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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rabble_rouser on July 27, 2005, at 17:32:48
Just a pointless rant ... why is it when I go into a vitamins store asking for something, and they ask me what I need it for, and I say depression, they get that AOOOGAH!! AOOGAH!! Psycho in the place!! look on their face and back away?
Even my doctor gave me the look of fear when I asked to go back on Effexor (some time ago)! These people are supposed to understand it!
Damn the UK has a backward attitude to depression.
And relax .....
Rabble
Posted by pinkeye on July 27, 2005, at 17:39:32
In reply to Argh why are people so BACKWARD?, posted by rabble_rouser on July 27, 2005, at 17:32:48
The key is to make people aware.. and in US they are doing a good job of educating people about depression with all the TV shows and talks about psychology.. But I guess in other countries, it is still a stigma. I bet 10 - 15 years down the line it won't be the same !!!. Certain things change only with time - we can't do anything about it.. and just have to wait..
For now, don't say it to storekeepers !!! Why wave the red flag in front of the bull ??
As to your Doctor expressing shock - well, it is his problem.. if he can't understand it, then he needs to read more and learn more.
Posted by rabble_rouser on July 27, 2005, at 18:27:32
In reply to People are always skeptical of anything new !! » rabble_rouser, posted by pinkeye on July 27, 2005, at 17:39:32
hehe i like the red flag comment. I just hate lying, and most of the stuff I buy is only for that! Hmm Internet shopping - now there's an idea ... The doc who reacted badly is a woman, which in a way surprised me more. I switched to a male one and he is much more understanding.
You are right about education. I remember listening to a guy on the train talking about a colleague that had been signed off work with stress, then came back to work on Prozac. His comments were "Yes, he felt happier, but once you're on those funny pills you're as good as lost, aren't you?". The fact that this guy was a high up executive added to the smarting.
That pretty much sums up a lot of people's attitude over here. Grr. I made the mistake of letting an employer know I was taking an antidepressant, one that causes no drowsiness. Imagine my surprise when, during my apprenticeship, I was never allowed near any machinery, whilst all my colleagues were. Bit of an impediment to an engineering apprentice that.
Double grr.
Oddly enough, Ive known many females that have been openly depressed (as opposed to 'in the closet' lol) and they didnt suffer anywhere near the stigma I seem to have as a male. Perhaps British people think its ok for women to get sad but not men? Stiff upper lip and so on ...
Grr, grr and more grr. Thank god for babble, or i'd never tell anyone, unless I was paying them!
Anyway time for bed.
Night :)
Rabble
Posted by pinkeye on July 27, 2005, at 18:36:09
In reply to Re: People are always skeptical of anything new !!, posted by rabble_rouser on July 27, 2005, at 18:27:32
I understand you.. for females, crying/sadness/depression is more acceptable.. for guys I think people would accept you more if you are an alcoholic or compulsive gambler but not when depressed !!!
Easy way for you out of it is to act fine in front of people who wouldn't understand.. and use babble to get all the help you need !!. We won't judge you out here :-)
Good Night !
Posted by rabble_rouser on July 28, 2005, at 8:34:29
In reply to yep.. being a man with depression must be hard .. » rabble_rouser, posted by pinkeye on July 27, 2005, at 18:36:09
Thanks Pinkeye - I will remember that :)
Just read an interesting statistic: "[In the UK] In the age group 16-19 years old - sixteen percent of women suffer from a form of mental illness, with only six percent of men. In the age group 20-54, twenty percent of women, but only six percent of men." Also - "Men, in particular, are at risk of not being treated. They may not recognise their anger or feelings of hopelessness as depression, and are less likely than women to tell someone how they feel. Also, doctors are less likely to suspect depression in men than in women. Men's depression is often covered up by drinking or drug taking, or lots of overtime at work."
I have also found that, if a man DOES try to talk about how he feels, people are less likely to listen.
Does this ring true in the States?
Rabble
Posted by pinkeye on July 28, 2005, at 16:41:11
In reply to Re: yep.. being a man with depression must be hard .., posted by rabble_rouser on July 28, 2005, at 8:34:29
:-)
It is an interesting statistics, but I don't know about the statistics in the US.But I know in almost all throughout the world, men talking about feelings too much and getting depressed or sad is not accepted as much as women. For men, anger, shouting, yelling, even beating, gambling, drinking are much more accepted than crying/sadness/grieving/being emotional.
Even I have had that prejudice before with a guy.. There was a guy who used to talk to me about his feelings all the time, and I found it little odd. But now I realize, perhaps it is not odd.
What you have to do it is to sail with the wind.. If it is not accpetable for men to be sad and depressed, mabye just don't tell people or act like that in front of people. Just as I cannot get angry/drunk/yell/shout/throw things in front of people, you cannot cry/feel blue all the time/get emotional in front of people. But in your privacy, you can do whatever you need to do.
> Thanks Pinkeye - I will remember that :)
>
> Just read an interesting statistic: "[In the UK] In the age group 16-19 years old - sixteen percent of women suffer from a form of mental illness, with only six percent of men. In the age group 20-54, twenty percent of women, but only six percent of men." Also - "Men, in particular, are at risk of not being treated. They may not recognise their anger or feelings of hopelessness as depression, and are less likely than women to tell someone how they feel. Also, doctors are less likely to suspect depression in men than in women. Men's depression is often covered up by drinking or drug taking, or lots of overtime at work."
>
> I have also found that, if a man DOES try to talk about how he feels, people are less likely to listen.
>
> Does this ring true in the States?
>
> Rabble
>
Posted by rabble_rouser on July 28, 2005, at 18:01:05
In reply to Re: yep.. being a man with depression must be hard .. » rabble_rouser, posted by pinkeye on July 28, 2005, at 16:41:11
Yup. Agreed.
Ok Im off to lift some weights, play poker, drink beer and shout at furniture :D
lol
Rabble
This is the end of the thread.
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