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.
I am a member of a bike club and in the club there are about half a dozen people I class as very good friends. A few of us got together last night for a drink and a chat. This doesn't happen that often because we are all from different parts of the country.
We started to catch up on each others news and it seems almost all of them have been having some form of depression. One even had a suicide attempt. There's bee divorces and beak ups. One of their daughters was raped. Another found his son had run up an 18 grand credit card bill. So many disasters all happening at once to people who know each other well.
It was very odd listening to these people open up a bit as the vodka flowed. Its almost like there's an epidemic of depression. It's now the most treated illness in the UK and probably the US too.
What is so wrong with our lifestyles and values that so many people can feel so desperate and isolated? I'm convinced depression is on the increase and I think something needs to be done.
The efforts to fight Cancer and Aids are very prominent who's seriously looking at the causes of depression and how to prevent it?
We started to catch up on each others news and it seems almost all of them have been having some form of depression. One even had a suicide attempt. There's bee divorces and beak ups. One of their daughters was raped. Another found his son had run up an 18 grand credit card bill. So many disasters all happening at once to people who know each other well.
It was very odd listening to these people open up a bit as the vodka flowed. Its almost like there's an epidemic of depression. It's now the most treated illness in the UK and probably the US too.
What is so wrong with our lifestyles and values that so many people can feel so desperate and isolated? I'm convinced depression is on the increase and I think something needs to be done.
The efforts to fight Cancer and Aids are very prominent who's seriously looking at the causes of depression and how to prevent it?
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
I think my husband is depressed but would never admit to it & knocks himself out pretending to be happy with alcohol & verbal abuse & thinks I'm the crazy mental in the family. When in fact, I'm the one seeking the proper treatment.
What a mess.
And I agree with Lotus on what is happening to people here in the US...but I don't think it is just the US...I actually think the same problems are affecting the whole world...
It is hard to find happiness, to feel lighthearted happiness, when the world is full of war and abuse and terror and misery...when the disparity between the wealthy and the poor keeps increasing everywhere...Life gets less and less authentic as we emphasize, more and more, the primacy of technology...People don't get together and do things together so much any more...We have little tolerance for each other, and, largely due to the news and media, we have unreal expectations of one another, and are so ready to judge and condemn...We are disappointed because we expect people to act according to our expectations instead of experiencing others for who they are...We are a mess as a world and the vibe is hanging over us like great looming clouds...
I feel the pain and horror of all the innocent lives being ripped apart in Darfur and in Iraq...That stuff echoes through the atmosphere...and we are all affected...
What we need to do is rise up and fight back against the powers in the hands of the few that are putting the majority into this situation...
We need a little hope and a lot of love...
This brings these shocking events close to home through the realism of image on Tv and internet, making us feel insecure and shocked at what others are going through.
I also agree a fair amount of depression can have its roots in the expctation of unrealistic lifestyles which are pushed in our face again and again by the media.
The beauty myth is a classic - no wonder so many young girls have eating disorders when the expectation is one of thin thin thin.
I refuse to buy any magazines which reinforce images of beauty or wealth.
I don't make a habit of watching the news but rather read newspapers and magazines so I can choose what I read.
I'm not ignorant of what is going on but if I pay too much attention to it the cycle (of depression) starts again so I choose to turn away as much as I can.
Having said that, I do support various causes (WWF, Greenpeace, ALF etc) and do what I can locally to help. (I consider my choice not to have children being my single greatest contribution to the planet in this time of massive overpopulation crises)
If we all do something even if it is small to help your environment, it all adds up and it will take away that feeling of powerlessness which so often predisposes one to depression.
Just my thoughts :-)