Depression and other mental illness

[stuphoto]

I am starting this thread after reading about Candace Deleeuw, formerly from Penticton being found dead close to Drumheller.
https://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton ... in-Alberta

To me it sounds like she was suffering from mental illness the way that she lost connection with many people who knew her locally and then just left.
I would not be surprised if she had just decided to end it all.

I found out about 6 months ago ( the hard way ) that we all have some mental health issues from time to time. Whether it be depression from a break up, anxiety, or something more serious.
I also found out that we may not recognize when we have a problem, and those who we see regularly won't likely see the changes.
They may actually be making things worse.

It was a friend who I don't see very often that noticed I had changed, convincing me that I needed help.
She was absolutely right.

So with that in mind, if you see someone you know not acting like normal.
Please take the time to tell them. ( even if you don't consider them as a friend )
If they ask you for help please at least recommended that they see their doctor on it.
You may be saving their life.

[RustyCrayon]

So true.

Some family and friends have commented on how happy I always am. Little do they know I have struggled with anxiety and depression my entire life. You just never know what people are dealing with.

[oldtrucker]

I've seen a mental health record used against people far worse than a criminal record.
KGH psyche dept. will keep those records forever,... think about how much damage that can do before going to seek help.
Sometimes it's best to suffer in silence and say nothing to anyone.

[GordonH]

Every Thursday from 1:30 to 3pm at IH on corner of Ellis & Doyle, is CBT group session for depression & anxiety.
It on main floor conference room

[stuphoto]

I've seen a mental health record used against people far worse than a criminal record.
KGH psyche dept. will keep those records forever,... think about how much damage that can do before going to seek help.
Sometimes it's best to suffer in silence and say nothing to anyone.

You were right not that long ago and we as a society are still slow to accept the change. However thankfully that is changing.
I myself thought the same thing 7 months ago.
Most mental illness is treatable with time off, possibly some counseling, or antidepressants.

If an employer refuses to hire you because of issues in your past I can find you several human rights lawyers within minutes who would love to take your case.

Personally I would rather be driving a bus full of your children with a clear head, than possibly having thoughts of ending my suffering pop in.

[1791]

I've seen a mental health record used against people far worse than a criminal record.
KGH psyche dept. will keep those records forever,... think about how much damage that can do before going to seek help.
Sometimes it's best to suffer in silence and say nothing to anyone.

Everybody is healthy till they go see a doctor. 100 percent of sick people die in the care of doctors. Do doctors kill people ? Yikes

[alanjh595]

Everybody is healthy till they go see a doctor. 100 percent of sick people die in the care of doctors. Do doctors kill people ? Yikes

I never thought of it that way......good analogy!

[GordonH]

^^^ 100% of humans will die in their lifespan, some sooner than others.

[stuphoto]

And some people will accomplish more by their 12th birthday than some people who will live into their 90's

[alanjh595]

And some people will accomplish more by their 12th birthday than some people who will live into their 90's

Many will learn more before they are 12, than the next 60.

[ferri]

[oldtrucker]

not that long ago and we as a society are still slow to accept the change. However thankfully that is changing. I myself thought the same thing 7 months ago. Most mental illness is treatable with time off, possibly some counseling, or antidepressants.

Someone I know was rather sick, dehydrated from being sick etc I took them to the hospital. Hospital has their entire medical history including a mental health issue....long story short, I ended up taking them to 'another ' hospital.

If an employer refuses to hire you because of issues in your past I can find you several human rights lawyers within minutes who would love to take your case

Any lawyer will take it when you have to give them your first born for payment. Not pro bono that's for sure. Very expensive to take such a thing to the supreme court.

I'm not saying don't seek help if you are seriously thinking of offing yourself or someone else. Not saying that at all.

Everyone is going to experience great pain when a loved one dies.
Everyone will experience being kicked to the curb by someone that they loved.
Everyone will be depressed at some point.
If it's a ongoing serious thing that has to be addressed by a mental health professional...there are some things that a person may lose.
-Being discriminated against at the hospital once emerg. staff read the file.
-Cannot run for public office... Political organisations/ parties.
-Pretty sure that some job opportunities would be off the table like law enforcement, captain/ first officer/ flight engineer (?) for aviation and marine possibly. Those are just a few off the top.
-Another thing... no firearms if you have been treated for mental illness in your life if the libs have their way. Right now It's still 5 years.
I'm sure I'm missing oodles of things.
A person with certain types of criminal records isn't going to get half the scrutiny.

[oldtrucker]

Everybody is healthy till they go see a doctor. 100 percent of sick people die in the care of doctors. Do doctors kill people ? Yikes

Most mental illness is treatable with time off, possibly some counseling, or antidepressants.

These two quotes line up in the way that 'the system' encourages doctors to prescribe antidepressants. I can't remember what the percentage of the population is on antidepressants, something like 1 in 5 ? Most of these drugs have unknown long term effects, and are difficult to get off of. A close family member was turned from a normally happy, bubbly person into a zombie by them-complete and very concerning personality change. Ris-something….luckily they got off it before it killed them.
Most people are helped by antidepressants when it's a brain chemistry issue.
If it's a really bad situation issue, as in really lousy events happening in a persons life, and not a brain chemistry issue, then the drugs are negating the emotional pain of those events. If, for example, someone is dealing with long term chronic health issues, chronic money issues, has to write final exams, and- their mom dies all in the same week...I'm not sure any amount of anything could numb that.

[stuphoto]

That is absolutely true Old Trucker, like everything else some doctors over prescribe them.
Oddly enough they still don't know why they work.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antidepressants/

My doctor prescribed them, but left and wanted me to have access to them. However she left me make the decision whether I took them ou not.

I was very hesitant on taking them, but even with counseling I went through an unbearable period where I had to do something.
For me they worked. I still have the emotional ups and downs, and am not a zombie.
I have had to take additional vitamins to maintain my energy level.

I am the first person who will say to only use them if absolutely necessary.
I know I will have a nasty time with withdrawals when I stop taking them.

[Even Steven]

It takes a lot of awareness and education to understand how mental health can be affected by depression or anxiety. Due to a death in my immediate family due to suicide, I've taken it upon myself to learn as much as possible about it. I must say until then I was completely oblivious and ignorant about these problems. I thought depression is something you can snap out of, or just being moody - it's not. Or that anxiety is caused by too much coffee - it's not. Some people just think differently, and for them, the world looks completely different. Where you see a small speedbump they see a failure. Where you see no problems, they might see a brick wall. It takes a lot of work on their behalf and with a trained professional to make progress - and most people don't even recognize they need help. They shame themselves for being crazy and completely shut out their peers.

It's also becoming somewhat of an epidemic among youth. Social media doesn't help, but the most problem lies I think within the atomization of our society. People simply don't have support networks and don't feel comfortable opening up.