Has anyone else experienced Depression or an escalation

[Ladyhawk]

of already-present Depression since 9-11 or since the "election" of George W. Bush?

[wtmusic]

1. Yes lady I think it's normal

I'm worried about the ones who aren't depressed

[lfairban]

2. Especially right before the war started.

It has gotten worse the last few months. I think it is the lack of coverage in the media of the Bush lies, the inactivity of the Democrats, the views of the general populace. Things are crazy, and few people care.

[leftofthedial]

3. BIG time

BIG DAMNED time.

I'm pretty chronically depressed anyway, but this waste of skin has me seriously wondering why I should even get up in the morning.

If that is what gets rewarded in this life, then what's life worth?

[Ladyhawk]

4. I've found myself fighting it

really hard--and losing a bit more ground each time. My entire family are right-wing religious nutjobs. I'm on disability and go further and further into debt each month.

I attended a few war protest events. No one cares. I tried to get my mother to listen and she covered her ears and said, "I don't want to hear it."

Talking to my brother is pointless. I have no respect for him. His "morals" disgust me. "Greed is a virtue," he says, spouting Ayn Rand rhetoric, while tuning in to AM radio and his hero, Rush Limbaugh.

Even the "deceived" Republicans who seem like somewhat decent people in this county won't listen to me. They smile, then when I turn my back, I get the feeling they're rolling their eyes and giving one another knowing looks. "There she goes...the only atheistic liberal in the county."

There isn't a SINGLE PERSON with whom I can have a reasonably intelligent conversation. I would move, but when you're poor and on disability and reliant on your reich-wing family, it's a lost cause.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. Don't despair, Ladyhawk , I think you've found your new home

I can certainly identify. My mother is a freeper who covers her ears, as well. She will not listen to anyone else's point of view, except for Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reilly. My brother is worse. My mother supports him, so he feels truly entitled. He is probably a Nazi. This is even worse than being a freeper.

Hang tight and stick with DU. You will get a lot of support here. I can see that you really need it, as I do. I was very ill for a long time, so I am identifying with you. You aren't the only ``atheistic liberal.'' You are in good company. Don't give up hope. You are in the right; I just wish you could escape these people who are tormenting you.;(

[Bossy Monkey]

9. You need to write a novel about this family you're saddled with

Sort of like the Osbournes, except apparently they don't NEED drugs to be stupid

[Ladyhawk]

23. I have written some stories and poems.

And when the mood strikes me, I get out a journal and write maniacally for a few months. Then I go back and read it and want to puke. :)

[leftofthedial]

25. keep writing

the catharsis is a good thing.

If it hurts to reread it, just write more instead of rereading.

[proud patriot]

5. That's what DU helps me with

If it weren't for DU ,, who knows ?

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

7. not just since 911, although that was bad enough

but the wars have made my PTSD re-appear for the first time in a long time... thank God for effexor

[noiretextatique]

8. yes, very similar to the way i felt when reagan was elected

republican misadministrations are just not good for mental health.

[Ladyhawk]

10. I read somewhere that the suicide rate

under Republican presidents is much higher than it is under Democratic presidents. I have no idea whether or not this statistic is true (I don't believe anything without proof anymore), but it makes sense to me.

I need to see a doctor again. I'm losing the battle.

[Rhiannon12866]

14. Please let us know that you have done this and what he has to say

Please report back and let us know how you are. You have no idea of the depth of caring and support that is available on DU. These are amazing folks. I am so glad that you have found us.:hi:

[Deja Q]

11. Not until the economy tanked

I see fewer reasons for living every day. What else can be said? I hope I'll be around in 2004 to place a vote to get the asshole* out of power.

[SweetZombieJesus]

12. Do you do any art or any sort of outlet for this undertow?

I sort of know how you feel, as I'm manic, but I tend to throw myself into art as a means of coping with the feelings of worthlessness that come with living under a truly scary regime like the one we currently have.

The one good thing to come out of shit like this is that horrible, repressive ninnies running the country tends to spur those of us who have that creative spark even further into the stratosphere. The comedy's always a lot deeper when there's a Rethuglican at the helm, at least.

Just don't give up, or else they win, and if nothing else, your continued existence sticks in their craw something fierce.

[Ladyhawk]

26. I used to do artwork, write and sing,

but one of the symptoms of depression I suffer from takes away all joy: anhedonia. I haven't taken pen or pencil to paper in years.

I had been taking chorus and voice lessons, but my physical problems led to a hospital stay at the end of last semester and I had to withdraw from chorus and voice. I lost my solo and I'm still kind of bummed about it. The conductor didn't even let me sing the solo at the one concert I was able to make. I've talked it out with him, but I feel hesitant about taking voice or chorus again. He's my friend...but almost everyone in this town is a religious right-winger. He's a little less right-wing than most, but when I asked him how he could support the war in Iraq he said, "Because I trust Bush more than I trust Saddam Hussein."

???????????????????????????????????????????????????????/

What the hell is that supposed to mean? This is not an either/or situation. Unfortunately, I find that most fundamentalists are unable to think in shades of gray. Saddam was (is?) evil, but I don't think Bush is a helluva lot better. On a continuum, he's still pretty far down on the evil end...maybe a dark gray.

Another thing has made life harder lately: the resident troll at a so-called "support" forum made me leave after I'd been posting there for two years. With no provocation, he attacked me personally. The moderators did nothing, so I took matters into my own hands and got even. Then people contacted me in droves, first admitting that this other person is an asshole, then siding with him. I'd mistakenly thought these people were my friends. Ungh. That hurts. You think you belong somewhere and you find out that the nastiest person on the forum is more important to them than you are.

My opinion of people is at an all-time low.

[Sequoia]

13. Yes, all the way.

I'll be happy again when the thugs are gone.

[Aristus]

15. My wife has noted a steady decline in my morale,

and an increase in my anger. I try not to take it out on her. She deserves better. Damn you, Dubyah!

[HEyHEY]

16. ????? well...

It started around that time...But I HOPE that is just coincedence, if not I'm suing the fucker

[Rhiannon12866]

17. When Bush* actually went ahead and launched his illegal

and bloody war, in spite of the millions in the U.S. and throughout the world that took to the streets in protest, I actually felt physically ill. I wouldn't have made it without DU!:-)

[meow2u3]

18. Absolutely! My depression almost killed me--literally!

My doc had to put me on crazy pills for about a month b/c I flipped after my mom passed away, my cats were put to sleep, and I was kicked out of my apartment--all at the same time!
The 9/11 fallout and the "selection" of the shrubbery already had me in a depression--this almost led me to kill myself, if it weren't for my faith in God--the only thing that kept me alive! :-(

Thank God for Lexapro. It may cost a pretty penny, but it helps me stay sane.

[Rhiannon12866]

19. Thank you for sharing this

and I am so very sorry for the run of tragedy that you have had in your life. I am considering medication, as well. I won't go into all of it, but I can identify with the loss of your pets, especially. I lost both of my dogs in six months, despite the fact that I would have done anything for them and did. I still cannot believe it.;(

Hang in there! DU cares, and so do I.:-)

[Ladyhawk]

22. The nice thing about being a liberal

is that you can care about animals as much as you care about people. I can't tell you what a relief that has been for me.

I am very sorry about the deaths of your dogs. Sometimes I wonder if animals aren't more "human" than people.

[Rhiannon12866]

27. Thank you for your kind words

I agree with what you say about liberals. We tend to care about animals as much as we care about other people. My very liberal friend commented the other day that she thinks that she prefers animals to people, these days, and I told her that I agreed.

I am glad that you have animals to comfort you in your difficult situation. Mine is similiar and my dogs meant the world to me.

[Ladyhawk]

20. I'm sorry about what you've gone through. :(

I'm on Lexapro, too, though historically SSRI's haven't helped me much. That's too much, too much to deal with at once...wow. I'm glad you're still here!

The only thing that has helped me in the past: electro-convulsive therapy, AKA shock treatments. I was a vegetable for about six weeks afterward...couldn't remember how to turn on the television.

I'm afraid I'm getting bad enough I'll have to do it again.

[tarkus]

21. No. No text either, really.

[Ladyhawk]

24. Oh. OK.