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You're not alone
10 years ago
General
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧ In light of recent events that's making its way through fans of Markiplier and Cyndigo, I wanted to touch briefly here on the matter.
You're not alone. A lot of this world, including my self, suffer from forms of depression. Some days are harder than others, weeks even, we may find ourselves in a slump. Our minds telling us we're alone, not worth much if anything, motivation all but gone. This disease effects us in the most vulnerable places in our selves so much so it's hard to see through it.
But you're not alone and it's ok to ask for help.
To those who don't quite understand depression or may of never had it, I wanted to explain this how I explained it to my husband.
You could have the "happiest life, financially secure, good friends etc" and still have depression. Depression doesn't care what your life looks like. It'll hit you when you least expect it and take hold of you. It'll turn your opinions upside down and straight to the gutter. It is not circumstantial to your life or life style. Depression isn't /just/ sadness.
Depression Disorder:
The leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44.3
Affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year.
While major depressive disorder can develop at any age, the median age at onset is 32.5
More prevalent in women than in men.
Persistent depressive disorder, or PDD, (formerly called dysthymia) is a form of depression that usually continues for at least two years.
Affects approximately 1.5 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. (about 3.3 million American adults).
The median age of onset is 31.1
Not forgetting also that other mental conditions also can have onsets of depression, such as bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety and panic disorder as a few examples.
If you or a loved one is experiencing what could be depression, please, reach out to someone. If the person you reached out to isn't helping, find someone. Be it online, in real life or even a prevention hotline. Find a doctor, nurse, someone. You're life is not for waste and you are precious.
For more information on Depression and the signs of it you can visit here: http://www.webmd.com/depression/gui.....toms-and-types
This situation that has happened has made me think a lot. About my self, others and much more. Last year I went through two whole months of depression. It was one of many episodes I'd had in my life but the first time that I recognized I was suffering from it. My husband didn't understand why all my motivation was gone. Why I thought everyone hated me, why all I wanted to do was sleep and cry. It was hard going through that with someone who didn't empathize with me.
I want you all to know that I do empathize with you. I understand. And I know it's hard. But just know, you're not alone and asking for help is ok. Don't let those thoughts get the best of you, reach out if you feel you're in danger. We love you. We'll be here for you. ♥
If you feel you may be a harm to yourself or others, please don't hesitate to contact any of these lines:
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
http://www.suicide.org/suicide-hotlines.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_.....e_crisis_lines
You're not alone. A lot of this world, including my self, suffer from forms of depression. Some days are harder than others, weeks even, we may find ourselves in a slump. Our minds telling us we're alone, not worth much if anything, motivation all but gone. This disease effects us in the most vulnerable places in our selves so much so it's hard to see through it.
But you're not alone and it's ok to ask for help.
To those who don't quite understand depression or may of never had it, I wanted to explain this how I explained it to my husband.
You could have the "happiest life, financially secure, good friends etc" and still have depression. Depression doesn't care what your life looks like. It'll hit you when you least expect it and take hold of you. It'll turn your opinions upside down and straight to the gutter. It is not circumstantial to your life or life style. Depression isn't /just/ sadness.
Depression Disorder:
The leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44.3
Affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year.
While major depressive disorder can develop at any age, the median age at onset is 32.5
More prevalent in women than in men.
Persistent depressive disorder, or PDD, (formerly called dysthymia) is a form of depression that usually continues for at least two years.
Affects approximately 1.5 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. (about 3.3 million American adults).
The median age of onset is 31.1
Not forgetting also that other mental conditions also can have onsets of depression, such as bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety and panic disorder as a few examples.
If you or a loved one is experiencing what could be depression, please, reach out to someone. If the person you reached out to isn't helping, find someone. Be it online, in real life or even a prevention hotline. Find a doctor, nurse, someone. You're life is not for waste and you are precious.
For more information on Depression and the signs of it you can visit here: http://www.webmd.com/depression/gui.....toms-and-types
This situation that has happened has made me think a lot. About my self, others and much more. Last year I went through two whole months of depression. It was one of many episodes I'd had in my life but the first time that I recognized I was suffering from it. My husband didn't understand why all my motivation was gone. Why I thought everyone hated me, why all I wanted to do was sleep and cry. It was hard going through that with someone who didn't empathize with me.
I want you all to know that I do empathize with you. I understand. And I know it's hard. But just know, you're not alone and asking for help is ok. Don't let those thoughts get the best of you, reach out if you feel you're in danger. We love you. We'll be here for you. ♥
If you feel you may be a harm to yourself or others, please don't hesitate to contact any of these lines:
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
http://www.suicide.org/suicide-hotlines.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_.....e_crisis_lines
I have had some serious bouts of depression and they come more frequently these days. The problem is I am too darned smart and logical and I can reason my way into some pretty deep dark states. It is entirely frustrating sometimes because I will WANT to roleplay or play a game online or write or anything but I just can't seem to get the spark to do it. I feel like an engine that lost its starter. The funny thing is my mate can sometimes sort of force me to do something and then I can get into it and slowly recover a bit.
I guess my best bit of advice for anyone who is in the grips of depression is IF YOU CAN try hard to watch something, play something, or talk to someone that usually makes you feel happier. Try real hard to accomplish ANYTHING. It does not matter what you manage just do something and succeed at it. Also, do not have guns or other easy suicide options handy because if they are available you may well use them but if they are too hard to get you will probably lack the motivation to get them.
Also you are correct that depression really does not care how good or bad your life is. I feel it generally is a response to stress and even good lives can have a lot more stress than we think. It is the ever terrible "learned helplessness" where we have such repeated stresses that we feel are out of our control that we just give up. It can be beaten though, usually without drugs but in order to unlearn helplessness it really helps to accomplish things.
Lastly, I want to say that I am not religious but even still I love and want to live by this prayer:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
If you want just toss God out and replace it with nothing or whatever you like but the basics of that prayer are so good and useful.
It's cruel, and unfair, and I urge anyone who knows someone suffering from such to be open with their sympathy and understanding.
A mistake I learned was thinking you're not allowed to think you have it bad; it is still a very serious issue and if you keep thinking you're problems don't deserve to be addressed because there are others who have it worse than you, you only dig a deeper hole. I kept comparing my life to others who had it worse than me and think "How could I complain? They deal with (This and that)." so I would avoid help and it would get worse. My only saving grace is being very self-aware and typically able to reason out of doing something, or to know when I should go seek help. Even so, I don't think that is something that will last forever.
I really like that you mentioned "You could have the 'happiest life, financially secure, good friends etc' and still have depression." For what I said, it's very true. I think these are some of the more dangerous cases of depression because people (including the person) let it fly under the radar for too long.
If you're the person, never think it doesn't deserve addressing. If you're the friend, never think they're probably fine.
I'm definitely familiar with depression. It took the life of my cousin and almost took the life of one of my best friends in the world. It almost took the life of my dad when his ability to walk was taken from him and the doctors could give him no explanation as to why or a prognosis of getting better (he got better after 8 years in a wheelchair). And it's something I've been dealing with for years now, off and on. Yes, it can be debilitating at times, wishing for my existence to end because I can't take it any more. But what's always kept me going is my two dogs, the loves of my life and my reason for getting up in the morning. My sense of duty and responsibility to them has always given me a reason to go on with my life and eventually pull out of that terrible depression. Social anxiety is something that's also triggered some pretty bad depression for me in the past, particularly at furry conventions where I see other people having so much fun dancing and socializing, and while I crave to join in with them I'm terrified to try and end up hating myself for it. That's greatly faded over the years as I've gotten more at ease talking with furries and enjoying to see them enjoying themselves on the dance floor at the raves while I simply watch. Or maybe I've just gotten good at ignoring my social shortcomings.
It's something that's important to address. At the last two MFF's there was a lady who did a discussion panel about depression and suicide. While not many people showed up, it's great that some did and hopefully they found it helpful. She may go to other conventions, I don't know, but what's important is that such a resource is available to people who need it.
I too suffering right along the way.
I'm looking at getting a dog in the future. I would love a corgi but the only ones I've been able to find are $800-$1300 not including the $250 deposit I'd have to pay as well. And at this moment I can't afford even the deposit. While a corgi isn't required, any other type of dog I'd like, the landlords don't allow. But maybe I'll get lucky. I miss my two cats very much. They were my comfort when I needed it. They sat and listened and I didn't have to worry about differing opinions or misunderstandings.
Maybe someday though.
Thank you for sharing your story and experiences. <3