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I am depressed and I need someone to talk to

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Re: I am depressed and I need someone to talk to

#141

Post by subsystem »

robomartin wrote: post #116

PLEASE GET PROFESSIONAL HELP FROM ANOTHER DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY. Here's the framework I see; recent startup founder + therapy for seven years + abused as a child + ten pills per day. This alone screams for professional help. I don't think that a fellow entrepreneur can help solve all of your problems. There's also the danger of making it worst because of not having any training on how to deal with your framework. Now to…

Someone previously posted this lecture and I remember it being quite good -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOAgplgTxfc

Re: I am depressed and I need someone to talk to

#142

Post by wtracy »

pedrogrande wrote: post #11

I don't know if it'll help but for me, when I enter a depression phase. I wallow in it for a while, enjoy feeling sorry for myself which may go on for days or weeks. But then I get sick of being depressed. I just can't flick a switch and be happy again. I have to go through a whole process. I've learnt a good technique where I just work on being angry. Doesn't matter what about, even just at myself for being depresse…

What you're describing really doesn't sound like clinical depression to me.

I am glad that you've found something that works for you.

Re: I am depressed and I need someone to talk to

#143

Post by eric-hu »

zackmorris wrote: post #119

I want to write something about my depression. I don't have a chemical imbalance and am not on medication. I basically self medicate with beer, probably too often. I've battled depression since my mid teens, going on this long crusade to be "successful" (whatever that means), trying to meet girls, working odd jobs that weren't in line with my degree, sort of living an antiauthoritarian hacker lifestyle that might sou…

Thank you for sharing this. I shared a very similar path to yours and it's reassuring to read your story.

Re: I am depressed and I need someone to talk to

#144

Post by jlewes »

robomartin wrote: post #116

PLEASE GET PROFESSIONAL HELP FROM ANOTHER DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY. Here's the framework I see; recent startup founder + therapy for seven years + abused as a child + ten pills per day. This alone screams for professional help. I don't think that a fellow entrepreneur can help solve all of your problems. There's also the danger of making it worst because of not having any training on how to deal with your framework. Now to…

Do therapists / psychiatrists / psychologists really help? Genuinely interested. I would never consider (have never considered) seeing a therapist / psychiatrist, even if/when depressed. I imagine them to be people with soft science degrees who believe in a wishy-washy mixture of psychobabble and pseudo-science. Surely an intelligent person can see what their questions are getting at and influence the therapist's inferences accordingly, in the same way as you can when taking those silly multiple choice psychological assessments? What would a highly educated person with training in rigorous disciplines get out of talking to a therapist? Not being aggressive; genuinely interested. (I'm mid-30s, male, didn't grow up in a culture where you have your own therapist like they do on Manhattan TV shows (do real people do that?)).

Re: I am depressed and I need someone to talk to

#145

Post by richardlblair »

karambahh wrote: post #121
richardlblair wrote: post #81

Start up life is hard. Probably not the best space for someone who already experiences emotional ups and downs. I would recommend you speak to your therapist about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. A paper published in the American Journal of Psychology last summer (I think it was July?) reported that after 3 months of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy a patient showed improvements that were equal to, if not better than anti-…

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on paper is great, but it does not work with everyone, you have to "blend into it" and apply the advices. Sometimes, it's easier said than done. As many already said, OP needs professional help, from his/her therapist or his/her GP...

I agree. This is why i said "I would recommend you speak to your therapist about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy."

I simply recommended that he look into it.

Re: I am depressed and I need someone to talk to

#146

Post by dtf »

jlewes wrote: post #144
robomartin wrote: post #116

PLEASE GET PROFESSIONAL HELP FROM ANOTHER DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY. Here's the framework I see; recent startup founder + therapy for seven years + abused as a child + ten pills per day. This alone screams for professional help. I don't think that a fellow entrepreneur can help solve all of your problems. There's also the danger of making it worst because of not having any training on how to deal with your framework. Now to…

Do therapists / psychiatrists / psychologists really help? Genuinely interested. I would never consider (have never considered) seeing a therapist / psychiatrist, even if/when depressed. I imagine them to be people with soft science degrees who believe in a wishy-washy mixture of psychobabble and pseudo-science. Surely an intelligent person can see what their questions are getting at and influence the therapist's inf…

A therapist can just be someone non-judgemental to talk to, most importantly one not tainted with any particular ties - be they familial, business or whatever. It's amazing how much you can get out of the simple act of talking through your thoughts with another human being who has no agenda other than what you've already seen on their rate card.

To use a programming related metaphor, it's a bit like rubber ducking (http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?RubberDucking), where a deep and difficult abstract problem can suddenly cease to be such during the mere process of explaining it to a stranger. Suddenly the faults in your own reasoning become obvious, and the very act of sharing what's troubling you makes it more concrete and approachable.

Re: I am depressed and I need someone to talk to

#147

Post by tippivenus »

First and foremost, if you feel you might hurt yourself you need to go to an emergency room immediately.

Second, what meds are you on and what kind of doctor prescribed them. If they were not prescribed by a board certified psychiatrist who specializes in psychopharmacology then I would see another doctor. It is not at all unusual for severe depression to require multiple meds but you have to have a doc who is good put the right cocktail together.

Three, I would recommend a psychiatrist for therapy as well. Social workers and psychologists can be good but there are also a lot of really bad ones out there. If you are thinking of changing therapists, meet with a few and go with one that has good credentials that you feel a connection with.

Four, as a survivor of abuse there are a number of support groups out there which might be helpful.

Five, and probably most important: Don't give up!!!! Depression sucks but it does tend to be self limiting.

Re: I am depressed and I need someone to talk to

#148

Post by meepmorp »

jlewes wrote: post #144
robomartin wrote: post #116

PLEASE GET PROFESSIONAL HELP FROM ANOTHER DOCTOR RIGHT AWAY. Here's the framework I see; recent startup founder + therapy for seven years + abused as a child + ten pills per day. This alone screams for professional help. I don't think that a fellow entrepreneur can help solve all of your problems. There's also the danger of making it worst because of not having any training on how to deal with your framework. Now to…

Do therapists / psychiatrists / psychologists really help? Genuinely interested. I would never consider (have never considered) seeing a therapist / psychiatrist, even if/when depressed. I imagine them to be people with soft science degrees who believe in a wishy-washy mixture of psychobabble and pseudo-science. Surely an intelligent person can see what their questions are getting at and influence the therapist's inf…

They can help. It depends on finding someone worthwhile talking to, and being in a frame of mind where it'll help.

As for this:

> Surely an intelligent person can see what their questions are getting at and influence the therapist's inferences accordingly, in the same way as you can when taking those silly multiple choice psychological assessments?

If you're seriously seeking help, why would you bother doing this? You're going to a therapist because you've got problems you think might be helped by talking them through with someone. If you're just interested in proving how clever you are or showing the superiority of "training in rigorous disciplines", there's cheaper ways to do it that don't waste other people's time.

Re: I am depressed and I need someone to talk to

#149

Post by chris_wot »

hnthrowaway11 wrote: post #87
chris_wot wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They are great - I've used Lifeline in the past.

I ummed and erred about posting this, as I wouldn't (and don't) want to detract anyone from reaching out to Lifeline. This is strictly an n=1 sample. I disturbingly had a less than great experience with Lifeline the one time I needed some help. Specifically the operator told me she didn't understand my issues or why I was calling. The fact that I had expectations of being able to access an understanding counsellor an…

That's surprising... They were very supportive of me :-( I'm surprised!

I'm glad to read things got better :-)

Re: I am depressed and I need someone to talk to

#150

Post by TheBDH »

I feel you.

There's one thing to try:

Find somewhere close to nature (a lake, a park, a beach, a garden) and sit there everyday in silence and just use your senses (the eyes, ears etc.) to experience what you are in the midst of.

Don't think. Try to stop thinking. Just feel.

I go to the beach every day to see the sun set. Some days to see the sea as the sun rises. Over months now, the effect has been unusual.

Remember to just feel. You'll find a million thoughts (problems, memories, people etc.) trying to barge in. Try to push them out. You may yourself thinking that there could be better or more useful ways to spend your time. You may feel restless. Don't force it, but allow these to pass and just feel. See, listen, touch, here...avoid tasting however. It's risky.

Don't stop anything else you're doing without professional advice.

Add this, and if you manage to make it a daily commitment, you may experience what I have.

I look forward to a difference.

Take care!

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