Depression

[Cazmonster]

If you're someone who suffers from clinical depression. It is not your fault. Barb just lost a long time friend to it. I am sorry for her wife and I am terribly sorry for Barb.



When we as a people finally grow up and treat mental illness with the same dignity we treat physical illness, maybe things like this won't happen.

I don't have any better words to say about this. I wish I did.

[Kyle]

I agree that the stigma over depression and anti-depressants is antiquated and hurtful. Taking antidepressents is still stigmatized even by medical professionals-- when I go to the doctor or urgent care, the nurses almost always lower their voice and nearly whisper "Are you still taking Paxil?" Like it's something I'm ashamed of.

Tell Barb I'm sorry. That sucks.

[akiva]

[Eliahad]

I think you said the right words, Caz. Give Thorn a hug for me.

[Eliahad]

[akiva]

[Cazmonster]

I had Barb read the responses. Thank you so much.

And, people will always try to help - no matter how much you 'think' you may have messed up. Trust me, I know.

[Phoebe]

I thought it was good that they honored her agency in the obituary by saying she made the choice to end her struggle. Even if depression was the cause, her dignity is respected that way.

[Kyle]

Suicide is a disease like any other. If that makes you uncomfortable, then you need to question how you view mental disorders.

[Cazmonster]

I feel suicide is a symtom of several illnesses. To say that someone died of complications stemming from cancer when the disease caused renal failure is as fair as saying someone died of complications stemming from depression when the disease caused them to die by suicide.

It's just that the symptom happens to be fatal and often a surprise to everyone else. Like a stroke or heart attack. It's a horrible thing to happen to anyone.

[Stan]

[Phoebe]

It makes me sad to think so many people here have struggled with depression in this way, and have those feelings about themselves as messed up somehow. I think of all of you as major life successes! You have managed to be awesome and continue being so. Of course, how it looks to others may make no difference to how people see themselves, but one wishes that awesome people would always be able to recognize themselves as such.

I'm not sure if any of the above is a reply to what I was saying, but I was simply struck by how graceful the language was in the obituary. To say she chose to end her struggle is both an acknowledgement that she was struggling with a disease, but also that she retained her agency and dignity in the process.