Depression...

[unstuck]

http://zenhabits.net/6-practical-and...me-depression/

[DMNTD:Me]

Nova seems to think depression is a choice. Its not.

Where choice(s) come into it is whether someone is willing to do something about it or not.
Some do choose to get some help, some choose to wallow in 'self pity' (to keep in line with Nova's 'attempt') and winge, complain and simply live in misery.
I have seen it all too many times and chose to remove myself in order not to catch negativismismismism

BTW...that wasn't directed at anyone...specific

[Maha]

But no need to duck if you're short right?....

[nzspokes]

Where choice(s) come into it is whether someone is willing to do something about it or not.
Some do choose to get some help, some choose to wallow in 'self pity' (to keep in line with Nova's 'attempt') and winge, complain and simply live in misery.
I have seen it all too many times and chose to remove myself in order not to catch negativismismismism

BTW...that wasn't directed at anyone...specific

In part I disagree. Yes some do seem to like being there. Some have real medical reasons for being there. So its created by stress that damages basic functionality.

I think a blanket "choose to do something about it" statement is the same as the "harden up" one.

And of course you need to know you have a problem.

[DMNTD:Me]

I think a blanket "choose to do something about it" statement is the same as the "harden up" one.

Disagree on that bit, IMO the 'harden up' statements sort of indicates that people should just handle it.
Choosing to do something about it is just that, making a choice, making a stand and having a crack

[nzspokes]

Disagree on that bit, IMO the 'harden up' statements sort of indicates that people should just handle it.
Choosing to do something about it is just that, making a choice, making a stand and having a crack

Understanding you have a problem is the core issue. Some people are just a bit down, not clinically depressed. Theres a huge difference.

There are tests you can take to get an understanding of where you are. Agreed some just like to moan. But a lot do not realize how bad they are. Especially males. I went to the doctor ages ago for a minor thing, she started asking questions as she had known me for 30 years. Turns out I was at extreme risk of self harm or worse. I had just thought things were a bit tough.

I didnt know I needed to choose to change.

[nodrog:Me]

I think depression is like skateboarding was in the early '80's, "it's so hot right now".

[nzspokes]

I think depression is like skateboarding was in the early '80's, "it's so hot right now".

Maybe your stuck in the 80s when people used to blow there brains out with shotguns and it was called an accident.

[nodrog:Me]

Maybe your stuck in the 80s when people used to blow there brains out with shotguns and it was called an accident.

Its called lead medication, it has a 100% success rate of curing depression.

[scumdog]

Maybe your stuck in the 80s when people used to blow there brains out with shotguns and it was called an accident.

Indeed.

I was constantly surprised at the number of 'accidental' deaths that happend "while cleaning his gun".

[nzspokes]

Indeed.

I was constantly surprised at the number of 'accidental' deaths that happend "while cleaning his gun".

I remember a shop keeper that had sorted his affairs and done just that at his business for the staff to find in the morning. Nobody knew he had a problem.

[Maha]

Back through the pages, I think was a Depression Ride being organised at some stage...fuck, imagine that?

[nodrog:Me]

I remember a shop keeper that had sorted his affairs and done just that at his business for the staff to find in the morning. Nobody knew he had a problem.

was his name scott?

[nzspokes]

Back through the pages, I think was a Depression Ride being organise at some stage...fuck, imagine that?

Just bring some Valium and it will be a great old time.

[blairnz]

Wow - so much to read here on a thread going back years. It's not the sort of topic I'd have imagined on a biker forum.

I have my own personal experience with depression, one which my friends and family weren't aware of as I thought it was a weakness and I just needed to harden up. It's something I should share in case someone here can learn something from experience.

SHORT VERSION OF MY STORY: I had depression all my life. I didn't even know it for most of it as it was just how I thought life was. In recent years it got worse and worse until it felt like it was crushing me in deep darkness and leaving me almost paralysed at times. I could only think every moment about killing myself to end it.

It turned out it was a reaction to gluten proteins. Going gluten free in February this year removed a life time of depression and anxiety, as well as many other problems I wasn't even aware that were problems.

NORMAL VERSION MY STORY:
Until late February this year I suffered quietly with depression. It had reached a point where I was ready to kill myself as I didn't see a point in continuing as their was joy to be felt any thing I did anymore. I could see my life was really good too, but I could not escape this deep dark black hole that left me almost paralysed at times.

In my last attempts to deal with the depression I had moved back to NZ at the end of last year to be closer to family and old friends. I had gone to counselling for 9 months last year and dealt with personal and family issues. I had taken up team sports, I was baking and cooking lots, exercising daily, getting plenty of fresh air and sun light, taken up a non stressful job, was seeing old friends and family regularly, I was doing volunteer work helping those that couldn't help themselves in my spare time, yet the depression got worse and worse. I'd get home after work and not even make it to a chair or my bed but crash to the floor and just lay there for 20 minutes unable to move, barely able to breath, trying to gather my will power to push away the crushing depression. This happened at work too, and I'd lock myself in the bathroom for 20 minutes to get myself together to deal with things.

I had finally planned to end it all the evening following completing a project at work.

I went to take a late lunch, and grab a big sandwich from the cafeteria at work. While I was there a girl that I had seen speaking to my boss a few times waved to me. I went said hello and noted she had brought her own lunch to the cafeteria. I teased her about not trusting the food in the cafe. She responded that she didn't as she was gluten intolerant and the food here was full of it. I asked her what gluten intolerant meant, expecting that it made her poo funny or something of the sorts. She said that it made her suicidally depressed, and that it was her boyfriend that noted it happened shortly after having bread.

I took at look at the sandwich in my hand, thought about the stack of French Toast I had at 9am, and the 6 Weetbix I had at 7am. I thought about all the baking of danishes, cookies and cakes I had been doing lately, and pies I had been eating. I thought about all the Wendy's Old Fashioned hamburgers I had been eating since I came back to NZ and saw a correlation between my increase in depression and the amount of gluten I was taking.

I decided then to try gluten free. If it didn't work then I can go back to my plan to kill myself, but I'd give it a month.

With in four days I felt a lifetime of depression and anxiety vanish. It was the happiest day of my life. I had so much more energy. I could think clearer. I could sleep properly. The supposed stomach ulcers and chronic pancreatitis I had vanished. I started getting pins and needles over the coming weeks and sensation at the very tips of my fingers returned which had faded about 10 years ago.

I should have gone to the doctor's and had the various tests for gluten sensitivity and coeliac's disease as you need the gluten in your system for at least a couple of weeks to show the gluten protein antibodies.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Depression can be a physiological reaction to something in your diet. Life can get better and you can experience a range of emotions without feeling depressed again.

I'm happy to chat with anyone that has any questions.