Depression (Clinical)

[lemit]

It's amazing how when we start to look at brain function instead of behavior, all those behavioral "problems" seem to make sense.

How many members here have been diagnosed with some kind of behavioral problem or depression or some other "anti-social" behavior, such as Asperger's or Autism? Am I the only one? I have a feeling there might be some other creative people around here whose response to the reality we're all stuck with might be, according to conventional standards, a little skewed.

--lemit

p.s. I'm not telling how many or which of those I've been diagnosed with beyond the previously mentioned incorrect diagnosis of clinical depression.

[Michaelangelica]

Originally Posted by lemit

It's amazing how when we start to look at brain function instead of behavior, all those behavioral "problems" seem to make sense.

How many members here have been diagnosed with some kind of behavioral problem or depression or some other "anti-social" behavior, such as Asperger's or Autism? Am I the only one? I have a feeling there might be some other creative people around here whose response to the reality we're all stuck with might be, according to conventional standards, a little skewed.

--lemit

p.s. I'm not telling how many or which of those I've been diagnosed with beyond the previously mentioned incorrect diagnosis of clinical depression.

The human body is such an amazing combination of chemical, electricity water, bacteria and fungi. It is mind-bogglingly-amzing that anything works at all.
I think we underestimate the role of the gut in most things. It is an extremly intelligent "organ system" with more nerves/neurons than the brain. Genetic reactions to food (celiac and variations on this theme) drugs (prescription and not), and nutrients are far more varied than most in the medicine industry want to admit.

On asperger's my cousin (female) says that ALL males are 'aspergic'.
PS
How come I got an email from you.?
How did you know my address?

[lemit]

I clicked on your name. When I tried to send a PM to you, it didn't work, so I cut the body of the PM, went back to the dropdown menu under your name and pasted the message into the email option. That worked.

I didn't mean to invade your privacy. Sorry if that's what resulted.

--lemit

[paigetheoracle]

Originally Posted by lemit

It's amazing how when we start to look at brain function instead of behavior, all those behavioral "problems" seem to make sense.

How many members here have been diagnosed with some kind of behavioral problem or depression or some other "anti-social" behavior, such as Asperger's or Autism? Am I the only one? I have a feeling there might be some other creative people around here whose response to the reality we're all stuck with might be, according to conventional standards, a little skewed.

--lemit

Count me in. My genius is well known but so are my nutty qualities (Oh and did I mention the 'humility'?). I think creativity is living close to the edge but some of us fall off occasionally!

[paigetheoracle]

Mike, with regards to the heart and depression, all I can say is that I am not surprised. The skewed way I look at it (thanks for the term at this timely point Lemit!) is that it is like having run a race and collapsed exhausted afterwards. We all need to recover from any kind of exertion and that it should weaken the heart is no surprise to me as along with the lungs, this is where most physical effort is centred. Could it be that depression is just mental exhaustion and needs fish oil nutrients for this reason? (nothing runs on empty but can run until it is empty). Could this be why heart and spirit are linked i.e. the courage to go on/ do things others find challenging but back away from? (To dream the impossible dream, to think the unthinkable thought). In other words the physiological basis for spirituality?

[Michaelangelica]

Originally Posted by paigetheoracle

Mike, with regards to the heart and depression, all I can say is that I am not surprised. The skewed way I look at it (thanks for the term at this timely point Lemit!) is that it is like having run a race and collapsed exhausted afterwards. We all need to recover from any kind of exertion and that it should weaken the heart is no surprise to me as along with the lungs, this is where most physical effort is centred. Could it be that depression is just mental exhaustion and needs fish oil nutrients for this reason? (nothing runs on empty but can run until it is empty). Could this be why heart and spirit are linked i.e. the courage to go on/ do things others find challenging but back away from? (To dream the impossible dream, to think the unthinkable thought). In other words the physiological basis for spirituality?

I think exhaustion is a very big part of it. Especially adrenal exhaustion --the organ that takes the brunt of our 20th century stressors; be they social/economic or environmental /pollution related.

WS was history's stand out psychologist. He was no slouch with the word-processing quill either
The lunatic, the lover, and the poet, are of imagination all compact.
WS
and;
because I can:-
Expectation is the root of all heartache.
WS
It is neither good nor bad, but thinking makes it so.
WS
Having nothing, nothing can he lose.
WS
But men are men; the best sometimes forget.
WS

Much reserch on creativity, invention, obsession, & aspergers is showing the The lunatic, the lover, and the poet, are of imagination all compact. is sooo true.
If we want innovation, creativity, thinking-outside-the-square, technological break-thoughs; the ability to image a future "different";-- then we need to treasure and coddle our lunatics. Ensuring them a safe accepting environment where they are valued and can shine. ( Not that easy to do as we can't NOW do it for our "normal" 'everyday' people)
This is already starting to happen with some innovative European companies.

lemit said

How many members here have been diagnosed with some kind of behavioral problem or depression or some other "anti-social" behavior,

I will go looking for the stats, but from memory I think 1:3 people will be "diagnosed" with some mental disorder during their lives. My guess is that at least that number again will never go near, or see, a doctor to BE diagnosed. That does not leave many of us sane ones left.
Interestingly that makes the "sane" ones (the happy, centered, content,calm) statistically aberrant--so they should be locked up as they are not "normal"!

IMHO its what comes with mixing water and electricity; bacteria and dangerous chemicals, together in a big, squishy, decomposing bag.
Intelligent Design ? I don't think so.

[paigetheoracle]

Very witty and very true Mike - I'm a burned out wreck, who, had he been caught would have ended up in a loony bin ages ago (genius and madness go hand-in-hand but one is less cautious than the other and I'm not sure which is which? Something about a blue pill versus a red one).

[lemit]

So, now, anybody here think we're just a bunch of crazy weeklings who'd be all right if we just tried harder? (Please correct my question as may be needed; I'm that insecure.)

--lemit

[JMJones0424]

Originally Posted by lemit

So, now, anybody here think we're just a bunch of crazy weeklings who'd be all right if we just tried harder? (Please correct my question as may be needed; I'm that insecure.)

--lemit

"Week" or "weak", I can see both making sense.

When I get too caught up with being a "weekling" I take a few weeks to go backwoods hiking and get in touch with my animal side. Pocketknife, bedroll, water purifier, four quart canteens, and some snare wire or fishing line and hooks, nothing else but the clothes on my back. Hardest part is finding someone to watch the animals while I'm gone.

When I feel like a "weakling" I try to correct my perceived deficiencies, or when able, accept them. Doesn't always work out that way though.

[paigetheoracle]

Originally Posted by lemit

So, now, anybody here think we're just a bunch of crazy weeklings who'd be all right if we just tried harder? (Please correct my question as may be needed; I'm that insecure.)

--lemit

The whole tenet here implies 'forcing yourself to do things, through emotional blackmail of "I'm/ you're not good enough". What does force do? It pushes you beyond your 'physical' limits, rather than allows you to relax and go beyond them naturally, becoming inspired by ideas that come to your automatically when in the resting or dreaming states. In other words the Gung-ho/ macho attitude moves your body but not your mind, so you keep your prejudices. Meditation, sleep, thinking - all allow new ideas to come in and problems to be resolved, fighting is attrition that wears down the system - be it social, through war or individual, through crime (constant motion/ e-motion i.e. negative (stuck) beliefs).

The way I see it mind and body are opposites, requiring opposing action/ inaction to work. If you leap into physical action, it is the body reacting to physical stimuli. If your mind leaps into action, it is because the body is not being distracted by outside sensory input but resting, so thought can flow (See The Person from Pollock and Coleridges poem, 'Kublai Khan'): Thought stops action - action stops thought/ The only thing we really fight is our own ignorance (Physical spontaneity wipes the mind clean, so memory (habit) is forgotten as mental spontaneity wipes the world clear, so that the outside world ceases to exist).