The Most Depressing Day?

[Wilson]

I thought this article was interesting... I've been in a funk all weekend and wonder if this doesn't have something to do with it (not a cause, just exasperating the issues):

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1704887,00.html?cnn=yes

"the third Monday of the month (Jan. 21, this year) — a day he calls Blue Monday — will be our most depressing day of the year. Arnall bases his yearly prediction on a formula he developed, which factors in the weather, consumer debt from holiday spending and failed New Year's resolutions and arrives at that conclusion that we'll hit rock bottom on Monday the 21st."

[MomTimesFive]

Wow, that describes me the last few days too. I went to bed at 9:00 last night just because I couldn't face the dishes and laundry and trying to get my 5-year-old to bed. I'm partially depressed and partially exhausted. The weather hasn't been bad here. It's kind of cold, but the sky has been blue. I might go to bed early again because I'm still completely exhausted even though I got absolutely NOTHING accomplished today.

[mdonn76405]

Depression is something I have dealt with for years. I got help and now take Prozac to help. After Viet Nam I suffered from PTSD but at that time they didn't know about PTSD. After I became a police officer I witnesses death on a constant basis. I even held a 16 yoa in my arms until she died. I never understood why relationships failed and I was always angry. I was not homicidal and would have never committed suicide, but did think of it. Without the Prozac the nightmares were endless. After my recent trip to Iraq, I fished a young Marine out of a lake. His face occurred numerous times in my dreams.
There is no shame in admitting depression, or in seeking help.
I will return to war soon, and at least now know what I will be feeling.
Having a bad day is normal, recognizing is essential.
There is no formula for me, just memories.

[mdonn76405]

This came from a fellow vet. If you know a vet, this might explain his actions.
Understand though, that anyone who has been through a tramatic experience can suffer from PTSD.

Dear Friend,

Even though we all live most of our days, feeling very much alone and often cut off from our loved ones who didn't go through what we did, we ARE all in this together.

Because of that I wanted to share an insight from someone I have been in correspondence with named Dr. Mark Goulston. Dr. Mark is a psychiatrist and author of the recently released book, "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for Dummies" (see: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470049227):

Dr. Mark wrote to me recently with the following question:

"How often do veterans talk about the guilt they feel that during the horrendous traumatic moments they have been through that inside they stopped caring about anyone else except their own survival and feel ashamed and weaker than their fellow soldiers who they believe were stronger and better men than them? I have found in talking with some vets with PTSD, that if they felt that way and carry it around with them as a secret, they begin to feel that they don't deserve to get better, because inside they feel they don't deserve to get better for being so cowardly inside. I have also found that when they start to share how frightened they were and how it made them only think of themselves and discover that others feel exactly the same, it starts to relieve the shame they feel inside. And when that secret shame lessens, they feel less alone, less ashamed and slowly begin to feel that maybe they do deserve to get better."

I don't know about you, but this seems to speak for many of the people I know with PTSD and maybe why many vets with PTSD have trouble looking people in the eye (because they feel ashamed). If it is something many of us feel, we all need to start speaking to each other about and letting each other know it's okay to feel that way and it doesn't mean we are cowards.

Just because we may feel ashamed and that we don't deserve to get better, doesn't mean we don't deserve to.

Blessings,


Samuel Luna

[Rocks and Pebbles]

At least now it is beginning to be understood and help is more available...and accepted. More and more research is being done as to how the brain deals...or doesn't...with trauma, and how to restructure it in a more healthy manner. You have to wonder about those in the earlier part of this century...or even earlier...and how their experiences have affected them and their families. How much family violence stems from untreated PTSD, along with stress related health issues, mental health issues, substance abuse, and suicides? I knew an older vet from WWII who saw heavy action who was only able to begin talking about his experiences in the last coupke years of his life...and then not to his family. WWII vets in my family never talked about it...and several suffered terribly, and "passed it on" to their kids with their behavior, though they did their best to work past it.

[msmichellemiller]

Is this something that can be cured or one of those things you just have to manage the rest of your life? How is it diagnosed? What are some symptoms? (I realize I could look this up on my own but since MDonn is always very open with his own experience he could share his knowledge)

[mdonn76405]

PTSD is just what it says. It is stress induced after a traumatic incident. Anyone can have PTSD. If you are involved in a traumatic accident or witness one you can be affected.
In my case it was war at 19, police officer, and war again. This year it will be war again. I have lived my entire life literally under the gun.
Doctors and nurses get PTSD, but unlike them, I live with the fear that I will become a causality.
Symptoms consist of anger, despair, hyper vigilance, failed relationships, drug or alcohol addiction, nightmares and flashbacks. Some like me, don't sleep. We are afraid that when we close our eyes, the replays of what we have seen and done will return.
Mine consist of some anger, hyper vigilance, and depression.
I take medicine for the depression and knowing that I have PTSD helps in dealing with the symptoms. The nightmares and flashbacks are the hardest.
Contrary to popular believe, we don't hang out in post offices waiting to shoot people. In fact one of the things that bothers me the most is seeing people putting themselves in a position to be a victim.
One thing that helps is being available to talk to vets that are having a hard time.

You don't have to run if you see me mailing a letter, I won't go postal.

[msmichellemiller]

You don't have to run if you see me mailing a letter, I won't go postal.
:rofl: I was just curious, thanks for sharing.

[Carpe Diem]

Now, we have another generation of soldiers that will be suffering greatly. Twenty years from now, we are going to see the damage more clearly. :( My heart goes out to those that suffer in war, then come home to suffer.