Justasking!
It was terrible, and it is also the reason we only have 1 child!
After that traumatic experience, I was afraid to get pregnant again.
So we are a happy & content lil party of 3!

quote:

Originally posted by Justasking:
Goodgodamighty George! Hang on to him!!

Just what every woman needs...a man who can iron...LOL

Unless you are severely depressed for chemical reasons, I think you can easily turn it around by doing things like:
making gratitude lists (the best)
finding a connection to something greater that yourself whether it be humanity, God, or the Universe
exercising, walking or just moving around in your house if you can't get out
exercising your brain by reading, doing crosswords puzzles, etc.
watching or reading comedy
getting plenty of sunlight
taking vitamins
connecting with supportive friends and family members
getting a pet

quote:

Originally posted by Justasking:
Goodgodamighty George! Hang on to him!!

I plan to. Among his other talents, he can cook, too.