Depression? Stop being so silly!

[TheEclipse]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1278510/Depression-Its-just-new-trendy-illness.html

Apparently depression is just a trendy illness.
This sort of article is both dangerous and ignorant. :(

Just because you're young doesn't mean it's not real. And just because you're not in poverty doesn't mean you can't be depressed. Happiness is not based on how much money you have. And just if it's temporary, you're not suicidal, or you don't need medication doesn't mean you don't need help.

Thread moved by Nicola (Forum Super Moderator) from "Discuss Anything"

[TheEclipse]

No one here suffers from depression or knows anyone who does, or has an opinion?

[matt$]

No, i dont know anyone who suffers with depression, even poor people can have fun so they can **** with there so called 'depression'

[myke]

I've learnt about depression in Psychology, it exists but it's only in extreme cases that it deserves to be called depression whereas people like to use it as a call for sympathy, e.g. someone breaks up with their bf/gf - facebook: 'IM SO DEPRESSED :'(' depression is a long term 'illness'

[Jordy]

I definitely believe it exists, I have an older friend who has attempted to commit suicide three times and has worked his way up the counselling hierarchy he's having so much trouble (The worse you are, the more you're referred upwards). It's quite sad really to hear about and very confusing to say the least, he isn't even sure what he wants from life and what upsets him. I think the word depression is thrown around a bit much and perhaps anti-depressants are dished out a bit easily and people become too dependant.

[TheEclipse]

No, depression is NOT a long term illness necessarily. You can be genuinely depressed and need help, for only a few months. It's not necessarily a permanent illness.

Around here anti depressants are not handed out lightly. But do you know why they do? It's so those people can feel a sense of normalcy. It doesn't make them 'happy'. It allows them to be in a normal spectrum of happy/sad, rather than depths of despair, unable to get out of bed, kind of thing.

I have depression.


It is not curable by a fun night out.

[myke]

No, depression is NOT a long term illness necessarily. You can be genuinely depressed and need help, for only a few months. It's not necessarily a permanent illness.

Around here anti depressants are not handed out lightly. But do you know why they do? It's so those people can feel a sense of normalcy. It doesn't make them 'happy'. It allows them to be in a normal spectrum of happy/sad, rather than depths of despair, unable to get out of bed, kind of thing.

I have depression.


It is not curable by a fun night out.

ok your signature contradicts your post.

a few months is long term... a week isn't.

[FlyingJesus]

So basically you saw an article that makes light of depression and got angry because you like your little depression badge? You clearly didn't even read it correctly, because it doesn't say that you have to be impoverished to be depressed - quite the opposite, it says that most people diagnosed with depression are middle class. It doesn't say that the money causes it either, so that point you brought up is also pointless. In fact, the only problem this article raises is that it seems to confuse the medical term of depression with a simple depressive mood with everyday causes, and refuses to accept that different people react differently to certain situations.

I personally fit the bill for the symptoms of depression, and hell maybe I am depressed but I don't need a doctor to tell me that my lifestyle's not in order, I can work that out for myself. I also don't feel the need to get defensive over it - what I do get somewhat riled up about is when people suffer from psychological disorders and put on their superiority hat. It is, in effect, the same as people who call themselves depressed for the label, and this mentality is likely the cause of this surge of "fashionable depression". You know why it happens? The middle classes have nothing to do and not enough to complain about, so we invent reasons to get down about ourselves in order to feel something, and then we realise that it's true. The working class have their own problems and I can't honestly say I'm that close with the royals so I don't know what goes on in the minds of the upper class, but that is why middle class depression is such a big issue - which was in fact the point of the article, not that the condition doesn't exist.

[Caution]

Pathetic. Janet Street Porter has obviously had no major problems in her life and can make that assumption.

[GommeInc]

Interesting... It varies from person to person. I can't think what the word is, but where you have a solid mentality :P I've had depression, but not clinical or medically examined depression - sometimes it's just a waste of time getting it examined. It's only over small things that it becomes "trendy" depression, where you get depressed but don't actually know why, or where you do not have a good enough reason to be depressed. Losing money is a good example - obviously not enough where you become poor, but money lost in the short-term. Alot of people get depressed over money issues where they've lot alot of money, but can easily live a decent life by cutting down temporarily.

[Hitman]

I believe it's all on one's head. Mental illnesses, depression, insanity. If you can just step out of life for a bit and relax then you can sort yourself out.

If I was ever 'depressed' I'd just go for a long walk somewhere nice and cut myself from the world for a bit. If you're depressed then something is causing it - get rid of whatever is causing it.

[LoveToStack]

I do believe there is such a condition. However I find it hard to believe the whiny users on this forum who create threads about how they are depressed every 2 minutes when it's clearly just exam stress. Oh no I am middle class, I am so depressed lol Uffie from skins is totally like me lolz. Be quiet.

[Niall!]

I used to fit every symptom, but nowadays I just laugh everything off.

[TheEclipse]

My 'depression' badge isn't 'special little'. But yes, I was extra bothered by it because I knew how much of it was rubbish from personal experience.

Going for a walk is not a cure. Cutting myself off- that's what depression does to people in the first place. It makes me not want to see my friends or do anything, it makes it hard to get out of bed. Cutting myself off does NOT help me.
I'm not talking about 'depression' like 'oh, I am stressed because of exams' or 'oh, I don't get along with any of my friends, maybe I don't properly fit in' where if I go off and rest for a bit and have a think I can come to a solution or a conclusion.

[-:Undertaker:-]

I believe the root cause is lack of motivation/aspiration as a country which has manifested itself in younger people.

[Niall!]

I believe the root cause is lack of motivation/aspiration as a country which has manifested itself in younger people.

You're bringing politics into this? Seriously? Do you EVER shut up about them?

[TheEclipse]

I'm not just talking about depression in teenagers (plus I'm not a teenager). Adults are often depressed too.

[Shar]

Depression is minor you get over it eventually, but in most cases you just get depressed again.

[FlyingJesus]

My 'depression' badge isn't 'special little'. But yes, I was extra bothered by it because I knew how much of it was rubbish from personal experience.

And I quite agree with you that the article is a load of rubbish - just not for the reasons that you somehow managed to highlight (if that's even the right term considering the situation) despite them not being a part of the article.


Depression is minor you get over it eventually, but in most cases you just get depressed again.

Got a source for this? Fairly sure to the people who commit or even think about trying to commit suicide wouldn't consider it a minor issue that you get over. You seem to be talking about the mood phenomenom, not the medical condition.

[HotelUser]

I'm sure depression exists. I know people who's parents have died, or friends and family from things like cancer and I think it's safe to say they're genuinely, with good reason to be, depressed.

I think it would be really difficult for me to associate myself with being depressed. There's always something good to live for :)

[TheEclipse]

So you think you can only be depressed if you've had some sort of trauma involving death?

[Caution]

The ones denying it have obviously had quite comfortable lives and haven't seen people close to them suffer from it. I don't see how people in this position can comment on it to be honest.

[ifuseekamy]

I'm not sure I'd call it fashionable in the same way as claiming to have OCD or an eating disorder are, where people discuss it pridefully. It sounds like attention and sympathy seeking.

[Wig44.]

Huh, what a load of crap.

[Starburst..x]

I had to stop reading this article as it was making me sick.
The whole article is based on the writer's opinion and from what I read is not backed up with any medical explanations but with just uninformed, arrogent and vile comments. Im sorry but where is the writer's research, and maybe if they were to show us any medical qualifications that they may have before making such sweeping and untrue generalisations. But thats the Daily Mail for you.

The reason this makes me so angry is the fact that I have suffered from depression, and no not your everyday teenage stresses, but your full blown depression. I never really like explaining what happened as the reaction I normally get is of slight disbelief as no one likes to imagine that anything can truly be that wrong or hate the fact of any sign of a mental illness. At the time I was just 15, and my home life was very good and I had a good circle of friends, which is why depression is so scary as even to this day I'm not sure what triggered it, all I know is that I would never wish that on anyone as it's so god damn awful, and at the time you never think it will end.
Which is why it annoys me when anyone slightly scoffs at it. Yes it's real, Yes it happens, its not something to be ashamed of either because when it happens all you need is a good unit of support around even when at the time its not what you want.

So yeah, lets see how that writer would feel if they were to go through it themselves. I know for a fact they wouldnt be so ******* cocky and arrogant about it. Infact lets see how anyone who says "It's all in the head you can sort yourself out if you just relax" deals with it when it happens.

From experience the worst thing you could ever say to someone with depression is "everything is okay", when funnily enough its quite clearly not!

[-:Undertaker:-]

You're bringing politics into this? Seriously? Do you EVER shut up about them?

Nobody has mentioned politics and my comment wasnt even related or directed towards politics.
A failed attempt at a witty hit towards me.

[Nixt]

I believe it's all on one's head. Mental illnesses, depression, insanity. If you can just step out of life for a bit and relax then you can sort yourself out.


Not getting involved in the debate on depression because I don't really know what I think. But at the above you really are wrong, my uncle has paranoid schizophrenia and trust me, I've seen him in states that you cannot imagine. There's no way you can step out of that.

[rnix]

I know loads of people with depression and one which sadly couldn't take it anymore. :(

[HotelUser]

So you think you can only be depressed if you've had some sort of trauma involving death?

No, they were just examples I used.

[Stephen]

I believe it's all on one's head. Mental illnesses, depression, insanity. If you can just step out of life for a bit and relax then you can sort yourself out.

If I was ever 'depressed' I'd just go for a long walk somewhere nice and cut myself from the world for a bit. If you're depressed then something is causing it - get rid of whatever is causing it.

You really shouldn't reply saying what you would do if you have no idea what it is like to be depressed. If it was so easy to snap out of it then they wouldn't have medication and whatnot to help people. It's like people who think oh you're depressed, get over it and sort your life out. That's like calling the person stupid

[FlyingJesus]

To be fair to him that mentality towards depression is a backlash caused by all the 13 year olds calling themselves depressed when their e-gf breaks up with them or they're not allowed to go to a sleepover.

[danzooo]

Depression is an illness you cannot put on, hence why it is referred to as an "illness" that you "suffer" from. What the writer of this article cannot fathom is why highly paid well off people are depressed and it's simple - why we can see their glamorous lifestyles as something we'd all love to have we've obviously never seen the darker side of it - many famous people can become depressed/stressed from things like bad press, personal problems or even the stress of thing like paparazzi, because their lives are so hectic.

[Becca]

I know one person who, kind of suffers from it. But she told my friend that she does it for attention, which is just sick and wrong. :/

[alexxxxx]

of course this article is a load of rubbish. serious depression is not trendy nor a joke.

[Pixet]

"Why daily life is a series of disappointments. Why sufferers feel empty and suicidal. Get a grip, girls!"

How insensitive. You can be rich, poor, young or old and still have depression. It's not like "Oh hey I have loads of money, I'll be happy forever!" I hate ignorance. Depression messes up your life more than you could ever imagine and it should never be taken lightly :/

[Wig44.]

Not getting involved in the debate on depression because I don't really know what I think. But at the above you really are wrong, my uncle has paranoid schizophrenia and trust me, I've seen him in states that you cannot imagine. There's no way you can step out of that.

My dad's a CBT - if he read this I'm sure he'd not be sure whether to laugh or cry. Both my great uncles have dementia, one had severe depression too. I have to agree with this.

[Black_Apalachi]

I don't think I quite understand depression as a medical condition. Sure you can be at a bad time in your life which makes you feel depressed, but when I hear of it as an illness it just sounds like another label to me. I'm not suggesting people falsely claim to have depression for whatever reason, I'm saying that the fact that it is recognised as a medical illness just creates the stigma of being associated with the label which in turn has an affect on the people around you and thus probably just makes things worse for the individual themselves. Also, if it is a medical condition, does this mean it can just develop at any given moment regardless of emotions? I can't see how the medical side of if can cross with the emotional and psychological side.

[Niall!]

Nobody has mentioned politics and my comment wasnt even related or directed towards politics.
A failed attempt at a witty hit towards me.

Let me reference your last post;



I believe the root cause is lack of motivation/aspiration as a country which has manifested itself in younger people.

What else could cause a lack of motivation/aspiration as a country if it isn't politics?

[FlyingJesus]

Also, if it is a medical condition, does this mean it can just develop at any given moment regardless of emotions? I can't see how the medical side of if can cross with the emotional and psychological side.

As far as I'm aware in heavy cases it has a tangible effect on brain activity which can actually be seen in scans. Not the case for everyone I don't think but when it does occur it is definitely a medical problem, as it can change how your brain processes certain chemicals (in particular endorphins) which is what prolongs the mood as a chronic symptom rather than a passing emotion.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Let me reference your last post;

What else could cause a lack of motivation/aspiration as a country if it isn't politics?

The fact that nobody aims to go anywhere anymore - theres no motivation within people to better themselves.
Obviously it has a link with politics but everything has and the same goes for history etc.

[Japan]

Teenage depression is easily cured by looking at failblog and eating large quantities of chocolate.
Anyway, we are talking about an article written in the dailymail. The only genuine pieces of information in there are the football scores.

[Wig44.]

Teenage depression is easily cured by looking at failblog and eating large quantities of chocolate.
Anyway, we are talking about an article written in the dailymail. The only genuine pieces of information in there are the football scores.

There have been 'misprints' before I do believe.

[Black_Apalachi]

lag sorry

[Black_Apalachi]

As far as I'm aware in heavy cases it has a tangible effect on brain activity which can actually be seen in scans. Not the case for everyone I don't think but when it does occur it is definitely a medical problem, as it can change how your brain processes certain chemicals (in particular endorphins) which is what prolongs the mood as a chronic symptom rather than a passing emotion.

Ahhh, now it makes sense!

[N-Dubz]

I suffer from mild-depression, whoever says it's just a fad or a trend needs to drop off the world because their ignorance is what actually causes hundreds of suicides.

How can having a chemical in balance be fake? A trend? Please.

[TheEclipse]

I'm slooowly coming out of this current bout of it. With medical help (not medicinal help) but my anxiety and whatnot is still there. And my depression is just not so crippling, it's not not there.

[FlyingJesus]

I suffer from mild-depression, whoever says it's just a fad or a trend needs to drop off the world because their ignorance is what actually causes hundreds of suicides.

How can having a chemical in balance be fake? A trend? Please.

No-one's really suggesting that it doesn't exist, but for a large number of people a fad/trend is exactly what it is ie: most of the 13 year olds who claim to be depressed when they get dumped by their online gf

[TheEclipse]

What makes you think those 13 year olds aren't feeling terrible?

[Jaiisun]

What makes you think those 13 year olds aren't feeling terrible?

They may very well be feeling terrible, yet their degree of depression (if it can even be called depression) is so small, that it does not require attention or medical intervention.

If a much larger event occurs - shock death or something similar - then the degree of depression is likely to be much larger and possibly require intervention in the form of phsyciatric help or other treatment.

These days, I really think the word 'depression' has suffered from weakening in meaning and is much more thrown about than it should be. There is a strong difference between 'feeling terrible' and depression. For example, I'm sure that the majority of cases of 'depression' have not been diagnosed by a medical professional.

[TheEclipse]

At younger ages, things that seem ridiculous to us as older people, is a big deal. They might have very much cared for their internet girlfriend.

Temporary depression is still important. Now, if they're deliberately sighing all over the house saying 'oh, I'm so depressed!' when they're not particularly depressed and they know it, then that's not good. If they're crying all the time, or feeling really really bad for an extended period of time, then it doesnt matter their age or cause.

[FlyingJesus]

What makes you think those 13 year olds aren't feeling terrible?

Feeling terrible =/= depression

I've been there, oddly enough I didn't skip the age of 13 on my way through and now knowing the difference between a prolonged bad mood and depression I can safely say that a very minimal number of such children require medical attention.

[TheEclipse]

Feeling terrible *does* equal depression if you're feeling terrible for a long amount of time. There's different sorts of depression.

Thread closed by Sarah (Forum Moderator): Please do not bump threads older than 14 days, thanks.