Of course, hyperbole leads us to say it is a need when it isn't. — Banno

What do you mean by that @Banno?

Thanks Baden. If something needs to be edited please let me know @fdrake.

Can I get a reason why this thread was moved to The Lounge area?

Your posts are all about you. They just are. We're not exactly talking about Kant here are we? — Hanover

There really isn't anything that I'm bragging about here. And, again you make the mistake that all my topics are about me, when I took the time and effort at addressing every post directed at me, and by other members that are depressed.

Instantly, as in right now, Google volunteer opportunities in your area and tomorrow you bag food for the homeless, you plant trees in parks, you shelve books at the library, you point patients in the right direction from the hospital help desk, you do whatever. Now you know how to do it. What's your next excuse for not doing it? — Hanover

Depression? It's like we're talking about the same thing; but, at different spectrums here.

Regarding the claim you made @Hanover, about me being egocentric. I don't think that's entirely true given the nature of the topic. Character deficiencies, wallowing, sadness, and such.

I think that comment was out of context.

OK, then cheers for getting out of your slumps. I'll try and complain less if that bothers you.

I have a tendency to give up when things become difficult. Hence my streak in life of dropping out of college, or jobs.

I, however, do think it is a character deficiency on my part; but, don't know any methods at instantly becoming a better person.

Just ploughing on, and being creative especially. And being disciplined about intake of media etc. Activity over passivity, I suppose. — Baden

You don't sound like the type that complains. I do it excessively. Anyway, kudos to you for getting out of your depression.

Yes, I have been but kind of know how to control it now. Sort of. — Baden

Then, is it a matter of discipline or willpower that has lifted you from your slump?

Sure, situationally related to to particularly stressful events, but I haven't suffered from generalized depression with no isolated source, — Hanover

But, you've never actually felt depressed for prolonged periods of time, yes?

You shouldn't take psychedelics because you're not otherwise doing well. That's my advice to you. My other advice to you is to stop pretending like you have no ego. It's like this thing you like to say, but nothing is more obvious than how egocentric you are. In fact, fewer and fewer threads by you are about anything but you. — Hanover

That's like trying to pull the rug from under your feet. I can't reference myself without invoking my ego. I don't gratify it however. It just is.

@Baden@Hanover

Have any of you ever been depressed?

Oh dear, once again my boat has been sunken by the moderators.

Is this not sufficiently philosophical enough to remain on the front page? Trying to cooperate here.

Maybe I should have recommended a kitten. — macrosoft

A cat would be nice. :)

That was awesome negative psychology. Now, I know how to become more miserable. Thanks!

Also, I learned recently that psychedelics can effectively treat depression. Unfortunately they’re illegal though. It’s believe that they can help to breakup mental patterns (including depressive patterns, apparently). — praxis

Yes, psychedelics can help. But, I learned the hard way of once taking magic mushrooms and experiencing ego death and complete horror at the whole experience. It was a psychotic state to not want to be in.

Here's one for you:

Depression can be managed or cured, I believe, but it takes some discipline. — praxis

Yeah, if there's one thing that I need to work on is self-discipline. I'm hopelessly deficient in that.

Hope your anxiety has subsided. I can't stand being anxious and would take depression any day over anxiety.

You must identify what is causing you to be depressed, and then solve the issue(s). There is no other way. — matt

Heh, easier said than done. Thanks anyway.

Also, how does THC affect you? — macrosoft

Mostly paranoia and anxiety. I don't like how THC affects my mood. I always been that doom feeling like I'm doing something wrong.

What was the definition of wants and needs? Is it exclusively material? — NuncAmissa

It can be material or spiritual depending on how you view things.

I don't find writing helpful at the moment although I am considering writing something fictional as therapy. But it does help some people. — Andrew4Handel

Again, I'm quite too depressed to engage myself in such a healthy pursuit.

In the end either you can cope with your life or you can't and it feels almost like a lottery. Don't feel to bad about it. — Andrew4Handel

Yeah, what's left for some of us is just to cope. I'm setting my expectations ultra-low nowadays.

I have tried various things but I am still trying something new at the moment . I feel like the right therapist might be able to delve deeply into your mind and give advice that way. I don't think anyone here is likely to give you better advice. — Andrew4Handel

:up:

Thanks.

I simply do not get depressed. — hks

Hmm, good for you then. So, what else can you share with us that has helped you? I like to think that life can persist after I'm gone. Maybe someone will be better able to appreciate life than I do now.

Have you tried any changes to your diet and exercise habits? — Nils Loc

Too depressed to take the steps to implement any changes at the moment. I got stuck with wallowing.

Anything is a lot to ask for someone who may feel like they are trapped in the bottom of a damp well, wrapped in a straitjacket with a bag over there head. — Nils Loc

Agreed. That's one predicament to get stuck in.

I think the wonder of adulthood is different than the naive wonder of childhood. — Andrew4Handel

Yes, true. My own remedy to that solution is lacking. I ruminate a lot, as you might have guessed by now.

I believe some clarification is needed. To whom is this "Wants and Needs" addressed? — NuncAmissa

Anyone really. Not going to pick out or typify anyone here.

They only cope. They do not recover. — hks

Indeed. So, how do you cope with depression then?

It is probably worth just continuing different treatments. — Andrew4Handel

I've tried so many. Dunno what's left to do about the depression. I even tried disidentifying with my depression, to no avail due to its intrinsic nature.

Everybody does. — hks

Hmm, having a purpose in life can be fulfilled; but, I digress.

Have you tried writing about your feelings and analyzing them that way?. — Andrew4Handel

I have tried that. Nothing seems to want to surface. I feel like I might be repressing a lot of crap. I don't know how to access it.

I don't know if I want to recapture the wonder of life or rather create a new more realistic wonder. — Andrew4Handel

Is this another way of stating disenfranchisement with adult life?

If a depression is largely biological then it might require brain intervention more than behavioral intervention. If your childhood felt good then maybe adulthood is too much a disappointment? — Andrew4Handel

Indeed. Adult life has been nothing but pain and sorrow for me. I want to go back!

I am quite sympathetic to the Freudian unconscious. I think we might repress or forget the source of our mental distress and have repressed anger etc. For example my parents were not affectionate and so I did not expect it from them so now I am closed off emotionally. I feel uncomfortable with affection and feel I don't need it. I am quite certain that a lot of events from childhood have affected my psyche where I find it hard to renormalize my world view. I think it is going to be hard to ever get my self esteem back. — Andrew4Handel

What's self-esteem? I have a notoriously low self-esteem.

Apparently MDMA/ecstasy is now being explored for use on depression. Some recreational drugs and up being adopted in medicine. — Andrew4Handel

Ketamine is a drug that I haven't tried but making the news recently. I don't have enough money to visit a ketamine clinic, and my psychotic disorder would prevent me from trying it in controlled settings. Oh well. I guess it's more SSRI's for me.

In my opinion definitely a need. — hks

Ah, an opinion. I've got those too. :)

Self medication is a very dangerous game of playing doctor with your own body. — hks

Yeah. Typically when you hear about recovery stories, you don't hear about the long list of things already tried or done to remedy the situation.

Do you have any idea what is causing the depression so you can tackle the cause? — Andrew4Handel

I don't even know where to start... Ever got that feeling when seeing a psychiatrist? It's almost as if you want to relinquish control over your life so someone else can deal with your misfortunes.

You were resilient. That is a good thing. Somewhat rare too. — hks

I wish I could learn how to become more resilient. That's a desirable trait in my mind.

These are brain chemistry problems. Medication is the only solution. — hks

What do you mean? Care to expand?

Clinical depression seems to be only solved with the right circumstances, per Bitter Crank, and with enough medication.

It seems like it is probably substantial brain differences. Also there is a lot you don't know as a child and you have a lot of novel experiences and hopes. But that is not say no child is depressed. — Andrew4Handel

I agree, I think that children just learn much more quickly, which is natural. They seem to bounce back from adversity like no other. Not all children are like this though, as there are always exceptions to the rule.

I was an optimistic child in the face of damaging experiences which was unhelpful because I should have been fighting back against my circumstances.

So being an adult can be disenchanting I suppose — Andrew4Handel

Sorry to hear about that again. I wish I could capture that wonder of life again. Do you feel that sometimes when you rummage around in your own time machine that is your brain?

The problem with medicating and self medicating s that they are probably altering your brain as well as other experiences and past experiences.

I don't know to what extent I should mess around with my brain but I am not opposed to anything. In England where I live a woman had an implant put in her brain with a control that she could carry round and stimulate herself. If someone feels drastically mentally unwell they can do major interventions. Some people never feel suicidal but have unbearable low mood. — Andrew4Handel

That's true to some extent. I used to affirmatively believe in the Nietzschian saying that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Now, I'm not so sure I would want to relive my life with all my reckless ordering of herbal and other medications online.

Apparently the danger point is recovering from low mood which I have experienced where you feel like dying so as never to go back to the low mood. — Andrew4Handel

Been there. I have anticipatory depression, where when I get glad and cheerful, I recognize it's impermanence and get into a rut again. Hopeless fighting and such ensues.

I am not sure what philosophy can offer me. I don't like scientist which I find nihilistic. There are few modern debates that cheer up my world view. I think we are due a thinker that is genuinely unbiased, calm, not ego-maniacal and inspiring. — Andrew4Handel

Well, philosophy seems to sooth the issue, not as a remedy, more like a topical band-aid.