Is depression a selfish illness ?

[Telstra]

My brother seems to be one.

He looks really depress,
inward looking, always have negative points of views and blame every body for his problems.

please discuss your experience ...

 

[racer2438]

He should evaluated by a doctor. Depression comes in many forms and no one is the same. So ones views would be different from the next.

Speculating should not be done on this serious issue. It can manifest it self into many issue's incl- self destruction.

So help him to go and be seen by his doctor, give encouragment that things will be ok and be there for all forms of support and make sure he always has someone to talk to.

But have him seen by a doctor sooner rather than later...

 

[Telstra]

^ i have no idea how to help but will follow your advice.

i got all the photos from a recent family event with the thread below, might give him all the photos to see what he looks like for himself compare to others ...

http://www.justusboys.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291863

 

[KaraBulut]

Well, but it sounds like the sadness is over a sad life he created for himself.

 

[Horschallen]

Depression is hardly a selfish condition. Depression can be helped, but not necessarily totally, by medication and professional therapy combined.

You as the loved one or friend of a depressed person need to learn how to become appropriately supportive. It takes a lot to understand the person and his/her condition.

Depression is one of the most misunderstood disorders, and it can last a long time in many cases. Many friends get frustrated when the depressed person cannot get out of it as soon as they think he/she can. Some would go as far as forcing the person into activities he/she is not interested in or ready to participate in. Invite him/her to join you in activities, but do not force or express disappointment. Ask him/her what you can do to help out with recovery... sometimes nothing.

I have dysthmia and I experience episodes of depression, and while i appreciate well meanings of my friends to push me out, I tend to prefer to recover on my own terms. That is because I know myself more than other people do.

Love your brother and give him time and space if he indicates he needs them... but do encourage medication and counseling.

 

[maxpowr9]

Having been off and on depressed for about 7 years, yes, depression is a selfish illness. The reason why I say depression is a 'selfish illness' is simply put "It is like living life inside your own bubble." Cliché yes but definately true.

Obviously there are a multitude of factors that can contribute to depression, so answering this question easily is not gonna happen. Not to mention there are different types of depression. If this has been going on for a long period of time (greater than a year), this is not an 'isolated event' but rather an 'on-going problem'.

I think the first thing to check out is if there are any genetic disorders that are in your family that may contribute to your brother's depression. After that, consulting a family doctor may be a good place to start.

I will offer this advice. Don't ask a depressed person to talk about their problems, no matter how concerned you are. Most will blatantly lie about their feelings and force them deeper into denial (making the bubble harder to pop). If they want to open about it with you, they will when they want to. The best metaphor I got is like someone who is in the closet.

My advice, just spend time with the person doing things they enjoy. It will make both of you happy.

Most people have an 'x-factor' that contributes to their depression. I know what can 'trigger' my depression and I know how to cope with it also. Unfortunately if the 'trigger' is a person (which could be a high posibility in your case) it is best to have those people not see each other at all.

 

[TomahawkEagle]

Think depression is an illness in developed countries. And yes I have depression myself but I went to see my doctor about it and got some medication. I also spend as much time as I can with my mates. Being in contact with other people can help reduce the impact of depression.

Of course the main reason for my depression is because I'm still in the closet to my parents and I still live at home

 

[Telstra]

Having been off and on depressed for about 7 years, yes, depression is a selfish illness. The reason why I say depression is a 'selfish illness' is simply put "It is like living life inside your own bubble." Cliché yes but definately true.

Obviously there are a multitude of factors that can contribute to depression, so answering this question easily is not gonna happen. Not to mention there are different types of depression. If this has been going on for a long period of time (greater than a year), this is not an 'isolated event' but rather an 'on-going problem'.

I think the first thing to check out is if there are any genetic disorders that are in your family that may contribute to your brother's depression. After that, consulting a family doctor may be a good place to start.

I will offer this advice. Don't ask a depressed person to talk about their problems, no matter how concerned you are. Most will blatantly lie about their feelings and force them deeper into denial (making the bubble harder to pop). If they want to open about it with you, they will when they want to. The best metaphor I got is like someone who is in the closet.

My advice, just spend time with the person doing things they enjoy. It will make both of you happy.

Most people have an 'x-factor' that contributes to their depression. I know what can 'trigger' my depression and I know how to cope with it also. Unfortunately if the 'trigger' is a person (which could be a high posibility in your case) it is best to have those people not see each other at all.

thanks for the insight.
Yes he has serious depression/personal issues only himself can fix.
Sad for a smart guy going downhill slowly since his marriage over 15 years ago.

 

[Zingerific]

Is depression selfish? Maybe, maybe not. But I don't think labeling it as selfish is in any way helpful. I'm just imagining the chagrin someone must feel when, on top of everything else, they find out they're selfish too!

This is a case of taking a medical/physiological problem and recasting it as a moral failing. I think the only thing that can succeed in doing is making people even more miserable.

 

[Nomenclature]

In most cases, it seems like a person becomes depressed when they feel that everyone AROUND THEM is being selfish, and not listening to them or considering what they feel. Either that, or they feel overwhelmed like everything won't give them a chance to recover.

I'm really not sure if it's fair to say that the person suffering from depression is just being "selfish"; It's more complicated than that, and every case can be different.