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A thread about Depression -I’m not a medical health professional but this is my experience
Firstly, there are different forms of depression & different ways that they manifest. Personally I suffer from manic-depression.
This is the most difficult to identify - and why people
Firstly, there are different forms of depression & different ways that they manifest. Personally I suffer from manic-depression.
This is the most difficult to identify - and why people
Find it difficult to understand that someone who is super bubbly could possibly be someone that is depressed. These super high episodes are called “mania” or “manic episode” & can be identified when someone is hyper, spends money overtly, has sex without thought of consequence.
These moments where someone is the life of the party and goes for long without sleep - is often followed by a crash, absolute depression, lethargy, it feels like a dark cloud is over you, and that the sensation will never end or relent. It can even be physically debilitating
The problem with those crashes - is that (I) isolate when they happen - because it’s embarrassing, you’ll often suffer memory loss, not knowing what you said and you get extremely paranoid, thinking people hate you and are plotting against you.
Because no one sees that side of it - and you can get good at hiding it, and used to your own patterns, and only venture out when you’re on an up swing again - people think you just have one gear “party time, happy person” etc.
Now, it is imperative for people like me that suffer extreme swings like this (I’ve been hospitalized twice from the down swing being so hectic that I attempted suicide) but even if you CONSIDER it, obsess about it, and are preoccupied with your own death... this is indicative
Of a down swing. But it’s imperative for people that are relating to this kind of up and down behavior - before you even see a doctor - STOP TAKING ANY MIND ALTERING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.
They AGGRAVATE your condition - make the highs higher and the lows lower.
They AGGRAVATE your condition - make the highs higher and the lows lower.
Also - it is IMPERATIVE to get enough (8 hours) sleep - every day. Even one night of 6 hours sleep is enough to trigger me into an episode, I simply can’t cope. The paranoia I experience by half way through my day is crippling. Also - exercise! Even if it’s a walk - your body
Does not produce the same amount of serotonin & dopamine (the happy hormones) that everyone else does - and after a High - your body has depleted whatever little reserves you had.
So when your normal friends are up and about the next day after a party - it’s hard to understand
So when your normal friends are up and about the next day after a party - it’s hard to understand
Now this part is for the friends who want to support the friends with depression: number one - if you see that they have erratic behavior- ask them if they have lows, and then it is your responsibility to not encourage them to drink/drug (THIS INCLUDES WEED). In fact weed is one
Of the worst contributors to manic behavior! But because someone is suffering from the lows they may think that weed might help them alleviate the depression - but it’s counter intuitive. If you love someone that has mood swings help them stay clean and sober. That is key.
The AA program and NA program has free meetings - that in a way double up as a support group for people suffering from depression, well, that’s what it was for me anyway. I couldn’t afford a therapist when I got clean - and I was surrounded by people that understood.
Then once there is a bit of clarity your brain is free from the fog - go see a psychiatrist & get on the right medication. If you want to support your friend - make sure they go to an appointment. They may not want to anymore after the low has subsided - thinking they’re “fine”
That’s why it’s so easily overlooked - because it’s not constant, you often feel “fine” and in fact when you’re on a high (me personally) I’m very effective at work, I write a lot, produce things - and often don’t recognize that it’s an episode, so the crash is a surprise
There are a lot of podcasts with great information- clue yourself up. And check yourself if your accidentally enabling someone you love - they might not be wired the same way you are. Just look for the signs 
Having said allll of that. Sometimes - a crash can just be from over stimulation in general (I had too much coffee yesterday and was morbidly depressed this morning even though I was putting on a brave face for socials) the social media pressure is INTENSE
And the combination of not knowing about this cunning and insidious disorder and simply not having the tools to identify it - often leads to painful situations. People are fragile, listen carefully and watch carefully. It’s hard to spot
My deepest sympathies and condolences to Anele Tembe’s family and the Forbes family. I cannot empathize enough. What an absolute tragedy.
