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The internet has, indeed, made the world a smaller place and brought people together.
Until around last February, I was really depressed. I never let it on to my family or friends, but I was honestly in the worst slump of my life. Even thinking about it makes me feel melancholy. I got out of it after I started watching My Little Pony. That show struck a real chord with me and made me feel genuinely happy. It still, does, which I find amazing. I couldn't tell you why, though. -
Indeed it has.
Can't say about MLP (not a fan of it. My brother is, though). -
I woke up with a crushing sadness today after only 3 hours sleep. My spidey sense is telling me something bad may happen and I am supposed to have lunch with my mom today.
In other news, my inability to land a job is really starting to wear heavy upon me. I would like a job, some stable income so I don't have to worry about food or rent anymore, and for this bullshit fog in my head to go away. It's times like these where in really glad I don't own a gun... -
Depression is kicking in full force right about now. Stress from the possibility of failing at least one class combined with not knowing what to do with my life or why I'm even in college is really bringing me into a dark place. Plus I still can't figure out how I feel about people. I just really don't like being around them for any extended period of time, even with close friends. Despite that I still find myself lonely. Ugh. And somehow despite my misanthropic tendencies I still find myself often intentionally being girl's shoulder to cry on and I can't tell if I'm some weird guy who gets a power trip from it, or if I'm just a genuinely nice guy. Also I have insomnia/messed up sleep schedule and that makes it all worse. Basically I'm fucked in the head.
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All you people who don't have jobs, follow these rules.
1) After breakfast, apply to a fuckton of jobs. Even if the description puts it slightly out of bounds, ignore that and apply anyway. You need to be a resume and cover letter factory. If you are having a really hard time, look in different fields or be willing to "downgrade." There are lots of jobs out there if you are willing to do them. For example, I just saw a tweet that there is an opening at the MidTown comics warehouse in NYC. It's a warehouse job, but if I really couldn't get a job, I would take that one while I kept applying to better ones. It also has room for advancement. Lifting heavy things kinda sucks, managing the warehouse is a damn good job.
2) After that, you have a whole day of free time. I hate you. I wish I had so much free time. You better be using that free time to either learn job skills and/or make things. When I mean learn, I mean really learn. Like ingesting open courseware for serious. When I mean making, I mean producing Internet media everyone will enjoy, or crafting for your Etsy store, or writing software, or making something that could potentially become your job.
3) If you are sitting around playing video games and watching Netflix, reread rules 1 and 2. -
Scott's oversimplified view of the world is kinda heart-warming some times.
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I've been in that spot before. Remember unemployed Scott? Oh, I haz jobz now. But I regret playing a bunch of games when I should have made more stuff instead.Omnutia said:Scott's oversimplified view of the world is kinda heart-warming some times.
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Yeah, but I think he's missing what makes it depression in the first place.Omnutia said:Scott's oversimplified view of the world is kinda heart-warming some times.
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I'm not talking about depression. I'm talking about getting a job. If you can't bring yourself to follow my plan due to depression, get professional help.George Patches said:
Yeah, but I think he's missing what makes it depression in the first place.Omnutia said:Scott's oversimplified view of the world is kinda heart-warming some times.
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Except, you know, unemployed Scott didn't have a crushing chemical imbalance that made waking up each morning seem like its own job and removed all semblance of motivation until you're basically a zombie whose only emotions are "sadness" and "worthlessness."Apreche said:
I've been in that spot before. Remember unemployed Scott? Oh, I haz jobz now. But I regret playing a bunch of games when I should have made more stuff instead.Omnutia said:Scott's oversimplified view of the world is kinda heart-warming some times.
So why would you post that here in the first place? Make a new thread called "How to get a job." I'm not trivializing your input on that subject, and I'm sure there are more than a few people here that could use it, but I would argue that this really isn't the place.Apreche said:
I'm not talking about depression. I'm talking about getting a job. If you can't bring yourself to follow my plan due to depression, get professional help.George Patches said:
Yeah, but I think he's missing what makes it depression in the first place.Omnutia said:Scott's oversimplified view of the world is kinda heart-warming some times.
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So that's a complete tangent and has no baring on the conversation at hand. Good to know.
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You utter clot.Apreche said:
I'm not talking about depression. I'm talking about getting a job. If you can't bring yourself to follow my plan due to depression, get professional help.George Patches said:
Yeah, but I think he's missing what makes it depression in the first place.Omnutia said:Scott's oversimplified view of the world is kinda heart-warming some times.
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I clicked on all the threads. Someone said they didn't have a job. I offered my advice. Waiting for ponies.
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This is a good explanation for those that don't understand depression.
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Not so great, I have had to explain it to people.
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Some people have more empathy than others. It doesn't help that depression is mostly not thought of as an illness and that the misconception is that we should "cheer up and shit." Some folk just don't want to understand.
I lived that comic.George Patches said:This is a good explanation for those that don't understand depression.
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Me too. People seem to range from having an intimate understanding of what it's like to struggle with depression to thinking that a person saying "I'm struggling with depression," just means, "I am sad all the time." The former category usually either have had depressive episodes or have family or friends that have. The latter either have not, or are simply oblivious to how serious it can be.Viga said:Some people have more empathy than others. It doesn't help that depression is mostly not thought of as an illness and that the misconception is that we should "cheer up and shit." Some folk just don't want to understand.
I lived that comic.George Patches said:This is a good explanation for those that don't understand depression.
When people don't get it, I usually explain how I felt when I was depressed. "Sad and unmotivated" doesn't usually get the point across. People start to listen when you explain that you used to sleep twelve hours; make an effort not to sob uncontrollably upon waking and make an even greater effort to carry out basic elements of self-maintenance; missed meals, events with friends, and assignments due to apathy; and occasionally stared at your razor blades with a curious sense of wonder as to what digging one into your shoulder might feel like--before deciding self-harm is too much work and returning to your PC to watch Netflix, browse Reddit, and play vidya before repeating the cycle. -
eeyup.When people don't get it, I usually explain how I felt when I was depressed. "Sad and unmotivated" doesn't usually get the point across. People start to listen when you explain that you used to sleep twelve hours; make an effort not to sob uncontrollably upon waking and make an even greater effort to carry out basic elements of self-maintenance; missed meals, events with friends, and assignments due to apathy; and occasionally stared at your razor blades with a curious sense of wonder as to what digging one into your shoulder might feel like--before deciding self-harm is too much work and returning to your PC to watch Netflix, browse Reddit, and play vidya before repeating the cycle.
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Guys, Scott has a fundamental inability to empathize with people experiencing something he has never gone through. You're not going to "get through" to him because that's not how his brain works. He saw "I have no job" and figured that this must be the main topic of the thread conversation because he doesn't understand depression.
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eeyuuupNuri said:Guys, Scott has a fundamental inability to empathize with people experiencing something he has never gone through. You're not going to "get through" to him because that's not how his brain works. He saw "I have no job" and figured that this must be the main topic of the thread conversation because he doesn't understand depression.
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Nuri said:
Guys, Scott has a fundamental inability to empathize with people experiencing something he has never gone through. You're not going to "get through" to him because that's not how his brain works. He saw "I have no job" and figured that this must be the main topic of the thread conversation because he doesn't understand depression.
So basically we need to put him though A Prince and the Pauper scenario? Sounds good to me!
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The problem is, from what I've seen, that Scott fundamentally lacks the kind of personality that can feel low self confidence. It's like describing getting hit in the balls to a girl; they can understand the words, but they lack the ability to fundamentally understand it on a visceral level.
(Meanwhile, every guy reading this post just flinched a bit, myself included) -
Hitting a girl there is not very nice either. I prefer the "Bear explaining to a shark that his knees hurt" analog.
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What is up with the hating on me? I'm not one of those people who thinks people with actual depression can just get over it. Like I said, I just clicked on all the threads. Someone posted about not being able to find a job, so I said how to get a job. Just happened to be the depression thread, now you are all hating on me. If I was a depressed person, which I thankfully am not, you wouldn't be helping.
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It's like feeling like you have to throw up, while someone is strangling you.Neito said:The problem is, from what I've seen, that Scott fundamentally lacks the kind of personality that can feel low self confidence. It's like describing getting hit in the balls to a girl; they can understand the words, but they lack the ability to fundamentally understand it on a visceral level.
(Meanwhile, every guy reading this post just flinched a bit, myself included)
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I'd like to point out at this juncture that Scott likes to berate people for posting off-topic comments in threads, derailing the conversation.
I berate thee, Scott. -
Oh noes. I am berated. X_XTheWhaleShark said:I'd like to point out at this juncture that Scott likes to berate people for posting off-topic comments in threads, derailing the conversation.
I berate thee, Scott.
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woah woah, what? You care what other people think of you?Apreche said:What is up with the hating on me? I'm not one of those people who thinks people with actual depression can just get over it. Like I said, I just clicked on all the threads. Someone posted about not being able to find a job, so I said how to get a job. Just happened to be the depression thread, now you are all hating on me. If I was a depressed person, which I thankfully am not, you wouldn't be helping.
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We're not trying to hate, man, you're just trying to help in a highly ineffective way. People were trying to fill you in on what you might not be familiar with, but it took a bit of a left turn. It's not unappreciated, it's just also not terribly helpful.Apreche said:What is up with the hating on me? I'm not one of those people who thinks people with actual depression can just get over it. Like I said, I just clicked on all the threads. Someone posted about not being able to find a job, so I said how to get a job. Just happened to be the depression thread, now you are all hating on me. If I was a depressed person, which I thankfully am not, you wouldn't be helping.
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Scott's job searching advice may seem callous, but it is solid advice and was obviously kindly meant.
Back on the subject at hand, my warning to all is this:
Be careful with self-diagnosing any mental/emotional disorders. I certainly understand the plight of those that can't afford/aren't insured for counseling or therapy, so they may seek to diagnose and "treat" the problem on their own. However, these are very specific conditions that can be confused by a layman. A person may experience symptoms of depression, but have a a different medical disorder with its own specific treatments (be it counseling, behavior modification, medication, diet, etc.).
I speak from personal experience; I thought I was struggling with "depression" when in actuality I had a thyroid disorder and cyclothymia (a mild bipolar disorder).
Thankfully there are free/cheap resources to at least get some professional input and figure out what the precise issue/disorder/etc. might be.
Keep in mind that just because you have symptoms of depression, you may not be clinically depression or - more importantly - your clinical depression may be a symptom of another medical issue.
On a side note, I may change my graduate studies and go for something in the psychology/counseling field. I am having trouble making up my mind, but my deadline is January 1st. Wish me luck. ^_^ -
I thought I had this shit under control.
Last night I drank half a bottle of rum, among other things. I threw up on my bed, and my friends took me to the ER, but I was fine, so one of my mates took me back home and made sure I got to bed alright. The entire room reeks of vomit. I have a cut on my right palm, and my left ribs are sore. Dunno why.
I do not have this shit under control.
Why the fuck am I so far away from the people who made this manageable? I'm not sure why I ever made this decision in the first place. -
Damn WUB are you alright? I'm here if you need somebody to vent to or anything like that.
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Yeah, I'm alright. I'm staying in bed today, and then cleaning the room. It'll be okay, pretty sure I'm just cycling.
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Bird, if you feel like it, please contact me.
That goes for anyone else, as well if you want to talk about depression. Believe me - I am the KING of depression, anxiety, loneliness, melancholy, and all that stuff. We can Skype, or GoogleChat, or talk on the regular phone, whatever. Over the years, I have developed loads of strategies for dealing with depression. Some of them are stale for me, but might help you. Also, I'm nothing if not a good listener. If you can count on me for anything, you can count on me to be patient and not say you "just need to snap out of it" because I know from long, long term experience what it feels like.
Actually - this might sound like a crazy idea, but would anyone like to do an informal GeekChat type thing where, instead of just GeekChat, we had kind of a discussion group about depression and depression help/related issues? It could be kind of like group therapy without some idiot doctor charging us $$$$ to sit on metal chairs in a beige room drinking crappy coffee and without any arbitrary time limits. -
That's actually a really good idea.HungryJoe said:Bird, if you feel like it, please contact me.
Actually - this might sound like a crazy idea, but would anyone like to do an informal GeekChat type thing where, instead of just GeekChat, we had kind of a discussion group about depression and depression help/related issues? It could be kind of like group therapy without some idiot doctor charging us $$$$ to sit on metal chairs in a beige room drinking crappy coffee and without any arbitrary time limits.
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That's a fantastic idea.
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Honestly, as someone who is with a manic-depressive person, I can't help but get like this sometimes. I understand the science of depression (I've gone through it myself), and I am always here to help, but it requires a lot of patience. Sometimes, I reach the point where I can't help but tell them to "just calm down" when they act out in a destructive manner. It doesn't mean that I don't empathize or understand.Omnutia said:Not so great, I have had to explain it to people.
You shouldn't always berate the people who have said those things, especially if they've been there to help you countless times before. Perhaps they do understand, but living with a depressive person can be quite taxing at times.
Still, I'm not going to leave, and will always be there in times of need.
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Also, I think regularly scheduled GeekChats would be very helpful. You guys could set up a regular time to meet up and discuss your issues. You don't even have to talk about depression! Make it a regular GeekChat and talk about positive topics like games and art creation.
It may give you guys something to look forward to when you reach those low points, and will provide a support group to keep in touch with constantly.
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>Double Post<
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That's certainly a good place to begin, and socialization is a critical part of managing depression. However, professional help is still a very good idea when you're struggling with these issues.
Also, WuB, I would lay off the sauce.
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That just sounds like college to me... OK, admittedly not my college experience, but some of my friends.
I could say don't drink so much, but you're still young and haven't quite figured it out yet. If you're gonna drink, drink beer, you don't get in as much trouble that way. -
Yeah, definitely switching to beer. I don't want to have to be told that I was in an ambulance ever again.George Patches said:That just sounds like college to me... OK, admittedly not my college experience, but some of my friends.
I could say don't drink so much, but you're still young and haven't quite figured it out yet. If you're gonna drink, drink beer, you don't get in as much trouble that way.
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Looks like my own condition has been rearing its ugly head again, as of late. I don't feel entirely like myself. I wish it didn't feel like it's always going to be such a long haul.
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How long have you been on the exchange? Once you hit the 4-6 month range, you will probably start to feel a bit shit about things. Not even just culture shock, it's more the change of scene, a shock to the system. Even I got a little blue the first time I lived abroad, but it went away in a month or so.WindUpBird said:Yeah, I'm alright. I'm staying in bed today, and then cleaning the room. It'll be okay, pretty sure I'm just cycling.
Also, yeah, drinking is probably not helping.
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Churba said:
That's actually a really good idea.HungryJoe said:Bird, if you feel like it, please contact me.
Actually - this might sound like a crazy idea, but would anyone like to do an informal GeekChat type thing where, instead of just GeekChat, we had kind of a discussion group about depression and depression help/related issues? It could be kind of like group therapy without some idiot doctor charging us $$$$ to sit on metal chairs in a beige room drinking crappy coffee and without any arbitrary time limits.
WindUpBird said:That's a fantastic idea.
Let's talk about when we could do this.
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About three months now. Just beginning to miss people back home. As for the drinking, yeah. That was almost definitely triggered by my depression, not the other way around. I'm not drinking anything alcoholic for at least two weeks.gomidog said:
How long have you been on the exchange? Once you hit the 4-6 month range, you will probably start to feel a bit shit about things. Not even just culture shock, it's more the change of scene, a shock to the system. Even I got a little blue the first time I lived abroad, but it went away in a month or so.WindUpBird said:Yeah, I'm alright. I'm staying in bed today, and then cleaning the room. It'll be okay, pretty sure I'm just cycling.
Also, yeah, drinking is probably not helping.
On the plus side, that was almost definitely the low point of that particular depressive phase. Knowing how my moods have been working lately, that means I'm about to rebound to euphoric good moods with little need for sleep and a huge amount of creative energy. Fun.
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Just don't let Scott into the group.
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@HungryJoe: I could do just about any night this week, save Tuesday.
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