Why is there such a stigma on the mentally retarded?

[markdf (imported)]

on the topic of depression, the word is used far to often and means little thesedays....

I'm 100% with you on that one.

Still, depression is a very serious, very real disease. It's a bit like ADHD -- certain doctors have falsely diagnosed it so much that people have trouble believing that it even exists. But there are people who have it, and they do suffer greatly.

We invented the drug for people too depressed to get off the floor.

Not because you missed your bus... or you don't look good in a yellow hat.

-- From "Brain Candy". A movie so funny that it can cause spontaneous ninja attacks.

Depression was actually the very first clearly identifiable and diagnosable mental illness, by the Greeks as "Melancholia", which should give you an idea just how prevalent and destructive it's been throughout history. Even that far back, 2500 years ago, physicians were noticing that some people just kind of ... shut down.

[kristoff]

I can attest to the very real nature and darkness of depression. So can my pharmacist who gets lots of money from my health insurer....

Depression, according to the stats I have read, afflicts in the neighborhood of 20% of all folks (US numbers, study), Many of them experience a transient form of depression, often in response to particular circumstances. But a significant number of folks are not transient in this. For many, the evidence is very highly indicative of a brain-chemical disorder of some sort. As such, it is a physical/medical disorder, not a mental one, but one which has mental/emotional impact.

Suicide is not the sole realm of the depressed, but there is a substantial "market" there. I have rarely seen others suicide, save for terminal situations, that are not experiencing significant depression. They exist, but are RARE.

Removing the name, declining to ackowledge, does not take away the impact or existence of depression. There are some MDs and PhDs and others who over-diagnose depression, but more often they UNDER-diagnose. Hell, I've diagnosed (and later been affirmed) bi-polar illness over the internet and phone. That, too, is under-diagnosed.

It is NOT one of those things where one can hike up the britches, boots, bras, whatever, and plunge forward as if nothing is happening. Anyone who expects such is fool and an ass.

Ah well, the bitch gotta get on a soap box once in a while...

[Blaise (imported)]

I take medication daily for depression. I have for twenty years.

[sag111 (imported)]

Heck I was never depressed I just wanted to beat the crap out of most people.Well that was the old me with testosterone funny thing I like most folks now even the ones that dont think the way I think they should

[A-1 (imported)]

Heck I was never depressed I just wanted to beat the crap out of most people.Well that was the old me with testosterone funny thing I like most folks now even the ones that dont think the way I think they should

Ah, you are STILL right, Sag.

Most people desperately need a good ass-whupping...

[markdf (imported)]

Depression, according to the stats I have read, afflicts in the neighborhood of 20% of all folks (US numbers, study), Many of them experience a transient form of depression, often in response to particular circumstances. But a significant number of folks are not transient in this.

Even the people who experience transient depression are a real problem. Depression has supposedly become the number one cause of lost work time planet-wide. Malaria still tops it for total lost productivity, of course.

There are some MDs and PhDs and others who over-diagnose depression, but more often they UNDER-diagnose. Hell, I've diagnosed (and later been affirmed) bi-polar illness over the internet and phone. That, too, is under-diagnosed.

Lots of doctors are in the same position of not believing depression exists, believing that prayer is a better solution, and similar nonsense. And of course, even competent doctors tend to naturally conservative about EVERYTHING.

The trick is to be assertive and proactive about your needs. When I actually did a bit of research, and realized which drugs I actually needed, I just walked into the doctor's office and told him what to prescribe, and why it was appropriate. Worked like a charm.

Ah well, the bitch gotta get on a soap box once in a while...

Tell it, preacher. Testify!

[Francis (imported)]

Sounds to me like he is a lot smarter than a number of people I know but just not articlulate

[sag111 (imported)]

I should have told you the other day now I would rather my Lady wip my ass

[truly committed (imported)]

it also depends what way you use that word depressed or depression, it has no impact anymore. Most people use the world depressed *oh i am having a bad day, i am depressed" etc, it has lost its meaning, impact-as i said in an earlier post.

Many people also get confuse stress with being depressed. In my opinion depression is when there is no reason to be feel so low, if there is a reason then i will just call it sadness. Depression is considered a mental illness right? so i dont see how someone raped can be considered suffering mentally illl, because 6 months after, they still cannot get back to normality.

Everyone is differnt....you cant decide for someone what is normal and what isnt. I hate humans acting superior towards other human beings, like because they went to university and read some text books..they know.

no you dont, not until you experience someone elses life. And suicide, i hate that stigma that there is something wrong with there mind..Ive been there, no attempts..all rationally thought out. Something my doctors will agree with me on...

[plix (imported)]

Depression and someone being "depressed" means very little anymore, I agree with that. I think depression is more likely to be over-diagnosed in certain populations, and under-diagnosed in others. Gender seems to be one of the populations. I would think that depression is probably under-diagnosed in men and over-diagnosed in women. Also, people who have any hint of a past episode of depression or other mental issue will have a hard time finding a doctor who does not automatically attribute any physical symptoms experienced to depression or anxiety.

There is also still the problem of most people feeling that depression and other mental illnesses are a choice and that ending it is something anyone can choose to do at anytime. Those who do not choose to end it are either weak or enjoy being depressed.

I don't see any reason to prevent someone from choosing to end his or her own life, depressed or not, but I agree with kristoff that it is quite rare for someone to desire suicide and not be either depressed or terminally ill.