Korean Job Discussion Forums

cisco kid · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2003 7:13 pm Post subject: Depression and suicide

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Hank Scorpio · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

I just want to express that there is hope for you. Get the help that you can find via a therapist in your neighborhood. See what tom. brings.

Thoughts and prayers are with you boo boo.
Harpeau

P.S. Remember, nothing can replace the human touch!

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Turn to God for help. Consult your bible. the answer is there.

Down from Above · Joined: 27 Apr 2003 Location: Naju

Hey CS-

Best of luck to you. I think Hank's advice is wise - seek out a good therapist, one who you will feel comfortable with. That you know you need to talk to someone is a good sign, right? Smile

helly · Joined: 01 Apr 2003 Location: WORLDWIDE

You made a decision to express your feelings and that is a positive step.

You made an appointment with a therapist and decided that she wasn't right for you. This implies that you ARE seeking assistance, assistance that you feel will help. This again is a positive step.

Continue seeking out help and recognize that you won't find the magic answer. Harpeau is right in saying that nothing replaces the human touch. Take as many touches as you can because you'll never stop being amazed at how many people are out there to help.

Take care and Continue to make positive decisions. Not every one will lead you to an answer but every one will lead you to your next positive decision.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

I took a few psychology classes back in the day and did a few reports on depression and the like so although I'm no expert by any means I'll tell you what I learnt.

1. If you are considering suicide you need immediate help! Go to a family doctor, a walk-in clinic, an emergency room....whatever. This isn't something to wait around on and hope it gets better....it usually doesn't by itself and can worsen overnight to the point of actually harming yourself.

2. If you're at the point of contemplating suicide waiting it out is NOT A GOOD OPTION! Anti-depressant drugs are usually the best option at this point. There are different classes of these drugs...some work for some people, different ones for others. It takes a while to regulate dosages so hang in there with the side effects. The drugs can often take a few weeks to have any noticeable effect on mood and even longer if you have to switch drugs because one doesn't work. Now I'm rambling but the important thing is to get on the drugs NOW.

3. While a psychologist or someone who does not prescribe drugs can be helpful...therapy is usually best for those with a less severe case of depression (eg. not suicidal). Once drugs get you a bit more stable,then therapy might be of some use.

4. Depression can sometimes be caused by diet/vitamin deficiency, etc. Check it out on the net and see if any of the things listed sounds like you. (example...maybe you're a vegetarian and depression can be triggered by lack of iron)

5. There's something called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) that happens when winter hits due to less sunlight. If you always get a bit low or depressed in winter then this is likely what you have and something like special lamps or walks everyday outside in the sun can really help.

There's a ton of info. on the net....check it out for yourself. But I can't emphasize this enough.....GET HELP NOW!!!! If one doctor thinks your problem is not serious, go to another one, then another one, then another one. Get on medication NOW!

It's up to you to take the first step....tell people you're suicidal and ask for help. There's resources out there....use them.

canuckistan · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2003 10:16 pm Post subject:

What came to mind when I read your post was a story about a guy in Quebec City. He was horribly depressed and seriously thinking about suicide when he decided that his life was worthless and he didn't need it, so he'd give it to someone else rather than throwing it away. Since that day, he has dedicated his life to working with the poor.

mysteriousdeltarays · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2003 11:13 pm Post subject:

Cisco,
Whew hang on a bit, nobody is more suicidal than me but I hang on. A few years in Vietnam will do a trip to your head. I'm old, I'm ugly.

Hold on here guy you can come come crash at my place. We'll watch T.V. together. Go out to the bars in Shincheon where the girls will pick us up.

I'll tell you about my life, it will be cool, just relax don't do anything extreme.

In Vietnam we used to get get really stoned and loaded before take off at dawn because we were flying into hell. I did horrible things.

I'm not connected with the U.S Army or the D.O.D or the Joint Defense Forces here.

Kids can be fun. I didn't used to like them but I do now.

Don't jump the gun on us here. I'm in same boat basicly but, I hang on, or I try to. And I'm old and ugly and probably a war criminal to boot.

Hell in this place, this is not good. Look call me if you are really freaked out. I'm going to send you a PM I hate these things but...

Don't pull the trigger guy. We will see what we can do. I don't think counseling will work! We will try to work it out.

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

Boo-boo,

Meds work, counseling works, faith in a higher power works, some time with Mysterious Delta Rays works _____ works. I don't say no at a time like this. Find what you need and embrace it. We're behind you here! Remember, you've got to take a step.

Harpeau

mysteriousdeltarays · Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2003 12:54 am Post subject:

Hey look maybe people will laugh at you or something. I'm not like a support group or anything like that. I'm just Tom. I think about killing myself all the time. I seem to survive in an odd way. Give me a call at 018-871-7300. I'm an old guy 52, in a way who gives a shit about our lives.
I like the kids. I like my friend Leni Riefenstahln the Nazi Film Director,
I figfure you are young and just whatever maybe lonely and horney.
I am not a homosexual. Don't pull the trigger. This is not a come on.

In the past...Hey we got stoned out of our minds and blasted off at dawn with Jimmy Hendrix, and all the "brothers" that you thought of as "niggers" a few years earlier, wouldn't share a water fountain with them.
Oh how things changed!
I don't know what is going on in my life. Nobody seems seems to understand.
Maybe you don't know yourself.
I am not a wise off telling you to go to Bangkok. Be cool and call me if you need me.

shawner88 · Joined: 01 Feb 2003

It's a terrible legacy to leave behind to your family, trust me I have first hand experience. They would have to live with guilt and sorrow the rest of their lives, perhaps even end up alcoholics or dependent on psychotropics themselves.

At one point in my life I also felt really depressed. Since I came to Korea three years ago, my personality totally changed. I don't think I have ever been this happy. I can't remember the last time I really felt sad. You may want to make a life altering change, like the Bruce Springsteen song, we all have a Hungry Heart. Perhaps you need to feed yours.

It may sound pathetic, but exercising can really help with depression. It gets the blood and chemicals moving. Half the reason for depression is a low production of chemicals in your brain, specifically serotonin. If you get the blood circulating I bet you will start to feel better, more energy, a little livelier. You don't have to run a mile, just start slowly, a 30 minute walk, then go up a little from there. Also, quit the smoking totally. I read that even smoking 2 cigarttes a day has no where near the same benefits as quitting entirely. I really felt a lot better and had a feeling of pride and strength when I quit over a year ago. I still pat myself on the back for accomplishing that feat. I would consider therapy and medication after you have tried these other approaches, or if you really feel deep and dark. Anti-depressant medications have side effects such as a constant tiredness and a sexual numbness. A lot of people take them for a quick fix to their problems without finding the route of the sadness or trying other approaches and end up on the meds for ages, afraid to come off them, no longer suicidal but flat and lethargic. I really think if you exercise, quit smoking, try to find some kind of new hobby, and/or make a life change, you will be fine. I hope so!

Keep us informed of your progress.

Coffeecup · Joined: 30 Jun 2003

Well, just jumping into the thread.

Cisco, well the thing that concerns me is that you sort of verbally crossed the line between saying "thoughts of suicide" and over into "suicide is a legitimate option." A person saying the former could still say "even though the thought is there, I don't think I will do it," but the implication I am sort of (?) getting is that you are sounding past that into the latter stage. But again my apologies if I didn't read it completely correct.

Yah that sounds serious enough, even though online there's no way to know exactly where you are at in any event yes it sounds like reason enough to take safety measures.

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

Talk to the wonderful wife, who knows you & chose you. I'm betting she'll understand & stand by you through whatever it takes. Get help. Dont be embarrassed.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

*You may feel that your wife would have been better off with someone else- but she obviously doesn't think so:
*You certainly are not worthless: you can help others who need it! Doing this can really be the most rewarding thing in the world.
*How about a holiday, an adventure, a change of scene? Very refreshing, and it could make you realise a whole lot of things.
*I regard my life as pretty sad right now- but I've met people with a whole lot less than I have, that make my problems pale into insignificance.. I always try to remember this..
Just some thoughts, I hope this helps:)