Happy Pills

[Elok]

It's the nature of chemical depression, at least, to feel inexplicable resentment and sadness for no reason for extended periods of time. You know on some level that you have nothing to be sad about, but you rationalize it by blaming your misery on nonexistent sources, so that something like getting cut off in traffic escalates into proof that life is hopeless. The main reason that you can't snap out of it is that doing so would require you to acknowledge that you have no reason for despair, a concept that my brain, at least, would not have been able to handle. A depressed person wants to stay depressed, in a weird way, because it's easier to be miserable than to confront your misery. As experience on 'Poly has probably taught all of us, there is no prospect more unpleasant than that of having to totally alter your worldview, no matter how necessary that alteration may be, because in changing fundamental aspects of how you understand reality you essentially destroy yourself as you were. I'm not expecting anyone to be convinced by what I say, because many people have apparently already decided what is the truth independent of substantial information, which is pretty much the same kind of thing I'm talking about here. It's an FYI thing.

[Whaleboy]

I wonder if we had these drugs earlier whether Nietzsche might have gone on to even greater things. His Nihilism could have been developed so much further IMHO.

Perhaps, however, thats why we have future generations.. standing on the shoulders of giants etc etc.. so its better for us . Depression has its benefits, I'd probably be far less creative if I was "normal".

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Drogue
I wonder if we had these drugs earlier whether Nietzsche might have gone on to even greater things. His Nihilism could have been developed so much further IMHO.

So you're saying that people should suffer so that the rest of us can have nice things/ideas/art?

Yes, a sad truth is that much, if not the vast majority of art, is the result of diseased brains. The world would be a less enjoyable place if not for the torment that they suffer, a torment that allows them to see the world in different ways and to try and express it through different means. On the other hand, the chemicals in our brains sometimes get the better of us, and we kill ourselves or burn all our art (as one artist I knew did). Would we have had van Geoh withouth his madness? Probably not, but would wouldn't have lost him either.

[Drogue]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
So you're saying that people should suffer so that the rest of us can have nice things/ideas/art?

No, the exact opposite. If these drugs were available then, Nietzsche might not have 'gone crazy' before finishing and editing Zarathustra, and may have written more in the next few years. I don't think great artists and the like would lose their brilliance with medication, but I think they may have longer with which to show it. I think depression medication, like anti-biotics, is given out too much, to people who may be better with other treatment, but I think there are many people who do need it. For instance, although I know little about his situation, if Ecthy's depression is situational, because of things that have happened to him, then possibly sorting those things out, therapy to alter the way he views it and himself, may be better than anti-depressants. They may not, but IMHO situational depression, ie. depression that is not something chemical/physical in the brain, but the way you perceive things, can be often treated better without drugs. As I said though, I am not sure if this applies to Ecthy, he just seemed like the best example from what I've seen posted

[Solly]

Yes, but Che, we have massive amounts of evidence that cancer and broken legs are real complaints that actually do need medication.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

They're like clinical depression in that respect.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Drogue
if Ecthy's depression is situational, because of things that have happened to him, then possibly sorting those things out, therapy to alter the way he views it and himself, may be better than anti-depressants.

He's still having brain chemistry problem, however. Just because something caused you to be depressed doesn't mean the chemicals in your brain are out of whack. It jut means your brain isn't "hardwired" yet to make permanent. In such cases, therapy is generally recommended.

My depression started out situational. Twenty six years later, I don't even remember what it was that made me depressed, though I suspect I was the new school and the evil children with whom I had to associate for the next eight years. It is no longer simply a matter of coming to terms with my pain. My brain is wrong and I need meds to keep it under control sometimes.

[Elok]

I would say that the appeal of bleak elements in art isn't their aesthetics so much as the fact that entertainment thrives on novelty, change, and complex subjects. People grow bored with too much of the same thing, and there's something in our minds that just can't go places with the theme of happiness. Basically the same reason that all narratives have to have some kind of conflict. We are excited by change, and bliss is by nature stable and calm. The depressed tend to be good writers and such because they have experience in soaring peaks and troughs of emotional change, far more than any normal person, because they don't require an actual stimulus for their moods. That's it really.

[Ecthy]

therapy?

that's what you'd love, complete subordination

[Verres]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
Personally, I think those people with broken legs should just suck it up and walk it off. Pain is all in their heads, and we all know that by using something you encourage it's healing.

And all those people with cancer should just get over it.

And all those people with brain chemistry imbalances should just get over it. After all, we know that chemicals in your brain really don't do anything. That's why no one smokes pot or gets drunk.

Hehehehehehe Like it

[st_swithin]

It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings.

|·O

[Whaleboy]

Personally, I think those people with broken legs should just suck it up and walk it off. Pain is all in their heads, and we all know that by using something you encourage it's healing.

And all those people with cancer should just get over it.

And all those people with brain chemistry imbalances should just get over it. After all, we know that chemicals in your brain really don't do anything. That's why no one smokes pot or gets drunk.

Really?? WOOO!!!!

EDIT: removed a few dancing blobs.

[Solly]

Stop ****ing quoting that piece of ****. It is obvious when people have cancers or broken legs.

Depression is still open to question.

False comparison.

[lord of the mark]

a few comments.

The source of the depression and the treatment dont necessarily match up one for one. You dont get pneumonia cause of a lack of antibiotics in your body, but antibiotics cure it. A "situational" depression can be helped by meds, and a "chemical" depression by therapy. It less to do with the cause then with what works for any individual.


And ideally they leverage each other = therapy helps with med compliance, patience with the meds, etc. The meds can get you better enough to take advantage of therapy.

And not every med works for everybody. and some people dont respond to any.

and there are different kinds of therapy. and not all therapists are created equal (as with any other professional) and some people do better with therapy than others. and some with different kinds of therapy.

Peace to all.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by Park Avenue
Stop ****ing quoting that piece of ****. It is obvious when people have cancers or broken legs.

Depression is still open to question.

False comparison.

depression is still harder to diagnose, since today it is diagnosed essentially by questioning the patient, and not by some hard and fast organic test. Although it should be pointed out that there are other diseases that are not easily diagnosed either, despite the presence of organic tests.