Politics is increasing my level of depression again.

[Ladyhawk]

OK, it's not so much the politics as the fascism and the no one giving a shit.

Anyone else feel this way lately?

[NMMNG]

1. Off and on

I sometimes get to the point where I think "Things are so FUBAR that we can never get out of this mess no matter what we do (and the neocons/fundie whackjobs wouldn't let us anyway)." Then I just want to crawl into bed and stay there forever.

I'm so tired of this insane crap. I want my democracy back! :cry:

[Ladyhawk]

2. I would say the same, but I'm beginning to wonder if the whole

idea that we ever had a democratic republic was just smoke and mirrors. I wonder how long it's just been smoke and mirrors? It's just that this group decided to be a lot less subtle about taking away what little we gained under such benevolent rulers as FDR.

Sweet Jesus, even five years ago, I would have dissed FDR. It took a long time for all the brainwashing to get cleared away...painful process, too.

[NMMNG]

3. True

I wonder if we're just like the Repugs/fundies who pine away for some fantasy "good old days" that never existed except in their imaginations, fueled by Norman Rockwell paintings and reruns of Leave it to Beaver. Maybe our lamentations are fueled by some other idealistic utopia that never really existed, but we merely wished did, yet we keep thinking we can "get back".

Do we need a good dose of reality? :shrug:

[Lorien]

4. Yep, politics and climate change

(which is related to politics). I just watched both the "life of birds" and "life of mammals" DVDs by David Attenbourgh (brilliant, gorgeous films). At the end he talks about the human species, and our situation seems so grim. His last statement is "Our species has sought to control the environment in order to sustain our population, but now we must control our population in order to sustain our environment". I keep thinking about all those wondrous creatures-and Attenbouroughs final words. I have so very little faith in humanity that it's damned depressing at times.

Think I'll go zap myself with the Alpha-stim now :-(

[Radio_Lady]

7. I watched a beautiful show on the wild birds of Oregon.

In my state of mind, this set off a terrible fear of bird flu and I had a hard time turning my mind off.

It's good to reach out to others in this way.

By the way, what's Alpha-Stim? I think I know but not sure...

Peace,

Radio_Lady

[MrMonk]

8. Radio_Lady

Take a look here: www.alpha-stim.com/

There's also a thread about it below.

My pdoc looked into it and decided to authorize it for my case.
I'm now waiting for it to arrive.

[Radio_Lady]

9. MrMonk, I actually did read about it. Sounds fascinating! Hope it works!

However, I'm feeling better today, so I'm trying to get back to business here on Sunday.

We're going out to dinner (my first night out in four days). Blame it on the Pamelor (nortriptiline) an older tricyclic AD, which has been helpful to me for decades. (I increased drug amount by 50 mg.)

In peace,

Radio_Lady in Oregon

[Lorien]

12. Let us know how it works for you

another DUer will be testing my spare unit soon. I'm curious to see how it works for different types of depression-and hopeful for all who give it a chance. It really takes the edge off for me.

[TrogL]

5. I've had to walk away a few times

Is there anything you can do to reduce your scope?

Is there a battle at the local level you can win?

[Radio_Lady]

6. Ladyhawk, in the "misery loves company" department --

I have had to increase my dosage of antidepressant for the past several days. I have had clinical depression off and on since I was nineteen years old, and use a minimum amount of drug support pretty much 100% of the time.

This is a bad time for me. Like you, I feel that much of it has to do with the political situation, I'm sure. At least you know this from another DUer.

Hope you get to feeling better again. I've done nothing but sleep and watch TV and simple housework for more than three days. Luckily, my husband has been supportive and tells me I'll feel better in about a week. (That's how much time it usually takes to "hook in" at the new dosage.)

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[Room101]

10. Complete "outrage fatigue"

I rarely stick my head into the GD forum anymore. I can no longer read current event books because they trigger outrage which drains me.

[Radio_Lady]

11. Good name! I've had "Outrage Fatigue" since 2000!

[ThatsMyBarack]

13. Not just politics....

....but also too many good people dying lately--esp. Dana Reeve. :cry:

[Bluerthanblue]

14. The painful gift...

..of being fully alive.... that's what i call it. Anyone who can honestly- TRULY- look at the nation, and the world around us, and NOT feel depression, hopelessness, despair, and regret, is likely either in denial, a sociopath, or disassociating.
My PDoc reminds me of this often.

Remember that saying that depression is 'anger turned inward'? well, I'm sure seeing a pretty RAGE filled world- especially among those who angrily claim the harm that is being done is 'good' and 'noble' and 'right'- If what you are doing is really 'the best thing' don't you usually have a measure of .....peace? ...comfort?.... patience?... in amongst all the natural feelings of (what if i'm wrong, or what if this isn't the 'best' option) there is usually, at least as I've come to realize, a kind of gut level "this may not seem like it's right, but it is- " that centers me.

I hope this is making some sense- I think what you are experiencing is SO HEALTHY- and SO 'RIGHT ON'- that doesn't make the pain and suffering you are feeling any less acute- but if you ask yourself what the alternative would be, would you really want to go through life numb to the things that are being done, and going on, without feeling distress? It is because of people who have the courage to FEEL- and SPEAK about the need for all of humanity to FEEL- that positive change is not only possible, but is understood as being necessary-.

Please, don't think I'm be-littling your experience- I've taken a long break from DU of late, because I found myself drowning in despair, and unable to find a 'safe harbor'- I want to encourage you, as many kind people here did for me, to treat yourself with gentle and loving care. We can only be part of working towards moving this world in a more positive direction, even by minuscule steps, if we are 'ok' enough to stand against the harsh winds of hatred, oppression, and fear based cruelty.

I have read many of your posts, and know you to be a person of great sensitivity, strength, wisdom and honor. Be gentle with yourself first of all- because you are a 'part' of the positive change- and treating this world, and each other with respect, compassion, kindness and love, has to begin within each one of us-

This world is in deep trouble- If we aren't careful, we'll either 'give in'- or 'give up' I'd sooner die than 'not give a shit'- It hurts like hell to live with our 'eyes wide open'- but the flip side of that is life is also far more succulent to those of us who refuse to go through life without being fully alive.-

Sharing your anguish, and wishing you comfort, healing and strength-
blu

[mopinko]

15. i hear ya, lh

i am loathe to stick my head into the illinois forum these days. i think i need a long, post primary NAP!

[Nikia]

16. Ever since 9/11 and the aftermath

And how Bush got reelected and how he keeps on doing negative things. It makes me feel like we don't have much of a future.