Low times ... or even full on depression, is something that’s normal for all of us!!!
No one .....
No matter how big and strong ... or tough .... or independent ....
Can be “Up” or “Sunny dispositioned” ... all the time!!!

We’re just each of us ..... are frail human beings.

But when depression grabs your mind, and tears at your heart, and tries to take up residency in your very soul ....
What do you do?????
How do you bring yourself back from those dark times????
How do you get yourself back on a better path??

And looking at depression from another angle ......
If someone you know, and really care about .... is feeling down ....
What “can you do” .... erm ....
What “do you do” ... to help them???

What if you can easily see that they’re feeling really down .... and that they need some kind of help, but when you try to be there for them ..... they turn away from your offers and efforts??

Orrrrrr .....
Are you ever the one who’s really down????
But turning away from the offers and efforts of your well meaning mates???

Please share any thoughts you have on subject of depression, with all of us here in the Faery Garden.
You never know when something you share might be just exactly what someone else desperately needed!!!

T/Y

Hello again Dovie,

How are you? Char gave me the new addy for the forum. Again, you ask a deep psychological question...

I don't tell many people this but I have suffered from depression over the past few years, since I was diagnosed at the age of 16. I am now 22 and have been off my medication for almost 7 months. (With thanks mainly going to my most recent ex-boyfriend, who convinced me that I didn't need them!)

I can't answer all the many questions you asked Dove, only to say that depression: clinical, acute or bi-polar and such, are psychological and somewhat, psychosomatic, diseases that live below the surface and when hard times arrive and cause hardship and heartache there is sometimes nothing in the world that anyone can do to change the sadness and unhappiness that that person is feeling, whether is a friend, a member of your family or yourself, who is suffering.

In the time since I came off my medication my father has been put on the same medication and the same dosage as I was on because he too suffers from depression. It's no wonder as he is a hard working man who is approaching his 60's and was brought up in the old-fashioned way that was the 40's and 50's. He is the serious, thoughtful type who always seems to be at war with himself and his feelings. I think I have inherited some of his characteristics... When he is deep in thought I tend to leave him to it, so as not to disturb him and give him some peace and space. Everyone needs that and I have been in the same position: wanting to stay in, or curl up, in bed and stay there. Winter is the hardest part of the year as it is so cold, dark and wet that it doesn't help one's state of mind. It is known as S.A.D. This means that if one does not or has not had much time in the sun then their mood will reflect this (I myself prefer the sun, sea and sand of summer!)

I hope I have in someway answered your questions Dove. Watch out for some more of my 'interesting' posts! LOL LMAO

It's good to be back! :-D

Lynda
AKA "grey being"

Awwwwww grey being ......

(((((((((((( You ))))))))))))

Thank you gurlie ... from the bottom of my heart for all your posts and responses here in the Faery Garden ... you never fail to have words that are well worth the time to read!!!

Thank you for sharing with all of us here, your personal experience with depression.

It worries me that depression seems more and more common all the time!!!
I too have had plenty of go ’rounds with depression grey.
And I don’t believe it’s ever been as severe as it’s been this year!!
I can’t count the times I’ve honestly contemplated the mighty words of Shakespeare .... “To Be .... or not to be ....
Hmmmmm .... now that’s a fierce question isn’t it??
But you know what???
Lately .....
It seems as though everyone I know is dealing with severe depression issues!!
That in its self is depressing!!!
In fact ....
I was reading an article in a Medical magazine the other day ... and it was saying that 1 out of every 4 Americans suffers from some kind of serious depression!!!
1 out of 4????
Ohhhhh my gawwwd!!!
No wonder our country is in such a state!!

But it all makes me wonder ....
Are we indeed as a world becoming steadily more depressed???
Orrrr ....
Is this the way people have felt for 100s of years .... and we are only just now labeling it ???
Researching causes and cures ....Looking for medications to help us get through what all of our ancestors just dealt with and managed to get through in other ways??

Hmmmmmm ..... the issue itself is depressing!!!

Thanks again for your input grey ... and I will ..... as I’m sure we all do ... Look forward to lots more posts and responses from you!!!

Keep your chin up gurlie!!!
And remember .....
Smile and the whole world smiles with you!!!
Cry and we in the Garden will give ya lots of big hugs!!!
~wink~

not sure where to start here.

this is going to sound strange.

long time ago, ie 3 yrs ago, i went through a sticky patch(dove you know ive told you before)
i got quite down, id never go to a Doctor(typcal trate of the scot, can never accept help) well i found my soulence on the net. a place called Fat cat
say no more, here i am today, happy as larry , still lonely, but such is life, but i dont get down ay more, i dont feel a failure anymore.

so let it be known the cure for all lifes ailments is agood does of fat cat lol

well folks take care and you'll get there

by for now

John xxxx

wow...deep stuff indeed!

~~And before I get into this I wanna say a huge Hellooooo to (((((Oxide))))!!...It's been a long time hon!..how have you been???...and it's sooo good to see you here!!

Now...about depression..hmmm..Ya know...half the time I don't even realize I'm in a state of depression...at least I don't think I do..it's a rather confusing sort of mind set for me. Probably because I don't like to admit when I'm depressed. Maybe it's a form of denial??

At any rate...when I am feeling down and gloomy I just start looking for the reasons and seeing what I can do to 'fix' them....or get my mind off of my own feelings by focusing on other things. I'll clean the house or go to a chatroom...that always cheers me up..well..not the house cleaning so much..hehe...but it does make me feel better when the place is all nice and neat and fresh and clean.

I have a hard time understanding the chemical imballances of the mind when related to depression too. I know they are real, I just can't imagine having to deal with that sort of thing...it has got to be hard..and you deserve a medal if you can over come the depression with out the medication!! That takes a very mentally strong individual I would think...good on you grey!!!

Something else that I think has a very big impact on our feelings is music! When your feeling down try listening to music...good uplifting music though...not country!!..lol

piano music is the best for me...or classical...it has a way of 'freeing' the mind I think...

Char,

Thank you for those kind words. In effect of my depression and behaviours growing up as a child, and recent heartbreaks and ex-best friends and loss of employment I chose to do a few personal development courses and get back to education in order to get back to work. And since I came off the medication (and lost the boyfriend) I have never been happier... and that's the truth!

As for my mentality it has had some metamorphoses in the last few years and I feel I am better person because of it.

Depression is a rough subject for some but I have found that if I talk about it I feel a lot better for it. Whether it is psychological or psychosomatic and due to the lack of sunlight during the summer, it is a battle and half that battle can be won by talking to others... Keep talking to your friends and stay positive. Most importantly, smile.

grey being

Ohhhhhhh and here you are!!!! ..... Finally!!!!

(((((((((((((( John )))))))))))))

Don't you know I have been wondering where you were????
And worrying after you!!!
And trying to figure out what's kept you from our Faery Garden!!!!

LOL folks ... this will be a long one ... best get your cuppa and be prepared!!

~nodding~

Yes my friend .... you have shared lots with me, and I will admit to everyone here in the Garden, that of all my friends ... You have always been one of my best .... the one who’s always there for me ... who spoils me with prezzies .... and yet .... I am seriously ashamed to admit, that you are the friend that I no doubt neglect worse then any other!!!!
So before I say anything else here .... I just want to tell you how very much I admire you for being the kind of person that you are!!!
Full of love and compassion and seemingly never ending patience for me!!
I appreciate you very very much John!!!
Thanks for being my friend!!!

Now ......
Nearly 3 years ago ... I bought my first computer!!!
It was Char that introduced me to chatting on line.
A dirty deed that our family still berates us for!!!
LmaoOoOoo ... ((((((((((( Char ))))))))))))
She showed me a place called Fatcat where I stumbled and bumbled about. LmfaoOoOoooo .... I’m sure I was one of the lamest of the lame!!!

But ....
It was there that I sincerely made some of the best friends that I’ve ever had in my life.
Friends that are honestly still my best friends today!!!
And many of whom I’ve actually met and shared wonderful ( for lack of a better term ) .... “real time” with!!

Through that first “on line” chat experience .... my whole “real” world has opened up .... and expanded, in such a way that is nearly impossible for anyone who hasn’t ever experienced the same ... to understand or accept.

What very few know is that just after I got my computer .... I happened to fall into a really dark depression ... one from which I just didn’t even really want to come back from.
But like you John ....
I started chatting a wee bit ... then a wee bit more ... and more ... and pretty soon I was at it nearly 24/7!!!

Well people looked at me and said ...”your life is falling apart because you’re in that darn chat room every minute of every day!!!

What I couldn’t seem to help them understand, is that with out my “on line” friends ... and that Fatcat world ... I would maybe not have ever regained a desire to even rejoin the so called “real world”
It was the most helpful .. the most intense “anti depression” therapy I could ever have received!!!
And at a fraction of the cost of what a medical doctor, and prescribed medication would have cost!!
Not to mention that the outstandingly positive effects from this intense therapy have proved to be amazingly “long term” ... ~ wink ~

If I had a say about anything in the world ... and the funds to do it ....
I would make computers and internet service, available to anyone, and everyone experiencing depression!!!

Okies everyone ... I'm finished now!!!
~ curtsies ~
Anyone still awake in the Garden????
LmaoOOOoo ... sowwies .... erm ... *looks @ oxide*
It’s all John’s fault!!!

Well heres my idea on it. Everyone does go through some forms of depression in their lives. As a few know I'm going through one form of depression right now and even though I might need meds I won't take them because I know I can over come it in time .

We all can overcome depression through alot of things in life. some can be done by friends, time alone different activities or just talking to someone about it and them listening. Some people do have to take meds for it and I think that it should be a last resort if possible. We all have the strength to overcome it if we have the desire and realize its not an overnite thing.

Depending on what made us depressed some can be over in a little time or take a long time. We all just have to realize what made us depressed as to whether we need meds for it or if we can overcome it ourself.
WELL hope this makes sense and talk later

Love Always,
Roadrunner

Ohhhhh Roadrunner .....

Of course I’m still thinking of you!!!
Seriously .....
You’re always in my thoughts!!!
As well as in my prayers .... just as all of my good friends are!!!!

As I said in my response to grey being .... it’s honestly frightening to me, That so many of my good friends are going through So Much Depression this year!!

What’s up with that anyway???

I’m like Char in that I don’t know anything about the medical definitions, or the terms, or the chemical imbalances that Doctors are saying is the cause of all this depression!!
Eeeeeeeeeks!!!!
I can’t help but wonder what’s causing all this imbalance???

As I said ... I know little about little .... but like Char ... I think there’s lots of things we can do on our own to combat depression and like you Roadrunner .... It’s my personal feelings that prescribed medication should be a last resort treatment as opposed to the first thing we look for.

I also agree that each person will handle their individual depression in their own unique way.
And though I’m not saying that there is NEVER a need for depression to be medically treated ......
I’m a firm believer that we as humans, are much more resilient then we give ourselves credit for!!!
And so with proper amounts of sun and fun, .... correct foods, and exercise, and most important .....
Friendship in huge doses .... administered in the form of lots of warm bear type hugs ... and big ears for listening ....
I think we can get through Anything that Life has to throw at us!!!

(((((((((((((((( Roadrunner )))))))))))))))
Very Good to see you by the way!!!

Waves hand in the air...yup I had it too.

Many years ago I was on meds for depression, after a few weeks I decided that was enough of that and I was going to get off my arse and get on with life.
I had two small children at the time and I wasn't ajusting well with life being on meds, it took some gumption but I got up and went on with life.
I poured myself into my kids [didn't work then], they were my life and were for many many years.
Now I had to learn to let 90% of everything that went wrong in my life roll off my back, I actually went to far with it and let way too much roll off my back.
Thus making my marriage start turning the wrong way, I took too much and never stood up to the one person I should have the most...my hubby.
He became my strongest weak point in life, after 20 years I finally broke through that last year and now after being seperated a year things have completely turned around for the better and not just for myself.

I've been told by a theropist that I'm too strong for my own good, I don't depend on anyone for anything I just get up and do it myself if physically possable.

Over the years I've burried myself into crafts [after the kids got older and I had time], the chatting was my way of venting and having fun day after day and brought me many many great friends that some I've met and most I want to meet very much.

Oh crap I'm rabling here...sorry bout that folks.

Now I've learned what things I can do to make myself feel better and calm down when I'm stressed, it's not always easy to do but sometimes I just tell everyone to leave me alone and let me settle down after a hard day at work or what ever has me in an uproar.
One has to take time for themselfs but not take time for yourself for a long period of time.



The one and only ~Newf~

Newfiegal, Char and Dove,

I forgot to mention that although I am now just over seven months off my meds I was actually on them for over two and a half years before I came off them.

The first four weeks were torture. My body was so used to the medication that I had a constant headache for the first two weeks I was off them. The next two weeks were followed by bad humour/temperment/mood and I took my anger out on my friends on my course needlessly.

So, although I was glad to be off the meds I felt like I was going to faint from pure exhaustion during the first two weeks off them. Boy, was that a trying time!

But anyway, I am past all that now and so glad to be. I am kinda tired at the thought of Christmas seeing as though my brothers and I are too old for Santa Claus and it's not as exciting as it used to be. We will survive it, I'm sure, with the usual ups and downs that we always seem to experience since we reached the teenage years and started arguing with our parents about everything and anything.

I will leave it there for now. Take care of yourselves over the holiday period and have a very Merry Christmas!

Your friend

grey being

Awww...good job Grey!!

Ya know...they say the holiday season's are the most depressing times of year for a very large amount of people...not sure of the statistics on that...

What are the reasons for it though???...I suppose it has to do with how people percieve the holidays to be...shared with family and friends ect... but why would that depress people? I mean, even if your not able to be with those people, isn't it still possible to have them in your hearts and mind...and even go as far as doing something special for them without them being there??...Something...anything.... to keep your spirits up???

What other reason's are there that people get depressed this time of year...and more importantly...~HOW~ do you keep your spirits up and not get depressed????<----very important I think!!

So if anyone has some good possitive advice...please share it!!..who knows, you may actually help someone who's reading this get through a very difficult time of year...

I count my blessings, my depression has been seldom and mild at that. On the other hand I've had loved ones who suffered terribly I felt helpless in there misery. If anything I felt it contageous. In my feeble attempts to help them, I mourned with them, the loss of their happiness.

Watching them as they sank in the muck of their sorrow. Not knowing from where it came, or when, if ever it would go, I did my best to be there for them.

I found that when I became a victim of their muck, and they had to come to my rescue, they were able to find the strength to pull themselves out.

One of my favorite sayings is: 'We are all angels with just one wing, in order to soar we must embrass each other'