tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787667491278694309.post1909188215228117515..comments2023-07-27T10:34:52.476+01:00Comments on Madsadgirl: How To Deal With Meeting A Person With Depressionmadsadgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02406362172304786268noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787667491278694309.post-78566723431293526022008-07-24T08:09:00.000+01:002008-07-24T08:09:00.000+01:00Thanks for sharing this beautifully written peace ...Thanks for sharing this beautifully written peace with us.Dragonflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12759938692575603663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787667491278694309.post-87551582487845877892008-07-20T22:18:00.000+01:002008-07-20T22:18:00.000+01:00Hi again, MadsadgirlInsightful piece and well arti...Hi again, Madsadgirl<BR/><BR/>Insightful piece and well articulated. <BR/><BR/>I understand the predicament you find yourself in as regards social gatherings. I've luckily never suffered from depression but I'm surrounded by close family members who do so I know well where you're coming from. I also have a chronic medical condition (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)which affects every aspect of my life yet is not easily visible. It's poorly understood as a condition and I can assure you that the reactions from many people, would be very similar to your experience.<BR/><BR/>My way of dealing with this is to respond to people who ask how I am with "I'm okay <EM>at the moment</EM>, thanks". Those who fail to respond to this cue are not worth worrying about. Those who do respond, are more likely to understand your situation. You have to remember that you can't change people no matter how much you may want to. There is a huge amount of ignorance out there around illness of all kinds. I've learnt over the years not to get upset by superficial people and instead to concentrate on the 'real' people. One well-meaning person is worth a thousand of the others. <BR/><BR/>I bet the two other comments so far on this post are worth more than any social function!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787667491278694309.post-68228326296245779262008-07-20T21:34:00.000+01:002008-07-20T21:34:00.000+01:00A very thoughtful and accurate post. Like a lot of...A very thoughtful and accurate post. Like a lot of doctors I've suffered from depression myself (we are the profession with the highest rates of mental illness especially depression, alcoholism and suicide), and your post rang many bells for me on a personal note, as well as reflecting what my patients with depression have told me.<BR/><BR/>I feel very strongly that having gone through an episode of depression has not only made me a better and more empathetic doctor, but also a better and stronger person. <BR/><BR/>You will feel the same in time, even if it doesn't feel like that time will ever come. Depression is as old as time, and takes no notice of personality or status. King Solomon reportedly wore a ring on which was engraved "This too shall pass", which gave him comfort in times of depression. Winston Churchill, another depressive, popularised the phrase "the black dog" to describe his illness, and he also told himself to "Keep Buggering On".<BR/><BR/>Best wishes in your journey.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3787667491278694309.post-65864052402913666652008-07-20T13:36:00.000+01:002008-07-20T13:36:00.000+01:00This is beautifully written. I really hope it gets...This is beautifully written. I really hope it gets a lot of hits because its a must read for a lot of people. <BR/><BR/>I too suffer from depression(bipolar depressive to be more anal about it) and have been offered all sorts of entirely unhelpful advice when I have been honest about my condition. "Walk it off" "put things into perspective" "think of Africa."<BR/><BR/>They fail to grasp the fact that you can think about starving kids in Africa all you like, but thats more likely to contribute to your depression as apposed to brighten you up. Too many people aren't aware that depression is biological in it's origins, you may only see the psychological impacts of it, but it's as serious a condition as cancer. And is certainly not something you can "walk off."<BR/><BR/>My father thinks my disorder is an excuse to be lazy and steal money from the government. Him and his family do not consider depression or bipolar as a legitimate illness worthy of respect for overcoming, or support for going through. The sooner we educate non-sufferers and eliminate the stigma the better.<BR/><BR/>The people that surround you influence you so much when you're in a depressive state. A helping hand can go a tremendously long way...but I think people are too afraid to reach out their hand because they don't understand it. If, like you talked about, there were physical side effects such as a rash, or stomach pains...they would no doubt find it easier to help out with, because they can understand, or at least relate to it. <BR/><BR/>Man it feels like I'm talking a lot. But I also wanted to mention the not knowing what to say when people ask how you are thing. Thats horrible, it's the same with "What are you doing these days?" (because my response would be, nothing, I'm debilitated by depression to the point where I can't write a comprehensible sentence or muster the energy to get out of bed before the suns already setting.) What are we supposed to say??? there should be some sort of guide book on how to tell people you're miserable and still make a good impression. <BR/><BR/>I think next time someone asks how I am, just to see what happens, and to feel free, I'm going to respond with "suicidal" <BR/><BR/>Er...anyway, wonderful blog. Beautifully executed. Really got the point across. Sorry if I sound like a school teacher, this is the first blog I've commented on so I'm not to sure what I'm supposed to say. If I was a school teacher I would give you a well done sticker. One of the big, sparkly mother fuckers, not the little ones.Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04696443709673012195noreply@blogger.com