Comments on: Depression: The Experience http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/ Exploring Healthy Psychotherapy Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:10:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Colette Dowling http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-10241 Colette Dowling Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:38:24 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-10241 Lucy, I would say that in part it depends upon your relationship to the child. Treatment for depressed children is just as important as is treatment for depressed adults. Ideally the child should be taken to a child therapist or psychologist for assessment. If it is a child in your classroom, then I would speak to the school psychologist. Lucy, I would say that in part it depends upon your relationship to the child. Treatment for depressed children is just as important as is treatment for depressed adults. Ideally the child should be taken to a child therapist or psychologist for assessment. If it is a child in your classroom, then I would speak to the school psychologist.

]]> By: Lucy Lucy http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-10223 Lucy Lucy Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:49:31 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-10223 What should I do when I see a child whom I believe to be depressed? You see the signs like withdrawal and almost an emptiness that was not there before in a once lively child. What should I do when I see a child whom I believe to be depressed? You see the signs like withdrawal and almost an emptiness that was not there before in a once lively child.

]]> By: Colette Dowling http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-10147 Colette Dowling Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:06:22 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-10147 Maddie, the feeling of suffocating and breathlessness sounds more like anxiety, possibly even panic disorder. Of course your friend could also have been depressed at the same time. Depression and anxiety often overlap. But getting treatment can help both. Maddie, the feeling of suffocating and breathlessness sounds more like anxiety, possibly even panic disorder. Of course your friend could also have been depressed at the same time. Depression and anxiety often overlap. But getting treatment can help both.

]]> By: Maddie http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-10111 Maddie Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:59:29 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-10111 I once dated a guy who explained depression to me like a feeling of suffocating. Has that been the experience of others as wll? he said it was almost like living was a chore, made him breathless from exertion, and he did not get better without both psychtherapy and anti depressants. I once dated a guy who explained depression to me like a feeling of suffocating. Has that been the experience of others as wll? he said it was almost like living was a chore, made him breathless from exertion, and he did not get better without both psychtherapy and anti depressants.

]]> By: ashely http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-9921 ashely Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:37:00 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-9921 Thanks Merri Ellen. I agree with you one hundred percent that the breakdown of the family and family values overall has led us as a society to feel unhappier than ever before. Everything used to be so centralized but now we are all scattered and pulled in every which direction and we lose focus on the things in life that are important and the resources that we need to stay emotionally afloat. Thanks Merri Ellen. I agree with you one hundred percent that the breakdown of the family and family values overall has led us as a society to feel unhappier than ever before. Everything used to be so centralized but now we are all scattered and pulled in every which direction and we lose focus on the things in life that are important and the resources that we need to stay emotionally afloat.

]]> By: Merri Ellen / Depression Writings http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-9777 Merri Ellen / Depression Writings Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:31:32 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-9777 I think more people are indeed depressed today and I'm guessing it has much to do with our modern life style - getting ourselves over busy, lacking in exercise, eating too much fast food and or processed foods, and isolating ourselves away from community (happens with job changes, commuting to work, hiding in work, etc.). I remember seeing a study done on a little community in the 40s in the US - forget the name of it - which had the healthiest people in the US at the time. Researchers went in and tried to determine why it was so. It was a little Italian settlement community where everyone knew everyone's name and family was huge - tradition and celebration of family - like birthday's were extremely important. People stuck together and hung out together. Shortly after the invention of the TV (in the 50s) the community started to decline. There was less 'doing things together' and 20 years later, the health status was the same as the rest of the US. Heart attack rates and the rest were the same. Wish I could find that article again... I think the break down of the family has much to do with the state of depression today. There's so much heartache in homes today. If you come from a broken family, it can be so hard to find security, safety, community. It is becoming more of a difficult thing for many. Kudos to those who volunteer in orphanages and with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, take in Foster kids, etc. "Broken homes" can even be homes with both mom and dad but they both work so much that the kids never see their parents. I just heard a teenager call in on the radio crying 'cause she never sees her parents who work all the time! My heart broke! Here's what I am learning for myself and my own kids... "If you're too busy for your family, you're too busy." My 5 and 3 year olds constantly say when we're doing things together like mini golfing or playing at the beach, "what a special family day!" or "I love our family!" I wish everyone a summer of slowing down and refocusing on priorities!! Hug your loved ones today! I think more people are indeed depressed today and I’m guessing it has much to do with our modern life style – getting ourselves over busy, lacking in exercise, eating too much fast food and or processed foods, and isolating ourselves away from community (happens with job changes, commuting to work, hiding in work, etc.).

I remember seeing a study done on a little community in the 40s in the US – forget the name of it – which had the healthiest people in the US at the time. Researchers went in and tried to determine why it was so. It was a little Italian settlement community where everyone knew everyone’s name and family was huge – tradition and celebration of family – like birthday’s were extremely important. People stuck together and hung out together. Shortly after the invention of the TV (in the 50s) the community started to decline. There was less ‘doing things together’ and 20 years later, the health status was the same as the rest of the US. Heart attack rates and the rest were the same. Wish I could find that article again…

I think the break down of the family has much to do with the state of depression today. There’s so much heartache in homes today. If you come from a broken family, it can be so hard to find security, safety, community. It is becoming more of a difficult thing for many. Kudos to those who volunteer in orphanages and with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, take in Foster kids, etc.

“Broken homes” can even be homes with both mom and dad but they both work so much that the kids never see their parents. I just heard a teenager call in on the radio crying ’cause she never sees her parents who work all the time! My heart broke!

Here’s what I am learning for myself and my own kids…

“If you’re too busy for your family, you’re too busy.”

My 5 and 3 year olds constantly say when we’re doing things together like mini golfing or playing at the beach, “what a special family day!” or “I love our family!”

I wish everyone a summer of slowing down and refocusing on priorities!!

Hug your loved ones today!

]]> By: Jillian http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-9741 Jillian Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:51:27 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-9741 Do you think there are more people actually living with depression today or has it just become the diagnosis of choice for many? Everywhere I go there is someone I know facing this and I never remember things being like this in the past. Do you think there are more people actually living with depression today or has it just become the diagnosis of choice for many? Everywhere I go there is someone I know facing this and I never remember things being like this in the past.

]]> By: Merri Ellen / Depression Writings http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-9733 Merri Ellen / Depression Writings Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:07:16 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-9733 Yes, loved ones need to take action. If this offends the sufferer, it still must be done. Love is tough but you're seeing the bigger picture. Like the story of Joann above, she sought to hide it or wish it away while that was making things worse. I loved this... <i>QUOTE: "When Joann finally sought the help of a therapist, “she put the whole picture together.” A lot of information had to be gathered before that picture could be seen."</i> When you're depressed, you don't see things clearly. You need help from the outside. That's what did it for me too - help from the outside! Yes, loved ones need to take action. If this offends the sufferer, it still must be done. Love is tough but you’re seeing the bigger picture. Like the story of Joann above, she sought to hide it or wish it away while that was making things worse.

I loved this…

QUOTE: “When Joann finally sought the help of a therapist, “she put the whole picture together.” A lot of information had to be gathered before that picture could be seen.”

When you’re depressed, you don’t see things clearly. You need help from the outside.

That’s what did it for me too – help from the outside!

]]> By: Sandy http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-9703 Sandy Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:50:26 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-9703 Being depressed is that feeling that you are sinking into a black hole from which you will never be able to make your wya out of again. I have been there and have witnessed others go through the same exact thing. You have to be there for others and help them get the help they need and deserve for this disease is not incurable- it can be treated and managed. Being depressed is that feeling that you are sinking into a black hole from which you will never be able to make your wya out of again. I have been there and have witnessed others go through the same exact thing. You have to be there for others and help them get the help they need and deserve for this disease is not incurable- it can be treated and managed.

]]> By: Jeanette http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-9675 Jeanette Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:53:30 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-9675 I strongly feel that when you notice a loved one dealing with depression it is your ultimate responsibility to make sure that they are taken care of. When depressed there is no way you can make a rational decision to get yourself into treatment especially if you are really down. We need to take care of our friends and family and get the the help they need to heal. I strongly feel that when you notice a loved one dealing with depression it is your ultimate responsibility to make sure that they are taken care of. When depressed there is no way you can make a rational decision to get yourself into treatment especially if you are really down. We need to take care of our friends and family and get the the help they need to heal.

]]> By: Kyle http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-9649 Kyle Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:09:54 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-9649 So who needed to make the first move? I think that in situations like this there has to be a responsible adult party who will take action and that is not necessarily going to be the person dealing with depression. He or she may not be in the right mental state of mind to deal with that alone. So who needed to make the first move? I think that in situations like this there has to be a responsible adult party who will take action and that is not necessarily going to be the person dealing with depression. He or she may not be in the right mental state of mind to deal with that alone.

]]> By: Austin http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-9631 Austin Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:53:19 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-9631 Having grown up with a parent who it seemed was in a perpetual funk I know first hand how crippling this disease can be for the entire family. The person who is depressed has no idea how much they are taking away from others unintentionally through their illness and that this is something which always needs to be addressed and dealt with in a prompt and professional manner before the entire family is destroyed. Having grown up with a parent who it seemed was in a perpetual funk I know first hand how crippling this disease can be for the entire family. The person who is depressed has no idea how much they are taking away from others unintentionally through their illness and that this is something which always needs to be addressed and dealt with in a prompt and professional manner before the entire family is destroyed.

]]> By: amyhop http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-9609 amyhop Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:20:42 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-9609 Shawn there is always a way out and I think that the fact that you recognize that there is something wrong is the first step. There are so mnany resources available to you and I know that there are people on this site who can certainly help you with that. I am so sorry that you are having a difficult time right now but things will get better- please seek help and with the right professional by your side you will be able to find the light in life again. Shawn there is always a way out and I think that the fact that you recognize that there is something wrong is the first step. There are so mnany resources available to you and I know that there are people on this site who can certainly help you with that. I am so sorry that you are having a difficult time right now but things will get better- please seek help and with the right professional by your side you will be able to find the light in life again.

]]> By: Shawn http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-9595 Shawn Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:50:30 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-9595 Joann, I'm so happy for you to overcome such darkness. I think I'm in a similar hole now with no way out. My circumstances (travelling husband who tells me I'm boring anyway, three moves in two years, no friends (due to moves) and a critical and competitive mother) leave me with no light. Thanks goodness for my children who keep me going (I'm not sure if old enough they'd feel the same about me). But I'm so grateful for them. Could a light be found even for me here? Yay you, Joann. Joann, I’m so happy for you to overcome such darkness. I think I’m in a similar hole now with no way out. My circumstances (travelling husband who tells me I’m boring anyway, three moves in two years, no friends (due to moves) and a critical and competitive mother) leave me with no light. Thanks goodness for my children who keep me going (I’m not sure if old enough they’d feel the same about me). But I’m so grateful for them.

Could a light be found even for me here?

Yay you, Joann.

]]> By: Shannon http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-9593 Shannon Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:20:08 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-9593 Your description of depression as a black bird hovering over her in her bead, or as a blackness engulfing her, or as colors being drained from life, really makes one understand how desperate people must become when they are depressed. It is easy to see how this colorless life or the feeling of blackness could lead one to suicidal thoughts. Your description of depression as a black bird hovering over her in her bead, or as a blackness engulfing her, or as colors being drained from life, really makes one understand how desperate people must become when they are depressed. It is easy to see how this colorless life or the feeling of blackness could lead one to suicidal thoughts.

]]> By: Donna http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-9581 Donna Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:29:07 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-9581 There is something so internally frightening about depression. You know that something is wrong but it is like you just can't find the right word to tell others what it is. So for me that meant going even further inward. I am just fortunate to have had friends who recognized that something was wrong and led me to the right places to seek help. There is something so internally frightening about depression. You know that something is wrong but it is like you just can’t find the right word to tell others what it is. So for me that meant going even further inward. I am just fortunate to have had friends who recognized that something was wrong and led me to the right places to seek help.

]]> By: upstatesc http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/depression/comment-page-1/#comment-9563 upstatesc Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:19:33 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=525#comment-9563 I too have suffered from a debilitating depressive episode about seven years ago and it is so hard to explain to others who have never been through it what it is like. There are people who actually tell you just to shake it off. Well you can't when all you feel like doing is never leaving your bed! I really relate to Joann's story !!! and hope others can find hope in it as well. I too have suffered from a debilitating depressive episode about seven years ago and it is so hard to explain to others who have never been through it what it is like. There are people who actually tell you just to shake it off. Well you can’t when all you feel like doing is never leaving your bed!

I really relate to Joann’s story !!! and hope others can find hope in it as well.

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