I just can't control my depression.

[FNBrown]

Originally posted by Provost Harrison
Don't give me that religious crap either.

I'm not "religious." I'm a non-denominational, Bible-based Christian. And all I'm saying is that I find joy and comfort in scripture and fellowship.

[Solly]

You'd get drunk first, that gives you the confidence.

[Provost Harrison]

I wish it did Stew, but you know as well as I do it just exacerbates my depression...and it can have a knock on effect for days.

[Provost Harrison]

Originally posted by Shadowstrike
Have you tried drowning it out in computer games? Long marathon matches of Civ can take your mind off your problems, if anything.

It is certainly effective, but the problem is when trying to manage in the real world and deal with real problems and situations.

[Bereta_Eder]

PH, don't be entrapped into being what you think you are/must be, according to you.

For example, "don't" think "it would be nice to do that but it is not me, it's not in my character"

surprise yourself. There are no limitations to who you are. There is no "fixed" Rich and everything beyond that it is un-doable.

Surprise yourself.

For example hit on a girl for kicks even in a lame way, be aggresive to whoever you fancy to be for a change, do stuff you think you can't do "because it isn't you".
(these are just examples )

Sometimes we put limitations to ourselves because that's what we think we are. And that's it. It isn't. You can't know anything untill you try and you can't be confined to anything. And you do it just because, not to "discover if you can do it or anything like that". Just because.

Just my two cents as the oversaid saying goes.

[Provost Harrison]

I understand paiktis, and agree with you wholeheartedly, but the implementation is so hard without the confidence or drive.

[Saint Marcus]

It's good that your mom knows what you're going through, since she's been through it herself. Talk to her, get close to her. Counseling and meds can work wonders, but it is ten times easier if you have someone who'll walk with you through a difficult proces of recovery. It will be hard, but not any harder than things are already...plus, it can only get better. Slowly you'll be making progress. Impossible to tell how long it will take, but it will happen. And then you'll see other things going better as well. If you feel better, that has it's effect on other aspects of your life, which in turn make you feel even better, etc. It's a spiral, the complete oposite of what is happening now. You already took the first step by addressing your condition. That's the most important part. If you recognise the problem, you can work on it, and with help from your mom, counselor and meds, you'll slowly get over it. I wish you all the best with that.

And Stew, alcohol (or drugs) are never a solution in matters like this. They'll only make it worse in the long term.

[Provost Harrison]

I always have been close to my mother, and really, if it wasn't for her, I could have quite easily done something really bad this week. Believe me, she is an absolute rock to me.

[Solly]

A few drinks never hurt anyone.

[Six Thousand Year Old Man]

Originally posted by Provost Harrison
And sex...yes, it would be nice, but my current thinking would just not allow for it. I wouldn't have the confidence to approach, and there is all the inadequacy stuff that would go with the first time. It would be just too great a risk to take.

First time?

That isn't helping you at all. At all. Confidence breeds confidence, so to speak. Go out and get a girl, any girl. NOW. People with active sex lives feel better about themselves... and that'll translate to improvement in other aspects of your life, too.

[Andrew1999]

If you're seriously depressed, you should definitely seek help. Don't be afraid to see a doctor and take the medication he or she prescribes. I lost a couple of years and very nearly my life because I thought my problems were all in my head and they would go away "real soon now."

If you had a broken arm you wouldn't just walk around with it and believe that was how your arm was supposed to work and feel, would you? Of course not.

[Provost Harrison]

What about your friend in Aberystwyth who suffered the compound fracture, who, in fact, almost lost his leg?

'Never hurt anyone?'...that is probably one of the most ill-conceived comments that could be written.

[Solly]

Would have happened without drink. He was doing nothing risky.

[Saint Marcus]

I always have been close to my mother, and really, if it wasn't for her, I could have quite easily done something really bad this week. Believe me, she is an absolute rock to me.

I'm glad she is.

That isn't helping you at all. At all. Confidence breeds confidence, so to speak. Go out and get a girl, any girl. NOW. People with active sex lives feel better about themselves... and that'll translate to improvement in other aspects of your life, too.

Doesn't work that way. Trust me. Sex helps, yeah. But in a condition like Provost is in, he won't get there. I never managed to until I got (partly) out of my depression. The only solution is to hire a pro. It depends on your morals if you want to do that or not.

[Alexander's Horse]

You were a bloody fool for quitting your PHD.