Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
Ok, first of all I just want to say I hope I don't offend anyone. I was just here thinking of why people have addictive personalities, etc. For example, people that smoke, drink, abuse drugs, etc. they do it as a way to escape life, or to ease the pain, or for whatever reason. I guess what I'm asking is can a person become addicted to being depressed....meaning that it's a way to escape life, and not deal with it, to avoid the pain of what life is bringing, instead of dealing with hit head on?
I am addicted to food. I eat to make myself feel better, but it doesn't really work.
I don't mean to debate depression, I'm trying to understand it, and again, please I mean no disrespect to anyone whatsoever.
Then there is the case of people for whom depression almost seems more like a "lifestyle". I don't question that they are suffering, but when I see that the music they listen to, the clothes they wear, the books they read, and many other facets of their life are almost an advertisement of their depressed state, I do wonder what would happen to their identitiy if they were ever recovered? Much would have to change, yes? Would these people also dread the return of the depressive episodes in the same was as the first person we considered?
There is a nuance here that perhaps in some people really isn't all that subtle. Their "life force" is their depression and rather than exhausting themselves trying to eject it from their lives, they seem to embrace the icons that reinforce their depressed spirit. I don't have a ready explanation for why some of us do this, but I have seen it enough to believe that it is real. Do all of us truly want to be rid of this state of mind, or are we somehow fearful of what life would require of us if we no longer had the shield of depression in front of us as a buffer?
I think you could reasonably say that some people are "addicted" to their depression, because they have, for better or worse, achieved a certain level of equilibrium with depression as the theme that they work with each day.
I think it is more common in very young people - I sense that the older we get, the less appealing that lifestyle becomes and we begin to demand real change in our lives. At least I hope that is true for most of us.
Interesting question I thought and one worthy of perhaps a more expert opinion. I'm sure psychiatrists and psychologists must have noticed by now that some of their patients are less enthusiastic about "getting better" than others. What explains this?
Thanks for listening.
Interesting enough I just recently read a medical journal- that indicates the discovery of a gene found in addicts and people who suffer from chemical dependency. Apparently, scientist have discovered a gene that triggers addictive behavior and disorders- now with this in mind a large number of people who suffer or have endored heart ache bad news or anxiety have shown to be more likely to cling on to a feel good remidy or temporary escape into bliss-ie; alchohol; prescribed meds; and illegal narcotics. the need to escape to numb the pain becomes overpowering- even the words that escape our mouths at times ie; "I need a drink" we know that alchohol is a depressent- thins the blood and eventually the buzz wears off and leaves us worse than before- but its that temporary bliss; that escape that scientist have found to be linked to a certain GENE.