Comments on: Hide and seek http://segullah.org/daily-special/hide-and-seek/ Mormon women blogging about the peculiar and the treasured Wed, 23 May 2012 15:39:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Plain Jame http://segullah.org/daily-special/hide-and-seek/#comment-141939 Plain Jame Mon, 11 May 2009 20:32:05 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=2922#comment-141939 I posted on my blog about this my own struggle. It's been a great read with your post, and then also all the comments. I think talking about it is the best thing you can do. You can turn a corner and change your perspective just by voicing your feelings and staring your demons down straight in their eyes. Thanks Kathryn. I hope you are doing well. I posted on my blog about this my own struggle. It’s been a great read with your post, and then also all the comments. I think talking about it is the best thing you can do. You can turn a corner and change your perspective just by voicing your feelings and staring your demons down straight in their eyes.
Thanks Kathryn. I hope you are doing well.

]]> By: Sue http://segullah.org/daily-special/hide-and-seek/#comment-141518 Sue Fri, 08 May 2009 19:21:34 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=2922#comment-141518 My son is one of those whose depression requires medication. If he quits taking it, he will be having suicidal ideation in a very short period of time. My sister and mother also suffer from depression. It is fairly significant, but because they have never felt suicidal with it, they have options about whether to take meds or not. They choose not to (not because they judge taking meds but because they don't like certain side effects), and they manage their moods with structure and activity. I guess my point is that no one can know what is best for any individual in dealing with depression. One thing that is always good is for a depressed person to feel respected and understood, and that is what I try to offer my friends and family members who suffer with this difficult issue. As for you, Kathryn, I am thrilled that you are willing to be a groundbreaker in beginning and continuing this conversation. You will save lives. In fact, you probably have already. Bless you. My son is one of those whose depression requires medication. If he quits taking it, he will be having suicidal ideation in a very short period of time.

My sister and mother also suffer from depression. It is fairly significant, but because they have never felt suicidal with it, they have options about whether to take meds or not. They choose not to (not because they judge taking meds but because they don’t like certain side effects), and they manage their moods with structure and activity.

I guess my point is that no one can know what is best for any individual in dealing with depression. One thing that is always good is for a depressed person to feel respected and understood, and that is what I try to offer my friends and family members who suffer with this difficult issue.

As for you, Kathryn, I am thrilled that you are willing to be a groundbreaker in beginning and continuing this conversation. You will save lives. In fact, you probably have already.

Bless you.

]]> By: mmiles http://segullah.org/daily-special/hide-and-seek/#comment-141374 mmiles Thu, 07 May 2009 16:37:30 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=2922#comment-141374 ECS, It's true. When I told my husband how I was feeling months ago and he said, "No you wouldn't", it made me feel a lot better. If he was so confident that I wouldn't, it made me feel stronger--and those thoughts were fleeting, and now seem so far away. ECS, It’s true. When I told my husband how I was feeling months ago and he said, “No you wouldn’t”, it made me feel a lot better. If he was so confident that I wouldn’t, it made me feel stronger–and those thoughts were fleeting, and now seem so far away.

]]> By: Kathryn Soper http://segullah.org/daily-special/hide-and-seek/#comment-141358 Kathryn Soper Thu, 07 May 2009 15:15:39 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=2922#comment-141358 ECS, thank you. An insightful article--really got me thinking. The quote you picked out is especially helpful. I've been trying to figure out why telling my husband helped me turn a corner--now I understand. ECS, thank you. An insightful article–really got me thinking. The quote you picked out is especially helpful. I’ve been trying to figure out why telling my husband helped me turn a corner–now I understand.

]]> By: ECS http://segullah.org/daily-special/hide-and-seek/#comment-141269 ECS Wed, 06 May 2009 23:02:50 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=2922#comment-141269 Kathryn - you write beautifully. I'm so sorry you are suffering. The NY Times has an excellent article today about a woman hospitalized for chronic depression. I thought of you and this post when I read it. Here's what the author says about her thoughts of suicide and "hiding" from others: It was because of my daughter, after all, that I had given voice to my “suicidal ideation,” as it’s called, in the first place, worrying how she would get along without me. At the same time, I recognized that, for a person who was really set on ending it all, speaking your intention aloud was an act of self-betrayal. After all, in the process of articulating your death wish you were alerting other people, ensuring that they would try to stop you. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/magazine/10Depression-t.html?pagewanted=3&_r=1&hp Kathryn – you write beautifully. I’m so sorry you are suffering.

The NY Times has an excellent article today about a woman hospitalized for chronic depression. I thought of you and this post when I read it.

Here’s what the author says about her thoughts of suicide and “hiding” from others:

It was because of my daughter, after all, that I had given voice to my “suicidal ideation,” as it’s called, in the first place, worrying how she would get along without me. At the same time, I recognized that, for a person who was really set on ending it all, speaking your intention aloud was an act of self-betrayal. After all, in the process of articulating your death wish you were alerting other people, ensuring that they would try to stop you.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/magazine/10Depression-t.html?pagewanted=3&_r=1&hp

]]> By: jendoop http://segullah.org/daily-special/hide-and-seek/#comment-141118 jendoop Wed, 06 May 2009 01:16:47 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=2922#comment-141118 Merry Michelle - neat insights! Merry Michelle – neat insights!

]]> By: JES http://segullah.org/daily-special/hide-and-seek/#comment-141113 JES Tue, 05 May 2009 23:46:26 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=2922#comment-141113 For those of you with spouses who don't really understand what you're going through with depression, I'd really recommend that you try getting them to read Andrew Solomon’s book, The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression. My husband has depression, and while I'm sure I still don't fully comprehend what he's feeling, that book went a long way towards understanding that depression can be just as physically debilitating as being paralyzed (at its worst). It's helped me to be more patient and sympathetic towards my husband. Andrew Solomon does a good job of putting depression into words; it is a dark, heavy, sometimes graphic book, but well worth reading for those with and without depression. For those of you with spouses who don’t really understand what you’re going through with depression, I’d really recommend that you try getting them to read Andrew Solomon’s book, The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression. My husband has depression, and while I’m sure I still don’t fully comprehend what he’s feeling, that book went a long way towards understanding that depression can be just as physically debilitating as being paralyzed (at its worst). It’s helped me to be more patient and sympathetic towards my husband. Andrew Solomon does a good job of putting depression into words; it is a dark, heavy, sometimes graphic book, but well worth reading for those with and without depression.

]]> By: Kathryn Soper http://segullah.org/daily-special/hide-and-seek/#comment-141104 Kathryn Soper Tue, 05 May 2009 22:10:36 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=2922#comment-141104 Before I sign off for today, I'd like to share just a few words in response to the remaining comments: Leslie, Kristine, and Angie: Thank you. I'm grateful to have such friends. Maryanne: Thanks for reading. I'm happy Wendy's comment was helpful to you--it was to me too. anon (#39), Angie (#40), Scattered by nature (#42): Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences regarding depression. I'm grateful we can strengthen each other this way. b. (#44), a-nony-nony (#46), Blue (#48), and Merry Michelle (#55): I appreciate your thoughts about honesty and deception. I'm glad you joined in the dialogue here! Tiffany W: (#51): Sounds like a very sad and complex situation. I imagine the combination of factors (single-parent home, drug addiction, plus mental health concerns) is what led to the intervention. Yes, I was concerned about the consequences of speaking up, but more concerned about the consequences of not doing so. Giggles (#53): Sounds like you've been wise indeed in your decisions regarding self-disclosure. I hope I didn't overlook anyone. Thank you, all, for participating in this conversation. I look forward to picking up these topics again in the future. A brief note to those who have sent emails: I will respond as soon as time permits. Before I sign off for today, I’d like to share just a few words in response to the remaining comments:

Leslie, Kristine, and Angie: Thank you. I’m grateful to have such friends.

Maryanne: Thanks for reading. I’m happy Wendy’s comment was helpful to you–it was to me too.

anon (#39), Angie (#40), Scattered by nature (#42): Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences regarding depression. I’m grateful we can strengthen each other this way.

b. (#44), a-nony-nony (#46), Blue (#48), and Merry Michelle (#55): I appreciate your thoughts about honesty and deception. I’m glad you joined in the dialogue here!

Tiffany W: (#51): Sounds like a very sad and complex situation. I imagine the combination of factors (single-parent home, drug addiction, plus mental health concerns) is what led to the intervention. Yes, I was concerned about the consequences of speaking up, but more concerned about the consequences of not doing so.

Giggles (#53): Sounds like you’ve been wise indeed in your decisions regarding self-disclosure.

I hope I didn’t overlook anyone. Thank you, all, for participating in this conversation. I look forward to picking up these topics again in the future.

A brief note to those who have sent emails: I will respond as soon as time permits.

]]> By: Merry Michelle http://segullah.org/daily-special/hide-and-seek/#comment-141102 Merry Michelle Tue, 05 May 2009 22:04:15 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=2922#comment-141102 You are right. Whenever we begin to hide we are listening to the adversary, and the longer we do it--the harder it is to stop. It reminded me of the temple--Satan hasn't changed his tactics a whole lot. He wants us to hide. There is a power in truth, and most importantly: PEACE. You are right. Whenever we begin to hide we are listening to the adversary, and the longer we do it–the harder it is to stop. It reminded me of the temple–Satan hasn’t changed his tactics a whole lot. He wants us to hide. There is a power in truth, and most importantly: PEACE.

]]> By: Kathryn Soper http://segullah.org/daily-special/hide-and-seek/#comment-141100 Kathryn Soper Tue, 05 May 2009 21:47:54 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=2922#comment-141100 Before I say anything else: Anon for this time (#41), my heart goes out to you. I know you've already sought help but I think you need to go to plan B. If you haven't already, please consult a psychiatrist. General practitioners don't have the expertise necessary to help you. You need and deserve a specialist. There are many treatments available--if this one or that one haven't worked well, don't give up. Keep exploring options until you find relief. BJ (#47), I hope you'll do the same. The field of mental health is constantly evolving. There are new medications available, new approaches to treatment. I'm glad you're such a caring father, and because you are, I trust you'll do whatever is necessary to help yourself so you can help your family. Thank you for speaking up. You're welcome on this blog anytime. don't want to say anything now (#50): You're experiencing symptoms of pronounced depression. You have my sincere sympathy, and also my concerned counsel: It's highly unlikely the symptoms will resolve without treatment, and they might escalate without warning. Please seek professional help right away. Before I say anything else:

Anon for this time (#41), my heart goes out to you. I know you’ve already sought help but I think you need to go to plan B. If you haven’t already, please consult a psychiatrist. General practitioners don’t have the expertise necessary to help you. You need and deserve a specialist. There are many treatments available–if this one or that one haven’t worked well, don’t give up. Keep exploring options until you find relief.

BJ (#47), I hope you’ll do the same. The field of mental health is constantly evolving. There are new medications available, new approaches to treatment. I’m glad you’re such a caring father, and because you are, I trust you’ll do whatever is necessary to help yourself so you can help your family. Thank you for speaking up. You’re welcome on this blog anytime.

don’t want to say anything now (#50): You’re experiencing symptoms of pronounced depression. You have my sincere sympathy, and also my concerned counsel: It’s highly unlikely the symptoms will resolve without treatment, and they might escalate without warning. Please seek professional help right away.

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