Depression and Mental Health on Revleft

[Red Economist]

partly in response to the thread (below), I wanted to find out just how widespread depression and mental health problems are on revleft and whether there is anything we can do about. my suspicion is that it may well be a high percentage of users (at a guess 25-50%) have a history of problems. this would be particuarly true if most members on revleft are in the 18-25 age group, which is (I think) more likely to suffer from depression.

http://www.revleft.com/vb/good-reason-livei-t180486/index.html

Depression is now widespread in developed countries and has been associated with the consumerist aspirations of capitalist society as a 'disease of affluence'. You may have heard about 'affluenza' which is a book which argues that there is a relationship between mental health problems and consumerism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affluenza

For an outline on depression:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression


Given that Revleft is essentially anonymous, I don't think this will break any forum rules or laws by just doing a poll, but please correct me if I am wrong.

my own experiences have been that I have suffered depression (at least) since I left university four and a half years ago. I felt I had lost everything of value to me and was suicidal for about two weeks or so. I am bi-sexual and a large part of the problem has been the process of coming out, though definetely not all. I've been completiing my degree from home and recovering since then. I had a serious replase earlier this year when my best freind became an arms dealer and the relationship broke down. I had a crush on him and it totally shook my judgement and left me devastated. I sought counselling and managed to pull out of it, so that I am now relatively stable but still have low mood occassionally.

I don't think my experience are unique and there is a decent reason to suspect that if it has an enviromental cause, it can be caused by our relationships with individuals and within society. It can therefore be argued to be a political issue tied in with anti-capitalism and has legitimate scope as a cause amongst the left even if solutions, beyond offering support, are not obvious.

[Brandon's Impotent Rage]

Diagnosed with clinical depression as a teenager.

It's hard to try and describe what its like to have clinical depression to people who don't have it. It's not just simply feeling sad all the time. There's abnormal amounts of anxiety and panic. Living in fear of things that might happen even if its several days away. And since that shit is directly connected to stress, it eventually causes things like stomach ulcers, acid reflux, and other gastrointestinal ailments.

I remember very clearly when I was a child, being terrified of school because of things that might happen. Future homework assignments, noises, etc.

It took my parents years before they finally recognized the symptoms.

[Craig_J]

I put that I have previously suffered with depression, but I wasn't to sure what I should answer... I have SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) which means that during the winter I get very, very depressed. It took me a long time to realise I had this. I went to the doctors three times saying that I felt I might have depression, on the third time with it being the same doctor as the other two occasions he asked me whether I ever felt depressed during the summer, I replied no and he said I may have this. Turns out I do! Looking back ever since I can remember I always felt depressed during the winter. I feel hopless, like everythings going badly (even when I have no reason to think so) and really struggle to find any joy in anything.

As the spring comes I gradually feel more myself though and then once the winters over I feel my normal self again. Goes without saying this winter has been awful for me because it has strecthed on for so long!

[cyu]

Slaves aren't expected to be happy.

Those who happily oppress others aren't expected to support revolution.

[slum]

i've been diagnosed with major depression, post traumatic stress disorder and a related dissociative disorder.

i think my depression is less tied in to capitalist exploitation, mostly because it runs in my family and feels very 'biological'- in down swings it really is clearly a sickness. of course, present social relations and the twin devils of work and unemployment certainly agitate it and contribute to a general sense of hopelessness and entrapment. alienation and how we approach commodities can also feed existential crises- all issues that are connected (i want to write about how alienation and dissociation interact someday, it's like my pet obsession)

i'd love to see more discussion of this topic, as well as the treatment of people with psych illnesses under capitalism, homelessness and imprisonment etc. there's a LOT to investigate. i can't contribute to that right now though because i have to go lie down and contemplate the heat death of the universe and feel terrible about myself.

my lumpenproletariat best

[Tim Cornelis]

It seems I'm the only happy person so far. Those statistics are rely worrying, 88% with mental health problems or depression.

[Brutus]

I am in good mental health and do not have a history of mental health problems.

Any of you folks want someone to talk to, I'm here.

[Quail]

I put "I have previously suffered from a mental health problem other than depression" but I have also previous suffered from depression, and I don't consider myself fully "recovered" from my mental health problems, but I am coping well at the moment.

I've had anxiety issues (mostly OCD), eating disorders (mostly bulimia with "anorexic tendencies") and I suffer from flashbacks and occasionally dissociative symptoms.

Some of my problems have been very specific to things I have experienced, but my experiences are far from unique. I used to post a lot on eating disorder forums for example, and the background is very often some form of abuse, whether it's bullying, sexual assault, abusive partners, etc., and reading that kind of stuff and knowing how widespread these issues are is actually quite eye-opening. Would I be such an ardent feminist if I hadn't suffered and had problems that are glaringly related to patriarchy? Perhaps, but I think my experiences definitely pushed me quite hard in that direction.

I think for leftists, it is probably natural to feel unhappy with the state of the world. I find it is easy for that feeling to overwhelm me, and some anxiety and depression will inevitably come from being politically aware if you feel powerless in the face of such a rotten society. I think if you look at all the injustices people face in a capitalist society, and feel powerless, there is something wrong if that doesn't get you down. You have to focus on the little things that, for now, you can change.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

I've been diagnosed with Asperger's, but I don't think that counts so I voted for the last option.

[cyu]

http://www.gallup.com/poll/159254/latin-americans-positive-world.aspx

Latin Americans are the most positive people in the world, with their region being home to eight of the top 10 countries for positive emotions worldwide. Singaporeans, Armenians, and Iraqis are least likely worldwide to report feeling positive emotions.

Residents of Panama, which ranks 90th in the world with respect to GDP per capita, are among the most likely to report positive emotions. Residents of Singapore, which ranks fifth in the world in terms of GDP per capita, are the least likely to report positive emotions.

Higher income does not necessarily mean higher wellbeing. Nobel Prize-winning economist Daniel Kahneman and Princeton economist Angus Deaton found in the United States that income only makes a significant impact on daily positive emotions when earning up to $75,000 annually -- after that, additional income does not make as much of a difference.

Venezuela tied for 3rd at 84
Netherlands at 80
UK at 77
United States tied with China at 76
Afghanistan at 55
Iraq at 50

[Doflamingo]

Was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder a few years back. I don't take any medication now though for reasons I've explained in another thread.

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

I've never been diagnosed with depression nor been bad enough that i've needed to be clinically treated.

I've had a couple of 'episodes' in my life where i've been on the verge of depression, mind. They lasted for several months so i'd say that was a mental health issue.

[Kalinin's Facial Hair]

So far, so good.

[rednordman]

I've never been diagnosed with depression nor been bad enough that i've needed to be clinically treated.

I've had a couple of 'episodes' in my life where i've been on the verge of depression, mind. They lasted for several months so i'd say that was a mental health issue.I'm near enough the same as this, although i was offered anti-depressants, but refused them dues to my brothers (mental health nurse) advice.

[bcbm]

feelin down as fuck

[Sasha]

co-morbid a-typical panic-disorder...

[soso17]

I suffer from bipolar disorder, which was misdiagnosed and poorly treated for much of my adult life. During the winter I experience near-debilitating depression, and come spring I have to be vigilant to prevent mania. My psychiatrist is excellent, and the medications I take allow me to have a high level of functioning most of the time, e.g. I work full time and have rarely been hospitalised.

--soso

[Aurora]

About the results, there's most likely a response bias with people with mental health issues more likely to read and respond to a thread on mental health than those without.

I've had problems with major depression and assorted anxiety stuff(derealization, panic attacks, general dread etc) in the past, i voted currently suffering from depression because the last couple months have been pretty bad but luckily not nearly as bad as previously.
I really need to start seeing a talk therapist again.

[egalitarian]

What does it mean to be labeled "ill" in a sick world?

Right, that you are having a normal reaction to your circumstances.

[Landsharks eat metal]

Suffering from depression... been told at one point by a psychiatrist that it was dysthymia, but when I was admitted to the psych ward in fall of 2011, they listed it as MDD, so I'm not really sure on that point. Also been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder at age 12 and still having lots of problems with that. Also at one point had a psychiatrist who suggested I might have agoraphobia, but I'm not seeing her anymore since she got sick and I'm not going to ask my current psych because he's an asshole. I think that's it (besides Asperger's), but there have been times when multiple people have expressed concern about my impulsivity, but no diagnosis has come from that so I have no fucking idea.

[Domela Nieuwenhuis]

I voted "Probs other than depression" although regular mild to heavy depressions are quite normal with the problem at hand (ADD). Makes me almost Manic-depressive at times. in a split second i can go from hyper and happy to mad or sad and back again.

There is another 'thing' involving my brain, but it is not health related. But still, it brings me in quite ackward situations, alienation and social isolation. As a result, yes...tadaa! Depression again.

Oh and fuck my paranoia!

[Leftsolidarity]

Ive never been diagnosed with anything cuz I don't go to a therapist or anything like that. I've wanted to but I never wanted to ask my parents and now that I'm not with them I wouldn't be able to afford it myself. I don't know why but I usually lie when I visit the doctor about my feelings as well. I don't like talking about my emotions to people 90% of the time, this has been the only place where I've been able to open up about some of my thoughts and feelings.

If I went, I wouldn't be surprised if they diagnosed me with some sort of depression or bi-polar disorder. Idk if I want to be told that, though. I like thinking that the few times I'm genuinely happy are my "normal" times and everything else is just a fluke and I'll get over it.

[Goblin]

I have suffered from depression, anxiety and ocd for the past five years. I'm currently on some anti-depressants, but i kinda wanna stop using them.

[Sea]

Is this a public poll? If it is I probably wouldn't answer since I don't want to lie.

(and no, for all you witty readers, I don't suffer from paranoia)

[Os Cangaceiros]

I've been diagnosed with "generalized anxiety disorder".

I consider my mind to be pretty strong, though. I don't take my sanity for granted.

[Jimmie Higgins]

I put down that I don't suffer from anything - though I don't know if I have good mental health or not. I think I'm more neurotic (in the common sense of the term) than other people seem to be and I get depressed or moody, but from what I understand, that's not what clinical depression is like at all. I've had emotional or stress related things that have caused me to act out in anger when I shouldn't have or kept me from doing things that I might have done (social anexiety or fear of failure or other anxieties), but I've never had any time where I felt I couldn't get out of bed or whatnot. I've taken "personal days" where, because of feeling depressed or down I basically just slept it off, but it's never been more than just needing to rest for a day.

I've never seen a psyciatrist or psycologis. I'd totally love to have counciling or "talking-cure" sessions though - maybe because it seems awsome in movies - or I just like to talk about myself and complain about things :D.

This isn't meant to downplay anyone who has serious problems or really needs counciling - I just would like some professional advice sometimes.

[Red Economist]

I've never seen a psyciatrist or psycologis. I'd totally love to have counciling or "talking-cure" sessions though - maybe because it seems awsome in movies - or I just like to talk about myself and complain about things :D.

councelling is good if you just need to say 'anything', especially if you keep alot of stuff to yourself and hold the anger in. Though I hear it can go really badly wrong for some people if it unrepresses old stuff that they would rather not remember.

[Jimmie Higgins]

councelling is good if you just need to say 'anything', especially if you keep alot of stuff to yourself and hold the anger in. Though I hear it can go really badly wrong for some people if it unrepresses old stuff that they would rather not remember.

I've read that Roman elietes had a form of the talking cure and I've always thought there was something of a similar effect with Catholic confessions. Maybe I watched too much Star Trek the Next Generation growing up, but I always sort of thought that in a society without inequality and elietes (ha, moreso than Star Trek anyway) that there would be an increase in this sort of thing - not necissarily with any connection to really imbobilizing emotional or mental issues, but just for daily life. Most people do this informally through friendships and other relationships like that - but sometimes I think a 3rd party who doesn't know you personally would be valuable to get some council from.

[Aurora]

I've never seen a psyciatrist or psycologis. I'd totally love to have counciling or "talking-cure" sessions though - maybe because it seems awsome in movies - or I just like to talk about myself and complain about things :D.

When i first went my therapist assured me that it was going to be nothing like it is in the movies, five minutes in after lots of 'hmm' 'how does that make you feel?' 'have you considered you may be gay?' i knew he wasn't a film buff. ;)

[Lev Bronsteinovich]

Suffering from depression... been told at one point by a psychiatrist that it was dysthymia, but when I was admitted to the psych ward in fall of 2011, they listed it as MDD, so I'm not really sure on that point. Also been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder at age 12 and still having lots of problems with that. Also at one point had a psychiatrist who suggested I might have agoraphobia, but I'm not seeing her anymore since she got sick and I'm not going to ask my current psych because he's an asshole. I think that's it (besides Asperger's), but there have been times when multiple people have expressed concern about my impulsivity, but no diagnosis has come from that so I have no fucking idea.
Dysthymia is a lower level of chronic depression. Major Depressive D/O, is more acute/severe (e.g., people suffering from Dysthymia very rarely try to kill themselves). I hope the asshole psychiatrist you are working with has a good grasp of Asperger's. I have treated some poor souls with this syndrome that have been routinely, and for decades, misdiagnosed and poorly treated.

[Sperm-Doll Setsuna]

I have suffered from depression, anxiety and ocd for the past five years. I'm currently on some anti-depressants, but i kinda wanna stop using them.

I tried to stop taking mine a year ago.

It went all right for a while. About a month after ceasing to take them, I started having unpleasant dreams of people around me and myself dying and being deathly ill. Eventually I got a severe panic attack episode that lasted three days during which I was unable to eat more than fragments of bread and was likewise unable to sleep. I lost about 5 kg weight in that time.
I had to resume taking the anti-anxiety/anti-depressives, and the following week was quite terrible.

So I would recommend you thread carefully with stopping it.

[Leftsolidarity]

When I was in Freshman year my school had me go to a family counsler for a number of sessions since my behavior/attitude was so bad and I left my mom's house (I suppose I 'ran away' but I didn't feel it was that serious at the time, I just needed out of my mom's house). All that ever did was frustrate and piss me off way more than my parents could have by themselves.

Even though it was supposed to be like my personal therapy along with the family counsling I felt like it was always just kind of like "speak about your problems for this hour and once you leave just fucking behave". It felt like a punishment more than help since my school had me go and during the sessions either my parents would act like they were listening and talk as if stuff would change, then once we leave it's business as usual. Or they would just argue with me and say I'm wrong and shoot down any attempt to talk about real issues.

It was fucking stupid and a waste of time. Not only did I have to deal with those awkward and frustrating sessions (oh yeah my parents couldn't be in the same room without them getting at each other) but then you gotta live with higher expectations since you're getting "help" and should be better.

All of that was kind of a big part of why I wouldn't ask my parents to let me see one when I wanted cuz that was a colossal waste of time and resources and made them more judgmental.

I got the pleasure of going to a session when I was in senior year cuz my step-sister's person wanted us all there. It was even worse than I remembered. My dad and brother literally just argued with the guy (who was clearly correct) the whole time until he basically had to kick them out. Everyone left more pissed off than before.

Either just my family sucks (well it does) and/or family counsling is the stupidest thing ever made.

[Rusakov]

I have suffered from Depression in the past and, in my opinion, will probably keep suffering from bouts from time to time.

[Let's Get Free]

I'm a fairly happy person.

[Red Economist]

Either just my family sucks (well it does) and/or family counsling is the stupidest thing ever made.

I think it was R.D. Lang who said about how family members 'strategise' against each other and Wilhelm Reich just went all out and blamed the institution for Fascism.

I've basically just stopped talking to my parents now, even though we live in the same house. we eat at dinner together and that's about it. I go out of the way and walk it off. life is easier without their constant low-level anxiety hanging in the air, even if they are next door. Knowing you don't have to 'join in' when they start getting pissed off at something always helps.

[Tolstoy]

I have troubles with Seasonal Affective disorder (winter blues)

Apparently I have Aspergers Syndrom, but I refuse to officially acknowledge it and lead a pretty decent social life, so it doesent affect me and I refuse to let it really get to me.

[MarxArchist]

Read the DSM and apply each mental disorder to what suits your experience/feelings. Each person will have at least 10 disorders and 30 different medications for each one.

[Ele'ill]

I post about mental health in science and environment sometimes. What do you all think of this http://theicarusproject.net/

[Tenka]

I've never been to a psych, but I am depressed. I had my first panic attack at age 14, and it was the last for a while; in the past few years they have been increasing in frequency. I have a neurologist's appointment for unrelated things, but after that my mother wants to take me to a counselor or psych or I dunno what. Probably going to get prescribed pills we can't afford and be told to "change my attitude" as my mother has frequently told me... but hopefully Psychs in general aren't that goddamned stupid and mentally lazy.

[Paul Pott]

Revleft needs help.

[Anglo-Saxon Philistine]

I have never been to a psychiatrist - people have described my mistrust of psychiatrists as "paranoid", but given how Croatian psychiatrists are, I consider myself justified - but I have experienced panic attacks, dysthymic periods and, as mentioned previously, I generally loathe myself, though I'd need a time machine to fix that. That or some major drugs.

[Pelarys]

Am i the only on with an extremly positive experience of psychology? Individual therapy is probably the bedt thing that ever happened to me, but it s expensive

[Red Economist]

I post about mental health in science and environment sometimes. What do you all think of this http://theicarusproject.net/

saved to favorites. will have to take a more deatiled look a bit later.

"The Icarus Project envisions a new culture and language that resonates with our actual experiences of 'mental illness' rather than trying to fit our lives into a conventional framework."

couldn't agree more on the language issue. So much of mental health is experienced subjectively (good moments and bad) that the words are simply inadequate to describe it because it is not a shared experience.

[Jesus Saves Gretzky Scores]

I used to be really depressed. I fucking hated myself, but it wasn't diagnosed or anything, so I'm not sure if it counts.

[John Lennin]

I'm suffering from emetophobia (fear of vomiting) and chronic nervousness.

[Vercingetorix]

I have no history of serious mental illness. I have experienced temporary depression caused by environmental circumstances, which required a resolution of those circumstances rather than medication and therapy.

I have dealt with things such as learning differences. I do not think like others do, but I am not mentally ill, and it does not cause day to day dysfunction.

[Arlekino]

I am often cry, Recently I started drink more and more. Do I am going down to alcoholism?

[Vercingetorix]

I am often cry, Recently I started drink more and more. Do I am going down to alcoholism?

Be careful. That's possible.

[mybloodisred]

I suffer from depression and maybe bipolar disorder. However, I'm not a fan of these medical terms.

I think we all have different brains/minds (or we are all different brains/minds, should I say?) and have to deal with them. I have very frequent thoughts of suicide, and I have had them since I was a kid. Right now I'm in a period when they are particularly bad/strong, but I have to trust myself not to do anything stupid and deal with it. =/

The way I deal with it is marijuana, meditation and physical activity.

[Workers-Control-Over-Prod]

feelin down as fuck

Hm. Sounds like me everytime I'm not drunk. #Fuck-Neo-Liberal-Capitalist-Society

[Bostana]

I'm not depressed, I'm just pissed off all the time

[Rugged Collectivist]

I'm suffering from depression and another mental health disorder that I know of.

[human strike]

Comrades may be interested in the Icarus Project: http://theicarusproject.net/

I think a lot can be done (that isn't) to self-organise mental health therapy. Currently working on such a thing in my town. I think support like this is one of the most important things we can do as conscious revolutionaries.

[PC LOAD LETTER]

Previously diagnosed with major depression. Doc said "I think you're bipolar but I need to observe you for a while". Then she quit. Next doc was an idiot. "I don't feel any different". "We'll just up the dose then". "I don't feel any different." "We'll just up the dose then." Next thing I know, three months later I was in the hospital suicidal and shit. A few months after that with more shit from that doctor "Oh even though you have anxiety I'll add wellbutrin" "Oh it makes you feel like you're on coke and you now get so nervous in public you visibly shake? Well keep trying it for another few weeks." "No, fuck you."


Stopped taking the wellbutrin and cymbalta, stopped going to the doc. That was ... two ish years ago. I'm still depressed on and off. Sometimes I'm really impulsive and go on binges, like drinking constantly and spending money and being really social to the point that I crave to be out and will damn near pace my apartment until I find something to do, that lasts a while, then I get down and feel like shit for a while, lather, rinse, repeat.

Fuck it.


I voted currently suffering from depression because it never really went away, just gets bad and less bad.

[Ele'ill]

Comrades may be interested in the Icarus Project: http://theicarusproject.net/

I think a lot can be done (that isn't) to self-organise mental health therapy. Currently working on such a thing in my town. I think support like this is one of the most important things we can do as conscious revolutionaries.

I posted this several posts above you and you're the first person that I know of or can remember on this forum that have posted about it.

[cyu]

hated myself

When people suffer because of oppressive policies, it keeps the ruling class safer when they convince those suffering to blame themselves for their suffering, rather than blaming their oppressors.

[Workers-Control-Over-Prod]

Previously diagnosed with major depression. Doc said "I think you're bipolar but I need to observe you for a while". Then she quit. Next doc was an idiot. "I don't feel any different". "We'll just up the dose then". "I don't feel any different." "We'll just up the dose then." Next thing I know, three months later I was in the hospital suicidal and shit. A few months after that with more shit from that doctor "Oh even though you have anxiety I'll add wellbutrin" "Oh it makes you feel like you're on coke and you now get so nervous in public you visibly shake? Well keep trying it for another few weeks." "No, fuck you."


Stopped taking the wellbutrin and cymbalta, stopped going to the doc. That was ... two ish years ago. I'm still depressed on and off. Sometimes I'm really impulsive and go on binges, like drinking constantly and spending money and being really social to the point that I crave to be out and will damn near pace my apartment until I find something to do, that lasts a while, then I get down and feel like shit for a while, lather, rinse, repeat.

Fuck it.


I voted currently suffering from depression because it never really went away, just gets bad and less bad.

Wow, that sound really familiar. The extremely different conditions one finds oneself in during Work and Unemployment, has only made this extreme behavior worse for me. Sometimes I go out for no reason or aim and let go completely, then at other times I can't find a way to motivate myself to go outside.

If only we had a united party-movement of the working class, with its own social institutions and recreational organizations, things would be a lot more stable on a personal level as well.

[Tenka]

Previously diagnosed with major depression. Doc said "I think you're bipolar but I need to observe you for a while". Then she quit. Next doc was an idiot. "I don't feel any different". "We'll just up the dose then". "I don't feel any different." "We'll just up the dose then." Next thing I know, three months later I was in the hospital suicidal and shit. A few months after that with more shit from that doctor "Oh even though you have anxiety I'll add wellbutrin" "Oh it makes you feel like you're on coke and you now get so nervous in public you visibly shake? Well keep trying it for another few weeks." "No, fuck you."


Stopped taking the wellbutrin and cymbalta, stopped going to the doc. That was ... two ish years ago. I'm still depressed on and off. Sometimes I'm really impulsive and go on binges, like drinking constantly and spending money and being really social to the point that I crave to be out and will damn near pace my apartment until I find something to do, that lasts a while, then I get down and feel like shit for a while, lather, rinse, repeat.

Fuck it.


I voted currently suffering from depression because it never really went away, just gets bad and less bad.

That sounds horrible.
I also visibly shake in public. When I went to the DMV once I had trouble holding a pen, too, and I felt weak and my hands had lost their colour. I'm not on any drugs, either, except caffeine (though I reckon I consume a bit less than the average American most of the time) and my motion sickness medication. Don't need a psych to tell me I have some form of social anxiety, but getting such a professional opinion might help my mother to not be so much on my case about "getting a job".

I wonder if there's a "-phobia" for fear of being a wage slave? They probably call that "laziness".

[human strike]

I posted this several posts above you and you're the first person that I know of or can remember on this forum that have posted about it.

Sorry, managed to miss that. Ditto. You asked what people think of it? I think it's a great initiative, though some of the stuff on the website about mental illness being a "gift" is a bit dodgy, but local groups seem to take on their own shape and ideas.

I've suffered from mental health problems. I've never been properly diagnosed but then most people who suffer from mental illness aren't ever diagnosed. I've had problems with depression and anxiety. I could probably easily be diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder but I don't want a diagnosis and I'm not convinced it's a real thing - the feelings and "symptoms" are real enough though.

[Domela Nieuwenhuis]

I think it's a great initiative, though some of the stuff on the website about mental illness being a "gift" is a bit dodgy

Yeah, you can find tons of positive traits for people with ADD. Do you know when i can use these in daily life? NEVER!

Fuck it, there's nothing positive about it.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

'major depressive disorder' the doctor called it, although i think its bipolar according to the criteria - recently had an 'episode'

[Domela Nieuwenhuis]

'major depressive disorder' the doctor called it, although i think its bipolar according to the criteria - recently had an 'episode'

Hey MA, long time no see!

Are you currently allright though?

[human strike]

Yeah, you can find tons of positive traits for people with ADD. Do you know when i can use these in daily life? NEVER!

Fuck it, there's nothing positive about it.

Well, how we conceive mental health and what we consider to be "disorders" is highly subjective and ideological. I think a communist conception of mental illness and therapy is radically different from a capitalist conception.

Though I'm critical, I think Vaneigem was onto something when he said:

"There is no such thing as mental illness. It is merely a convenient label for grouping and isolating cases where identification has not occurred properly. Those whom Power can neither govern nor kill, it taxes with madness. The category includes extremists and megalomaniacs of the role, as well as those who deride roles or refuse them. It is only the isolation of such individuals which condemns them, however. Let a General identify with France, with the support of millions of voters, and an opposition immediately springs up which seriously seeks to rival him in his lunacy. Horbiger’s attempt to invent a Nazi physics met with a similar kind of success. General Walker was taken seriously when he drew a distinction between superior, white, divine and capitalist man on the one hand, and black, demoniacal, communist man on the other. Franco would meditate devoutly and beg God for guidance in oppressing Spain. Everywhere in the world are leaders whose cold frenzy lends substance to the thesis that man is a machine for ruling. True madness is a function not of isolation but of identification.

"The role is the self-caricature which we carry about with us everywhere, and which brings us everywhere face to face with an absence. An absence, though, which is structured, dressed up, prettified. The roles of paranoiac, schizophrenic or psychopath do not carry the seal of social usefulness; in other words, they are not distributed under the label of power, as are the roles of cop, boss, or military officer. But they do have a utility in specified places in asylums and prisons. Such places are museums of a sort, serving the double purpose, from Power’s point of view, of confining dangerous rivals while at the same time supplying the spectacle with needed negative stereotypes. For bad examples and their exemplary punishment add spice to the spectacle and protect it. If identification were maximized through increased isolation, the ultimate falseness of the distinction between mental and social alienation would soon become clear."

http://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/raoul-vaneigem-the-revolution-of-everyday-life#toc53

[soso17]

Previously diagnosed with major depression. Doc said "I think you're bipolar but I need to observe you for a while". Then she quit. Next doc was an idiot. "I don't feel any different". "We'll just up the dose then". "I don't feel any different." "We'll just up the dose then." Next thing I know, three months later I was in the hospital suicidal and shit. A few months after that with more shit from that doctor "Oh even though you have anxiety I'll add wellbutrin" "Oh it makes you feel like you're on coke and you now get so nervous in public you visibly shake? Well keep trying it for another few weeks." "No, fuck you."


Stopped taking the wellbutrin and cymbalta, stopped going to the doc. That was ... two ish years ago. I'm still depressed on and off. Sometimes I'm really impulsive and go on binges, like drinking constantly and spending money and being really social to the point that I crave to be out and will damn near pace my apartment until I find something to do, that lasts a while, then I get down and feel like shit for a while, lather, rinse, repeat.

Fuck it.


I voted currently suffering from depression because it never really went away, just gets bad and less bad.

Not trying to diagnose you, as I am not a doctor, but your history would seem to point to bipolar disorder, from which I suffer. Individuals that have bipolar disorder do go through bouts of drinking and drug use, esp during mania, in an attempt to self medicate. I had the same reaction to Wellbutrin that you did.

Just something to think about.

--soso

[cyu]

One might say that sane people are expected to be unhappy when living under oppression.

It is those who have managed to convince themselves to be happy and accept oppression, that are the ones who are truly insane.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

Hey MA, long time no see!

Are you currently allright though?
hey :)

not bad - coming out of a manic episode is a strange experience. it isn't wholly negative as you can be very creative and productive but it can easily go badly and turn from something enjoyable into something completely crazy. remembering what you've done is the worst thing, its a bit like waking up from a night of heavy drinking and being told that you've done lots of mad things.

hope ur well :)

[juljd]

I have been diagnosed with depression before, it's a bit better now though. I don't feel sad for "no reason" anymore, but I'm still kind of depressed sometimes. Now it's mainly because I also have a lot of anxiety, which I had before too though. I was diagnosed with panic disorder, I have OCD tendencies and serious problems with hypochondria.

[Brosa Luxemburg]

I put I am not currently suffering from any mental health problems and have no history. I have never been diagnosed for anything. I was a victim of childhood sexual abuse, and that sometimes got me "down" (and honestly still does every now and then when i'm thinking about shit), but I don't think I have depression or anything. For a while teachers, etc. were worried about me having depression, but I don't think I do.

[InvalidPacket]

.

[Domela Nieuwenhuis]

Well, how we conceive mental health and what we consider to be "disorders" is highly subjective and ideological. I think a communist conception of mental illness and therapy is radically different from a capitalist conception.

Though I'm critical, I think Vaneigem was onto something when he said:

"There is no such thing as mental illness. It is merely a convenient label for grouping and isolating cases where identification has not occurred properly. Those whom Power can neither govern nor kill, it taxes with madness. The category includes extremists and megalomaniacs of the role, as well as those who deride roles or refuse them. It is only the isolation of such individuals which condemns them, however. Let a General identify with France, with the support of millions of voters, and an opposition immediately springs up which seriously seeks to rival him in his lunacy. Horbiger’s attempt to invent a Nazi physics met with a similar kind of success. General Walker was taken seriously when he drew a distinction between superior, white, divine and capitalist man on the one hand, and black, demoniacal, communist man on the other. Franco would meditate devoutly and beg God for guidance in oppressing Spain. Everywhere in the world are leaders whose cold frenzy lends substance to the thesis that man is a machine for ruling. True madness is a function not of isolation but of identification.

"The role is the self-caricature which we carry about with us everywhere, and which brings us everywhere face to face with an absence. An absence, though, which is structured, dressed up, prettified. The roles of paranoiac, schizophrenic or psychopath do not carry the seal of social usefulness; in other words, they are not distributed under the label of power, as are the roles of cop, boss, or military officer. But they do have a utility in specified places in asylums and prisons. Such places are museums of a sort, serving the double purpose, from Power’s point of view, of confining dangerous rivals while at the same time supplying the spectacle with needed negative stereotypes. For bad examples and their exemplary punishment add spice to the spectacle and protect it. If identification were maximized through increased isolation, the ultimate falseness of the distinction between mental and social alienation would soon become clear."

http://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/raoul-vaneigem-the-revolution-of-everyday-life#toc53

I sometimes think people with ADD might just as well be the next step in human evolution. If you read the positive traits, you might think we are 'superior' (how i hate the meaning of that word when nationalists use it).
The negative ones, on the other hand, are possibly conceived as unwanted because of the way the world is arranged right now.

Ah, the ponderings of a dreamer...:rolleyes:

[PC LOAD LETTER]

That sounds horrible.
I also visibly shake in public. When I went to the DMV once I had trouble holding a pen, too, and I felt weak and my hands had lost their colour. I'm not on any drugs, either, except caffeine (though I reckon I consume a bit less than the average American most of the time) and my motion sickness medication. Don't need a psych to tell me I have some form of social anxiety, but getting such a professional opinion might help my mother to not be so much on my case about "getting a job".

I wonder if there's a "-phobia" for fear of being a wage slave? They probably call that "laziness".
It was a pretty shitty experience. My anxiety used to be BAD, like what you're describing, I can remember being in similar situations and not being able to look people in the eye or I'd start shaking when I was much younger, but I seemed to have learned to control it and most people think I'm just quiet (unless I'm drunk, then I'm loud). Once I stopped taking the wellbutrin my anxiety levels dropped to a manageable point, no more shaking, but I do have a slight tremor when I'm holding a fork or a cigarette or something, It's not related to stress, I don't think, maybe it is and I just don't realize it.


Not trying to diagnose you, as I am not a doctor, but your history would seem to point to bipolar disorder, from which I suffer. Individuals that have bipolar disorder do go through bouts of drinking and drug use, esp during mania, in an attempt to self medicate. I had the same reaction to Wellbutrin that you did.

Just something to think about.

--soso
I appreciate the input. I don't consider myself to have bipolar disorder because the doctor quit before she could ever make a positive/negative diagnosis in that light and I don't want to even attempt a self-diagnosis. My life from about age 12 until now (mid 20s) has been peppered with cycles of deep depression and wreckless behavior including a lot of drug use. I was at my worst when I was 19-ish. I just think I'm depressed half the time and a wild fuckup the other half.




Wow, that sound really familiar. The extremely different conditions one finds oneself in during Work and Unemployment, has only made this extreme behavior worse for me. Sometimes I go out for no reason or aim and let go completely, then at other times I can't find a way to motivate myself to go outside.

If only we had a united party-movement of the working class, with its own social institutions and recreational organizations, things would be a lot more stable on a personal level as well.
I'm the same way. I can remember being 19 and having a compulsion to just leave my apartment and wander around just to do something even if I couldn't find anyone to hang out with or anywhere specific to go. I'd wander and explore until sunrise sometimes.

[Ele'ill]

*oh yeah, other mental health and depression

[Workers-Control-Over-Prod]

That sounds horrible.
I also visibly shake in public. When I went to the DMV once I had trouble holding a pen, too, and I felt weak and my hands had lost their colour. I'm not on any drugs, either, except caffeine (though I reckon I consume a bit less than the average American most of the time) and my motion sickness medication. Don't need a psych to tell me I have some form of social anxiety, but getting such a professional opinion might help my mother to not be so much on my case about "getting a job".

I wonder if there's a "-phobia" for fear of being a wage slave? They probably call that "laziness".


I've had that as well. My first interview I was fucking sweating and couldn't even talk or think straight. Second interview I had a few sips of Vodka before and it was better; not a solution, but certainly a help. The more Interviews and appointments you go to the more you will know what to expect and will relax. After experience, the second most important thing is to constantly push yourself to the edge, read read read, learn learn learn and you will stop caring about irrelevant small stuff in life. After your professional and private life stabilizes, you will begin to appreciate and see the beauty in little things again.

[psychny]

partly in response to the thread (below), I wanted to find out just how widespread depression and mental health problems are on revleft and whether there is anything we can do about. my suspicion is that it may well be a high percentage of users (at a guess 25-50%) have a history of problems. this would be particuarly true if most members on revleft are in the 18-25 age group, which is (I think) more likely to suffer from depression.

http://www.revleft.com/vb/good-reason-livei-t180486/index.html

Depression is now widespread in developed countries and has been associated with the consumerist aspirations of capitalist society as a 'disease of affluence'. You may have heard about 'affluenza' which is a book which argues that there is a relationship between mental health problems and consumerism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affluenza

For an outline on depression:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression


Given that Revleft is essentially anonymous, I don't think this will break any forum rules or laws by just doing a poll, but please correct me if I am wrong.

my own experiences have been that I have suffered depression (at least) since I left university four and a half years ago. I felt I had lost everything of value to me and was suicidal for about two weeks or so. I am bi-sexual and a large part of the problem has been the process of coming out, though definetely not all. I've been completiing my degree from home and recovering since then. I had a serious replase earlier this year when my best freind became an arms dealer and the relationship broke down. I had a crush on him and it totally shook my judgement and left me devastated. I sought counselling and managed to pull out of it, so that I am now relatively stable but still have low mood occassionally.

I don't think my experience are unique and there is a decent reason to suspect that if it has an enviromental cause, it can be caused by our relationships with individuals and within society. It can therefore be argued to be a political issue tied in with anti-capitalism and has legitimate scope as a cause amongst the left even if solutions, beyond offering support, are not obvious.
Anyone suffering in mental health issues such as depression or any other mental problem, being requested to contact Dr. Mike Abrams. He is a caring, compassionate, non-judgmental board certified psychologist in NYC with 25 years of experience. He is on the graduate psychology faculty of NYU, and as an author and researcher he has substantially contributed to modern psychotherapeutic methods. Call (800) 681-3114 to get information about his services or to request an appointment to see him at his office located on e12th Street in NYC.
Thanks