Re: A permanent decision
J/C Porter (jcporter@IX.NETCOM.COM)
Fri, 7 Nov 1997 13:14:26 -0600
David F. Delman wrote:
>
> Lastly I have a quote someplace I will paraphrase
>
> "The only cure for depression is to keep moving"
>
>
First, David, I don't think that you meant this quote the way I'm going
to pull it apart. I've heard this from many pople, though, that don't
seem to understand things about depression.
The descriptions of boys on this list that have committed suicide
indicate clearly that they *were* moving! Each one was busy with
school, scouts, lots of activities and seemed to have a lot of friends.
While a couple of bad days and feeling bad can be cured by getting busy,
clinical depression _can't._
Clinical depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. It
sometimes only gets better with a combination of medication and therapy.
It hits teenagers hard, because there is so much changing in their lives
and bodies anyway. This kind of depression is sometimes quite difficult
to spot, because even the person with it doesn't know what it is. Their
lives may be great and they wonder why they are feeling so lousy.
Sometimes they are too embarassed to ask for help, or don't know where
to turn. And many, many times, if they tell someone they are feeling
depressed or sad or lonely, they get told..."Well, go do something! Get
moving! Get busy! You'll feel better!"
If you hear those words, you need to listen. If you think it's more than
just the teenage (or any age) flair for the dramatic, let them know that
you will help them find someone who can help.
Also, get on the web and do some reading. A good place to start is:
http://www.uml.edu/studsvcs/counseling/depress.html
You can also use your search engine with the words "clinical depression"
but just beware of any web page sponsored by Scientologists or people
selling God's Recipe.
As I have two boys with ADHD and I am ADD, I've read a lot about
depression, as it is frequently a co-morbid diagnosis with Attention
Deficit. One of the things I read recently (and no, I can't tell you
where. I don't remember.) said that someone who is depressed may make an
attempt at suicide, because they are asking for help. Someone who is
depressed and ADHD is more likely to be successful, because it is an
impulsive act that seems so right at the time. True or not, I don't
know, but it should give you a "heads up" for all the kids you've got
that are ADHD or the ones you suspect are, but haven't been diagnosed.
It is a difficult subject. Read a few things about depression. It's
been looked at as a character flaw for too long. It's not.
--
Cathy Porter
Trading Post B Staff, 1997 National Jamboree
Webelos Leader, Pack 1087; Advancement Chair, Troop 424
Sam Houston Area Council - Katy, Texas
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