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Very well said, Erik. Thanks for all that.<BR> <BR>Letting your friends know that you care, and that you are there for them, no matter what -- this is a wonderful thing to do. You don't need a reason to say this. And it feels really good. Why not try it today?<BR> <BR>Mitch.<BR> <BR> <BR>--------------------<br> <BR><div>> Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:07:40 -0800<br>> From: eriktrips@gmail.com<br>> To: noisebridge-discuss@lists.noisebridge.net<br>> Subject: Re: [Noisebridge-discuss] Please reach out<br>> <br>> Yes to all of this.<br>> <br>> I did not know Ilya, but any suicide, especially within communities to<br>> which I belong, is always a point of sorrow and, unfortunately,<br>> identification for me. I have struggled with severe depression for<br>> over forty years, and although there are many suggested remedies, it<br>> can be a tenacious, energy and will-sapping beast. Actually, to call<br>> it a beast is to insult beasts.<br>> <br>> Listening to people who have experienced this themselves may be one of<br>> the most important and useful things that others can do. Most of us<br>> are very aware of the commonly-prescribed treatments for depression<br>> and have tried, depressingly, many of them to varying results. I do<br>> not mean to be snotty or arrogant when I say this; I simply mean to<br>> say that those who have been there are likely sources of the most<br>> accurate information regarding what works and what does not, and that<br>> depression is often a self-perpetuating condition that resists even<br>> the best attempts to get out more, see friends, eat healthily,<br>> exercise, and so on.<br>> <br>> When your own brain is telling you that you are worthless, stupid,<br>> ugly, and hateful, it can be a herculean task simply to brush your<br>> teeth.<br>> <br>> For myself, I can say that one of the most helpful things that one can<br>> do for friends is to let them know that you care and that you are open<br>> to conversation about things that might not be easy or fun or<br>> lighthearted. Whether or not you are aware someone is experiencing<br>> depression, this is one of the best preventatives in my experience:<br>> being there, being available, and being explicit about that<br>> availability. Often it is assumed that if a friend were in distress<br>> they would tell us, but this is, as I'm sure most of us realize, not<br>> the case at all. Depression tells you that nobody cares, and it does<br>> so with an alarming rate of success.<br>> <br>> It is also true that many of us who deal with mood or mental disorders<br>> have experienced, more than once, the cooling of relationships that<br>> sometimes occurs when we are open about our conditions. This is one<br>> reason why it is so important to let your friends know that you will<br>> not walk away if they speak openly with you.<br>> <br>> Many of us have experienced rejection from family as well--some of us<br>> since very early in life. To overcome the fear of alienating another<br>> loved one can be quite difficult.<br>> <br>> I appreciate that this is being talked about on the Noisebridge list.<br>> I don't know many of you, although I have been to Noisebridge many<br>> times. Like many people with depression, I keep to myself as a very<br>> old and, sometimes, tired defense. It heartens me to know I am at<br>> least tenuously connected to a community that wants to reach out to<br>> people like myself.<br>> <br>> Thank you.<br>> <br>> Erik<br>> <br>> On Sun, Nov 20, 2011 at 19:15, Brian Morris <cymraegish@gmail.com> wrote:<br>> > There is an art of self defense in regards to depression. Often for many<br>> > people ignore it and it will go away is initially effective in the short<br>> > term - because normal activity is so important.<br>> ><br>> > Some people really swear by exercise. It doesn't have to be extreme at all<br>> > but it has to be aerobic 30-40 minutes continuously 3-4 X weekly.<br>> ><br>> > Omega - 3 treatment may be really helpful but it is ESSENTIAL to get an<br>> > adequate therapeutic dose which is impossible with the standard capsules.<br>> > But a 3.5 oz can of sardines daily is good (= about 10 standard capsules).<br>> ><br>> > Psychologically, the 12 step slogan Think ... Think ... Think is extremely<br>> > helpful. It is the middle think = think about what you are thinking that is<br>> > crucial. It is really a shame that this is not taught in health classes in<br>> > school. Anyway it is based on dealing with negativity. Generally, watch out<br>> > for generalizing. Helps to clearly distinguish feelings and thoughts about<br>> > them and to recognize feelings as they are (tricky).<br>> ><br>> > Meds and Therapy can really suck sometimes but they can also really help<br>> > sometimes.<br>> ><br>> > -------<br>> ><br>> > All the above my opinion / experience personal and with friends + family +<br>> > discussions with professionals + reading + writing (not as a professional<br>> > mental health worker !)<br>> ><br>> > Unfortunately some people do crash and burn. Very unfortunately. But<br>> > sometimes a crisis is required for someone to get serious about taking care<br>> > of themselves.<br>> ><br>> > Results vary, as do effective therapies.<br>> ><br>> > I believe that, even in chronic cases, effective pain management is possible<br>> > - suffering is not required. But I cannot see inside others' heads.<br>> ><br>> ><br>> > _______________________________________________<br>> > Noisebridge-discuss mailing list<br>> > Noisebridge-discuss@lists.noisebridge.net<br>> > https://www.noisebridge.net/mailman/listinfo/noisebridge-discuss<br>> ><br>> ><br>> <br>> <br>> <br>> -- <br>> Erik - eriktrips@gmail.com<br>> decolonize!<br>> _______________________________________________<br>> Noisebridge-discuss mailing list<br>> Noisebridge-discuss@lists.noisebridge.net<br>> https://www.noisebridge.net/mailman/listinfo/noisebridge-discuss<br></div> </div></body>
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