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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Heather66 on August 19, 2002, at 13:04:11
I have been on medication (and reading these posts) now for over a year and I think only because of my progress, am I more aware of my families' problems. Talking to my brother now - who wants to leave his wife (with two kids under 5) - has made me realize that maybe my problems aren't as bad as I thought. Or at least that others have problems just as bad. I think it really does help to know that you aren't the only one going through these problems. Beside these posts, where I can see that intelligent people can be depressed, it also helped me to know that Rosie O'Donnell was taking anti-depressants.
I have not mentioned anything of my problems to my parents, brother or sister but am considering talking to my brother about going to a p-doc. I think it might be harder for a male to admit and ultimately go to see someone for depression. Is there a way to make it easier for a male? Any famous male's on anti-depressants that you know of? I really want to see him stay with his wife and kids more than anything. And he has told me he wants help.
And after talking to my brother for awhile, I feel that my mother, father and sister all have similar symptoms as my brother and I. Yet, topics of depression are never been mentioned or even hinted at in my parents house. (As a matter of fact, it is a place I avoid as much as possible). Maybe it'll be good at least for my brother and I to help each other. Any thoughts you might have would really help me. I'm afraid my brother and I aren't talking to each other enough and I hope he can get help before he comes to final conclusions about leaving his wife, whom I love very much.
Posted by Ted on August 19, 2002, at 13:30:09
In reply to Is every member of my family depressed? , posted by Heather66 on August 19, 2002, at 13:04:11
Heather,
Following my hospitalization for bipolar disorder, I started a critical evaluation of all my family and my ancestors to see if (1) there was a genetic link, and (2) how extensive the link was.
Well, it's all over. I can see psych/behavior problems going back many generations and I am *CERTAIN* the younger of my sisters has bipolar disorder also. Everyone in my family (except for me) is is denial: that I have any real problems, that they have any problems, etc.
Ted
Posted by ctrlaltndel on August 19, 2002, at 15:45:18
In reply to Re: Is every member of my family depressed? , posted by Ted on August 19, 2002, at 13:30:09
I recently found out that my grandmother was mentally ill in and out of hospital since she was a teenager..my father--a respected man --went out on shoplifting sprees..and displayed odd behaviour/sexual..my mother self medicates her mood disorder/anxiety/alcoholic is in denial bigtime
--a few suicides and one murderer(i think)...drug taking , alcoholism-that's a biggy.. etc etc
and there's me HA! What genes!
Mental illness is still taboo..still people are frightened/ignorant
Posted by ctrlaltndel on August 19, 2002, at 15:55:06
In reply to Is every member of my family depressed? , posted by Heather66 on August 19, 2002, at 13:04:11
There is a HUGE list of famous living/dead people who have had or still suffer from mood disorders depression..it's usually found on many sites--sorry I can't remember any specific but I guess just surf the major mental health sites..maybe someone else will know.take care......
Posted by madison88 on August 19, 2002, at 23:19:36
In reply to Re: Is every member of my family depressed? » Heather66, posted by ctrlaltndel on August 19, 2002, at 15:55:06
I too think all my family members are obcessive compulsive and depressed, like me. I think that if one person in a family has a mental disorder, it is likely that a few others in the familty also qualify as having the trait bad enough to consider it a mental disorder. The rest have the trait, ie they act somewhat depressed, etc, but would fall somewhere between healthy and being diagnosed. I have talked to my mother about being depressed, I know she has suffered all her life but she seemed suprised that I brought it up. I explained to her what I noticed in her behavior that made me think she was depressed. Denial is a big issue. But I think you have a lot of credibility if they know that you know what they are experiencing. Giving it a name can be hard, but if they see you have gotten help, they may take hope that they can too. Just approach it showing them how much you want to help, not how you think you are now an expert in the subject.
Posted by Craig on August 20, 2002, at 0:42:09
In reply to Re: Is every member of my family depressed? » Heather66, posted by ctrlaltndel on August 19, 2002, at 15:55:06
Here is one site http://www.frii.com/~parrot/living.html about Famous (Living) People Who Have Experienced Depression or Manic Depression
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> There is a HUGE list of famous living/dead people who have had or still suffer from mood disorders depression..it's usually found on many sites--sorry I can't remember any specific but I guess just surf the major mental health sites..maybe someone else will know.
Posted by Heather66 on August 20, 2002, at 10:24:56
In reply to Famous people with depression/manic depression, posted by Craig on August 20, 2002, at 0:42:09
I should have known that there would be an entire web site on the topic. Thank you Craig.
Posted by Heather66 on August 20, 2002, at 10:26:53
In reply to Re: Is every member of my family depressed?, posted by madison88 on August 19, 2002, at 23:19:36
Posted by Heather66 on August 20, 2002, at 15:01:36
In reply to this is helpful. thanks. (nm), posted by Heather66 on August 20, 2002, at 10:26:53
Posted by Mr Beev on August 21, 2002, at 16:52:37
In reply to I'm still interested in more input. (nm), posted by Heather66 on August 20, 2002, at 15:01:36
Try the book 'Touched With Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament' by Kay Redfield Jamison.
This is the end of the thread.
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