Depression becoming an EXCUSE?

[hEaLiNgViSiOnAnGeLicMiX]

Here's my first shot at a CT thread.

Depression is becoming an excuse, and I am going to take a girl who is in nearly EVERY SINGLE ONE of my classes as an example; let's call her Kathy. Kathy has supposably been depressed since 6th grade. She's been to the hospital on multiple occasions for checkups, takes pills on a daily (if not weekly?) basis, and to my knowledge has attempted to slit her wrist on atleast 3 ocassions. This all sounds like the traits a 'typical' depressed person would carry, but that is the problem. The 'typical' depressed person image.

The problem I see with this is Kathy's behaviour. I am friends with 3 other people who have depression, and Kathy carries one trait that is different to them. They do not carry the same 'image'. She is not afraid to admit she has depression, infact she often STRESSES the idea that she has depression. The other three people I know with depression often try to hide it. People who don't know them as well as I do aren't even aware of the fact that they have depression. I'll give you a few recent examples of how Kathy is acting.

1) During drama class, all of the studenst were seperated into two seperate groups. Kathy and I coincidently were put into the same group. Everyone was seemingly ontask and what we were to do was that we had to make up a dance. The dance's actions have to reflect on the lyrics of the song we were given. Now here's the thing, Kathy IMMEDIATELY assumed she was the leader of the group (she even referred to herself as 'leader' a couple times) and started ordering us to do this and that. A friend of mine was becoming annoyed with being bossed around and said "Ok Kathy can't we try ______ instead? 'Cause noone really seems to like that idea..." and Kathy's immediate reaction was "Well I'M the leader of this group so I GET TO DECIDE." My friend then replied with "Noone ever ASKED nor WANTED you to be leader". Kathy then BURST out into tears and said "THAT'S NOW HOW YOU TALK TO SOMEONE WHO'S DEPRESSED!"

2) French class we were to write speeches for a speech competition called 'Concours Oratoire'. Kathy wrote about depression and used the idea of HER BEING depressed as the main topic. When she was given an A+ for speech presentation (she's a good public speaker) but a C for 'speech content/ideas" she flipped, while again stressing the idea that she was 'depressed'

3) There was a new kid named Kyriel in our class a little while back named Kyriel. At one point I was talking to him and Kathy joined in. The bell then rang and Kathy pulled out a pill bottle. Kyriel then asked "what's that for?" Kathy's reply was "Oh they're my happy pills! I'm depressed!" with a PROUD tone of voice.

Is she really DEPRESSED? I think not, but you might disagree. My point is not solely about her, but I'm talking about this whole 'depression' idea getting way out of hand. There are byfar too many people saying they are 'depressed' who really aren't. I think that it's a cry for attention, an excuse to be treated differently. Maybe I'm wrong? Discuss.

[Anticrombie0909]

That chick is a retard. But I assure you, depression IS an actual thing. It's not like ADD which can just be an excuse for poor behavior.

[Verruckter]

Maybe she just wants to get attention... I've never seen someone really depressed though, so I can't really tell.

[psychic25]

Well, possibly, if she's been depressed from a fairly young age, her parents might have taught her a weird way to look at her condition. They might have said something like, "Embrace the situation and don't try to push it away." Because of this, she might feel comfortable or almost proud (like you said) about being depressed, and BRAG about it. (These are just my thoughts, though, because I've never known anyone who's depressed.)

Although yeah, that really does look like she wants attention. She probably does have something, though, otherwise I doubt she would have pills and everything.

[Squeek]

It's an excuse for a TON of students.

The good rule of thumb is to see if they show it off. That means they're just attention-grabbing mongrels.

I know a friend of mine claims he is under depression but he's completely lying about it. He has the pills and everything too.

~Squeek

[Moogy]

There was a new kid named Kyriel in our class a little while back named Kyriel.
???

[pfff]

pfffft thats one screwed up girl, who cares if shes even depressed, that doesnt give her the right to be a bitch.

::EDIT::

That chick is a retard. But I assure you, depression IS an actual thing. It's not like ADD which can just be an excuse for poor behavior.

i have ADHD (same thing as ADD but theres an H which stands for hyperactive), i was born with it, and when i dont take my medicine ill get all hyper and junk, but it can also be used as an excuse for bad grades. I know when i dont take my medicine, i have a terrible terrible memory and attention span, so ill do horrible on my classwork.

[The_Q]

She's a hypochodriac of some sorts. She only thinks that she's depressed. I wouldn't doubt that the pills are placebo.

Will add more later (still have to get through the whole being proud of the depression thing).

Q

[MythamX]

Um... If she takes medicine... why is she depressed? Isn't that supposed to like... make her happy? Like the commercial with the little white blob guy, and he's all sad. Then when it introduces the medicine, and shows how it works, he gets all happy and bouncy and chases a butterfly(?). Depression is a state of mind. These people who think they're depressed just need something to open their eyes and show them how to be happy, and I'm not talking about medication. That said, there are plenty of dumb kids who fake being depressed for the stupidest reason of all: attention. This sounds like 'Kathy'. They get people to see they're depressed or even suicidal so they will get attention. And they're too blind to see it's all fake. They don't like the depressed kid, they're worried about her killing herself or trying to cheer her up. I don't know about your status with Kathy, but I've never seen a fake-depressed kid with real friends (other than kids doing the same thing). Like I said, state of mind.

Yes, I'm aware of the medical disease where the happiness things in your brain don't work right, and they don't like flow through the thing... I have no idea what I'm saying, but anyway, THAT'S what medication is for. People like Kathy who only think they're depressed and try to show it off all the time are still faking it because of the attention they get, and in danger for taking the medicine they don't need.

[deltro300111]

She's just a bitch that wishes she was depressed- some parents use ADD as an excuse for their children's stupidity, it's that same kind of thing here, I think. Maybe you should be nice to her, point out when she's being a bitch- and maybe direct her in her speech, and maybe try and get her some friends, I had a friend that helped me to do that, and now I at least have some friends- I was very appreciative.

[psychic25]

Mytham, I'm not positive on this (because I don't know firsthand), but I've heard that anti-depressants really screw with the body.

It doesn't just make people on them perfectly happy, it messes with other stuff as well. That's why some people don't want to use anti-depressants.

[hEaLiNgViSiOnAnGeLicMiX]

There was a new kid named Kyriel in our class a little while back named Kyriel.
???

asdf gimme a break I'll edit it afterwards. kthnx.

Well, possibly, if she's been depressed from a fairly young age, her parents might have taught her a weird way to look at her condition. They might have said something like, "Embrace the situation and don't try to push it away."

I've known her since kindergarden, but lately the way she's been acting has been getting really out of hand? She's been depressed since 6th grade from what I know. (6th grade is when she stayed at the hospital for an entire month, and when our teacher told us 'what was wrong with her'). What I don't understand is why someone would be proud of depression? She's proud of the fact (or what may seem to HER as a fact, since it could be just faking) that she's incapable of being happy? She's PROUD of the fact that there are people who stereotype against those who are depressed, which would in this case include herself? What there is to be proud of is beyond me.

I wouldn't doubt that the pills are placebo.

What do you mean?

[sleeplessdragn]

Placebo pills are pills which appear to be actual medication but in reality have absolutely no effect, except possibly a small rise in blood sugar due to the fact that they are usually synthesized from sugar. The purpose is to cause the mind to believe that some form of medication is controlling the body when in actuality nothing is wrong. Placebos are always used when testing new forms of medication, to insure that the medication is actually creating an effect and not simply that the patient has had a change in beliefs due to the ingestion of medicine.

Back on topic. I find it rather sad that attention-whoring has drooped to this level. It used to be that the underdog was kicked, and that the spotlight was always shined on those on top of the social ladder. I for one don't think that she is depressed, as I have known far too many people who "clique-jump"; simply hopping from one stereotypical group to another, never fully understanding their own self persona. It's kinda sad if you think about it.

[archevil]

The mental illness (an affective disorder) called depression occurs as a result of inefficacious neurotransmitters (specifically serotonin, and phenylethylamine, and possibly gamma amino butyric acid, endorphins, and oxytocin), although it may be accentuated by stress, abuse, or tragedy.

Depression information (http://www.depressionadvice.com.au/general/learn/depression/depression01.htm)

Judging by the symptoms listed here, one might assume that Kathy is not suffering from a severe form of depression, if at all. However, it is unlikely that she spent a month in hospital unless she was diagnosed with the actual disorder, even if only temporary. I think however, that she might be no longer depressed, but maintains that she is possibly because it never occurred to her that she is not depressed. In any case, it is probably best not to accuse here of not being depressed, lest she attempt to prove that she is.

Whether or not she suffers from a common disease known as 'self-absorption' is up for debate though.

[Sweet_vindiction]

Okay. I am Bi-Polar, ManicD, and other. I don't understand your fried though.

Her parents, as said, may have raised er to look at this as normal. She may have been raised to deal with this, but this gives her no right to use it as an excuse to be treated any differently.





The pills should help her in managing her depression. So why is she still bitching? Well perhaps she is lying. Perhaps her medicine isn't as affective as it shouldbe. Maybe it's for chronic Diarrhea?

She doesn't have an excuse, she is just as normal as anyone else. Simply explain to her in a normal manner that if she still feels depressed she should talk to her doctor about it. DON'T TREAT HER LIKE A BABY!


All the attention-whoring bitches. >.< Gah

[CyanoticXtC]

Noel... on the forums?.. crazy!

[TheTypist]

Well, we're sort of a victimized society that encourages people to blame everything on a certain medical condition, or a certain childhood experience, or maybe to rely on a certain legal loophole so they can pass on responsibility from themselves onto their circumstances.

Sometimes, I think things are taken too far when too many things are a person's own responsibility are blamed on a medical condition. Maybe people actually fool themselves into thinking they are more of a victim than they really are. But at the same time we must keep in mind that the medical conditions are very real, so it's hard to distinguish whether it's the actual condition or just self-victimization.

[Micman7]

Hmm... Seems like she has a problem - but odds are it's NOT depresion.
She just wants attention.

All people are equal,
Just some are more equal then others.
(In terms of mental well being. I remember that quote from a book I had to read back when I was in 2nd grade... I belive it was Animal Farm, correct me if I am wronge.)

:P G`day,
-Alan

[gofg]

Hell, she might be depressed. back when i was depressed, I wanted attention, but i was afraid I would be viewed as selfish. maybe she didn't care whether she was viewed as selfish or not.

[Meteor858]

hey I have a real depression issue like i see psyciatrists and stuff, and i can pretty much tell she is faking it. she just wants attention. ask her why she acts that way and tell her different ways to act if she really does have depression. for me i dunno i have tried to kill myself bout dunno8-11 times this past year. So if you need to know bout depression just ask me ill answer
-meteor858

[CMCAdvanced]

Trust me, she isn't depressed.
She wouldn't just shout "I'm depressed!!!" rather, she would silently tell her self that while cutting down the highway, not across the street.

[Cenright]

The mind can work wonders. With a placebo there to make the mind think that there is true relief, a person in a lot of pain can actually feel better after taking it. The thing is is that it is all in their mind.

It is incredible what the mind can do for itself.

[CMCAdvanced]

I like to think of it this way. Most people are just lost in miles and miles of bull****.
And I see no end to this road.
People just abuse things, and they always will.
People that have a placebo effecting them, are just weak minded. Mostly, from what I've seen

[Meteor858]

you make a forceful arguement and if you ever see her cutting you know theres something wrong trust me

[ayanepuck]

This is a little long, but I make valid points, I think...or at least I am trying.

Maybe I missed something, but in reading through all these posts, I didn't see anyone talking about this girl trying to get attention as a bad thing. She may not be depressed, but there is something wrong with a person who demads that much attention to his/herself.

About medication....I take medication for anxiety and depression, and it took a hella long time to find the one that fit me best. Medication does not always work (right away or ever,) and there are some that backfire and make matters worse. It is very difficult choosing medication when dealing with depression, anxiety, or both. As someone who suffers from both, I have sympathy for this girl in a way, but in another way I tend to agree with what is being said in here.

I do believe there are some people who use it as an excuse, (I go to school with some, and being a theatre major, I am bound to run into many more...) and I think that is sad, but I also see that as a problem. If a person needs to make up the fact that he/she is depressed, then that is a serious problem.

About cutting, I am also a former cutter. Nothing bothers me more, however, than a person who cuts on his/her arms and then wears short sleeve t-shirts or tank tops on purpose, just to let everyone know what is going on, and then pretends to cover them up later. That sickens me. Granted, there are times when one forgets that they have done that, and people see it (which is how I was found out) but a person who really has a cutting problem will not hint that they have one, and in most cases will go to great lengths to make sure that the cuts and/or scars are covered at all times.

I have come to terms with the scars left over on my arms and legs, and ocassionally I will look at them and feel exceedingly stupid for doing that to myself, but most of the time I try not to talk about it to people, because the attention received from something like that is never the kind of attention that should be sought after. The fact that this person is wanting that kind of attention is dangerous.

I will use my friend Taylor as an example. Taylor would have been 17 this January, instead she hanged herself in her room last April. I have a feeling that Taylor's intentions were not to kill herself, but rather, to get her mother's attention, and her mother just happened to stay out of the room a little longer than planned.

So rather than getting angry with this person, and making fun of her, attempt to help her to best of your abilities, which might include getting a parent or teacher involved. (I know this sounds after-school special-esque....but hey, I am trying.)

[Meteor858]

ayanepuck, I got some advice for you. Tell someone about your cutting. It can be anyone(preferably someone close to like a friends or relative) talkin will help the feeling of stupidity go away, and it may help wipe some bad thoughts from your mind.
Me for example, I cut, I don't hide it even though i know it might attract unwanted attention, it alerts others to the situation and may incourage them to help, but if they make fun of me or you anyone for it. WHO CARES if they do theyre obviously full of ****.

[Cenright]

ayane feels stupid because it was a stupid thing to do. Meteor, you must not have much of a braincell if you think cutting to be ok. ayane understands what her problem was. You though, still seem to have the problem, yet don't think anything of it. They make fun of you because of your stupidity. No one made fun of ayane, the feelings of stupidity came from her, and they should. To not want to remedy the problem means the person's mind is completely twisted and messed up, or they are a complete idiot.

[Meteor858]

Ummm.... no crap its a stupid thing to do and i dont like doing it one bit, but at the same time im not ashamed of it, and kids make fun of others for pretty much, hmm...... lets see here... everything

[Cenright]

She wasn't ashamed either, but she was feeling stupid for it. But we are talking about the people who flaunt it as a trophy.

[hatakikakashi]

I get depressed alot. But not all the time. You go in and out. Depression isn't some kind of disease that once you get it you've got it forever. She probably really does get depressed sometimes. Like when she thinks about how noone pays any attention to her unless she acts out. She may feel worthless, I know I do sometimes.

I used to cut myself mostly on my chest and shoulders( so that noone would be able to see them.) then one time it got real bad and I cut all up and down my left forearm, I don't know why I did that. but after everyone saw them and told me how dumb I was I stoped doing it. I've got several bad scars now and they'll be there for the rest of my life. I still can't figure out what (if anything) was going through my mind. At first they were more like scratches than cuts but then I started using razors. I wish I could take them all back.

[GuidoHunter]

Depression isn't some kind of disease that once you get it you've got it forever.

Plenty of people would jump at the chance to refute you. If it's not considered a disease why are there so many medications out there for it?

Oh, and ayane wasn't secretive about her cutting at all, and getting her friends involved was one of the best things to get her to stop.

--Guido

http://andy.mikee385.com

[sleeplessdragn]

The thinking behind the act of cutting varies widely depending on the person and how they feel about themselves and what they feel others are thinking about them. What must be understood is that cutting is not always a sign of depression, but the two can be connected.

The most common cause of self-infliction is due to an extreme internal feeling of pain and a desire to portray that pain physically, as a sort of release. Others feel that it is necessary to cut because internally they believe that pity can grow from such an act, and this form of thinking involves low self-esteem and a need for attention. Guido, getting friends involved is sometimes not such a good thing to do, because it matters greatly on what the motive to cut was. Involving other people can sometimes add to the fire, since it may cause feelings of insecruity. However, realizing and accepting the problem, and then going to counseling always has positive results.

And depression is considered a mental disease, and just like certain cancers, it is possible to be treated; yet untreated it can easily become worse.

[hatakikakashi]

Ok One just because there is medication for it, doesn't make it a disease. Two, that wasn't the point I was making. The point I was trying to get across in that sentence is that depression comes and goes, It's not a CONSTANT INCUREABLE disease that you will have FOREVER If I were to say AIDS isn't a disease that you know you have right after you contract it. I wouldn't be saying that aids isn't a disease. :roll:

[hEaLiNgViSiOnAnGeLicMiX]

Wow I thought this this thread died ages ago. Guess not, but I have something to add to it...to give you more info on "Kathy"

As I had said in the first post, Kathy chose the topic of 'Depression' for her french speech. She presented this speech on Monday. The way she spoke... it just really... confused me. She called it "My Story of Depression" At the beginning she spoke briefly of what depression is, what the symptoms may appear to be, how to get help, etc. Then she spoke of her 'own experience' with deprsesion. It was...so awkward(sp?) She said hte following.

"Quelques fois, j'ai caché mes pillules dans mes tirroirs parce que je ne voulais pas accepter que j'avais une 'maladie!" Mais plus tard, mon dépression est devenue plus pire, et ma mère a trouvé toute les médicaments que j'ai caché!"

Meaning: "Sometimes, I would hide my pills in the my droors because I just didn't want to acept hte fact that I was 'sick'. But later on, my depression became worse, and soon enough my mother found the pills that I had hidden away." This started to make me think that...maybe she really DOES have some sort of serious depression? If she refused to accept the fact that she was depressed, and this whole 'depression' issue was just in her mind, why would it seem to her that her symptoms had worsened?

At the same time, her voice and expression confused me more. She was HAPPY and SMILING. I've known Kathy all my life almost, I've competed with her on multiple occasions during oratory contests. She normally uses the ton of voice that would show how she feels about whatever topic she is talking about. Her expression this time? HAPPINESS. As she spoke the words I quoted above (and pretty much the rest of the speech) she was smiling, not only that but she would not help but throw out a small chuckle or giggle.

It's just that to me...she seemed way to happy to be talking about what she was going through. What you guys said about 'telling people and getting help' was right, but if this is her way of 'asking for help' I personally interpret it as "HEY I'M DEPRESSED WANNA HELP ME?! YEAH I REALLY NEED HELP! PLEASE?! :d:o" I just don't get it.

[hatakikakashi]

suffering from depression(the disease) doesn't mean your sad all the time. You can laugh and have fun too.

[Snowcraftanyo]

I really see nothing wrong with being depressed. It's bound to happen, and all of us experiance it. As for attention-whoring, it comes from a resonable perspective. Meaning, when your down, blue, alone, you ust want people to know your there, so openly displaying it is alright, as long as it isnt an OH LOOK AT ME! fashon. So my overall thoughts are depression is alright in the right times. But dont abuse it.

[GuidoHunter]

It's bound to happen, and all of us experiance it.

No.

First off, not everyone suffers from depression. As for just being down every once and a while, I haven't felt bad in I-don't-know-how-long, which is at least seven years, but probably longer.

--Guido

http://andy.mikee385.com

[sleeplessdragn]

Many teenagers mistake hormones for depression. This is why I am always skeptical when someone says they in fact are depressed. While many may feel "depressed" if their dog dies, in a few weeks they are quite normal again. If the same person were depressed, the recovery time would be much, much greater, if even at all. And the same mistake cannot be made about being pessimistic either. I, myself, am a very pessimistic (or as I like to say "realistic") person, and many people have mistaken that for depression.

My statement-"People die everyday, I've learned to get over it. You and I are both going to die at one point."
The response I am given-"omg he's SO depressed, he wants to kill himself!"

[Meteor858]

Dragon that gets me to thinkin do i really have depression, or is it just hormones startin to screw with me? I dunno but im still pretty sure i got depression.
Well as for Kathy,
I'm not sure why she would be smiling while talkin bout that, but I think its possible that she feels better knowing that shes seeking help by telling others.
At the same time though, she could be fine, I suggest you watch her closely and search up depression on the internet from www.hopeline.com they have good links and facts about depression and suicide and stuff like it.
-meteor

[ayanepuck]

I know this "thread died ages ago..." but I wanted to see the posts left after my essay of a comment...and I wanted to clear something up. I have already told people about my cutting, and that is why I stopped. Guidohunter was right about the fact that I wasn't secretive (later) but I was secretive at first because it was an outlet for pain that I was feeling internally, and I was quite content with doing it at the time. Eventually, however, one person found out, and she told some of my friends, and so on....and I decided the best thing to do was to be honest with all my friends and every one of them were very supportive and I eventually stopped.
Okay, now that I feel better, I promise I won't bring this back up.

[pntballa18]

If you TRULY think she is doing this for attention,then ignore her. When she doesnt get any attention, she will stop acting depressed(if she is acting). If that doesnt work then just let her do what she does. It cant get that annoying.

[FlashStinger]

Well, thread can be brought back into light. It seems to me that Kathy may very well be depressed, but without being in her mind or seeing how she behaves at home, we can't assume anything. It seems as though she is, but many people with depression also show signs of Bi-Polar Disorder and schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is not really common but it happens. Another ailement often associated with depression is "putting on a facade, or mask" when around people. This is a defence mechanism that involes the depressee, if you will, acting happy and even giggling in order to compensate for the depressive feelings. Kathy seems to do this at times, although it doesn't seem to be the same thing. She does seem to be wanting attention, which is 1 sign of depression, but she doesn't really show any other symptoms(besides the slightly Bi-Polar action of running out of the room crying). In my opinion, she is but isn't at the same time. She may have had it, but it has been cured. I also believe depression is cureable, and it is the constant thinking that you will ALWAYS be depressed that makes you always be depressed. Kind of like an internal placebo.

-Stinger

[hatakikakashi]

The facade idea =good depression is curable or at least treatable, I agree. Other that that I have nothing worth saying right this minute. Even that wasn't worth your time.

I'm very sad today and can't think anything worthwhile to contribute. I'm tearing up right now for no good reason. I hate how I've wasted my life so far but I have to ... just keep going. I've screwed up badly and things are getting harder for me. I can't still fix things but it's just so hard, and I'm so tired. When I get this way I don't want to do anything all I want is to be left alone, curl up into a ball and cry like a little baby.
It's literally hard for me to get up and walk around and I feel so cold. After a while I think about what a wuss I'm being and it either makes me feel more sad and it gets worse or I get very angry. When I'm angry it's hard for me to sit still, I'll still be crying but it's more like rage than sadness, my heart pounds so hard I think it's fixing to give out I'll start to get very hot like I'm sick and running a fever and I scream( into my pillow so that noone hears), I scream and scream as loud as I can but noone comes to help me. I scream until I get dizzy and pass out. (Sometimes I pretend that I'm dying) then I wake up and feel better. I don't do this very often. More often than not I just stay still and cry untill I fall asleep and wake up feeling better, or not sometimes I still feel like ****. Other times I just bottle it up and "save it for later" I don't cry and don't rage I just push it into the back of my mind and say I'll worry about this later. That's when I get in trouble for hurting people, someone will do something that really isn't that bad and then I'll just cut loose on them. I hate this about myself. At school I was suspended for hitting a kid for bumping into me in the hall. He told me that I was an idiot and to watch where I was going. I normally would've just ignored him but I wasn't thinking. I just snapped and suckerpunched him in the face and beat him senseless until people pulled me off of him. That's when they sent me to the hospital for "psyciatric evaluation" as they put it. It was either that or go to jail.

But I guess that's too much info and noone here cares anyway so I'll leave you guys alone for now.

-edit- I didn't mean to ramble on for so long

[Meteor858]

hey hataki im there with ya man.
things suck but you will eventually feel better. for once im feeling good

and i like it
i might try to become an optimist

i g2g2 bed
cya

[ringzing]

i know a chick like that she is just needing for the attention its basic phsycology. she doesnt have any friends, she seems not to have any skills so she goes for the guilt trip and says she is depressed. its really low

[Meteor858]

ringzing... you cant be too sure everyone has different reasons for acting the way they do so i guess its kinda hard to tell with Kathy
It seems like a strange situation and that may be true but who knows?

[aracelibercelle]

Hell yes she's just trying to get special treatment. It's the classic, "I'm hurt so I require special accomodations otherwise I'll never get far in life and die." You can tell when she states, "This is how you treat a depressed person?" as a rebuttal for no one wanting her as a leader. She's using that so everyone will feel high and mighty sad for her and let her soak up the glory. I take it that she thinks her "condition" makes her unique, even though thousands of people, especially teenagers, suffer depression. She doesn't realize...no one cares. At least not unless they're particularly close to her. But going up to some new kid and flaunting her "happy pills" in his face was most likely a hopeless attempt at getting him to notice her--her "uniqueness." Since he didn't really know her, and that was his first impression...he probably just thought she was eff'd and unstable. Or just a dayum liar.

I go with just a dayum liar.

[Rediahs]

In general, adolescents experience depression in a much different way than adults.

A teenager with depression may perk up noticably on social occasions, do normal teenager things, like at parties they will be very happy, get drunk, have sex, etc... the normal stupid and non-depressed types of things teenagers do. Teenagers with depression often suffer as two people; they are excitable and peppy around people, but they feel the real effects of their depression when they are alone, or sometimes when they are with family.

Speaking in generalities, if an adult has depression, nothing can shake him out of it. But if an adolescent has depression, he will often seem completely normal. Teenagers are more easily influenced by their environment and/or social surroundings. You put an adult with a bunch of happy adults and they won't feel keen to be accepted as normal, but a teenager will want to do anything to be seen as normal.

Some young people do break that rule though. As you said, you know three other people with depression who act more somber. I would say these types of teenagers are generally the exception and not the norm. They are probably more mature than your "proud to be depressed" friend is.

If she is recieving medication, I would believe that she is depressed.

Teens will often make light of the situation or reverse it. They just want to fit in.

I know this crap because I did a huge research paper on depression in teenagers earlier this year. If anyone would like to see it I'd be happy to share it with them. IIRC it has 10-20 sources and is 10-20 pages long with 4 or 5 main topics of study.

[QreepyBORIS]

Christie is overqualified.

Jesus. Quit waving proof at us.

[TehWhack]

"Kathy" is not seeking attention, she is suffering from depression. The thing about this kind of depression though is that it is pent up through aggression of every day life. This will vary in different invironments which can make here have different personalities at school and at home due to the fact that she has much less anger at school (or home). Regardless, this person may seem to be "faking it", but that's only because she's more confident at school. She is slightly suicidal, but its nothing to be worried about either.

Depression is truely a vague topic.

[Eyoshi]

A vague topic, indeed. I am thinking that "Kathy" was using depression as an excuse because while one could have different moods varying from place to place, I think if one were to be truely depressed, that person would feel depressed at any place. Also, while a person might be cheerful even when depressed, I doubt the person would be boastful about it, nor use it as a tool for getting people to do things his/her way, as this would count as being manipulative, not depressed.

[emptiness]

i blame depression for my lack of motivation and enthusiasm at work....or maybe i just hate work so much

[Vamps]

Um... If she takes medicine... why is she depressed? Isn't that supposed to like... make her happy? Like the commercial with the little white blob guy, and he's all sad. Then when it introduces the medicine, and shows how it works, he gets all happy and bouncy and chases a butterfly(?). Depression is a state of mind. These people who think they're depressed just need something to open their eyes and show them how to be happy, and I'm not talking about medication. That said, there are plenty of dumb kids who fake being depressed for the stupidest reason of all: attention. This sounds like 'Kathy'. They get people to see they're depressed or even suicidal so they will get attention. And they're too blind to see it's all fake. They don't like the depressed kid, they're worried about her killing herself or trying to cheer her up. I don't know about your status with Kathy, but I've never seen a fake-depressed kid with real friends (other than kids doing the same thing). Like I said, state of mind.


I am sooooo sick of hearing that depression is a state of mind! If you dont know anything about depression....its probably wise to do some research before you post about it! Depression CAN be a state of mind...but not usually! Eg. Some people are born with depression...it can be a genetic thing....

Mytham, I'm not positive on this (because I don't know firsthand), but I've heard that anti-depressants really screw with the body.

It doesn't just make people on them perfectly happy, it messes with other stuff as well. That's why some people don't want to use anti-depressants.

Yes...anti-depressants...prozac in particular...DO screw with the body...well...some peoples bodys. I was on prozac for 4 years...the last 2 of those 4 years...i was on 2 a day....ended up feeling so monotonously sick...and so constantly drowsy that i took myself off them...the way your not supposed to...without slowly taking my doasge down...and once all those chemicals where out of my system....i started actually being able to get up for school in the morning! I DO NOT RECCOMEND THAT ANYONE DOES THIS!!!

As for this "Kathy"....she may actually have depression....and this may be her cry for help...but on the other hand...she may have some other disorder....again...a cry for help...or she may have problems at home and this is a cry for attention because she may not get the attention she wants/needs at home.

[senate7377]

It's an excuse for a TON of students.

The good rule of thumb is to see if they show it off. That means they're just attention-grabbing mongrels.

I know a friend of mine claims he is under depression but he's completely lying about it. He has the pills and everything too.

~Squeek

BINGO!

However, its an excuse for EVERYONE. Even in the "real world" people calim depression to varying degrees (manic and otherwise), anxiety, ADD, ADHD, PTSS (Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome - was called Shell Shock for a bit)pick something.

Everyone has bouts of depression, this that make us upset, but by no means is that true depression. It comes from the social need to place labels for understanding and catagorization. I guess is that the girl could be upset over something going on in her life, but depression - TRUE depression is something that is actually very rare. It amazing how 50 years ago... people suffered with the same symptoms ans socially we were fine. Today, there are more mental "illnesses" than people onthe planet...and we have a hard time coping. BAH pussy modern society - wah wah wah.... then again it goes back to personal acceptance of surroundings and ongoings...

[Vamps]

I'd like to make a note that "true" depression is not "very rare"....as a matter of fact...it's not rare at all! I dislike the people that try and tell people that they are depressed....when in fact they are simply feeling really down. If they were depressed...they would have lost the will to live...and not just because they got some stupid mark in they're maths test or they lost their boy friend! But just because there are alot of people that cry depression like the boy cried wolf....doesnt mean that "true" depression is rare.

[senate7377]

I'd like to make a note that "true" depression is not "very rare"....as a matter of fact...it's not rare at all! I dislike the people that try and tell people that they are depressed....when in fact they are simply feeling really down.

But just because there are alot of people that cry depression like the boy cried wolf....doesnt mean that "true" depression is rare.

Your statement conflics with itself here. The more of something fake you add in a mix, the less of the real element becomes. THis means that true depression, based upon your own statement, is rare. If you buy juice at a store and it says 10% real juice, then the amount of real juice in comparison is pretty damn rare. Same thing here.

While yes, you can be born with depression, its RARELY genetic, more commonly a chemical imbalance, and more common still to be a state of mind. States of mind do not need medicine just therepy and support. Chemical imbalances do, and genetics... well thats therepy and medicine. Lots of people take medicine for depression even if its a state of mind simply because of conditioning. We feel that we cant have things fixed without pills... pills solve everything. They don't but its what we think. Prozac is a pretty common Rx. Effexor and Lithium are common now as well. Lithuium more so today than 10 years ago. IS this to say that the number of people who are depressed have also increased. More than likely no. Not at all. I wonder about your prozac prescrition. Did you also have anxiety? Prozac has been pretty much ruled out as an anti-depressant becuase of the adverse efftecs it has on your body...mainly the increased risk in suicide when changing doeses or coming off of it completely. THis is expected wheen you introduce a chemical to the brain, then alter that. Its a basic chemical dependancy

I dont doubt there are people who do suffer from depression, and I agree that its an overused term, much like ADD and ADHD. It has become an convienant excuse for kids to run around and not take responsibility for their actions. I'm sure kids act out in frear, anger, or whatever...but its not because they are depressed. Its something completely different and neither the child nor the parent wants to work through what it is.

As a person who as a child acted out a lot, my mother would sit me down every time and ask "why?". I HATED tthe two hour lectures and the grill sessions that were nothing more than "WHY?". I couldnt begin to tell you the reasons for half of the stuff I did. However, in hindsight, I realized that the questions being asked might not have been the right questions coupled with my unwillingness to talk abotu how I felt. Had my mother said "What were you feeling when you did that?" I may have responded with an answer that, togehter we could have worked through to find the real answer. Instead they took me t o a shrink, who suggested I be admitted to an institue and that I had ADD with bouts of dpression. How generic can you get?. I wasnt upset at anything really, I never honestly contemplated suicied, nor did I dwell on thoughts that brought about sadness and anxiety. I didnt and havent ever thought I suffered from depression. I was surrounded by close to 100 other kids who were there because of supposedly the same thing. Like me, most of them didnt appear to really be depressed and the medication we were all on was for ADD (at the time it was imipremene, but its given to insomniacs now. Aderol and other Rx turned rec. drugs are given out now), so we werent really beiong "treatd" for depression... why then was it a diagnosis? My guess is becaue its a catch all. THe doctor cant really pin point it, so they diagnose you with something generic and treat the symptoms instead of the illness. Its not the persons fault that they believe themselves to be depressed when the diagnosis is handed out like candy.

SO, yes - true depression is rare, but only becaue the label is handed out freely. I think that if someone is going to claim that they are depressed, they should at least look it up and understand what it is and recognize that they may only have 1 of the 5 major symptoms and 3 of the 10 minor ones. Someone cant pay attention to something for a few minutes and suddenly they have ADD... depression isnt much different in that aspect.

You guys can sit and tell me that you have this and that or feel this way or whatever, but... if you think you're life sucks now... leave highschool and dont have mom and dad to fall back on. THose of you who think you already DONT have mom and dad to fall back on, you do, but you choose not to. Im almost certain that if you really really needed it - your parents would be right there for you... however, moving away nad living on your own - this will not happen, especially when they pass on. How will you cope then? Lots of the kids that claim depression and other illness based upon 2 or three minor things need to really wake up and realize - **** aint that bad after all. Sure, there is someone whos got it better - but theres someone whos got it worse too...

in looking up anti-depressants I stubled upon this and read it - its a pretty interesting...

http://www.socialaudit.org.uk/

this one I've known abot since one of my exs was on Prozac AND Lithium...hey I didnt prescribe it, her shrink did...

http://www.prozactruth.com/

So you'll see that a lot of social arguments for the commonplace of depression are indeed, false or at least not completely accurate. Lots of stuff goes on int he psych drug world... its a conspiracy for money is all it is... so sit there and be "depressed" - its making someone rich[/url]


Oh, and for the ones that want to stick to "well my doctor said.... and he knows more than you do on this issue..." Yes, he does and hes a doctor - listen to your doctor, but realize that paychology is more theory, label making, and educated guesses than hard solid evidence.

[Vamps]

I guess i did make a pretty stupid mistake there didnt i? Well..im only human.....
Just to...i dont know...blab on about nothing i guess...you mentioned at the end there about "my doctor sed so im sticking to it"....im just letting you know...that after watching my grandma and my mum since i was old enough to understand what was going on around me....and from being told by the many different doctors and whatever that i've been to...ive come to the conclusion that im one of the "lucky"*sarcasm* few......
But i do agree that prozac does form a chemical dependance...one of my friends decided to take herself off prozac the same way i did...and she had no real need to be on it anyways....and she went through some pretty crappy...what im going to call...withdrawal symptoms...
I mentioned a book in a post in another thread...and i'll mention it again in here....Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzle (sp?)...it's an autobiography of Elizabeth and her depression....they turned it into a movie...and im not sure how popular either of them are in America...but not many people know of them in Australia....but i swear by that book....she does an excelent job of putting what she was thinking and feeling into writing....a gift only the greatest writers posess. I reccomend you read it if you havent already.

[senate7377]

vamps - its ok man, its pretty easy to make a condradictory statement when you read about something and you just type as you think. It happens. I do it too.. I'll check that book out - I read one about het FDA and the conspiracies they had in teh past ot make a quick buck on chemical dependancies and how the doctors in some cases are told to only prescribe a certain drug, even though its usually not the right one. In turn the Drs would get a percentage of the prescriptions given... Its pretty sad really. It caused me to rethink the trust in the medical field, and now I dont really even go to teh Dr aside from a physical or the dentist. They prescribe me pills for hte flu or something... unless its amoxacillin - I'm not really down with it. I've always kind of felt that it weaken the immune system over time anyway and creates a inability to compe with certain aspects of stuff...

Prozac withdrawl is not a pretty thing... Lithium is REAL bad... like I said my EX was on lithium and just one day stopped... that was a big bag of insane coated in crazy...

However, back on topic...

Yeha, its always beneficial that if your doctor says you have a mental ilness, you read not only what pamphlets he hands you ablout it, but also a bit or personal research so that you and the doctor can maybe figure something more out... I'll check that book out though, thanks

[Vamps]

Hey Senate....im a chick XD....i guess we are all human :P:P
Yea...i agree...prozac withdrawals aint bad compared to alot of other...much heavier drugs....but for some1 who's not used to any form of drug in their body....it isnt a pretty sight....
Im with you on going to the doctors....i avoid them at all costs....but as im 16...that can be a bit hard sometimes...mum kinda likes me to go when im sick XD lol.
trying not to sound too young and stupid....but whats the FDA (if its something i already knew...i will not be happy with myself:P:P:P...its 3.30 am!!!)....that sounds like an interesting read though....

[Rediahs]

Withdrawing from anti-depressants accounts for many, many suicides. Basically, withdrawing from Prozac or something similar is a risk to your life. Suicides while on the medication are rare, but suicides while withdrawing are all too common.

Most suicides and attempts "caused" by Prozac were from not taking the medication correctly.

Basically, Prozac is GOOD for people whom it works on, and who do not suffer debilitating side-effects from the drug, and who have somebody to make sure, very intently, that they take their medication as prescribed. It is VERY GOOD and VERY SAFE when taken in this manner. It PREVENTS suicide, doens't cause it.

Prozac is BAD for people who suffer bad side effects that lower their quality of life, people who it appears not to affect/help, or people who have trouble taking all their medication or who stop taking it. VERY BAD. These are the people at risk for suicide while ON the medication.

So as you can see... Prozac works for some, but not all. It's a godsend for some. But withdrawl or non-effectiveness can "cause" suicide in others. It's not the Prozac doing it...

[senate7377]

um... Vamps - yeah sorry... I guess we are all human

Red - I never said prozac was dong it, I said be informed and pay attention to the effects of - in so many ways. ALL medications are good for some and not good for others. However, its handed out like candy, leading us to believe it is good for all. Its good you realize it is not.

[Chocoborider29]

True depression and "I FALL SHORT OF GOTH, CALL ME EMO" depression are different. You are talking about the same people who go home and get *ahem* "depressed" because of daily chores. Those people really are emo, but without reason. But now, lets look at a friend of mine. Caitlyn. Caitlyn lives with a family of 17. She has both parents, but maybe not for long. You see, her dad hates the kids. He often hits them, kicks them, and curses them with wicked phrases under his breath. He hates them because they aren't perfect. Past that, recently her mother got out of the hospital from a close-to-fatal motorcycle accident, and a deadly lung disease. While the mother of this familywas in the hosplital, nobody was there to keep the father under control. Caitlyn was amongst many in a large tribulation, but nobody was as low as she was.

During that time, she contemplated suicide. I was there to help her out, but she still was miserable. But lo and behold, after it was all said and done, she left with more than she entered with! Now their family is looking at a gain of 3 million dollars through courtship, and her siblinds are better bonded. They have gone many places since then, and life just got...well...peachy.

Now I know it sounds like a fairy tale. Like just a story. But this happens to everyone. Live through the hard times, and you'll gain. Patience IS key.

Now, tell me....is it wrong to be depressed. No, it isn't. But unless you are still in the middle of a trial, don't whine about your status.

~~Micah-D2~~

[Rediahs]

senate, I know, I'm not here to argue with anyone; just here to state my opinion and little more than that.

Chocoborider, the nature of depression is without reason. It is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, not by external events. When bad things happen, people get "depressed", but that doesn't mean they have "depression". Depression is a medical condition. You don't need a reason. Your brain just does it and you feel horrible. You could be the luckiest person earth who should be happy as a clam, but if you have depression, you will be unhappy.

[chocoborider30]

I see point

[TehWhack]

I forgot to mention my opinion on depression itself; Psychology has been made a mockery over the past few years because of depression. This happens because America's youth is spoiled and will get emotional over spilt milk. Not only that, but it's a fad now to have depression; some people like calling this fad "emo" for short.

Edit: Depression IS a medical condition, but it's not precise to assume the purpose of it is because of chemical imbalances in the brain. Medical experts believe that the imbalance is the reason, but no one is really sure yet.

[-Skooter-]

After reading this, as well as the suicide thread, I've decided to post.

I feel that part of the major conflict with threads like these, are that people arescared to say how they really feel about it, for fear of there being someone on FFR who coincidentally REALLY is suffering from a depressive disorder.

Vamps, I have grown to dislike you. It's very hard for me to say that I dislike people, especially people that I can't say that I very well know, or am even the slightest familiar with. You come off to me as fake, young, and most of all, contradictory.

1. You said that in order to post about depression, that we should "first do our research on the matter"... You also stated in that post, that a majority of depression is clinical. Well maybe, if YOU did YOUR research, you would see that in all reality less than 15 percent of "depression", is notified clinical. Leaving 85 percent, psychological.

2. It is VERY inconsiderate for you to assume, that the people posting, that they DO believe that depression is becoming an excuse, are simply posting that because they don't have any experience. Well guess what? Depression IS AN EXCUSE. IT IS THE EASY WAY OUT. It is the balance of you not having to deal with your problems, but placing them on someone else, while also accepting uneccesary comfort. Don't feed me this **** about you knowing more than I do either, I am clinically Bi-Polar.

That's right, I have a clinical imbalance, and I am one of the happiest people you would probably ever meet. My mother is an active cocaine abuser, who also has a heart condition. My father is in Jail, has been for two years, and my dad, died after being hit by a car. I grew up in DC away from ANY of my other family...and ya know what? I'M PERFECTLY HAPPY. I came out okay, it was hard, but I'm not upset. I don't attempt to harm myself, and I have many friends, go many places, do many things, and am a very healthy and responsible person. I've moved out of my house, I work, I am finishing school....and I'm not even 18 yet.

Explain to me, why it's any different for anyone else. To be perfectly honest you could have saved yourself a lot of typing, because you have the same bull**** sap story that I hear from every other hot topic flame kid. It's sincerely stupid. As is the belief that being depressed is everything elses fault. It's not, it's your fault.

You have the power and the will to overcome thing. You must, I mean after all aren't you the one that said you can have the will to die? So why not the will to live? YOU make that choice. YOU are given the right to decide which is more important to you, and YOU can change things.

I'm ick of idiot kids impressing upon the fact that black eye liner, and baggy pants make them sad and lonely people who are deprived and need attention, and love. BULL****. Face it, you're not too damn deprived if you can shop at Hot Topic, they're ****ing expensive.

Somewhere out there, someone has it a lot worse than you. They haven't complained, or attempted to kill themselves, so what right do you have? Don't give me that **** about it's not a choice, yes it is, and if you believe differently, than you're an idiot. About that drug ****, I'm supposed to take Lithium, and I don't ...If you know it's bad, and you take it anyways, that makes it your fault because you had the choice not too.

Grow up and be realistic, as much as everyone likes to deny it, and remain in that rebellious state... You have to realize that you one day have to become a functioning adult and things are going to be a lot harder then than they are now. Even the decisions.

My point is this, You can't bitch and moan your way through life. Complaining never got anyone, anything.

[Feox]

This girl needs esctasy for her depresion!!! everybody loves them happy pills!

[YungYung]

This girl needs esctasy for her depresion!!! everybody loves them happy pills!

Get out of CT.

[Tokzic]

When it comes to people who act depressed to get attention, I get annoyed. I knew one girl who was supposedly "suicidal" and built this whole story up for her life. She told me, "The love of my life overdosed on pot and then he came up to me all high and collapsed in my arms, he died and my last words were 'I hate you'!" Later on, I found out she had made this entire thing up in Drama class and liked it so much she decided she'd act like it's real. Unfortunately, this girl was attracted to me, and she would not leave me alone despite the fact that I told her I had a girlfriend.

Here's what she told me: "Jared, I don't know if I can go on without you, but I think your girlfriend can because she's not depressed." Essentially, she wanted me to dump my girlfriend for her just because she said she'd kill herself if I didn't. Of course, I said no and she didn't, because she's a liar. She isn't depressed and does it for attention and uses it as a tool to get what she wants. It's manipulative and really low - I don't associate with her anymore.

[Anuj]

After reading some of Skooter's posts, I feel like completely reforming my typing style... Thanks Skooter, you've inspired me to type properly, and my respect for you has grown immensely.

[chuandyou]

I put this in a different topic: The way they were raised shows them not to look at the things that are good and positive, but the things that are bad an negative. They essentially dig themselves in a hole and bury themselves alive with the shovel their parents gave them. (its a metaphor, dumb f**k)

People are just about as happy as they make themselves up to be

Just tell her to think about happy things. If she says that her pills will help her the most, just tell her that mind is over matter. A smile is indeed the best medicine in alot of scientific studies. If she doesn't want to be happy, tell her to pretend. Whenever I pretend that I like a subject that I really hate, I trick my brain into liking it. I guess it's part of the acting thing. You said you were part of the drama club or something? Well, if she says she doesn't want to pretend, she should quit acting. Think up things for what i didn't already cover

Depression is not an excuse. My father and my father's father have been suffering depresion. The gene missed me, but it's funny how an emmotion can actually be genetic.

(Note i didn't want you to see: The different topic I put it on was the suicide topic! :shock: )

[Meteor858]

I dont think that the whole, "pretend and it will make you happy" thing will work for anyone. My friends told me to do that once and it only made me feel that who i really am isnt good enough so it only made me attempt suicide over and over again....

-damn i just realized how serious my depression is O_O

[lord_carbo]

I dont think that the whole, "pretend and it will make you happy" thing will work for anyone. My friends told me to do that once and it only made me feel that who i really am isnt good enough so it only made me attempt suicide over and over again....

-damn i just realized how serious my depression is O_O

Way to raise a dead topic. Yeah, that took a lot of critical thinking. -__-