I'm "Outting" Myself... I Confess!

[dgridley]

As a long term sufferer (20+ years) from chronic major depression, mild OCD, and panic disorder, I just wanted to "fess up" and "out" myself to bring some facts to light:

Depression Statistics: General Fact Information

_ In any given year, about seven percent - between 13 million and 14 million people - will experience a depressive disorder.

_ Of those who develop depression, only about 20 percent will receive adequate treatment.

_ About 16 percent of adults will experience depression at some point in their life.

_ About 97 percent of those reporting depression also reported that their work, home life and relationships suffered as a result.

_ Depression can quadruple a person's risk of dying within 6 months after a heart attack.

_ Depression is also known to weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to physical illness.

I know several other members besides myself who also battle depression and related disorders on a daily basis, either with or without medication or therapy.

To better understand clinical depression, how to spot it, how it's treated, etc., I suggest going here:

http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/Depression/statistics.htm

and then maybe doing a little extra research on your own to better help you understand this often socially crippling ailment.

If you have any questions, I'd be glad to answer them.

 

[NPQueen]

All I have to say is THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!! I agree that far more people should learn about Depression. I probably had Depression for over half my life. I wasn't diagnosed until about 6 years ago. After I began treatment it was like a HUGE light came into my life. I could be happy and sad when I was supposed to be and my life did not seem overwhelming all the time. Treatment seemed like a scary thing to me in the beginning, but after I followed through with it, I wished I had found out sooner.

 

[dgridley]

I have had problems all my life to the point of it severely affecting the way I interact with people, etc. I wasn't properly diagnosed until a few years ago.

Tried medication (Celexa and Ativan) but found meds (for me) involved a tradeoff I wasn't comfortable with so have been off it for 3 years now. Every day is a struggle for me.. but I take it one day at a time.

I guess the point of the post was to make others aware of clinical depression and it's consequences and otherwise let those who feel stigmatized by it know they are not alone..

All I have to say is THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!! I agree that far more people should learn about Depression. I probably had Depression for over half my life. I wasn't diagnosed until about 6 years ago. After I began treatment it was like a HUGE light came into my life. I could be happy and sad when I was supposed to be and my life did not seem overwhelming all the time. Treatment seemed like a scary thing to me in the beginning, but after I followed through with it, I wished I had found out sooner.

 

[Sinfully Wicked]

Im depressed, i havent got Sex.com or SW.com lol, but in all seriousness it IS an ilness, i have known many people with depression and many have lead to attempt a sucide etc etc. The unfortunate thing is that people from the "outside" just see depression as an act of feeling sorry for themselves which is total BS.

Good post.

Thank you

Sin

 

[dgridley]

Exactly.. and one of the points of this post.. hoping to educate a few and give hope to others.

The unfortunate thing is that people from the "outside" just see depression as an act of feeling sorry for themselves which is total BS.

Good post.

Thank you

Sin

 

[brewmonkey]

Depression is a very serious issue that sadly many do not understand. Having been diagnosed with an incurable disease/spinal cord injuries I know first hand all about depression. I also have mild OCD.

 

[capiche]

Same Boat. Seemed like at one point in my life, my outgoingness came to a screeching halt and I didn't know how to interact with people anymore, (face to face, that is). I just got dissallusioned at the whole fake BS act that it seems many people put on in a corporate atmosphere. I totally crashed.
But I learned that it was due in part to depression. I also had to deal with mood swings, the whole nine yards until I looked into treatment. I'm alot better now, but like you I take it one day at a time.

Thank god for the internet, huh?

 

[dgridley]

When I finally crashed, I had myself hospitalized for 10 days. It took 5 weeks for the meds to kick in.. three months to decide they weren't for me, then another 5 weeks or so to work them back out of my system. At times I was literally walking several miles a day, sometimes two or three times a day, just to take my mind off things.. I was suffering depression and panic attacks every day.

The Internet became a lifeline for me.. I joined an MSN group, Self Help for Anxiety and logged in everyday to chat with like minded people.

That was my eventual therapy.. I moderated the chats there and helped people who were experiencing immediate problems. Helped distract me from my own.

I even met my ex-girlfriend in that chat and eventually we met and lived together two years until we split up this past August. That's how I ended up in Missouri from Virginia Beach.

Same Boat. Seemed like at one point in my life, my outgoingness came to a screeching halt and I didn't know how to interact with people anymore, (face to face, that is). I just got dissallusioned at the whole fake BS act that it seems many people put on in a corporate atmosphere. I totally crashed.
But I learned that it was due in part to depression. I also had to deal with mood swings, the whole nine yards until I looked into treatment. I'm alot better now, but like you I take it one day at a time.

Thank god for the internet, huh?

 

[Splinter Freelance]

I am a diagnosed bipolar. I have had major depression since the age of 10. I have had several suicide attempts... one that left me with a week heart. I have been on medicatons for over 5 years. This is why I work from home. I cannot keep a job because my depression hits hard.

With my business, I set my own schedual. I can go up to a month or so with not working if needed and Ive had to do it before. Infact, that has been a problem for me lately.

 

[dgridley]

I hear ya.. myself, I force myself to work some hours outside the house as an excuse to get out and stop vegetating..

What medications do you take, may I ask? A girlfriend of mine from years ago was bi-polar but these days I think she is a devoted mom and doing well, last I knew.

With my business, I set my own schedual. I can go up to a month or so with not working if needed and Ive had to do it before. Infact, that has been a problem for me lately.

 

[Splinter Freelance]

I hear ya.. myself, I force myself to work some hours outside the house as an excuse to get out and stop vegetating..

What medications do you take, may I ask? A girlfriend of mine from years ago was bi-polar but these days I think she is a devoted mom and doing well, last I knew.

Right now, I am only on Depakot as needed. It is a mood supressant as well as an anti seizure.

I also work temporary labor every now and them so I get out and do something physical. I used to body build, but I didnt keep up with my work outs... it would probably help me.

Not all bipolars have the same trouble that I do. Many can keep jobs, but I am Bipolar II, which is more severe. It is a medical disorder, not a mental one as most people think. It can be controlled but not cured unfortantly.

 

[dgridley]

Same with clinical depression.. i's not a matter of saying "cheer up" and everything is better.. without the meds, my depression never leaves, but I manage most days. Keep pluggin'!

Not all bipolars have the same trouble that I do. Many can keep jobs, but I am Bipolar II, which is more severe. It is a medical disorder, not a mental one as most people think. It can be controlled but not cured unfortantly.

 

[gchick]

I usually suffer from depression too....like when im so stressed at work and family, i feel like cutting my wrists to end it all. i dont know how i manage to survive every time i had that. None of my friends and family knows about that cause i dont want them to think im psycho or something.

 

[sdtrader]

Three members of my immediate family suffer clinical depression.There is never a moment free of it.I cannot tell you what that is like-caring for them when nothing really seems to help,afraid to turn your attention away thinking a suicide of a loved one may occur if you are not there 100% of the time,obviously blaming yourself as the common link,worrying about what you say and do....

 

[dgridley]

Hopefully, you'll think what you've just said over a bit and realize that your friends and family are exactly the people you should be able to trust enough to tell how you're feeling. I can't guarantee how they'll react but I can guarantee that you'll eventually feel better having let someone know how you feel. It's a long process for most of us.

Check out Self Help for Anxiety as well.. it's an MSN group.. it helped me alot talking things over with other people who share the same problems. No one will judge you.. they're all in the same boat!

I usually suffer from depression too....like when im so stressed at work and family, i feel like cutting my wrists to end it all. i dont know how i manage to survive every time i had that. None of my friends and family knows about that cause i dont want them to think im psycho or something.

I'm sure I can understand.. these things often run in families.. the best thing you can do is try to be supportive as best you can...

You can't ever blame yourself..

Three members of my immediate family suffer clinical depression.There is never a moment free of it.I cannot tell you what that is like-caring for them when nothing really seems to help,afraid to turn your attention away thinking a suicide of a loved one may occur if you are not there 100% of the time,obviously blaming yourself as the common link,worrying about what you say and do....

 

[gchick]

Hopefully, you'll think what you've just said over a bit and realize that your friends and family are exactly the people you should be able to trust enough to tell how you're feeling. I can't guarantee how they'll react but I can guarantee that you'll eventually feel better having let someone know how you feel. It's a long process for most of us.

Check out Self Help for Anxiety as well.. it's an MSN group.. it helped me alot talking things over with other people who share the same problems. No one will judge you.. they're all in the same boat!

Thanks man....I'll try. I just remembered I told someone about it, but she just said i was being a paranoid or just imagining it. after that, i didnt tell anybody else until now.

 

[debra]

Thank god for the internet, huh?

Thank god for Dave too. :imho:
Your honesty and kind words of encouragement always hit the spot.

 

[dgridley]

Thank you for your kind words... let's just be sure we don't lose sight of the main purpose of this thread: bringing a dread and often stigmatized ailment out of the closet and into the light. It's about awareness...

It's comments like yours, directed toward me, that have prompted me to disclose the fact that I'm constantly depressed and struggling and hopefully give others the courage or insight to recognize or combat what may be a similar situation in their lives or the life of someone they know.

Again, I encourage everyone to look at the numbers and educate themselves.. this affects more people than you realize in ways you may not imagine.

Thanks again, Debra, for your comments..

Thank god for Dave too. :imho:
Your honesty and kind words of encouragement always hit the spot.

Most people adopt the attitude that these types of things pass on their own.. of course, many times we have reason to be rightly depressed about something.. it's when it becomes gripping and all-consuming that we need to be aware of the potential dangers and seek help outside ourself.

Don't be concerned about what others may think. it's your life and well-being you need to be concerned about.

Thanks man....I'll try. I just remembered I told someone about it, but she just said i was being a paranoid or just imagining it. after that, i didnt tell anybody else until now.

 

[sdtrader]

Don't be concerned about what others may think. it's your life and well-being you need to be concerned about.

Thanks for another thoughtful and valuable thread! If its of any importance
I think highly of all of you.

 

[HHDomains]

_ Of those who develop depression, only about 20 percent will receive adequate treatment.

I'm not questioning your numbers Dave because I haven't researched it but where do you get the 20% figure? It seems kind of on the high side for the amount of people who are actually receiving treatment for this.