Greetings,
I am not sure if the writer sees depression in a helpful way for the rest of us, but the article gave me something to think about for a minute.

Ever since my old pdoc successfully controlled most of my mixed moods, I live in Depression Valley with an occasional visit to Anxiety City. I know that I move about in the daily world in ways different from people who do not experience serious depression.

People who do not experience depression might actually be missing out on a fundamental human expression of life -- that's how I see it sometimes. They are lucky to escape its clutches, but they are could be missing something that can be profound.


The article mentions the depressions of
-poet Keats,
-music composer Handel,
-painter, Georgia O'Keeffe,
-singer and songwriter, Joni Mitchell


http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/...,5045522.story

The miracle of melancholia

Mari,

So true, I have kind of felt this way when I get depressed. My DV counselor wants for me to fight deprression.

befuddled2

I thought it was a good article. I usually tell people that bipolar is a gift from God because the suffering from the depression brings us closer to him.
Bobby

Dear Mari,

The article was written by an English professor. It reminds me of similar articles written by people with an intellectual appreciation of depression who do not suffer from it themselves.

The fact that depression can be a stimulus for creativity has long been acknowledged. Among other current Depressives who do not treat their illness with meds is Edward Albee, who believes that to relieve his angst would be to destroy him as a writer.

Lots of people follow his example.

However, depression that leads one to plan suicide has to be treated with meds . You can't create anything if you are a corpse.

The article suggests that everyone who is depressed has a choice between toughing it out through their depression and retaining their creative juices, or taking meds and leading a less stressful, more comfortable, less creative life. It implies that people who take meds are pusillanimous souls who choose tranquility over chaotic, inspiring humanity.

Not so. At its worst, depression is lethal or can make the sufferer catatonic. Judging by the fact that they didn't kill themselves, Keats, Handel and Joni Mitchell's depressions weren't that bad.

The author, Prof. Eric G. Wilson, may find the creative impulse of depression to be remarkable, but it is something that has occurred to us all long ago.

Cordially,
highhatsize

Dear Befuddled,
I can't believe that the counselor expects you to fight depression.
In my case, the drugs are causing the depression much of the time. It's pretty hard for me to fight the powerful effects. Maybe it is not the same for everyone.

M.

Hi,
Here is the author I mentioned in my first post on this thread talking about his own version of depression that he experiences:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=18885211

M.

Dear Bizi,

Oh dear. You do sound depressed. I'm sorry you cried and felt inadequate.
Depression can cause memory problems. So can Geodon I believe.

Have you called a pharmacist to ask about Geodon? Or maybe even call the company to ask about their reports of memory problems. I have heard of someone calling the company to find more information than what the drs get at conferences.

I find airports and airplanes stressful.
Are you going to be able to find a way to reclaim your energy this week?
. . . like catch up on sleep if you need it? or do something that you enjoy?

I'm depressed right now, so I can't be much help about this, but I am not convinced that we need stories (especially involving families) so I don't know what to say here.

I do hear your pain.

Mari

Thank you Mari,
I slept last night really well.
Perhaps the self thoathing was a bipolar mood swing, a come down from all of the excitment of the surprise party, traveling as you say.
IT jsut hit me so hard in the car afterwards....my hubby was supportive and it was frustrating trying to explain to him jsut what was going on.
The words..."I don't feel human" came out of my mouth....
I feel better today.

I am sorry that you are feeling depressed mari.
No wonder..you have been going thru a gamut of emotions dealing with your family.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

((((((bizi)))))))

what your feeling happens a lot after a big event.

you are such a high planning....those endorphines are kicked into high gear. than WHAM...all the air is let out of your balloon. that empty feeling is there.

keep up with your vitamins. pamper yourself. a nice bubble bath. paint your toenails and give yourself a big long hug from me. even just taking a walk can help. clears your mind too.

i know there are herbs like ginko that can help memory, but i'm not sure about taking that with your other meds. i can do some checking if you want.

having a lot on your mind doesn't help. can't say that i can offer advice there. i always seem to have lots of stress and stuff going on.

YOU ARE TRYING TOO HARD. i think that is one source of your problems. We all love you on this forum. You show no signs of memory loss. When anxiety reaches peak zones, forget it for everybody. I just think you were on overload and that is then bipolar really loves it and seizes the opportunity to hit all our insecurities. You just have to ride it out. You have been doing so well that you should expect a lapse. How not to panic when you suffer a lapse is a huge question. My drugs always fail me when I am in panic zone.
That is when especially I try to say my mantra if I can remember to say my mantra.
You will be safe and your memory will find itself.
Fondly
Bobby