counting to ten

[lanning]

Okay, before I let loose with an epic rant, could someone with some experience with serious depression take a look at this hot mess and tell me if it's as dismissive, patronizing and ill-informed as I think it is?

It could be that these pharmaceuticals are just the new version of "mother's little helper." But it also could be that too many women

Comments

[lamardeuse]

What a fucking stupid article. I commented.

[lanning]

So did I. It is stupid. I can smell how stupid it is right through the internet.

[honoria]

You know what? Just reading those quotes, I know that the source will be over my enragement limit for the day.
I hear that kind of thing enough as it is. Sounds like he used the Depression Bingo Card as a guide.

[lanning]

*hugs* Yeah, I hear it, too. Not as much as I used to, though. A Bingo Card as source would certainly explain the reek of stupidity this thing is giving off.

Depression Bingo Card

[honoria]

http://youkiddinright.livejournal.com/31333.html

Re: Depression Bingo Card

[lanning]

Oh, that's brilliant! Thank you for the link! :D

[jlvsclrk]

It's alas all too common for people to dismiss depression as something you just 'get over'. When I was working for an insurance company, our number 1 source of disability claims was mental disorders, and believe me, our claims people weren't sending cheques to people who were just having a bad week or two. But our agents could never connect with that. Very frustating, very patronizing, very sad.

[lanning]

Yes, I accept that misconceptions about what depression is are rife. But if you're going to write an article about it, I would think minimum due diligence is called for. Hell, I'll bet the damn Wikipedia page has more accurate information.

[silkmoth101]

Oh come on, I don't believe that! *sighs heavily* And we're back to thirty years ago where depression still wasn't a 'real' disease but rather something 'frail women' with too much time on their hands had. *head* *desk*
At least, she is not a doctor which is a relief. And yep, all her points what to do are good advice... anyone should do that. Fact is, not anyone IS ABLE to do that. It doesn't sound as she had really periodic bouts of deep depression in her life, because no, not everyone is having them. And being depressed is not about being sad or down for a few weeks. Depression is an illness that has the second highest death rate right after heart diseases in western civilization. If you break it down, it's a metabolic disease, like diabetes. And no matter how many books you read or how many walks you take, a chronic depression will not go away without medication.

/stop ranting

I hope you are all right, sweetie. *hugs you*

[lanning]

*hugs back* I'm okay, sweetie. I just haven't seen one of these ignorant "smile and it will go away" articles in a long time. Yes, of course, those "tips" are good ideas -- who could argue with eating healthily and exercising and engaging in pursuits that make you happy? But this clown doesn't seem to understand that when your illness is severe, you might not be able to manage those "healthy" things.

And yes, I didn't miss the fact that this article was targeted at women. Because, you know, we're just weak and lazy and need to pull ourselves up by our tights, or something. UGH! /rant

sekrit message: I'm writing Sherlock's BAMF grandmother into my little 'verse and I'm having so much fun with her! ;)

And I adore your icon! The Nose-Wrinkle of Rage! *g*

[silkmoth101]

I know this is a serious topic and I also know this is totally inappropriate but...

sekrit message: I'm writing Sherlock's BAMF grandmother into my little 'verse and I'm having so much fun with her!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! YOU'RE WRITING! YOU'RE HAVING FUN! I can't wait until you post something! *sits down on your front porch*

[lanning]

*hugs you* Oh, it's totally appropriate! It makes me feel better, like romping in the sun. *eg* I'm writing this story completely out of order, so there may be changes, but I'll try to post the Sherlock Introduces John to His Grandmother and She Rocks scene ASAP. This is the fix-Reichenbach story -- as Lex and Clark need Eli, so Sherlock and John need Jeanne-Louise. ;)

[moonanstars]

Okay just the quotes made me want to smack people. Having been married to someone for a decade that had depression issues there is no getting over it without some sort of aid. And are they coming at this like it's all women? Because the main reason you see more women on medication is because men try to suffer through it because it's not manly to be depressed or admit you have a problem.

[lanning]

You certainly would come away from that article thinking only women are affected by depression, wouldn't you? Yet another inaccuracy among many. Depression is an equal opportunity disease, unfortunately. :/

[mab_browne]

Indeed, it's equal opportunity. As my father, mother and brother, as well as myself would tell you. Sorry to hijack the comment, but FFS. If only my father had smiled more and walked in the sunshine, he wouldn't have needed all that pesky shock treatment.