Oh the joys of depression

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by nostatic
One god for *you*. Please don't speak for everyone else...

There are plenty of viable spiritual paths to walk that can help.

Tried them, found truth in Jesus, found emptiness in the rest...That is what that nagging emptiness is within you Todd, your rejection of what you know is truth, but your mind shuts you off from...No doubt that the media loves to knock down Christianity, certainly with justified reason as they highlight those less than stellar examples of Christianity. The true practitioners are of a different metal, a metal not given much attention by those who wish to undermine it.

My walk is far from perfect, but when my heart is truly repentant I feel the presence of God, it is unmistakable and fills my heart with his Joy, a joy monopolized by He who has a corner on that market...You may get fleeting experiences of happiness without God, but you will never get the joy that God can offer outside of Him.

That said, I do believe that one can live a fulfilled life rejecting Christ, as I see it continuously in Alcoholics Anonymous, but to a person those that honor and live their lives by the "commandments" of AA live better lives...those "commandments" were directly lifted from the teachings of Christ.

I firmly believe that sin and resentment are the chief offenders that produce psychoses and neuroses. When one confronts these demons, asking for forgiveness from God and those whom you offended, or that offended you, your eyes are opened and the dark clouds dissipate.

[Moneyguy1]

Jesus taught humility, understanding, mercy, forgiveness and included people from all works of life among his closest followers.

I wonder what some here would think of him if He were in today's society?

[gassy]

Mul, get out of the river, take off your wet robe, and go to bed.
Ironic, but my name is Christian.
Hit me with a bunch of Bu!!**** now.

[gassy]

Let's not hijack...sorry.

[Mulhollanddose]

Just sharing my experience...I know of what I speak, as I have suffered from depression quite acutely. I know how to get out of it...FSTNBLK adeptly lays out a more temporal approach to escaping this bondage of self, but I firmly believe that faith in God (which he mentions) is the crucial component to freedom from depression.

IMnotHO...

[gassy]

I wonder what some here would think of him if He were in today's society?

He'd be a Jewish carpenter, according to many bumper stickers.

[pwd72s]

Mul, I'm glad for you that your religion works for you. Seriously, I mean this. But please don't try to offer it up to others as the "only" solution. For many, myself included, religion can bring on a form of depression in it's own right. I'm saying this as one who has been there-done-that, and NOT interested in going there again. Our constitution is pretty clear about "to each his own" when it comes to religion. I kind of wish these wise men had added a "leave me alone, for Chrissakes!" clause. (edit) I hope there are many paths leading out of depression, and I also hope that everybody suffering from depression finds one of them.

[Jon Merck]

Mulhollandose, I appreciate your living out loud and unashamed of the gospel. You are exactly right. Funny how HIS SPIRIT convicts us...

No I don't know Bill, I searched high and low for answers and found these do help. One thing I did find along the way was THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE.

[RoninLB]

About good drugs.

If a bunch of legal pill popper guys had get together what drugs would they recommend to each other ?

I'd say Wellburtin sic is up there and deserves at least an eyeball. I'd say it can do much more than most docs know about and the best info is from other pill poppers.

.. hopefully your not allergic to it.

[RoninLB]

PDR for Herbal Medicines, 3rd Edition

Hardcover
ISBN 1563635127
Thomson PDR
November 2004
Price: $59.95

----------------------------------------------------------

it's the PDR.Red Book you see in docs office. Much is based on Euro studies as they're more serious than the US about herbs.

New pussy always helped me.

[bigchillcar]

Guys, just wanted you to know I think it takes a lot of guts for you to make these posts.

thanks, paul. i've been pretty open on the board here about my journeys through hell..primarily because i suspect that there are indeed other members who contemplate or who have contemplated drastic measures. i'm always available to any member experiencing these feelings and has a need to share with someone who's been there..and often still is there. sometimes that's all someone needs in the 'moment' - a good, sounding board..

I'd say Wellburtin sic is up there and deserves at least an eyeball.

ron, i'm inclined to agree..i took wellbutrin pretty regularly for about a decade and during that time, i found it to be a life-saver. however..after chronic anxiety entered into my life, all that changed and wellbutrin became 'too stimulating'. that's its reputation as a dopamine-enhancer..it really energizes you..and with no major side-effects to include the all too common sexual ones, common to the class of anti-depressants known as ssri's (sustained serotonin re-uptake inhibitors). the problem for those suffering with anxiety as well, may like me, find it energizes one's anxiety symptoms..not good.
ryan

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by pwd72s Mul, I'm glad for you that your religion works for you. Seriously, I mean this. But please don't try to offer it up to others as the "only" solution. For many, myself included, religion can bring on a form of depression in it's own right. I'm saying this as one who has been there-done-that, and NOT interested in going there again.

That is because you were never truly born again...Sorry about that brother.

[Howard Agency]

Mul, ya know I luv ya, but STFU. Depression can be a medical problem helped with therapy and medication. To make someone feel worse about it because they don't share your beliefs is wrong. This should be about helping people, not advancing your agenda.

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by Howard Agency
Mul, ya know I luv ya, but STFU. Depression can be a medical problem helped with therapy and medication. To make someone feel worse about it because they don't share your beliefs is wrong. This should be about helping people, not advancing your agenda.

I shared my experience, Howard...I believe it...Counseling doesn't work and medications mask the underlying problem...Depression is a spiritual malady and must be treated spiritually.

[RoninLB]

AA around here is a good place to meet chicks.

[Mulhollanddose]

Originally posted by RoninLB
AA around here is a good place to meet chicks.

Same here in LA LA land.

[bigchillcar]

Counseling doesn't work and medications mask the underlying problem...Depression is a spiritual malady and must be treated spiritually.

yikes! this reminds me of a time in high school when my sophomore prom date complained of a headache. when i offered to swing into a convenience store and buy her aspirin, she declined, declaring 'i'll just pray'. well, it didn't work and the evening ended early. i think god might have said, 'well, i sent you a guy nice enough to offer to buy you aspirin and you passed up on the offer..'.

as i've been widely open with respect to my various maladies related to past experiences in a chronically-stressful career, i suppose you'd extend my problem to being one lacking in spirituality..being a practicing catholic, notwithstanding. how far do you carry this opinion? how about other related mental disorders? schizophrenia for example? i have a cousin who basically 'doesn't know where he is..doesn't know who he is'..hasn't for years and years..and years. did he likewise 'go wrong spiritually'? this is eerily reminiscent of the recent scientology/tom cruise/depression saga..
ryan

[RoninLB]

some say that different breeds of tuna work..

[Moneyguy1]

My first wife (deceased) was, as mentioned earlier, bipolar. She was very religious, played "Praise the Lord" tapes all day. Went on religious weekend retreats. Received counselling. Took prescription drugs. Turned to alcohol. Never fully recovered although she was "sober" for the last 15 years of her life. She dies of a brain aneurism which is NOT a spiritual problem. But, I am sure that her faith gave her comfort, but it did not cure the problem. Did I share the faith with her? To some extent. At least to the extent that I thought necessary for my own peace of mind. For a few years we even did Marriage Encounter weekends as a "senior couple". What did I learn from all of this type of experience?

I learned tolerance for the pain of others. I learned that God does not always intervene in our petty little problems, but expects us to help ourselves as much as necessary. I learned not to be critical of others beliefs, whether those beliefs are religious, political or any other. But most of all was the tolerance for other people, and the firm insight that everyone I meet can enhance my understanding of the world and of myself; that all people have something to contribute as long as I am open to it. I learned that those who claim to be faith filled and denegrate others are hiding behind that faith rather than living it.

You see, there are always simple answers to complex problems and those simple answers are always wrong.