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I'm Depressed because Life is insane. Not b/c of a chemical imbalance! help!

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Depression
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Posted 5/18/2008 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
I'm depressed for fully rational reasons. This world has alot of hardship, inequality,and bs, period.  I'm fully sane and in a normal mind-set, but all of this world's problems get to me. Everything from bills to inequalities, health problems, rejection, the craziness of it all, recession/gas prices, how hateful people can be and how mean and cut throat and player like people are.

I refuse to go see a therapist or a psychologist/psychiatrist because they don't get what i just typed above. They just don't and they don't see that as a realistic reason to get depressed.

they seem to think that it's all chemical/neurology.

I don't.

I'm not saying that I may NOT have clinical depression or what not but,

I firmly believe that it's just from disappointment/lack of hope, etc in reality/real life that bothers me.

Can ANYONE please offer me some advice/help here?

Posted 5/18/2008 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
If the problem is with the world and not with you, then I guess you need to think what you can do to change the world.

But consider that we all live in the same world, some of us get depressed and others don't. So perhaps there's a bit more going on than just the tragedies and inconveniences of life in general? Just a thought.
Posted 5/18/2008 8:43 AM (GMT 0)
Heej Puffy,

The world is nothing more than a what we make of it. You can feel bad because of everything that happens, the way people act, etc. On the other hand, you can accept that others might be the way they are. Accepting the goods and bads of everyone and everything will give you peace with everything, because total acceptance can't produce negative feelings like hate.

But especially for you, try to live the moment rather than live in the past and future.The past is behind you, and you will never be able to change it, so don't feel bad because of things that happened in the past. It only creates useless and unnecessary pain. Same with the future, don't worry about the things that might happen, but deal with the when they happen, in the now. Because right now, is there a problem? Not in 10 days or 10 minutes, but right now? If you don't think of things that happened or will happen, there can't be problem.

To go even further, problems are none existent, only in your own mind. If you are able to accept the situation as it is, problems will lose there negative twist and thus there will be no more problems, just situations that you can try to improve.

Total acceptance will transform your "hate" view towards the world into a "love" view. You will see the world as it is, not how your mind projects it. You will find yourself enjoying simple things as hearing the rain, breathing, walking, watching animals do there thing.

You probably are a gifted person, because most people won't even think of their purpose on this world, and how crapty it sometimes is. You do. But you say you are depressed for rational reason. If you were fully rational and fully aware, would you see the world as a doomed place? No, because that will only create pain. Rational and fully aware people will accept the way the world is, thus creating no pain for themself. Creating pain isn't rational, it is insane.

I hope this somewhat helps you.

All the best!
Erik
Posted 5/18/2008 10:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there Puffy2..

Here's your challenge - don't listen to the news for a couple of days - and just concentrate on you...look around you and rediscover what really matters to you in life..simple pleasures in life are what matters to me - it could be anything from spending time in the garden to going down to the local mall for some 'retail therapy' - whatever it takes :-)

Sista J.

Posted 5/18/2008 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
These guys make perfect sense. Try not to let the worlds problems affect who you are. There will always be problems, it is up to us if we want to let it effect us. Live for the moment. Not in the past and not in the future. Look for the simple pleasures of life, they are there.

Here is a quote from Desiderata, something everybody should read:"And whatever your lobors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all it's sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

Let's strive to be happy. You can find one good thing everyday to reflect upon, no matter how small. It is still good.

Good luck
Karen
Posted 5/19/2008 9:53 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Puffy,

What you have said sounds logical to me. They are reasons to be depressed but I would also have to say the psychologists/psychiatrists have a point too. There is probably an element of chemical/physiological as well but the cause (as you have written) comes from the enviroment. If you change the environment then you take away the cause and the chemicals will (normally) sort themselves out. I think the problem here is that you are letting global problems such as recession and inequality affect you on a personal level. jordaNzone's idea of not looking at the news for a couple of days is a great idea. My idea is to find a therapist who deals in CBT (Cognitive behavioural Therapy). In my personal, unprofessional opinion, it sounds like you need to change the way you think about these things. For example:

Instead of allowing inequality to cause you to be depressed, try thinking about it in this way: "Inequality is bad and what happens to
---insert minority group here--- is terrible. However since I cannot change the world, I will acknowldge the problem and make sure I do my bit to help"

Its just a thought but I think if you change the way you think about these things then I think you will help alleviate the depression.

Darren


Posted 5/19/2008 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
You must not take the weight of the world on your shoulders....

Acknowledge that there is strife and do your best to keep balance in YOUR life....
always help others when in need and you will be repaid in comfort in your heart...

People like you are special as they can SEE what is going on..
and
help others in thier wisdom!!!

Keep the faith!
Ter :-)
Posted 6/1/2008 12:29 PM (GMT 0)
Sadly enough, there are others out there that "get it". I really wish that there were more of us, and that we would speak out more, act out more. The other responders here may be offering some coping mechanisms that help, but that's not quite a solution, now is it?
After just today having my last session with a "professional", I completely agree.
Posted 6/2/2008 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
I know how you feel i get upset and really down about how people think about and treat each other, i feel an outsider
Posted 6/2/2008 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
It can really be a cruel awful world, if you think about it. There is much unjustice that goes on. But the only thing that could be done is try to stop it. Is that even possible in today's world? You have bad people in all walks of life. There is no escaping it. So I feel (and yes this is s coping mecnanism) all that I can do is be the best that I can. Try to help people to tip the scales so to speak. Do you have any other ideas or solutions? We have to be realistic with this. We are talking the world.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 6/2/2008 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference." --Reinhold Niebuhr, The Serenity Prayer

I've always like that particular mantra...
Posted 6/2/2008 9:41 PM (GMT 0)

Dear Puffy2,

If I have read your post right you feel your depression is caused by disillusionment.  You feel there is so much bad going on in the world that it outweighs the good, and hope is useless. I get the feeling you do not want to see a therapist to learn how to deal with your feelings because they won't understand that you cannot change the world so it is easier to blame the world and the bad things going on for your depression. I am not judging, just trying to make sure I understand your feelings.

I have read some great posts here with ideas for you but you have the right to your feelings. 

Each of us comes from a different walk of life with different experiences, nothing is perfect but I do believe we can each make a positive difference in the world if we choose a cause that is close to our hearts and work on making the world a better place.  I have chosen to be an advocate for mental health.

Look how far we have come from the days of Insane Asylums, and Psychiatric Hospitals where the mentally ill were locked up.  Educating others about mental health is my goal.  Even if I only change how a few people look at the Mentally Ill I have accomplished much.

Reaching out to people in need has to be done by someone..............why not all of us that recognize the need and do the very best we can?

I wish you peace and I hope you find your answers to how to deal with your depression.

Respectfully
Kitt

Posted 6/3/2008 1:13 PM (GMT 0)

Here you go Puffy, hope it helps, this prayer has been around for as long as I can remember, and reading it might help you a little at least.

 The Serenity Prayer 

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

(incomplete)

written by:  Reinhold Niebuhr

Posted 6/3/2008 10:57 PM (GMT 0)

Puffy2

Hello there, hope you are doing ok and please do come back and talk with us.  We are here for you.

Kitt

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