Posted by aeon on November 27, 2006, at 19:10:38
In reply to Re: It's Treatable. No, it's not., posted by linkadge on November 27, 2006, at 18:47:43
**Maybe we all feel like crap for all I know.**
I wondered this for a long time and the evidence for me stacks up that no they don't. We tend to extrapolate our emotional state to others its human nature... many do but it is not normal.
The whole situation becomes even more stupid if you ever happen to get shackled with the life sentence bipolar. You then have to be double vigilant... actually for me happiness is not even allowed, I have to be real careful in the times when I do feel "better" not get elated from the sheer relief of it and mistakenly tell someone like the (doctor)how great it feels.
I'll be whipped off back to the hospital in a second or worse have the meds removed that were giving me the brief relief.
I am in a catch 22 I can't show my depression and I can't show my happiness. I have to be on an even keel at all times. I just don't talk anymore. "How are you?" "Fine". I am in an emotional prison both within and without.
Hope, that's all we really have, that is the only thing that keeps us going. I observe other people because they give me hope that this is NOT human nature, it is just a disease. That's why I spend hours and hours looking for some slight hope that this or that herb, supp, med, or SOMETHING will be my magic.
I know my hope is misfounded. I am not stupid. I truly do not REALLY believe I will ever feel like they do. But what else is there? Depression + Despair = Death. I've been there and had to come back. So I cling to stupid, mindless brainless hope in the face of hopelessness.
One last thing: Those cognitive beahviourists can stick their happy thoughts you know where! :-) Cause I've tried it, over and over and over again, and thoughts do NOT affect your emotions when you are depressed because DEPRESSION IS NOT AN EMOTION and it overrides all other feelings.
poster:aeon
thread:706067
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061123/msgs/708005.html