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> Sorry for getting so personal, but I simply can't take any of the comments that say "just get over it." Depression is as real and as disabling as being paraly

> Sorry for getting so personal, but I simply can't take any of the comments that say "just get over it." Depression is as real and as disabling as being paralyzed; it may not happen to everyone, but to say things like, "You need to be stronger" are no more appropriate to the depressed than they are to the paralyzed. The difference is that it is not always possible to talk someone out of paralysis, but I'd like to think it is possible to talk some people out of depression. So I'd prefer to think of calls to "be stronger" as an attempt at remedying someone's health problems, and not a judgement on their character. I'll back right off claiming that "be stronger" is an effective remedy, of course. In terms of arguing for a more sensitive language, there is a call (citation needed) to avoid the phrase "commit suicide" which implies that suicide is still a crime that one "commits."

DanBC 14y ago
I avoid the term "commit suicide" because of the link to sins and crime. People attempt suicide, or they complete suicide. > but I'd like to think it is possible to talk some people out of depression. Here's the thing: It is possible to talk someone out of depression. But that talk is a carefully crafted therapeutic talk, applied by an experienced trained therapist. Talking to someone without knowing what you're doing probably isn't going to be a long term help. And it might even be harmful.
iSnow 14y ago
>The difference is that it is not always possible to talk someone out of paralysis, but I'd like to think it is possible to talk some people out of depression. Nope. Best thing you can do is have their backs covered and stand by for emergencies while they untangle themselves from depression. Oh yeah, and cover your own ass, depression is contagious.
- Karunamon 14y ago
  Sometimes it is; that's what therapy (sans medication) is about. That said, it's something best left to the professionals. You generally can't reason someone out of something they didn't reason themselves into.
  - Chattered 14y ago
    Reasoning is overrated, IMO. As Heinlein put it, "Man is the rationalising animal", and the best rationalisers, when depressed, are the best at digging themselves into a hole.

DanBC 14y ago

I avoid the term "commit suicide" because of the link to sins and crime. People attempt suicide, or they complete suicide. > but I'd like to think it is possible to talk some people out of depression. Here's the thing: It is possible to talk someone out of depression. But that talk is a carefully crafted therapeutic talk, applied by an experienced trained therapist. Talking to someone without knowing what you're doing probably isn't going to be a long term help. And it might even be harmful.

iSnow 14y ago

>The difference is that it is not always possible to talk someone out of paralysis, but I'd like to think it is possible to talk some people out of depression. Nope. Best thing you can do is have their backs covered and stand by for emergencies while they untangle themselves from depression. Oh yeah, and cover your own ass, depression is contagious.

Karunamon 14y ago
Sometimes it is; that's what therapy (sans medication) is about. That said, it's something best left to the professionals. You generally can't reason someone out of something they didn't reason themselves into.
- Chattered 14y ago
  Reasoning is overrated, IMO. As Heinlein put it, "Man is the rationalising animal", and the best rationalisers, when depressed, are the best at digging themselves into a hole.