Coronavirus, Covid 19 Discussion and How It Has Affected Your Daily Life Chat Thread

[ShrekDawg]

Oh believe me I DO understand! It's a battle I fight every day. It's one I grew up fighting. I'll be facing it for the rest of my life. And believe it or not, that's okay. We've come to an understanding, this beast and I. It's getting others to understand what it means to be depressed that's the real battle, now.

When you suffer from depression, you constantly hear things like, "Suck it up and deal with it!" "Snap out of it!" and "You could if you really wanted to!" Then there's the excruciatingly painful, "What's wrong with you? Just DO it!" That's the hardest one, because depression often lacks an obvious cause, while an injury or disease have a source. When you can't see why something is happening, it's easy to believe that there's something intangibly wrong with you and your overall outlook - especially when the observation is coming from the very people who are supposed to love and believe in you the most. When you can't "Just do it," it's easy to accept that you can't. You stop trying ... and the spiral gets a life of its' own.

It takes a lot to stop that downward turning, and the hardest part is accepting that its' okay to need help doing it; that it's not a weakness, it's a fixable problem. The problem with accepting that fact while you're fighting the issue is a classic "Catch 22." When you're depressed, the issue looms larger than life. It IS life, often the only one you've known. It's a problem that you can't just "fix" because you don't know how. And despite their insistence that they can "snap you out of it," your friends/family/colleagues don't either. It takes a professional who knows what they're doing. It takes time and some often uncomfortable self-examination. And, more often than most want to admit, it takes medication. Many people don't stay on them forever, as they finally find a way to deal with and overcome their stressors, but many others need it to maintain their equilibrium. That's okay, too.

Accepting medication doesn't mean that the taker "loses." On the contrary, it means accepting the fact that this is a battle, and using all the weapons available against an enemy that threatens to suck the joy out of life. Antidepressants are just one of many tools, but they are a very fast-acting tool. By using them to lift yourself above the chaos, it's easier to see your way through it. So go ahead and try the medications, if that's what works for you. There is NO dishonor in using the tools you need to do a job properly. And when you've reached your goal, you can either put the tools aside or, like some of us, clip 'em into your toolbelt and use them every day.

Depression doesn't win or lose - YOU do! Be the winner!

Okay - I'm done with my soapbox. I may regret this later, but I'm going to post it quickly before I chicken out ...

But also

 

[MROO]

It’s recorded, but for Featherhead007’s eyes only, and I barely trust him!

Still ... file it away. It'll be great bribe/blackmail material when that little tyke gets older.

Oh - and by "little tyke," I meant the three-year-old, not @featherhead007!

 

[featherhead007]

[QUustOTE="KDOGG331, post: 22494619, member: 5843"]
I’ve always wanted to try making bags but I’m nowhere talented enough for that

And oh wow that’s a lot of steps!! Haha we only have like 2 or 3 but still annoying when you’re carrying a lot. We have to carry it up a big hill
[/QUOTE]

It’s recorded, but for Featherhead007’s eyes only, and I barely trust him!

I will get you to trust me somehow

 

[MROO]

But also

Thanks - but I'm okay, honestly. I've learned a great deal through dealing with this, mostly about myself. It's a long road, but it's a fascinating journey!

 

[featherhead007]

I'm really thinking about putting little masks on all my chickens!

 

[MROO]

I'm really thinking about putting little masks on all my chickens!

WE WANT PICTURES!!!!!

 

[BullChick]

I will get you to trust me somehow

 

[featherhead007]

WE WANT PICTURES!!!!!

gonna have to wait

 

[featherhead007]

point taken!

 

[BullChick]

point taken!

I didn’t make a point.