Comments on: Depression Hurts

By: Barmus » Blog Archive » All Women Blogging Carnival

Barmus » Blog Archive » All Women Blogging Carnival — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 11:54:33 +0000

[...] presents Depression Hurts posted at Lightening Online, saying, “Depression is an illness that isn’t always talked [...]

By: Danielle

Danielle — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:48:29 +0000

Thank you for your so apt description of depression. i have been fighting it most of my life and sometimes i win and sometimes it wins. My dear friend once described it as a non surgical lobotomy and on my really dark days thats what it feels like.
i enjoy reading your blog but i did subscribe and it didnt work…

By: lightening

lightening — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:32:50 +0000

Sandra - I can understand the fear of judgement. I was reluctant to talk about it much at first. I guess I am in the position where I can talk about it and fear less judgement as many people’s reactions where “not X, she’s the last person I’d have expected to have depression”. So by my talking about it I hope that people realise that it has nothing to do with who you are or your outlook on life (okay that *can* play a factor in some cases) but has a lot more physical basis than people realise. Of course, mine does have an emotional basis as well. It’s complex, that’s one thing I *do* know.

Tiff - thanks for your contribution to the discussion. I think people pick up when you’re being real and do appreciate it. To me that’s what blogging is all about - sharing your life’s journey and hoping that in some way that might help or encourage others along the way.

DesertQueen - empty tanks are BAD, BAD news. As I guess you know from what I’ve been through. I’m watching that space just waiting for news of your blog, let alone specific posts!!!!!!!!!!

Dorothy - thanks for your support and encouragement. I’m currently being treated for both depression and anxiety although the depression is really the more major part of the problem. I hope things go well with your surgery. My DD asked me the other day why I had “Dorothy” written on my calendar. Just wanted to remind myself when it was going to be. Will be thinking of and praying for you.

Babyamore - It’s extra tough for blokes I think. Thanks for the link. I shall take a look when I get the chance. As for you….take care of yourself. If you’re not sure, it doesn’t hurt to talk things through with a GP. I left mine too long and recovery has been long, slow and painful. I feel like if I’d asked for help earlier, my outcome might have been different.

Emma - thank you. I value your friendship and support as always.

By: Emma

Emma — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:52:00 +0000

Hi Jodi,

I hope you’re feeling better.

Take care.

By: Babyamore (Trish)

Babyamore (Trish) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:44:15 +0000

My husband has been suffering depression for a few months (years maybe) and medicated only last six months. I found your post very enlightening (no pun) and I printed it for him to read - I will show some of my friends too.

I happened upon this post today - 1125 comments - but all of them worthy.

http://www.dooce.com/2007/12/13/because-i-couldnt-say-it-phone

thanks for your honesty and how you have talked about something that it seems no one wants to talk about but is such a real part of so many of our lives.My husband suffers real physical pain too. I have down days too - depression I don’t know ?

By: Dorothy Stahlnecker

Dorothy Stahlnecker — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:39:04 +0000

A few people including my daughter suffer from depression. There is depression and then there is anxiety you seemed like you had depression. Sometimes the medication needs to be adjusted..don’t be discouraged… My daughter purchased the Lucinda Bassett tapes, they help her cope… there is a post somewhere on my blog grammology. I’m heading for ovarian surgery this week and I am pressed for time. And oh they think it might be cancer..I had breast cancer in 05..and they are taking my gallbladder as i have a stone the size of a peanut.

So when I’m done with y surgery and follow up I’ll get back to you and get you my daughters email. She may be able to help by letting you know what to expect.

My best,
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call gram
http://grammology.com

By: Desertqueen

Desertqueen — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:07:32 +0000

Hugs back at ya. Yep, another sufferer here. Thankfully the good days outweigh the bad at the moment, but I think that my tank didn’t get as empty as yours. Somehow a sixth sense kicked in for me and I *knew* that I had PND, but then the hard part was convincing my GP, because she thought that I sounded too rational. Who, ME??????

I hope that you have got over the hump and on your way up. Thinking of you. Watch this space and I will let you know if I get the courage to reveal all about my depression in a blog post…………..

By: tiff

tiff — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:28:02 +0000

Lightening.
You are amazing and courageous. I have suffered from depression on and off for a while. You describe it so well, so accurately.
Down days happen. They always happen. We have a fluctuation in the seratonin, just like any hormone and lots of things trigger it.
I am taking medication now and still some days are hard. I know what you mean about people wanting you to just snap out of it. For a long time, my mother, in particular was mortified to have a daughter who took anti depressants. There was such a big stigma attached to it all for her and there still is for alot of others.
I have written a couple of posts. I will have to go search for them and get back to you.
I love that you are keeping it real. That is definately how I write my blog.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:54:36 +0000

Lightening. hoping that things are better now. I to suffer from depression and I would love to know why the ‘down’ days come, I know that it is due to a chemical balance but I feel some days that there must be something that triggers them. I have never wrote about it in my blog, as I feel that people judge you. I thank you for your courage as the more people talk about it, the better that they will realise that it is common.

By: lightening

lightening — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:26:02 +0000

Ali - thank you

Jayne - thanks

Cerebralmum - yes, the guilt and the frustration can be as bad as the depression itself if it is allowed to consume us. I find I get better quicker if I go with the flow. Although that doesn’t always stop me trying to fight my way out of it.

Boneblower - I know what you mean about meeting others via the internet. Perhaps it’s a place where we feel freer to express our true thoughts? I find I spend more time on the computer on down days as it seems to give me a comforting distraction without taking too much energy.

Sweet Mummy - I know what you mean. I’ve been keeping a very ad hoc journal which helps. I find as I write about it, I learn more about it as well. Kind of helps bring into focus what is really happening. Like the analogy of diabetes and different levels of treatment - that only came to me as I was writing the piece.

Naomi - depression and heart problems seem to go hand in hand sometimes don’t they? I’m glad they found out what was happening though. That must have been scary.

Amy - I can’t remember if I saw your post or not (my memory isn’t great and that was while we were away so I may have missed it). I’ll see if I can find it.

I really appreciate everyone’s support, hugs and feedback. It’s very nice!!!