Do you suffer from depression?
 

Do you suffer from depression?

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

Note that this is not a public poll. UserIDs will not be listed with the votes. I don't know if admins can tell how people vote, though.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

That's a good question. What about it, Admin?

Timmy, if there was an option, "Never, but I'm worried that I might", I would vote for that.

I was also wondering why you didn't include an option, "No I haven't and you people that do just need a good prayin' through." That one may win!:)

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

:lol

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

I posted "never" but I will clarify... that I like everyone I know, might have a depressed mood occasionallyfor a short period of time.

It is not at all what I think would be a medical condition though. I have never been treated nor do I think I should have been treated for depression.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

Admin can only see what B-List members vote. Class A members have full privacy.

Timmy and NOW are B list.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

A-list....B-list?? Surely, you jest.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

I struggled alot with it before I was saved. Considered suicide. Jesus was my last resort. He changed my life. I do not struggle with depression at all anymore.

Like Hoovie said, thats not to say I've never had a bad day. but they are few and far between. and when I have a terrible day, maybe get into an argument with my wife, or something like that, I go to God in prayer and pour out my heart. He has a way of putting the broken pieces back together again.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

How about "Never, but I get depressed thinking I might"

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

I suffer from it pretty regularly. God has continually stepped in to "save" me from doing some pretty radical things such as killing myself as a teen when the "church" drove me to it.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

:lol

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

:thumbsup

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

So was there ever an answer to the question...is Admin able to see who voted how?

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

If someone is depressed a whole lot of the time, you need to get some sort of help fast. Clinical depression is not normal. Talk to someone. If you can't find someone you can trust in the church, go to a hospital or talk to your doctor

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

No, we can't tell.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

I have always suffered from some depression my whole life. It would be interesting to see what life would be like without it. But, I am also a melancholy temperment and am a highly creative personality. They say the two go hand in hand.

However, I was never as depressed outside the UPC as I was in the UPC.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

I would say "ditto" to all.

I also have a tendency to develop associations, good and bad, which last a lifetime. I absolutely cannot stand most songs sung in church because I remember sitting through 30-45 minute song services listening to the same versus sung over and over again, all the while not wanting to be there regardless because I valued my alone time so much more after coming home from school. School/church/school/church/school/MORE church, etc....

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

I very much value alone time. It seems I never have enough. On the flip side, I don't have enough constructive social time either. I would love to hole up in my house for a couple of weeks and not use the car to go anywhere and just chill. Then, I would like to visit some folks for an afternoon. Life seems to pass me by faster than I live in it.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

Wow....that's really interesting. For years, there were certain songs I wouldn't/couldn't listen to for similar reasons...they would associate me with negative things.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

I have suffered from depression once or twice. Mine was circumstantial.

I do battle PMDD, but it doesn't really cause depression in me, just extreme tension.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

I wanted to commit suicide before I came to the UPC. Afterwards I was free from that feeling

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

Maybe because I'm Irish, the depression doesn't push me to that "final brink." I've learned to live with hardship, even to expect it. Sorrow and feelings of helplessness roll over me like the waves of some terrible tide.

But every now and again the sun breaks through the clouds, the flowers in field begin to bloom and I find myself dancing in the meadow.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

It must be the dawning of the age of Aquarius.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

Depression: An illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts, that affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away. People with a depressive disease cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people with depression.

The signs and symptoms of depression include loss of interest in activities that were once interesting or enjoyable, including sex; loss of appetite (anorexia) with weight loss or overeating with weight gain; loss of emotional expression (flat affect); a persistently sad, anxious or empty mood; feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness; social withdrawal; unusual fatigue, low energy level, a feeling of being slowed down; sleep disturbance with insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping; trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions; unusual restlessness or irritability; persistent physical problems such as headaches, digestive disorders, or chronic pain that do not respond to treatment; thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts. Alcohol or drug abuse may be signs of depression.



http://www.medterms.com/script/main/...rticlekey=2947

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

LOL. Leave me out of those hippie thoughts. I hear fiddles and strumming guitars.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

Just remember that IF your going to San Fransisco, make sure to put a flower in your hair.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

only when I look at Tommy polls....:D

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

Boy your depression has already got to you! Didn't you mean Timmy polls? Or is it too depressing to say that? j/k:toofunny

BT

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

Are certain personality types more susceptible to depression?

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

I think so.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

Are the kind & gentle more susceptible?

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

I did after my daughter and son died. It still hits me sometimes, like today, the anniversary of my daughter's death. I can't believe it's been so long. I still miss them.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

I don't think it's necessarily the kind and gentle. There just seems to be a personality type that tends toward melancholy.... that tends to see the glass as half empty. I think that personality type is more susceptible to depression.

I tended towards that as a teen, then I gave myself a good shake and forced myself to resist that tendency. I believe some people, though, have a genuine chemical imbalance that makes it something they can't just shake.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

I've suffered from depression most of my life (I'll be 50 this summer). I've learned over the last 30 years, staying active is my total cure. If I let my active lifestyle wain, I slowly drift back into depression.

Staying active helps me stay fit and sleep well, which is important for depression. Many good things happen to the body during sleep. Insomnia only adds to the equation of staying depressed. Staying fit helps muscles to stay strong, keeping blood pressure under control, while preventing many other health ailments from getting in the way of living this life.

Also, going outside for exercise helps the body obtain vitamin D, which is proven to help depressed people.

I wouldn't say I never get depressed, but for the most part I'm hardly ever depressed anymore, and, with no drugs.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

I'm not an expert, but I think depression (true "clinical" depression) is a result of a combination of things. Circumstances (loss of a loved one, family problems, etc.) are a factor, and there are medical/pathological factors. Maybe genetics play a role, I don't know.

In my case, I was severely depressed for many years, and it got worse as time went on. And in my own case (your mileage may vary! ;)), the most effective "cure" was leaving the Assembly of God church. It was virtually instant. But it wasn't 100% effective: even now, I still have bouts, but they are never as severe nor as frequent as they were before. If I hadn't left that church, I would very likely be dead by now. I'm not kidding. And again, I stress: YMMV (your mileage may vary)! :thumbsup

I must also add: the actual church I left was not overly strict, controlling, manipulative or any of that, with its pastor at the time. In fact, he and I are still good friends. He's an awesome person! (The previous pastor is another story.) It was the dogma that I had to get away from. The disconnect between the promise and reality was too much for me to handle.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

My overall health has improved since I left. I think a lot of my husband's and I's health issues have been related to the stress we were under.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

Timmy, what you say here is the sad truth. Church depresses people for many reasons, leading to horrific failure and an inner condemnation where mercy is only talked about, but never really applied.

The Church stands up and tells everyone to forgive the person who has failed, but in reality they are kicked to the curb as backsliders.

My wife and I were just discussing a phone call I received recently from an old friend. After about 15 years of being a literal icon in the Church, this man wound up in an adulterous affair, losing everything. His reputation, his job, his wife and 3 children, his place in the Church, and the people in the Church.

After a very careful observation, I told my wife, "The Church destroyed this man". The reason was simple. He came into the Church a deeply troubled person, spending many years in jail. He had a horrible drug problem and his baggage was beyond bad. (My wife and I knew him, growing up in the same town as him. If the Sherriff saw him walking down the street, they would pick him up and take him into the boonies and beat him to a pulp. He was that bad.) But, he came to Church and was "Born Again".

This led to the "Rags to Riches" story and the fanatical praise that we give those who have "Changed". Well, the Pastor began to use him behind the pulpit. He became a minister way too soon, IMO. He led the jail ministry. I was always trying to get him to go fishing or camping. Something besides just WORKING. But from my own experience, I know what happened. He couldn't say NO. It was God's Work. People expected him to perform; otherwise his glory bubble would pop.

It did pop, and now many years have passed and when he called me he was beyond broken. I personally feel that depression grappled this man down, but he internalized it. Fear kept it inside, so he trudged through another day until the kettle blew. The pressure was so great that carnage was everywhere when the top exploded.

Oh they can blame him, but God forbid the Church would admit, "We put too much responsibility and pressure on a man, and failed to allow him to express his heart in total honesty".

This is why Pastors fall. This is why many church people fall. We cover our depression with an emotional experience in Church, and don’t give enough attention to the doldrums of everyday living. We fail to tell people, say NO. Don’t do something just because everyone else is doing it. Be unique. Be different. If you sin, welcome to the crowd, yes, the CHURCH CROWD.

We tell people, let's break free of fantasy and embrace reality, and yet, the Church becomes the Fantasy.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

Boy, you said it.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

Thanks, nfs. Great post.

Re: Do you suffer from depression?
 

Religion certainly has a lot to answer for.

Jesus didn't call us to religion, he called us to relationship.