[Logodae]

Originally Posted by Rose of Cairo

Logodae, as I've already said in various places, I've been severely depressed in the past, and it took me several years to get out of it.

I see. So... how exactly did you get out of it? (Sorry if this is something you've posted in the past. I only read this forum sporadically.)

What are you afraid of exactly?

Well, two possibilities come to mind:

One, you tell a depressed person to "put up or shut up" (i.e., start taking our advice or stop posting on the forum)... and they shut up. They stop posting... thus losing what may be their only outlet for expressing their emotions.

Two, you try a line like "Yet another lie. If that was really the case, you'd be dead by now, not posting here in order to get some sympathy," another kind of "put up or shut up," really... and this time they opt to prove you wrong. You say it's okay if Chad "hates you to death," clearly not speaking literally... but a depressed person can literally hate themselves to death.

Again, I don't think this is the likeliest outcome... but it still worries me.

You say anger is better than apathy... and I'll agree, if you can convince me that a depressed person is likelier to channel that anger into self-help rather than self-harm.


Chad: You didn't answer my question about where you live, so I haven't tried to figure out what kind of mental health resources might be in your area. I think you should look into it, though, if you haven't already. A community mental health clinic might have free or low-cost resources.

Also, I really do think you should try jogging. You've clearly got the energy for it, and it sounds like it's something you haven't tried yet. Remember, you're not going to get immediate results, so don't think that if you go out a few times and you don't feel better, it isn't worth doing. You've got to be doing it basically every day for a month before the mental effects start to kick in.

I know a month is a long time when you're depressed, and believe me I wish I had some kind of instant cure for you... but even antidepressants aren't that. But you do have energy -- a lot of depressed people really don't -- and I think you can make that work for you, if you're willing to put in the time.