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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by john locke on January 16, 2016, at 16:07:18
Do you think that we will eventually get redemption for our tough circumstances? Whether in an afterlife or another life? Or did we just draw bad cards and thats all there is to it?
Posted by SLS on January 16, 2016, at 17:59:16
In reply to Will we get redemption?, posted by john locke on January 16, 2016, at 16:07:18
> Do you think that we will eventually get redemption for our tough circumstances? Whether in an afterlife or another life? Or did we just draw bad cards and thats all there is to it?
My vote is for the latter.
It is not a pessimistic view, I don't think. I am a fairly spiritual person. However, I don't like wasting moments betting that there will be a better time waiting for me after my death. My time is now. I just pray that the future will hold for me better days. I am grateful that things are better for me now than they had been for decades. Still, I know that I am not as resilient as I used to be. It seems that I am more likely to experience existential crises when I relapse completely. If I had faith in an afterlife, perhaps I wouldn't experience such things. I would feel that death provides relief and a life in paradise. Perhaps I would have committed suicide by now were I not to believe that death brings nothingness.
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on January 16, 2016, at 18:07:12
In reply to Will we get redemption?, posted by john locke on January 16, 2016, at 16:07:18
Although I still suffer, I have made it my personal mission to learn about anything and everything that can provide any small degree of relief.
My house is filled with literally dozens (if not hundreds) of foods, supplements, medications, lists of activities etc, which can modulate my mood to some extent.
I learn about each tool, what it does, and what symptoms it can help, and I make notes and lists of tools that help in different circumstances. None of these things prevents everything, but I feel surrounded by supports that help me feel a bit more empowered, each time I suffer a setback, I feel I am a bit closer to a faster recovery.
Staying well, is not about popping the 'right' pill at the right dose and forgetting that depression ever occurred. It is a process of investigation, introspection, personal growth, and learning that does not happen in a straight line.
Depression happens when one feels trapped - thinking becomes all or nothing. The best way to not feel trapped is to learn more about small, medium and large steps that can be taken to help move from trapped to liberated.
Linkadge
Posted by john locke on January 16, 2016, at 18:55:29
In reply to Re: Will we get redemption?, posted by linkadge on January 16, 2016, at 18:07:12
> Although I still suffer, I have made it my personal mission to learn about anything and everything that can provide any small degree of relief.
>
> My house is filled with literally dozens (if not hundreds) of foods, supplements, medications, lists of activities etc, which can modulate my mood to some extent.
>
> I learn about each tool, what it does, and what symptoms it can help, and I make notes and lists of tools that help in different circumstances. None of these things prevents everything, but I feel surrounded by supports that help me feel a bit more empowered, each time I suffer a setback, I feel I am a bit closer to a faster recovery.
>
> Staying well, is not about popping the 'right' pill at the right dose and forgetting that depression ever occurred. It is a process of investigation, introspection, personal growth, and learning that does not happen in a straight line.
>
> Depression happens when one feels trapped - thinking becomes all or nothing. The best way to not feel trapped is to learn more about small, medium and large steps that can be taken to help move from trapped to liberated.
>
>
> Linkadge
>Thank you Linkadge. As i am stuck in the all-or-nothing attitude at the moment, this felt enlightening.
Posted by baseball55 on January 17, 2016, at 19:12:37
In reply to Will we get redemption?, posted by john locke on January 16, 2016, at 16:07:18
> Do you think that we will eventually get redemption for our tough circumstances? Whether in an afterlife or another life? Or did we just draw bad cards and thats all there is to it?
Personally, I believe that this life is all we get and our job is to make the best of it that we can. But I realize that many people believe in an afterlife of some sort and that this is a great comfort to them.
Since we will never know, one way or another, each of us must choose what beliefs are most comfortable and comforting to them.
I find my lack of faith comforting in a way, because it means, to me, that I must find comfort and healing in my own life. This has been very important in my willingness to work at therapy and attend 12-step groups. I still have awful bouts of depression, but try to sit through these and do what I can with therapy and friendships to make my life worth living. Frankly, I think if I believed in an afterlife, I would have killed myself by now. Instead, I believe in my responsibly to my family and friends and students, who need me alive.
Posted by Lamdage22 on January 22, 2016, at 14:15:18
In reply to Re: Will we get redemption?, posted by baseball55 on January 17, 2016, at 19:12:37
how do ypu deal with the religious people at 12 step programs??
Posted by SLS on January 22, 2016, at 15:06:51
In reply to Re: Will we get redemption?, posted by Lamdage22 on January 22, 2016, at 14:15:18
> how do ypu deal with the religious people at 12 step programs??
That's a great question. I would have trouble with that myself.
* Whatever works.
- Scott
Posted by Meltingpot on February 1, 2016, at 6:14:37
In reply to Will we get redemption?, posted by john locke on January 16, 2016, at 16:07:18
I was brought up a catholic. Scott hit the nail on the head when he said that with depression you feel trapped. When I went to pieces all I could think about was wanting to commit suicide and then all I could think of was that I might go to hell if I did. I felt even more trapped!
I would love to come back in this world exactly the same, with the same parents, same upbringing but without this awful depression and anxiety. If it hadn't been for that my life would have been good.
I envy people who say that they emerged from their depression a stronger and better person because I can't say that I have.
Denise
This is the end of the thread.
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