Depression check-list

[Brahmsian]

Which was that, Ray?

David, it is the pinpoint electroconvulsive therapy, specifically targeting what they call the "Area 25" of the brain.  They also insert a sort of "pacemaker" for your brain that helps minimize negative thought patterns/moods.  That's the way I understood it anyway, but I think I have to go back and re-listen to that part.

I think this experimental treatment are for those that have pretty much tried everything else, and tried everthing in terms of medications and have had little to no success at curbing their depression. 

[DavidRoss]

David, it is the pinpoint electroconvulsive therapy, specifically targeting what they call the "Area 25" of the brain.  They also insert a sort of "pacemaker" for your brain that helps minimize negative thought patterns/moods.  That's the way I understood it anyway, but I think I have to go back and re-listen to that part.

I think this experimental treatment are for those that have pretty much tried everything else, and tried everthing in terms of medications and have had little to no success at curbing their depression.

Must be this: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20110125/Patients-with-chronic-depression-can-benefit-from-pioneering-neurosurgical-treatment.aspx

Wonder about comparative efficacy of electromagnetic field treatment with reduced side effects: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20101015/Study-finds-TMS-is-an-effective-treatment-solution-for-major-depression.aspx

[ibanezmonster]

I went to a psychologist finally. Surprisingly, my parents are actually going to pay for it! ($60 for the first hour)

I don't want to go back, though, because I don't want to waste their money. The solution is to simply get a new job. I didn't have this problem when I worked at other jobs. The only job I would have had this problem was when I worked for Quizno's, and I lasted about 3 short days before I quit.

It was interesting talking to an actual psychologist. However, when I think about her suggestion, it's just not going to work. I think I asked her a question that there really is no solution to: how can I do this all day and have it not be so painful? She said to create a "dream board" and look at it before I go to work and say, "this is what I'm working for." The problem is that it doesn't take away the mindmelting tedium of scanning plants and telling old people how to put their cards in the machine for 8 hours. Those are two different forces at work, like the two opposing forces of a whatever the Dragonball Z character shoot from their hands. Eventually, the painfulness will overcome the motivation, and nothing will be worth putting up with this (which is where I've been many times).

So... now I'll be looking for another job- either pizza delivery or an office job where you don't have to answer the phone and can listen to music all day while working.

[DavidRoss]

If you don't go to college, Greg, your chances of being stuck in a crappy job are pretty damned high.

[Superhorn]

  Yes, but going to college is no guarantee of getting a good one either.  And remember, quite a few people have become millionaires without ever having gone to college.

[Superhorn]

   Yes, but going to college is no guarantee of getting a good one either. And remember, quite a few people have become millionaires without ever having gone to college.

[DavidRoss]

   Yes, but going to college is no guarantee of getting a good one either.

Of course not, but it increases your options.

quite a few people have become millionaires without ever having gone to college.

What does this have to do with a good job? 

[Gurn Blanston]

Reading this stuff has now made ME officially depressed!     What's the deal, do some people actually look for stuff to bum them out? I know about clinical depression and understand, but what I read here is mostly not that, it's people who are having difficulty coping with the fact that you have to do something with your life. Or not. and if course, if you choose 'not', then you end up with the short end of the stick. Although the operative word here is 'choose'. You can choose to be defeated before you get fairly started, or you can kick yourself in the ass and get going. No rocket science involved.



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Now playing:
Haydn Sinfonietta Wien \ Huss - Hob 02 11 Divertimento in C for Flute, Oboe & Strings 2nd mvmt - Andante moderato  'Mann und Weib'

[ibanezmonster]

I just sent an application into the Dominos where my friend used to work. They very likely have positions open, and I have a perfect driving record.
That type of job shouldn't be too bad because most of the time, you are basically in your car, listening to music, which can be relaxing and fun. It's not something to do as a career, but it isn't too stressful and can get you through college.

Of course, if the programmer in Colorado actually bothers to call me and talk about the work that I did with him and if he wants to hire me full-time (contract work on the side will not be an option will I'm going to school), I'll have a job that is awesome without even having a bachelor's degree (I just have a technical certificate). I have no idea why he is so slow about getting back in contact with people- it's a very strange thing.

[ibanezmonster]

I work in Finance for Winnipeg's Regional Health Authority.  I'm the Financial Reporting Coordinator, which on top of the accounting/finance duties, includes support and systems administration for all the users of the financial software.  It is this latter part that is causing the major stress, and really, not my forte.  I'm an accountant, and I fully realize that is all I want to do.  None of this tech support stuff.

I think you might have the same exact problem as me. Are you pretty much an introvert?
Other than when I'm with my friends, I definitely am, and hate talking to people. So much that if I have to do it enough, it's painful, and that's what causes the depression.

Doing work all day that isn't interesting (without the ability to do something like listening to music at the same time) is almost as bad, too. I worked as a loader for 6 months, and that was also painfully boring. Bring carts in and load heavy stuff into old people's cars  ...

I think another thing that can cause/prolong it is not having a job- then you're stuck and can't get anywhere. The only possible solution is to have a job that you can handle, pays enough, and doesn't overwork you. I've had jobs like these and didn't have these problems. I also had one job that I quit in 3 days because I knew I couldn't handle it (greeting customers and working in the kitchen at Quizno's). I probably should have quit Lowes after 3 days, since I realized it sucked immediately, except my parents would have killed me and I'd have been yelled at every day for months.

[Brahmsian]

Reading this stuff has now made ME officially depressed!     What's the deal, do some people actually look for stuff to bum them out? I know about clinical depression and understand, but what I read here is mostly not that, it's people who are having difficulty coping with the fact that you have to do something with your life. Or not. and if course, if you choose 'not', then you end up with the short end of the stick. Although the operative word here is 'choose'. You can choose to be defeated before you get fairly started, or you can kick yourself in the ass and get going. No rocket science involved.

In all fairness Gurn and I don't mean to offend you, but you have absolutely no idea.  Unless you have suffered from clinical depression long term, you just don't know.

I don't want to list off all of the things that I have tried and have worked on in order to improve my depression and anxiety, as it is an endless list and continues to grow.  You do not know the guilt and shame that I feel because of the hardships my illness has caused on my family.  I try not to feel as such, but that is very difficult.

Saying kick yourself in the ass and get going is not the solution.  If it were so easy, depression would not be the leading cause of suicide (close to 90%) and cost billions of dollars annually in medical and lost days of work.

[Scarpia]

In all fairness Gurn and I don't mean to offend you, but you have absolutely no idea.  Unless you have suffered from clinical depression long term, you just don't know.

I don't want to list off all of the things that I have tried and have worked on in order to improve my depression and anxiety, as it is an endless list and continues to grow.  You do not know the guilt and shame that I feel because of the hardships my illness has caused on my family.  I try not to feel as such, but that is very difficult.

Saying kick yourself in the ass and get going is not the solution.  If it were so easy, depression would not be the leading cause of suicide (close to 90%) and cost billions of dollars annually in medical and lost days of work.

I don't think Gurn had you in mind when he made that remark.

[Florestan]

I don't think Gurn had you in mind when he made that remark.

+1.

[Gurn Blanston]

In all fairness Gurn and I don't mean to offend you, but you have absolutely no idea.  Unless you have suffered from clinical depression long term, you just don't know.

I don't want to list off all of the things that I have tried and have worked on in order to improve my depression and anxiety, as it is an endless list and continues to grow.  You do not know the guilt and shame that I feel because of the hardships my illness has caused on my family.  I try not to feel as such, but that is very difficult.

Saying kick yourself in the ass and get going is not the solution.  If it were so easy, depression would not be the leading cause of suicide (close to 90%) and cost billions of dollars annually in medical and lost days of work.

Ray, I made a specific exception for actual clinical depression. I actually DO understand, since I don't live in a vacuum and I've been associated with people over the years. What I was referring to are people who are bored and frustrated from not having an ambition to do something and translate that into being depressed. One of those 2 states of being is beyond the control of the operator. The other one is totally in control.

[Brahmsian]

Ray, I made a specific exception for actual clinical depression. I actually DO understand, since I don't live in a vacuum and I've been associated with people over the years. What I was referring to are people who are bored and frustrated from not having an ambition to do something and translate that into being depressed. One of those 2 states of being is beyond the control of the operator. The other one is totally in control.

Ok, sorry then Gurn.  I misread your post as a generalized, sweeping comment on depression.

[Brahmsian]

I think you might have the same exact problem as me. Are you pretty much an introvert?

Yes, I'm an introvert.  I have to force myself to be social and wanting to do things with friends and family.  The only person I am 100% comfortable with in some instances is my wife.

[karlhenning]

Realistically, 95% comfortable is pretty good.

[MishaK]

It was interesting talking to an actual psychologist. However, when I think about her suggestion, it's just not going to work. I think I asked her a question that there really is no solution to: how can I do this all day and have it not be so painful? She said to create a "dream board" and look at it before I go to work and say, "this is what I'm working for." The problem is that it doesn't take away the mindmelting tedium of scanning plants and telling old people how to put their cards in the machine for 8 hours. Those are two different forces at work, like the two opposing forces of a whatever the Dragonball Z character shoot from their hands. Eventually, the painfulness will overcome the motivation, and nothing will be worth putting up with this (which is where I've been many times).

Then we need to work on increasing the motivation.  Seriously, people who succeed at what they set out to do, as well as people who enjoy what they are doing, do so because their motivation is so strong that they look past the unpleasant obstacles in their way and remain focused on the ultimate goal. The most important thing to know is that you aren't a fixed entity who will always be one way, doomed to not enjoy what you're doing. But change is something that starts and ends with you. and seriously, if you don't get more education, you are leaving a lot of doors closed.

[ibanezmonster]

Then we need to work on increasing the motivation.  Seriously, people who succeed at what they set out to do, as well as people who enjoy what they are doing, do so because their motivation is so strong that they look past the unpleasant obstacles in their way and remain focused on the ultimate goal. The most important thing to know is that you aren't a fixed entity who will always be one way, doomed to not enjoy what you're doing. But change is something that starts and ends with you. and seriously, if you don't get more education, you are leaving a lot of doors closed.

I have to wait 6 months just to start college, and it will end up taking at least 4 years, though most likely it will end up taking 6 or so. I wouldn't make it in Lowes, working 8 hours a day for another 6 years even if after finishing, I had the ability to become God and have the whole world bow to me at the snap of my fingers. There is not possibly enough motivation in the world to justify suffering so long, and I already have plenty.

The only possible solution is to get a new job.

[MishaK]

I have to wait 6 months just to start college, and it will end up taking at least 4 years, though most likely it will end up taking 6 or so.

You know what they say: someone who wants to to something finds ways, someone who doesn't want to do something finds reasons.    Why the pessimism? Surely college will be more rewarding than any job you could get right now with your lack of experience and education. It is true that some people have done well without college degrees. But they tended to do well in times and places when there were unusual opportunities. In this depressed economy, even those with degrees often can't find jobs commesurate to their education level. Without  a degree you're simply screwed at the moment. If this:

The only possible solution is to get a new job.

...is what you want, and a meaningful one at that, then a high school diploma alone simply won't cut it, certainly not in the USA of 2011. As someone with your interest in classical music, you certainly must have a certain intellectual curiosity which would only find more nourishment in college. Who knows, maybe among the different disciplines you can explore in college you might even find one that captures your determination more than you knew you were capable of and could lead you to a more fulfilled professional life once you graduate. You won't find out if you don't try. But you will regret forever not trying when you are older.