Does anyone else here feel depressed?

[warrior1]

It's not the Holiday season, or anything specific. Maybe it's just everything and nothing.

[groovedaddy]

1. I've been there since the election, but I've managed to pull myself out of it

without prescription drugs either!

[Hissyspit]

2. The U.S. and world economy heading into the depths of hell might have something to do with it.

Having the rug pulled out from under our common expectations and understandings will do that.

[Sabriel]

3. Yes, except for a brief hiatus in early November

I took a brief vacation from an eight-year depression after the election, and now it's back in full.

For me, it's not the economy, but rather the idea that my children will grow up in a world collapsing under environmental pressures...and we're not doing much to stop it.

Very depressing. Big D Depressing.

[NOW tense]

4. I was there

Than I found a good piece of information. I just don't mind what happens. I have figured out that I will be ok, even the worst points in my life I was ok. I just don't mind what happens next.

[SharonRB]

5. Yes

but I think in my case it's still depression over my mother's death in April, plus a letdown after the election and feeling in limbo until January 20.

[graywarrior]

6. I'm in denial.

Nice, warm fuzzy denial. I'm staying here. It's cozy.

[Le Taz Hot]

7. Yes.

This economy is making me want to slit my wrists. I'm scared as hell.

[loudsue]

14. NO Le Taz!!! Don't do it!!

A lot of us are not feeling "up", but slitting wrists is a bit irreversible.

[Le Taz Hot]

46. Oops! Sorry!

It was just an expression. I'd be too much of a coward anyway.

[L0oniX]

8. I've already killed myself.

[MsFlorida]

9. depression could be an understatement

and today I do feel like whining. My car was stolen last week with all the stuff in it...I'm still in insurance purgatory dealing with that. Not to mention I was in the midst of refinancing my house and ALL those papers were in the car too and stolen by the thieves -- so not only do they have my house keys they know everything about me.

And on top of it all -- all my family is going to be out of town for christmas, I'm left to dress my dogs up as little elves.

I am trying to salvage this holiday, I've decided I will be volunteering my time to make someone else's christmas happy whether its meals on wheels or anything else. I'm going to be out there doing something!

[crispini]

63. Volunteering is a good idea.

I think I might have to do some of that.

[Armstead]

10. Can you be more specific?

There's reasons to be really depressed right now, and reasons to be really happy.

Or maybe you have a case of the syndrome in this post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[warrior1]

11. It's nothing I can put my finger on

I will taking a trip up to Placerville today with a friend to have a little get together with another friend. That will take my mind off of what ever it is bugging me.

I wish I had a magic wand that could fix everything.

[MsFlorida]

12. wishing I had that same magic wand

I would fix things for everybody!

[BoneDaddy]

13. Not at all

I have a loving wife, two wonderful kids, great suportive friends and I live simply. Life is wonderful right now.

I remember this Buddhist story about a monk who was being chased off of a cliff by a tiger. He jumps and grabs a branch as he is falling. The branch starts to break and he notices a beautiful perfect strawberry growing off the side of a cliff and smiles.

Essentially the story is a metaphor about living in the now. Not possessed by the past or in a state of anxiety about the future, as we are all uncertain about what will transpire.

Find something wonderful and awe inspiring right here right now.

[NOW tense]

15. Finally

Somebody like me. This is what I work towards everyday. My wife and I will be sitting having a glass of wine and listening to music and we both say. I love our simple life. Living in the NOW tense or present tense it is hard but it works. I get depressed from time to time, but I see it like hitting the reset button. Live in the present and just enjoy the ride.

[BoneDaddy]

22. It is human to move through depression

but much of what people struggle with is past pain and future anxiety. I cannot help but look at my children and smile. I am sure we can always find someone less fortunate than us to find some gratitude for what we do have. Life is too short.

[FedUpWithIt All]

21. Thank you...

[BoneDaddy]

26. most welcome

I need a reminder often too.

[Daphne08]

16. Yes.

Fortunately, my sweet husband helps me to remain centered through laughter and a grounded reassurance that all will be okay in the end.

[Mojorabbit]

29. I am thankful for my

husband as he does the same for me. I tend to be a worrywart and much too serious. He makes me laugh and keeps me sane by doing so.

[elocs]

17. I think it's a lot of the attitude here at DU the last 3 weeks that has gotten me depressed.

Although there were many here who were generous enough to give Obama a 1 week honeymoon before the griping and "constructive criticism" began.

[Historic NY]

18. We only end up depressing ourselves...

Jan 20th get here soon.

[elocs]

42. We wait years and work hard to get a Democrat elected as President

and once we succeed we proceed to pick him apart because he will not jump through all of our pet hoops or dance to our favorite tunes. I guess many are so used to attacking the one in the White House that they cannot get out of that mode.

[Historic NY]

52. ding ding ding.......exactly.

[natrat]

19. comes and goes-as for external events you better thicken that skin pronto

[shadowknows69]

20. Does the day end in Y?

Pope shit in the Vatican? Etc. etc. etc.

[bicentennial_baby]

23. That would be an understatement, at best...My life is falling apart

in slow motion. Or at least that's how it feels. Not very much in my control right now, so I'm just faking it until I make it. Or something. At least I still have my knitting.

[NOW tense]

28. The most successful

people are always just making it up.

[Sal Minella]

36. Took me decades to realize we are all just ad libbing our way through. Some people are just

luckier than others. (If you hear somebody say, "There's no such thing as luck" you know he/she is one of the lucky ones.)

[NOW tense]

39. Absolutely

People specialize in Careers, but it is the artful mind that creates changes.

[bdamomma]

24. Just a suggestion that if any of you feel depressed to please

seek help IF NEEDED.

[T Wolf]

25. Uh huh. With the economy and cold winter weather and the knowledge that the new administration

will not be doing much more than slowing down the right-ward lurch of this country, it is hard to (for many, including me) to feel much optimism.

Yeah, we are not going to be in as bad straits as McInsane would have produced, but not being dead is a far cry doing well. Maybe we will just have to settle for that.

[justabob]

27. been manic for years

It is everything. I have only recently comeback from a year long news blackout (greyout) and I am considering going back because I just can't take it, even now supplied with fairly heavy meds.

[SammyWinstonJack]

30. Yes. nt

[WillieW]

31. Yes, 08 has been a terrible year for me - personally

From being diagnosed with cancer, going through surgery, chemo and radiation to my current living arrangements. This year, my dog has been the only highlight in my life. I hope 09 will bring some improvement.

[Vinca]

32. I always go into a funk between Thanksgiving and New Years.

This year seems worse because we're in this limbo between insanity and sanity and it's unbearable to see, listen to or hear of George W. Bush. I want him to go away. Now.

[Sal Minella]

37. I have this fantasy that we could all chip in and buy him a one-way ticket to Paraguay, dated

day after tomorrow (give him time to pack his coloring books). I bet Laura would chip in if we asked.

[kirby]

33. Yes n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

34. I am becoming a master of self-deception.

It's one coping method.

[Stinky The Clown]

35. It is a combination of things .... some big things, some little, tiny, bulshit things

The news each day doesn't help. That gets followed by the chorus of doom from people like those of us here on DU (I am as guilty as anyone).

There's a sort of 'released prisoner' thing happening, too. We have been overloaded with outrage for the past 8 years, starting with the literal theft of the presidency in 2000. We have been powerless and largely hopeless in the face of numerous attacks on our most fundamental values. We're like an assault victim ultimately released by our attacker - initial joy followed by depression and mourning at what has been irretrievably lost.

We depressed that, having just won an election and, by the size of the win, repudiated the policies of the last eight years, we **still** see it happening and we still see the same people in charge.

And, for those of us over here in Fringeville, maybe we're a little disillusioned at the centrism of what see as a portent of things to come.

[Sal Minella]

38. Hearing Condi on NPR this morning just about did me in. She was pontificating about Mugabe.

She feels that Mugabe should step down because he was not put in power by a legitimate election.

CONDI, I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!!

[dysfunctional press]

40. cymbalta...ask for it by name.

[uppityperson]

41. Cymbalta is a bad ass anti-depressant. DON'T get started on it.

Trying to get off it is really difficult, all sorts of mental issues associated with it.

That aside, sorry, put out a bowl of prozac and m&ms for guests

[firedupdem]

44. It's a never ending cycle right? Try getting off lexapro and having

fucking brain shocks every 5 mns...yikes!

[uppityperson]

47. haven't had experience with that one. MrUP is back on 5-HTP from coop now

Cymbalta was nasty. Taper dose down and feel like crap, having violent screaming dreams all night, let this go on for months. Or go cold turkey (monitored by psych doc) and have same crap for 2 wks.

He's taking 2 (I think) 100 mg "Doctor's Best" brand 5-HTP.
http://www.drbvitamins.com/nutritionalproducts_details....
example of where to order online (only an example)
http://www.vitacost.com/Doctors-Best-Best-5-HTP

Cost is similar to what he was paying on ins for rx'd stuff. Some people do ok on varied drugs, but I don't think they have studied the latest newest ones enough for side effects and trying to stop them.

Caveat: I am a RN of many yrs, don't believe in a lot of "supplements" but this has worked, and I take glucosamine/chondroiton. And other Rx'd med.


Re-edited to put right weblink in.

[firedupdem]

48. good info. I pm'd you..can you take a look at your message? n/t

[uppityperson]

49. fixed link and pm'd back. nt

[RoyGBiv]

53. Lexapro damn near killed me ...

... not literally, but still.

It worked great while it worked, but then it didn't work. I mean, it was like my body simply one day up and decided to reject it, and I had all the same symptoms that are associated with going off it cold-turkey.

Which is not a good idea.

I was well into a recovery from a major depressive episode and was feeling very good about things. And then, one day, I woke up, and it was like I'd regressed months. The "brain shocks," as you call them, were horrible. I had those when I first started taking it too, but they weren't so severe. It was like a mental seizure, like my head was inverting on itself.

Anyways ...

[firedupdem]

56. You describe it so well! I couldn't get people to understand what

I meant when I was trying to describe them!

[RoyGBiv]

57. It's truly bizarre ...

I haven't been able to get many people to understand it either.

I was watching this movie with a friend once, Innerspace with Dennis Quaid and Martin Short, and it helped me get the point across. There's a scene where Short's character has been transformed into this other dude in physical appearance, but it starts to wear off, and he goes through this thing where his face contorts, and his head flaps around violently.

How that looked is how my head felt inside.

[firedupdem]

58. That's it...wow..the shit we have to go through not to feel depressed

makes us worse off than before. I wish you the best my friend! We have to just keep trying!

[RoyGBiv]

59. Same to you ...

I feel sorry for the people that know me (and even some people on DU and other forums I frequent) when I go through these things. People around us tend to suffer as much as we do, if in different ways. I'm just thankful that the people who care about me really do.

I really dislike the pills, but then I figured out that the "just be strong" thing doesn't work. Someone told me once I should just pray more, so I did, and I told that person later that my prayers were answered. God told me to go see a freakin' doctor. That's what he made them for.

[Mari333]

43. always. n/t

[pipi_k]

45. Maybe it's just

the anticlimactic stuff, you know?

Eight years of anxiety and being stressed out nearly every day, and now that it's about to end, our bodies are unable to handle any more...


I personally suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, so this isn't something new for me. This past year really and truly sucked as far as anxiety-producing situations goes, and a couple of weeks ago we went through the loss of two of our beloved pet companions, and there are two more who are quite old and probably won't live to see another winter, if they even get through this one.

I'm trying to stay focused on the here and now, but it's very difficult.

[Withywindle]

50. Yeah.

I have Seasonal Affective Disorder, that's a factor. I'm on antidepressants and they've helped, but I still get random attacks of awful sadness - mostly manifested as loneliness (I'm single). The most constant wear-me-down-like-water-erosion factor is money, though. I have two jobs, and I still have no idea what it's like to go to bed or wake up in the morning without anxiety attacks about bills. It must be nice. I've lost faith that I'll ever experience it.

I don't voice this very often, because most of my problems are kind of petty compared to a lot of people's issues, and complaining doesn't improve much, ever. I do have a lot of blessings and I'm grateful for them. I feel greedy for wanting more.

The euphoria of Election Night and the excitement of the run-up to it (where I stayed very busy canvassing) has faded, and while I'm definitely NOT one of those people with any interest in venting rage at our President-Elect and I do believe his heart is fully in the right place and the appointments he's making are all smart and hard-working people, I am really bodily absorbing the knowledge of what a long uphill climb we all have as a nation to see the slightest meaningful improvement in our lives.

There's a sad little kid in me that wishes that just once, somebody COULD wave a magic wand and make everything all right.

But the sun will come out again eventually. It always does, in one way or another.

[PlanetBev]

51. Been feeling great since November 4th

Consider how depressed you'd be if McGrunty and Moose Droppings were about to be sworn in.

[InvisibleTouch]

54. Only when I come here and see all the bitching these days.

Hey, we won. We're supposed to be happy! But all I see is bitching and complaining about who Obama nominated for this or that, how he's not moving fast enough or ignoring some vital issue or other, etc. etc. The guy's not even sworn in yet! And he's shown brilliant judgment every step of the way so far. I for one am willing to enjoy the victory, to look forward to better times, and let the man do his job. Coming here and reading some of these threads, you'd think Sarah Palin had won. Gods.

[RoyGBiv]

61. Funny you should say that ...

My therapist *really* wants me to stop visiting DU.

She has asked me now to keep a journal of my time logged into DU with descriptions of the emotions I experience. It's become rather difficult to argue rationally against her point. My only recourse is to note its value as a social outlet with opportunities for communication with a few individuals with whom I share similar interests that few I have been able to meet in the real world have.

[InvisibleTouch]

64. I think I'm just going to cut way back on GD and GD:P.

Might be a good thing. I waste far too much time here - though I do depend on DU as my news source, since I rarely watch television, so I probably won't leave altogether. Plus the Lounge and some of the groups are always a good read. But for GD and GD-P, I know I'll be skipping a lot of threads.

The night of the election and the day after, I just kept taking deep breaths, because I felt like I could breathe unimpeded again for the first time in 8 years. Maybe it's time to go out and enjoy life again. I kinda frittered away the Clinton era, didn't realize how good I had it. I'm not intending to make that mistake again.

[applegrove]

55. I'm having momments of funk which is rare for me. Usually the medication I am on

takes care of it. And I have a new job which I love.

[leftofthedial]

60. majorly

I had a couple of days of hope, but that went away about the time Rahm Emanuel started the flood of conservative status quo types joining the Obama ranks.

[crispini]

62. Raises hand...

That whole "no-job" thing is wearing on me.

[MrSlayer]

65. No, I rarely, if ever, do.

Things could always be worse.