Re: a matter of choice?

Posted by Bibi on May 15, 1998 at 15:29:34:

In Reply to: DO THE HELP-REFUSERS REALLY DESERVE SYMPATHY? I SUPPOSE, BUT IT'S USELESS - AND THEY'LL JUST IGNORE YOU. I'VE BEEN THERE. posted by Derf on May 15, 1998 at 14:25:15:

Derf, I am glad to hear you have found a way out of depression! If it works for you, then great! It's wonderful that you want to share this insight with us, but I guess some of us are not fully understanding what you mean.
Maybe I am misunderstanding something of what you say, because I cannot see how depression can be a decision if we are talking about DEPRESSION, not just "being sad". I don't know what it's called, but there is this chemical thing that the brain in supposed to produce, and if it doesn't then being depressed is a illness just like diabetes. Instead of insulin you need another medicine to keep the balance correct.
SOME may benefit from a special diet, others may not. I got a lot of help myself after it was discovered that I was allergic to certain foods, but this is far from enough for everybody.
Besides, if someone has had such a terrible life (and/orchildhood) that NOTHING works like it should, then being depressed or not is really not merely a matter of decision. It can take YEARS of therapy to come out of depression. (And i guess going to therapy IS a choice if that's what you mean).
I was diagnosed as a manic depressive when I was 20, after going to about 10 different therapists/pshycologists/psychiatrist without getting any help at all. I CHOSE to get help, but I didn't get any. So, my decision didn't help much! Even after I was diagnosed manic depressive, it took 5 years before I got any help that really changed anything (I was in and out of therapy all these years). And what about people that NEVER find the help they need, even if they try?
I am still struggeling with depression but not as often and not as deep as I did before. If I am depressed and "chose to be happy", that is my 5 wing trying to escape by going to 7 and we all know how well THAT works! Running away from depression doesn't work and is never helpful in the long run.
You make it sound so simple. Glad to hear it was for you, and maybe some people "out there" will benefit from your input too.
Just one more thing...if people either disagree with you or misunderstand what you say, it doesn't help much to repeat what you say in big caps...try another approach next time, like explaining in a different way what you mean and maybe your message will go through. That's what you want, isn't it?

Bibi

Follow Ups:

• Re: ah, one more thing.... Bibi 15:40:35 5/15/98 (4)
  • Re: ah, one more thing.... Derf 19:45:16 5/15/98 (3)
    • Re: ah, one more thing.... Bibi 20:03:04 5/15/98 (2)
      • Re: ah, one more thing.... John DiFool 20:58:18 5/15/98 (1)
        • Blunt idealistic statements - where suitable (or where NOT suitable, at least)? Derf 23:47:57 5/15/98 (0)

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