The Just Thought I'd Share Thread

[skcin]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Clinical depression and what you've just described have nothing in common. Asking a person with depression to get over it is like asking someone with heart disease to do the same.

Exactly.

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Right, that's what I'm saying, is that I just don't understand.... Sh*t happens in life, and I just try to get over the sh*t! Is there any sort of correlation, of personality types or something?

Jannie, do you know the percentage of U.S. adults, who are on depression meds? I don't, but I get the feeling the number would be alarmingly high.

It is high. Too high. People are too quick to take a pill & hope it fixes them. Your first paragraph was very telling - you all went out for a few drinks. DRINKS. Alcohol is a depressant. That certainly isn't going to help a person, whether they are truly depressed or not. But most people who consider themselves depressed don't want to stop drinking, change their diet, take vitamins, exercise, try light therapy, try counseling, try meditation, try yoga, etc. Too much work. Why bother when I can pop a pill & hope for the best. Same for Type II diabetes caused by obesity - want to eat right & be more active, or just pop a pill & continue to eat garbage & sit around?

Originally Posted by McTrouble

Too many people I think say they are depressed when they are simply feeling a bit down - that's when it's up to them to pull themselves out of it!

A few people know about the terrible year I've had but I haven't let it get the better of me and I've been determined not to lose my wacky sense of humour.

However, feeling low and diagnosed clinical depression are two entirely different things - these poor people are unable to just "pull themselves together" as they need proper care and medication.

But I'd like to bet too many people are on meds that really shouldn't be or don't actually need to be!

Well put.

Originally Posted by beccamorrisfift

I'm so pleased, I finally got the right kind of scrapbook for the project me and Charly are doing, and now I'm off back into town to get some really pretty things to go into it. I'm more excited to scrapbook than I am for Christmas.

I love scrapbooking. It's just too time consuming for me to do these days.

Originally Posted by Silver Springs

I wish I hadn't even opened my mouth now. Feeling about two inches tall, here.

Why? Nobody's saying your friend isn't an idiot. Just that there's a difference between clinical depression & having the blues. You're totally correct that someone who is truly depressed has a chemical imbalance that is actually preventing them from wanting to do...well, anything. Eat, bathe, work, LIVE. Meds may be absolutely necessary. But way too many people are on anti-depressants (in the U.S. anyway) who probably don't really need them.

BTW - is this your American friend who couldn't figure out why you didn't celebrate Thanksgiving? If so, why are you still talking to him/her?