Owen Wilson - drug overdose/suicide attempt

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Owen actually said that he suffered from bouts of depression in EW a while back. I also remember he said something like, "Who made up the rule that you can't buy happiness? Why can't it come from, say, a new pair of shoes?", which is quite telling. If you add that with his reputation for partying, I think it sounds like he was trying to cover up how unhappy he was.

As soon as I heard him refer to it as the "Irish strain of depression" I thought uh oh becuase I am very familiar with that. I appreciated his attempt to make it comical but it is no laughing matter. I'm sure somebody somewhere has done some sort of clinical research on it. If not, they should. I can't throw a rock in my family without hitting someone who has it.

[Rickypt]

Originally Posted by irishgrl

I brought it up because Jannie mentioned "clinically depressed" and from what Ive read, thats a bit more serious than depression in general, with more OBVIOUS warning signs and a lengthier time span...so, If he was CLINICALLY depressed, it would NOT have been a surprise, and his close friends and family WOULD have been more observant or alert.

I don't know what you've read, but I can speak from experience. I was given a clinical diagnosis of severe depression a couple of years and it lasted for several months. I was also somewhat suicidal during this time. My family and most close friends to this day don't know about it and I'm sure if I had attempted suicide during this time, they would have been quite surprised.

Like Carrie, I'm a little confused why you are arguing this one so much. It seems to be an issue that you don't know much about and I don't think you can really understand depression by reading articles.

[amber]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

Owen actually said that he suffered from bouts of depression in EW a while back. I also remember he said something like, "Who made up the rule that you can't buy happiness? Why can't it come from, say, a new pair of shoes?", which is quite telling. If you add that with his reputation for partying, I think it sounds like he was trying to cover up how unhappy he was.

I'm not sure I understand. Why is that phrase telling? Do you mean that he was using it sarcastically? Or because why would a person who is happy talk about buying happiness? I don't get what you mean. Maybe because I agree with his statement somewhat. I'm pretty sure I could buy a lot of happiness, and wonder who indeed made up that "rule" :P Not to say that rich people are always happy, obviously that is not true. Just saying, you know, for me, I'm pretty sure I could add quite a bit of happiness to my life with a bunch of money. heheh.

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by Rickypt

I don't know what you've read, but I can speak from experience. I was given a clinical diagnosis of severe depression a couple of years and it lasted for several months. I was also somewhat suicidal during this time. My family and most close friends to this day don't know about it and I'm sure if I had attempted suicide during this time, they would have been quite surprised.

Like Carrie, I'm a little confused why you are arguing this one so much. It seems to be an issue that you don't know much about and I don't think you can really understand depression by reading articles.

Yes. I agree. I have had depression issues - mostly stemming from my severe anxiety and emotional problems - for years. It's true that everybody gets down and out by triggers here and there... but until you've woken up and felt like offing yourself for no particular reason - other than the fact that you're sad that you ACTUALLY WOKE UP - you really just don't know.

Some periods of time are worse than others, but it's something I'll probably be dealing with for the rest of my life. I'd be a liar if I said I didn't have at least some point during each day where I'm just like ... go find a place to be alone, and sit there and frown thinking, "oh ****, oh ****, oh ****, oh ****, i cannot deal with work/people/breathing anymore.. whyyyy do i feel like this for no reason" ... so I'm kind of offended when anyone (not just irish, but people say it all the time) insinuates that something HAS TO CAUSE it. Some of us just feel this way. I did before I started using illegal drugs, and I do after I quit. I did on and off prescribed medication. And I did during some of the more successful periods of my life. It's just some old gnarly **** that happens.

I'm guessing by your past-tense phrasing that you're over your hurdles, Rickypt. I'm glad to read that. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.. except like, Michael Vick.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by amber

I'm not sure I understand. Why is that phrase telling? Do you mean that he was using it sarcastically? Or because why would a person who is happy talk about buying happiness? I don't get what you mean. Maybe because I agree with his statement somewhat. I'm pretty sure I could buy a lot of happiness, and wonder who indeed made up that "rule" :P Not to say that rich people are always happy, obviously that is not true. Just saying, you know, for me, I'm pretty sure I could add quite a bit of happiness to my life with a bunch of money. heheh.

Statistically people are happier to have more money only up to the point where they can comfortably pay all their bills. Rich people are no happier than middle class folks, statistically. Money only comes into play when you can't pay your bills which causes obvious stress and unhappiness.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by Sarah

Yes. I agree. I have had depression issues - mostly stemming from my severe anxiety and emotional problems - for years. It's true that everybody gets down and out by triggers here and there... but until you've woken up and felt like offing yourself for no particular reason - other than the fact that you're sad that you ACTUALLY WOKE UP - you really just don't know.

Some periods of time are worse than others, but it's something I'll probably be dealing with for the rest of my life. I'd be a liar if I said I didn't have at least some point during each day where I'm just like ... go find a place to be alone, and sit there and frown thinking, "oh ****, oh ****, oh ****, oh ****, i cannot deal with work/people/breathing anymore.. whyyyy do i feel like this for no reason" ... so I'm kind of offended when anyone (not just irish, but people say it all the time) insinuates that something HAS TO CAUSE it. Some of us just feel this way. I did before I started using illegal drugs, and I do after I quit. I did on and off prescribed medication. And I did during some of the more successful periods of my life. It's just some old gnarly **** that happens.

I'm guessing by your past-tense phrasing that you're over your hurdles, Rickypt. I'm glad to read that. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.. except like, Michael Vick.

The Noonday Demon is a good book to understand the disease as written by someone who suffers from depression.

Also, there is no such thing as "regular depression". You're either clinically depressed or you're not. You might have the blues or something but not actual depression. The word can be misused that way.

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

Also, there is no such thing as "regular depression". You're either clinically depressed or you're not. You might have the blues or something but not actual depression. The word can be misused that way.

I don't know who you're addressing here, but I can assure you that I wouldn't claim the thing if it wasn't the case. It's not something I want, and I'm not trying to misuse the word. I don't think I said "regular depression" so you might not even be talking to me after you quoted me. But.

My particular problem is not the depression so much itself, but.. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I view depression as another symptom of that in a way. The effing constant severe anxiety that I feel - I'd estimate - about 90% of the day, every day about any given thing, really, makes me so tired and bummy that a point comes where it's just like crashing down, and that's where the depression occurs. It's like being on a rollercoaster and not liking any part of the ride.

Like I said.. there are some things that trigger it, the death of a family member or friend, illness, money problems, etc.. but I myself don't get "the blues". I'd love it if that was simply the case. I could probably deal with the blues a little better.

I don't claim to know psychology, even though at one point I was on the path of study towards becoming a clinical therapist. But I do know what I've been treated for and how I feel, so I'm not really interested in trying to "learn about it from somebody who really has it". I feel kind of patronized by that, really.

Yuck. I hate talking about it. My anxiety is something I usually work very hard to hide. I'll just go back over here and shut up.

[amber]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

Statistically people are happier to have more money only up to the point where they can comfortably pay all their bills. Rich people are no happier than middle class folks, statistically. Money only comes into play when you can't pay your bills which causes obvious stress and unhappiness.

Okay. I was asking why that phrase was telling. I would probably say the same thing as he did, but it wouldn't be "telling", it would be "true".
And it's nice to not be part of the statistic, because if I had oodles of money and could go and do whatever I wanted all the time, and was famous and attractive, I'm pretty sure I'd be happier. Even without the fame and attractiveness, just the money. But then, I can't pay my bills and I'm kinda happy, so there ya go. Not about that, obviously. In fact, most things that make me unhappy come from the fact that I have to slog my f*cking ass to work all day, every day, and spend time with people I really wouldn't want to talk to for the most part, when really, I could be in some exotic tropical land swimming, or at some river swimming, or at some river singing and swimming, or I could be playing volleyball, or laying in my bed reading, or doing f*cking anything other than what I actually have to do to keep myself breathing and have a roof over my f*cking head. Seriously, I could be learning the guitar, rescuing animals, doing conservation work for the Himalayan snow leapord. I could nurse ocean life back to health, I could volunteer in schools. I could go out every night and have a blast. And the shopping, my god, the shopping I could do! Shoes, indeed. And a massage every day. So that, you know, the bad energy doesn't build up in my body and cause depression.
But no. I have to have some f*cking job. Oh, the injustice!!! hahahaha.
So, independently wealthy = my problems solved.
But enough about me.
For the record, I'm sorry about Owen. I think he is effing HILARIOUS. Superfunny.

[jannieC]

I didn't mean to imply that I know that Owen Wilson definitely suffers from clinical depression; my statement was trying to make the argument that money and fame and lack of "triggers" does not make one immune to clinical depression. I have no idea what Owen Wilson's history is.

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

Also, there is no such thing as "regular depression". You're either clinically depressed or you're not. You might have the blues or something but not actual depression. The word can be misused that way.

Exactly. And all of the money and fame in the world isn't going to make it go away. It will give the sufferer more resources, though.

[Rickypt]

Originally Posted by Sarah

I'm guessing by your past-tense phrasing that you're over your hurdles, Rickypt. I'm glad to read that.

Yes, thank you, Sarah. I think of it as being in remission and I'm still (maybe always?) at risk. Which I know you can relate to, having now read your story.

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by Rickypt

Yes, thank you, Sarah. I think of it as being in remission and I'm still (maybe always?) at risk. Which I know you can relate to, having now read your story.

"in remission" is a good analogy. it's always a cycle for me, it always comes back around, but i think it's easier if you're aware of it.

[irishgrl]

Suze, Jannie, and Carrie: you're misunderstanding me (so are you Ryan). The information I got was from Mayo Clinic and similar mental health info sites. Im not making anything UP. The sites clearly state that there is a general depression (more than just "the blues") and there is "clinical depression" which is WORSE, lasts longer and has obvious signs. Suze, when you say all depression is "clinical" I understand that to mean it is diagnosable/treatable by a professional (clinician). Can you see the difference? Same term, two different uses and as such, obviously misconstrued.

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

As soon as I heard him refer to it as the "Irish strain of depression" I thought uh oh becuase I am very familiar with that. I appreciated his attempt to make it comical but it is no laughing matter. I'm sure somebody somewhere has done some sort of clinical research on it. If not, they should. I can't throw a rock in my family without hitting someone who has it.

Chris, are you serious? What is meant by the "Irish" strain of depression?

[carrie721]

Originally Posted by irishgrl

Suze, Jannie, and Carrie: you're misunderstanding me (so are you Ryan). The information I got was from Mayo Clinic and similar mental health info sites. Im not making anything UP. The sites clearly state that there is a general depression (more than just "the blues") and there is "clinical depression" which is WORSE, lasts longer and has obvious signs. Suze, when you say all depression is "clinical" I understand that to mean it is diagnosable/treatable by a professional (clinician). Can you see the difference? Same term, two different uses and as such, obviously misconstrued.

actually, i knew what you meant by "general depression" ... i think it's referred to medically as dysthymia. it differs from major clinical depression in that it's not as severe, but it's still a long-term disorder and can co-occur with major clinical depression. however it's similar in that it doesn't require anything to trigger it.

[jannieC]

The DSM-IV describes depression as a mood disorder and may be broken down into the following three types:

Major Depressive Disorder
Dysthymic Disorder
Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified

Then you have Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood.

I don't have time to type out all of the specifics, and we can argue this (though I'm not sure why we would want to) to death, but the bottom line of the point *I* was making is that socioeconomic background is not a contributing factor to depression.