Depression Support

[me2]

Hi everyone! Hope everyone is doing well. I have been very busy with work lately.

I have completed week 5 of the diet! OMG...I am so tired of healthy food! i will try to stick with it.

It has cooled down here...our highs are now only in the low to mid 90s!

Well, going to get back to work now. Take care everyone!

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Saturday morning Check-in ...

I didn't sleep well last night, but that's the norm for me lately. Thank goodness I didn't have something specific to get up for this morning. All of my around-the-house chores are completed (yay!), and I'm just wandering a bit around the Internet before heading off to Petco. (I volunteer as an adoption counselor for a local animal rescue most Saturdays, so I spend about 6 hours every Saturday at Petco. Today I'm going in later than normal since the staffing will allow that.) I am also a volunteer kitten foster mom, and the Facebook page administrator for this animal rescue. And I do publicity and fundraising. All tolled, it's about 150 hours a month of non-paid work.

For those who don't know me ... I'm a 46-year-old Stay at Home Wife and Kitty mom (though my volunteer hours are like having a full-time job.) My wonderful DH is active duty military, a pilot, currently deployed to Iraq for the 8th time. (I'm a bit grouchy about this, as you might expect.) He's due home in November and (as always) I am counting the days. We don't have kids. You should expect to see frequent rants from me about military bureaucracy (especially the pay system, LOL!) Anway, we live in the really hot/dry inland part of California where we average 40 days a year over 100 degrees. (Did I mention we don't use air conditioning?) Anyway, I tend to talk a lot about the weather, as a result.

Anyway, hello, good morning, Happy Saturday.

[Tosh]

The good news, if one can call it good news, is that our default mental condition is one of neurosis, not surprising considering our genetic inheritance. Fear is a fairly important survival tool when you are nearer the bottom than the top of the food chain, it is all a question of degrees.

The evolution of our consciousness heightened our awareness of our emotive instincts and their adaptations, fear just happens to be one of the strongest.

One can not think away a feeling, one can only counter it with another feeling, the most positive being love-nurture.

Religion did not get it all wrong.

[Opti]

The good news, if one can call it good news, is that our default mental condition is one of neurosis, not surprising considering our genetic inheritance.

I'd love to see the link and theory on that!
I don't think there is a default mental condition as what you think and choose to feel determines how you feel mentally most of the time.

[mmhmm]

Sept 17, 2011 12:33:45 GMT -5 @heart2heart said:

That was sweet, mmhmm..

It's also very, very true, heart. The difference between the self I am now and the self I was in my twenties and thirties is huge. The changes began in my mid-to-late forties with an excellent psychiatrist and medication that really worked for me. At first, the change was slow, but it accelerated as I learned new and better coping skills. I think it's very important to realize there really is hope, and a joyous future is within reach no matter how dismal things might appear at the moment.

[mmhmm]

Sept 17, 2011 14:09:47 GMT -5 Opti said:

The good news, if one can call it good news, is that our default mental condition is one of neurosis, not surprising considering our genetic inheritance.

I'd love to see the link and theory on that!
I don't think there is a default mental condition as what you think and choose to feel determines how you feel mentally most of the time.

For most people that's true, optimist; yet, there are those for whom it's not true. They're not able to choose their feelings because of chemical imbalances and other influences to which they are vulnerable. Not everyone is vulnerable to such influences, and those who aren't often have trouble understanding why the troubled ones don't just pull themselves up by their bootstraps and move on down the line.

[mmhmm]

Sept 17, 2011 14:09:47 GMT -5 Opti said:

The good news, if one can call it good news, is that our default mental condition is one of neurosis, not surprising considering our genetic inheritance.

I'd love to see the link and theory on that!
I don't think there is a default mental condition as what you think and choose to feel determines how you feel mentally most of the time.

Heh. Don't read too much into it, optimist. I think what Tosh is pointing out is that the urge to survive is our strongest urge and fear is the mitigator. Fear, in turn, creates neurosis. Most of us don't live in fear most of the time; however, there are those who do, and those in whom that primal fear is closer to the surface and more easily triggered than in others.

[Tosh]

I'd love to see the link and theory on that!
I don't think there is a default mental condition as what you think and choose to feel determines how you feel mentally most of the time.

We do not choose to feel anything, our feelings are genetic and sub-conscious, our consciousness is aware of the feelings afterward and identifies them through conscious thought. Our thoughts are determined by a combination of genes and environment, it is simple cause and effect.
A feeling of melancholy may appear regardless of your thoughts or environment, one has no control over ones hard wiring.

We are accountable for our actions but we are not responsible, free will is an illusion, even the choices one makes are deterministic.

We are born with fight or flight genetic instructions, this DNA code goes back as far as multi cellular life, your position in the food chain dictates the degrees, as I said social primates are fairly low down the scale. We have a default condition of flight, its adaptation is fear , heighten the awareness of fear with consciousness and you have neurosis.

[Tosh]

[

quote]So Tosh, if we are just mere reacting blobs, then what is the point of even discussing anything, doing anything or even being? If we are nothing but a shell of chemical nothingness?

Individually and collectively create our own purpose, significance and meaning, create our own values and ethics, and promote a world view built on truth and reality and not the supernatural. The message is similar the only thing different is the messanger, it was always us anyway.

As for your statement and opinion that "free will is an illusion". Um, that is your statement and opinion, no more, no less. Not a "fact" or whatever you are trying to purport it as.

[/size][/quote]
We live in a cause and effect universe, this means that every effect has a cause including thoughts and actions. Free will suggests there is no cause and this is obviously untrue, the cause may be immensely complex in genetic and environmental variables but they will exist.

The choice you make will have a reason behind it, this is cause and effect determinism, free will is an illusion but it is an essential one. If we do not promote free will and the responsibilities it entails then we would be causing an irresponsible environment, the effect of which would be very damaging to our well being. We can not consciously contribute to our own downfall, so we pretend we have free will.

Since we are aware we are merely products of our genes and environment, it would be suicidal to create an environment that denounces responsibility. Our laws make us accountable for our actions but we still take into account mitigating circumstances or motives, we know everything has causation.

There is no ghost in the machine, only billions of neurons and trillions of synapses following genetic instructions.

[roygrip]

Sept 17, 2011 9:13:22 GMT -5 Tosh said:

Good afternoon Roy, hope life is good.

Life IS good Tosh! Thank you! I hope all is well and right with you!

[Tosh]

Life IS good Tosh! Thank you! I hope all is well and right with you!

Excellent, say hi to Sky and Texas for me, tell them this is my new home of many. lol

Take care.

[roygrip]

Sept 17, 2011 20:54:21 GMT -5 Tosh said:

Life IS good Tosh! Thank you! I hope all is well and right with you!

Excellent, say hi to Sky and Texas for me, tell them this is my new home of many. lol

Take care.

I will, I'll "see" you around here

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

Tosh, Texas Rose posts here on occasion. I miss Skys, and gave Roy this address to pass on to. Hopefully, she will follow.

[roygrip]

Dawg, I started an "Addiction Thread", we'll see what happens, thanks my friend.

[diamonds]

Sept 17, 2011 21:14:36 GMT -5 Mad Dawg Wiccan said:

Tosh, Texas Rose posts here on occasion. I miss Skys, and gave Roy this address to pass on to. Hopefully, she will follow.

dawg: I miss Skys too, what a wonderful and postive person she was and regardless of all of the obstacles she had to contend with, she perservered with her solid beliefs. She inspired me many times. It was all the other trolls on there that drove me away.

[Deleted]

Enjoyed the early morning read, I tell ya.

And a special good morning to our Tosh. How do you do today? A simple reply would suit me just fine. You were on my mind this morning, so I talked about you to my favorite Person in the whole wide world. By the way/truth.. The Kingdom of God really is within and all around us to those who believe. And he almost believed..

mmhmm.. I want you to especially know that I love reading your posts. My heart goes out to military wives/husbands who must hold the fort of homes up while duty calls. Please feel free to rant or rave and cry if need be all you want to. We listen, we care and give out a whole lot of hugs too!

It's Sunday.. Make it our best one yet!

[Tosh]

And a special good morning to our Tosh. How do you do today? A simple reply would suit me just fine. You were on my mind this morning, so I talked about you to my favorite Person in the whole wide world. By the way/truth.. The Kingdom of God really is within and all around us to those who believe. And he almost believed..

I thank you and I thank the tongue in your cheek.

I am pleased to hear you enjoy reading my posts and am humbled to share your thoughts with your favourite person.

I assume he wears a white coat. ;D

Only kidding now, put the claws away.

[roygrip]

Good morning everyone.

Letting Go of Worry

What if we knew for certain that everything we're worried about today will work out fine?

What if . . . we had a guarantee that the problem bothering us would be worked out in the most perfect way, and at the best possible time? Furthermore, what if we knew that three years from now we'd be grateful for that problem, and its solution?

What if . . . we knew that even our worst fear would work out for the best?

What if . . . we had a guarantee that everything that's happening, and has happened, in our life was meant to be, planned just for us, and in our best interest?

What if . . . we had a guarantee that the people we love are experiencing exactly what they need in order to become who they're intended to become? Further, what if we had a guarantee that others can be responsible for themselves, and we don't have to control or take responsibility for them?

What if . . . we knew the future was going to be good, and we would have an abundance of resources and guidance to handle whatever comes our way?

What if . . . we knew everything was okay, and we didn't have to worry about a thing? What would we do then?

We'd be free to let go and enjoy life.

Today, I will know that I don't have to worry about anything. If I do worry, I will do it with the understanding that I am choosing to worry, and it is not necessary.


We all have a choice.

[weezybear]

Morning Heartt, lovely pics moning tosh, roygrip
I'm still depressed and house bound not doing anything, not even playing with my cats At times I wish it would all end and others I try to pull myself out of it Am having panic attack attacks with it also not fun. such is life it goes on.

[Deleted]

Hi Roy..

Your what ifs are miracles to be owned. Loved your post.

Hello there Tosh..

My claws ain't even come out.. Yet. And won't.

Weezy, honey.. I'm sorry these days are tough for you. If I were near you I'd hug and hold my beary so tight.. In the meantime, enjoy my cyber-hug..

We love you Weezy, and hope you feel better soon..

[roygrip]

heart2. LOL Tosh has mellowed so, but I bet even if you told him, he wouldn't believe you ;D. He's a very questioning fellow, and that's a good thing in it's own right

Dear Tosh, keep questioning till you find your light. May it guide you the right way, whatever that is for you.

[roygrip]

Weezy, hopes and prayers for this to pass.

[weezybear]

You guys should have your own thread called the philosophers of Depression so we can have our depression thread back.

[Deleted]

That's my bear!

[roygrip]

Thotland? Peath? LMAO! ;D

[TheOtherMe]

Sept 18, 2011 12:35:49 GMT -5 weezybear said:

You guys should have your own thread called the philosophers of Depression so we can have our depression thread back.

[Opti]

I'll stop replying to Tosh.

Be happy, it is Sunday. ;D

[moon/Laura]

I have moved a number of the posts that were on this thread to the "does the universe have a purpose" thread.

let's keep THIS thread for what it was intended for - depression support.

Thanks,
moon

[sparkle]

[Opti]

Yikes, read Tosh's reply#207 and am not going to respond.

They're not able to choose their feelings because of chemical imbalances and other influences to which they are vulnerable.

Mmhmm, I have some pretty complex views on this based on my own life and those I've met with mental illness. In short, I think I don't like the medical community's theory of chemical imbalance as they've not been able to prove one imbalance yet for one condition that is always almost true. I do believe you may be more at risk based on how you've been taught to think, your basic physicality, what you eat, how you live, etc. But I think for the most part we can choose. Not necessarily always. I do believe in certain cases when mania is really strong lets say that certain thoughts have to run their course and likewise I don't expect some in significant depression to just snap out of it. And there are probably people born with certain conditions who cannot be cured or adequately helped with what we know now but I believe that is not the case for the majority of people labeled mentally ill in this country.

I wish I lived near Weezy so I could see if what set me free could help her. Cycling so quickly must be rough. Weezy, what are you thinking when you have panic attacks? I've never really had any, much too much anxiety and worrying while younger but both my exH and my almost financee had bad panic attacks when they were with me. My ex's had a lot to do with his mom dying of cancer and talking him into to OKness wasn't easy, financee was probably even harder.

When you are in those periods of OKness I'd suggest making some lists and posting them where you can see them easily. Make a list of things that make you happy and cheer you up. Use this list when you start getting depressed. I also put up sayings like "One thing at a time" as it helps with both sides of depression - trying to do too much, and feeling like doing more than one thing is too much. I think of you every time I see this thread. I'm proud of you for being willing to move forward every day.