Comments on: D is for Depression… http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/ An Aussie girl living in Tokyo with her Japanese boyfriend trying to make sense of her crazy yet funny Japanese life... Wed, 7 Jan 2009 13:07:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: comonnfaluntit http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1276 comonnfaluntit Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:14:57 +0000 http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1276 LAME why dont u cry about it? LAME why dont u cry about it?

]]> By: Ian http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1254 Ian Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:55:37 +0000 http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1254 Good post, Lulu. Depression is a subject close to me, via both family members and my own experience. I found it really difficult to understand till I experienced it myself a few years ago. Wow, it really knocked me about. I tried to soldier on for a while, but eventually took myself to the doctor and started getting treated for it. I still have days when I feel really flat, but nothing like when it was at its worst. Good post, Lulu. Depression is a subject close to me, via both family members and my own experience. I found it really difficult to understand till I experienced it myself a few years ago. Wow, it really knocked me about. I tried to soldier on for a while, but eventually took myself to the doctor and started getting treated for it. I still have days when I feel really flat, but nothing like when it was at its worst.

]]> By: Lulu http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1228 Lulu Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:02:41 +0000 http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1228 Justine: Thanks for stopping by to comment. I am really enjoying writing the encyclopedia of me and because I had just moved my blog over to wordpress I thought it would be a good task to keep me motivated about blogging!!! I think it would be great if you could join in to! Amanda: Thank you. I hope that if you find yourself in a situation where you depression seems to be lasting long term that you get help. You seem to have good judgement though because you said yourself that most times there is a trigger...in that case if the trigger is dealt with then usually you can move on. You seem to know where you are at with it all. Those friends you have with depression are lucky to have you. Someone that is supportive with out been judgemental is just what someone with depression needs. Sara: I have the same problem with birth control pills also.....In fact most doctors look at me like I am crazy when I list the medications I am on...the pill, anti-depressents, an asthma steriod and other asthma medication when I actually have asthma attacks etc...I am like a walking drug store! I get all of my medication, except for migraines, in Australia though...and just bring it back with me. I am secure in my thoughts about taking anti-depressants but it did take me a while to get comfotable with the idea. Ultimately I would love not to have to take them, the same way in which I wish I didn`t have asthma. But that is life I guess. Nay: Thank you for commenting. I had kind of put two and two together already after reading your post about your brother a couple of months ago....but hadn`t wanted to say anything in case I was way off. I think you understand what I have written then, especially since it sounds like you have dealt with others who have had depression most of you life. I can recommend a couple of good doctors in Brisbane if you would like to talk to someone about your own issues....or alternativaly you can email me anytime if you need to talk. You have my phone number too right? You might find instead of going to a doctor, that going to a counseller might help you come to terms with some stuff and decide whether you think you need medication or not. Katie: I am happy that anybody commented on this at all, I thought perhaps that it might freak people out a little. You and I have spoken about this before, so I had thought that you might comment though. It is hard for those who have not dealt with depression or anxiety before to understand exactly what it is like...I think even those who have had depression and or anxiety also might not understand other peoples approaches to it either because it is such a personal thing. and different for everyone. Thanks for commenting, I love you too! Enny: Thank you Enny. I am glad you thought it was well written, it makes me happy! C is for is not for a swear word.....It will come in a couple of weeks...more than likely E and F will come before it though. Justine: Thanks for stopping by to comment. I am really enjoying writing the encyclopedia of me and because I had just moved my blog over to wordpress I thought it would be a good task to keep me motivated about blogging!!!

I think it would be great if you could join in to!

Amanda: Thank you. I hope that if you find yourself in a situation where you depression seems to be lasting long term that you get help. You seem to have good judgement though because you said yourself that most times there is a trigger…in that case if the trigger is dealt with then usually you can move on. You seem to know where you are at with it all.

Those friends you have with depression are lucky to have you. Someone that is supportive with out been judgemental is just what someone with depression needs.

Sara: I have the same problem with birth control pills also…..In fact most doctors look at me like I am crazy when I list the medications I am on…the pill, anti-depressents, an asthma steriod and other asthma medication when I actually have asthma attacks etc…I am like a walking drug store! I get all of my medication, except for migraines, in Australia though…and just bring it back with me. I am secure in my thoughts about taking anti-depressants but it did take me a while to get comfotable with the idea. Ultimately I would love not to have to take them, the same way in which I wish I didn`t have asthma. But that is life I guess.

Nay: Thank you for commenting. I had kind of put two and two together already after reading your post about your brother a couple of months ago….but hadn`t wanted to say anything in case I was way off. I think you understand what I have written then, especially since it sounds like you have dealt with others who have had depression most of you life. I can recommend a couple of good doctors in Brisbane if you would like to talk to someone about your own issues….or alternativaly you can email me anytime if you need to talk. You have my phone number too right? You might find instead of going to a doctor, that going to a counseller might help you come to terms with some stuff and decide whether you think you need medication or not.

Katie: I am happy that anybody commented on this at all, I thought perhaps that it might freak people out a little. You and I have spoken about this before, so I had thought that you might comment though. It is hard for those who have not dealt with depression or anxiety before to understand exactly what it is like…I think even those who have had depression and or anxiety also might not understand other peoples approaches to it either because it is such a personal thing. and different for everyone. Thanks for commenting, I love you too!

Enny: Thank you Enny. I am glad you thought it was well written, it makes me happy! C is for is not for a swear word…..It will come in a couple of weeks…more than likely E and F will come before it though.

]]> By: enny http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1227 enny Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:33:03 +0000 http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1227 That's really well written, Lulu. You've made it very easy to understand and shown you have a very sensible approach :o) I'm hanging out for 'C' - what is it?! I'm thinking swear words... ah mah!! That’s really well written, Lulu. You’ve made it very easy to understand and shown you have a very sensible approach :o)

I’m hanging out for ‘C’ - what is it?! I’m thinking swear words… ah mah!!

]]> By: Katie http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1226 Katie Mon, 11 Feb 2008 10:17:59 +0000 http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1226 I think everyone here has made some very good points and been very open, which is a good thing. Because having depression and anxiety can make you feel so isolated, like you are alone, when in fact it is very common. Society is so much more complicated now and that's why these types of illnesses weren't often heard of before. I believe that depression/anxiety is from both nature AND nurture. It can be hereditary and it can be caused by factors such as situations you've been exposed to and how you've experienced life. You can never really understand what it's like until you have depression or anxiety yourself, or you have people close to you who have it. All you can do is show your support and try to empathise. Thank you for being so brave by being so honest and sharing your storey Lulu! I love you *mwah* I think everyone here has made some very good points and been very open, which is a good thing. Because having depression and anxiety can make you feel so isolated, like you are alone, when in fact it is very common. Society is so much more complicated now and that’s why these types of illnesses weren’t often heard of before. I believe that depression/anxiety is from both nature AND nurture. It can be hereditary and it can be caused by factors such as situations you’ve been exposed to and how you’ve experienced life. You can never really understand what it’s like until you have depression or anxiety yourself, or you have people close to you who have it. All you can do is show your support and try to empathise.

Thank you for being so brave by being so honest and sharing your storey Lulu! I love you *mwah*

]]> By: Nay http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1225 Nay Mon, 11 Feb 2008 08:34:39 +0000 http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1225 I read your post about depression, and wanted to comment but because this topic is way to close to home, I just couldn't... But then I read it again, and saw the honesty of your post, and found the courage to comment. My dad is severely depressed, my sister is on antidepressents, and I lost my brother to depression. I also have had fits and starts but because I hate doctors, I have never been diagnosed. My depression is most definitely linked to specific events in my life... I wish I could say I was happy, but even when I feel happy, its not 100% happiness. I feel like I have been robbed of an important part of my life... Sarah, I know what you mean about birth control pills - I have had some strange comments and weird looks too. Not only that, but birth control pills are so expensive in Japan!! So I go to my doctor in Oz, and he gives me 1 years worth of prescriptions! Could you do something like that? I read your post about depression, and wanted to comment but because this topic is way to close to home, I just couldn’t… But then I read it again, and saw the honesty of your post, and found the courage to comment.

My dad is severely depressed, my sister is on antidepressents, and I lost my brother to depression. I also have had fits and starts but because I hate doctors, I have never been diagnosed. My depression is most definitely linked to specific events in my life… I wish I could say I was happy, but even when I feel happy, its not 100% happiness. I feel like I have been robbed of an important part of my life…

Sarah, I know what you mean about birth control pills - I have had some strange comments and weird looks too. Not only that, but birth control pills are so expensive in Japan!! So I go to my doctor in Oz, and he gives me 1 years worth of prescriptions! Could you do something like that?

]]> By: Sara http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1224 Sara Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:53:17 +0000 http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1224 Hey I really enjoyed your post too! My father actually was diagnosed with depression a few years ago, so I sometimes wonder if I may have it as well.. I'm not so sure of the genetics.. but as far as I know my two brothers and me are both fine, so even if you have kids there may be no problems. I like how you put taking your medication as you would for a migraine.. I think the media makes a huge deal about depressed people and would make it seem that they would always be blue or sad.. I don't really understand it. You seem really secure in thoughts on this and I think that is the best thing possible for the situation. I know that in particular Japan is a hard country to live in on pretty much any "western idea" medication.. I got weird looks for going on birth control pills. so i'm sure you get the "why?" questions a lot.. Anyways I'm sorry I'm rambling! Looking forward to the next entry! Hey I really enjoyed your post too!
My father actually was diagnosed with depression a few years ago, so I sometimes wonder if I may have it as well.. I’m not so sure of the genetics.. but as far as I know my two brothers and me are both fine, so even if you have kids there may be no problems.

I like how you put taking your medication as you would for a migraine.. I think the media makes a huge deal about depressed people and would make it seem that they would always be blue or sad.. I don’t really understand it.

You seem really secure in thoughts on this and I think that is the best thing possible for the situation. I know that in particular Japan is a hard country to live in on pretty much any “western idea” medication.. I got weird looks for going on birth control pills. so i’m sure you get the “why?” questions a lot..

Anyways I’m sorry I’m rambling! Looking forward to the next entry!

]]> By: Amanda http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1221 Amanda Mon, 11 Feb 2008 02:00:24 +0000 http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1221 This is a brilliant post Lulu, it really is. You've covered so much. Personally, I'm pretty sure I've been on the verge of depression a couple of times. In every instance for me though, there was a definite trigger, and while it was hard, once that trigger had been dealt with I managed to feel better without much outside help. But I'm also conscious that I'm probably at high risk of developing long-term depression. I like your attitude towards medication- you take medicine for a migraine, or asthma, so of course you're going to take medication to address the chemical imbalance in your brain. I also have a couple of people close to me with depression, and dealing with that is hard at times. I understand why someone would not understand, and say "can't you just snap out of it?", but that's just so unhelpful. Sometimes there's just nothing anyone can say, and that sucks for everyone involved- but the person supporting the person with depression just needs to deal with it, at the end of the day. Accepting that sometimes there's nothing you can do is a good step. This is a brilliant post Lulu, it really is. You’ve covered so much. Personally, I’m pretty sure I’ve been on the verge of depression a couple of times. In every instance for me though, there was a definite trigger, and while it was hard, once that trigger had been dealt with I managed to feel better without much outside help. But I’m also conscious that I’m probably at high risk of developing long-term depression.

I like your attitude towards medication- you take medicine for a migraine, or asthma, so of course you’re going to take medication to address the chemical imbalance in your brain.

I also have a couple of people close to me with depression, and dealing with that is hard at times. I understand why someone would not understand, and say “can’t you just snap out of it?”, but that’s just so unhelpful. Sometimes there’s just nothing anyone can say, and that sucks for everyone involved- but the person supporting the person with depression just needs to deal with it, at the end of the day. Accepting that sometimes there’s nothing you can do is a good step.

]]> By: Justine http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1219 Justine Sun, 10 Feb 2008 22:24:08 +0000 http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1219 I really like this idea, the A-Z meme, it is such a good way of opening up to readers of your blog in the right way. I think I might just have to join in on this meme... I really like this idea, the A-Z meme, it is such a good way of opening up to readers of your blog in the right way. I think I might just have to join in on this meme…

]]> By: D is for Depression… : Anxiety-Stress http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1218 D is for Depression… : Anxiety-Stress Sun, 10 Feb 2008 21:37:41 +0000 http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/02/11/d-is-for-depression/#comment-1218 [...] Original post by Lulu [...] […] Original post by Lulu […]

]]>