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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: merithyn on May 22, 2011, 12:37:03 PM

Poll
Question: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Option 1: Yes, still dealing with it votes: 9
Option 2: Yes, though I've gotten better votes: 4
Option 3: Not diagnosed, but I'm sure I could be (or could have been at some point) votes: 19
Option 4: No, not something I deal with votes: 14
Title: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: merithyn on May 22, 2011, 12:37:03 PM
I'm just curious. There are many people I know who have or have had issues with depression. I've heard that it's a disease of the high IQ, meaning the smarter you are the more like you are to deal with it. Since Languish is, in general, smarter than the average populace, I wondered if depression was more common here than elsewhere.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Slargos on May 22, 2011, 12:40:51 PM
Quote from: merithyn on May 22, 2011, 12:37:03 PM
I'm just curious. There are many people I know who have or have had issues with depression. I've heard that it's a disease of the high IQ, meaning the smarter you are the more like you are to deal with it. Since Languish is, in general, smarter than the average populace, I wondered if depression was more common here than elsewhere.

You're working from a premise I find highly dubious.  :P

As for the question: I resist diagnosis. IDK.  :hmm:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: The Brain on May 22, 2011, 12:49:53 PM
No, I'm too intelligent.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Brazen on May 22, 2011, 12:51:43 PM
Yes. Better at the moment, but knowing what it is and recognising it makes it a bit easier to cope with. I just wasn't myself on the meds.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Norgy on May 22, 2011, 01:05:13 PM
Quote from: merithyn on May 22, 2011, 12:37:03 PM
I'm just curious. There are many people I know who have or have had issues with depression.

Yes. More or less a permanent fixture, so I am not sure what life without would be like. Or, it'd be like when I was in high school, I suppose. Less self-doubt and a bit more enjoyment.
Apparently, I have gone from severe depression to light/moderate the past three years.  :)

Of course, being Scandiweenian, depression sort of just happens. Most people I know have periods either every year or at some point in their lives. And the symptoms and effects are just as varied as the causes, I think. Some are completely paralyzed, while others function more or less like other people but isolate themselves more. I fall into that category. 

The best cure seems to have been a blend of cognitive therapy, light medication and increased cardio excercise. The last part may seem strange, but it gets the metabolism going, produces more good hormones and helps regulate sleep patterns in my case.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Viking on May 22, 2011, 01:13:04 PM
Agree with Norgy. Once I identified my triggers it all became easy to deal with.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: viper37 on May 22, 2011, 01:17:42 PM
Quote from: merithyn on May 22, 2011, 12:37:03 PM
I'm just curious. There are many people I know who have or have had issues with depression. I've heard that it's a disease of the high IQ, meaning the smarter you are the more like you are to deal with it. Since Languish is, in general, smarter than the average populace, I wondered if depression was more common here than elsewhere.
No, never been diagnosed.  I don't think it's related to IQ though.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Martinus on May 22, 2011, 01:42:32 PM
If I were to self-diagnose (which is notoriously unreliable), I'd say I have ADHD, Asperger's, NPD and/or HPD, but not depression. I have an immense ability to live in denial and think that I have a great love life, a wonderful career and that everybody likes me. :P
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: merithyn on May 22, 2011, 01:47:35 PM
Quote from: viper37 on May 22, 2011, 01:17:42 PM
Quote from: merithyn on May 22, 2011, 12:37:03 PM
I'm just curious. There are many people I know who have or have had issues with depression. I've heard that it's a disease of the high IQ, meaning the smarter you are the more like you are to deal with it. Since Languish is, in general, smarter than the average populace, I wondered if depression was more common here than elsewhere.
No, never been diagnosed.  I don't think it's related to IQ though.

I'm not saying that all people with high IQs get depression. I have read somewhere, however, that those with higher IQs are more prone to depression than the general populace. (The article I read was specific to "gifted" kids in college, though, so I don't know if it translates well across the lines to others.)
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Zanza2 on May 22, 2011, 01:50:46 PM
I know several people who had (or still have) a depression. Based on that, I'd say I never had one.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Barrister on May 22, 2011, 02:44:34 PM
Quote from: Norgy on May 22, 2011, 01:05:13 PM

Yes. More or less a permanent fixture, so I am not sure what life without would be like. Or, it'd be like when I was in high school, I suppose. Less self-doubt and a bit more enjoyment.


The only time when I might have suffered from depression was in high school.  I wasn't super picked on or anything, I just didn't have any friends as was pretty lonely.

But since the age of 17 (when I went to university) life has gotten better pretty much every single year.  My life right now - definitely not depressing.  :cool:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Ideologue on May 22, 2011, 02:56:02 PM
You don't need an M.D. or M.A. to figure out that I suffer from depression (it was, in retrospect, obvious--even when I was a small child), although I have latterly gotten a professional diagnosis.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Josquius on May 22, 2011, 02:59:55 PM
Was told I was probally bi-poplar by a doctor once, avoided shrinks, have had depressive times but not right now.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Razgovory on May 22, 2011, 03:21:12 PM
Quote from: Martinus on May 22, 2011, 01:42:32 PM
If I were to self-diagnose (which is notoriously unreliable), I'd say I have ADHD, Asperger's, NPD and/or HPD, but not depression. I have an immense ability to live in denial and think that I have a great love life, a wonderful career and that everybody likes me. :P

I think Narcissism is correct.  The rest of it is just your stunning stupidity.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Razgovory on May 22, 2011, 03:22:45 PM
And yes, I do have depression.  Dysthymia was the diagnosis I was given after last round of tests.  Along with the Schizotypal thingy.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 22, 2011, 04:31:14 PM
I've been happy for most of my entire life.  Exceptions would be at various points in my childhood, but I haven't been generally unhappy at all since college.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Martinus on May 22, 2011, 04:34:52 PM
Quote from: Caliga on May 22, 2011, 04:31:14 PM
I've been happy for most of my entire life.  Exceptions would be at various points in my childhood, but I haven't been generally unhappy at all since college.

Same. And whenever I am feeling down, I find throwing myself into activity, such as work etc., to be stimulating. So this sounds opposite of depression as far as I am aware.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: LaCroix on May 22, 2011, 04:35:23 PM
nope, i like myself :)
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 22, 2011, 04:46:08 PM
Quote from: Martinus on May 22, 2011, 04:34:52 PM
Same. And whenever I am feeling down, I find throwing myself into activity, such as work etc., to be stimulating. So this sounds opposite of depression as far as I am aware.
:yes:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: PDH on May 22, 2011, 05:37:43 PM
I have suffered from recession, but never depression.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: CountDeMoney on May 22, 2011, 05:40:24 PM
Leave me alone.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: mongers on May 22, 2011, 06:05:26 PM
Quote from: PDH on May 22, 2011, 05:37:43 PM
I have suffered from recession, but never depression.

My hair is depressed because of the recession.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: dps on May 22, 2011, 06:13:27 PM
I've had panic attacks, but not clinical depression.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Monoriu on May 22, 2011, 07:17:57 PM
I do not believe that depression is a medical condition that could or should be treated.  Many will doubtless disagree, but I think it is just another word for general unhappiness.  So no, no matter how unhappy I am, I am not going to a medical professional and say: I'm unhappy, please give me drugs. 

Having said all that, there were periods in my life when I was really unhappy, most notably when I was in Canada.  I felt I was alone against the whole world.  I kept doing everything possible to graduate as soon as possible and to find work, but everybody just treated that effort as madness, pointless, and futile.  As if I should party.  I was in no mood to do anything, just basically stayed home most of the time.  Sometimes I wonder if some may call it "depression", though I certainly won't. 

The cure was simple.  Decide to go back to HK and boom, before I stepped on the plane, I got an offer and all problems magically disappeared. 
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: CountDeMoney on May 22, 2011, 07:21:27 PM
The hive mind has tremendous recuperative powers, doesn't it, Locutus?
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: garbon on May 22, 2011, 07:21:48 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on May 22, 2011, 07:17:57 PM
Many will doubtless disagree 

It isn't even worth it to disagree when you are just plain wrong. :console:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: garbon on May 22, 2011, 07:22:22 PM
Btw, not sure I'm understanding but is Marti saying that he's been depressed a lot?
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Monoriu on May 22, 2011, 07:33:17 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on May 22, 2011, 07:21:27 PM
The hive mind has tremendous recuperative powers, doesn't it, Locutus?

Money did the trick  :P
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: LaCroix on May 22, 2011, 07:37:35 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on May 22, 2011, 07:17:57 PMI do not believe that depression is a medical condition that could or should be treated.  Many will doubtless disagree, but I think it is just another word for general unhappiness.  So no, no matter how unhappy I am, I am not going to a medical professional and say: I'm unhappy, please give me drugs.

nah, some people suffer from depression because they are genetically inclined to. others develop it after a traumatic event. i'm sure a portion falls into your category, but not nearly everyone. true depression isn't "unhappiness," it is an emotional emptiness that can stifle productivity. many people overuse the term, or misapply it to situations (such as lonely introversion), but that does not diminish its importance as a label for those who really do have chronic issues with it. some are genetically unlucky, and others had fathers who crawled into bed with them, and for them depression fits
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: DontSayBanana on May 22, 2011, 09:08:59 PM
Yes, among other things, which I've actually just started treatment for within the past couple weeks.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Siege on May 22, 2011, 11:17:49 PM
Quote from: merithyn on May 22, 2011, 12:37:03 PM
I'm just curious. There are many people I know who have or have had issues with depression. I've heard that it's a disease of the high IQ, meaning the smarter you are the more like you are to deal with it. Since Languish is, in general, smarter than the average populace, I wondered if depression was more common here than elsewhere.

Alcohol cures despression.

Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Neil on May 22, 2011, 11:22:12 PM
Of course not.  Life is good, even when it wasn't.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 01:33:13 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 22, 2011, 07:22:22 PM
Btw, not sure I'm understanding but is Marti saying that he's been depressed a lot?

Nope. Which part do you mean?
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: 11B4V on May 23, 2011, 01:53:00 AM
Quote from: Martinus on May 22, 2011, 01:42:32 PM
If I were to self-diagnose (which is notoriously unreliable), I'd say I have ADHD, Asperger's, NPD and/or HPD, but not depression. I have an immense ability to live in denial and think that I have a great love life, a wonderful career and that everybody likes me. :P

:lol:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: 11B4V on May 23, 2011, 01:55:25 AM
This thread is why I enjoy this forum. You just cant buy comedy like this.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Ideologue on May 23, 2011, 05:56:48 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 22, 2011, 07:22:22 PM
Btw, not sure I'm understanding but is Marti saying that he's been depressed a lot?
I understood from his post that he didn't get depressed because he didn't have human feelings.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Jos Theelen on May 23, 2011, 08:29:00 AM
Both my granddads had a depression and my father had a depression, when they were old. So I assume there will come one for me after some time   :cry:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Maximus on May 23, 2011, 08:48:25 AM
Quote from: Barrister on May 22, 2011, 02:44:34 PM
My life right now - definitely not depressing.
One does not need to be in a depressing situation in order to be depressed.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: garbon on May 23, 2011, 09:20:59 AM
Quote from: Ideologue on May 23, 2011, 05:56:48 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 22, 2011, 07:22:22 PM
Btw, not sure I'm understanding but is Marti saying that he's been depressed a lot?
I understood from his post that he didn't get depressed because he didn't have human feelings.

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: garbon on May 23, 2011, 09:22:09 AM
Quote from: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 01:33:13 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 22, 2011, 07:22:22 PM
Btw, not sure I'm understanding but is Marti saying that he's been depressed a lot?

Nope. Which part do you mean?

It's generally a bit rude to post more than once in a thread about depression about how you have a positive self-image. ;)
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:23:52 AM
Quote from: Ideologue on May 23, 2011, 05:56:48 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 22, 2011, 07:22:22 PM
Btw, not sure I'm understanding but is Marti saying that he's been depressed a lot?
I understood from his post that he didn't get depressed because he didn't have human feelings.
This. I think I'm (moderately) sociopathic.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:24:49 AM
That's ok.  I think lots of people are, actually.  Not all sociopaths are serial killers.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: garbon on May 23, 2011, 09:32:19 AM
Quote from: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:23:52 AM
This. I think I'm (moderately) sociopathic.

:huh:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: garbon on May 23, 2011, 09:32:30 AM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:24:49 AM
That's ok.  I think lots of people are, actually.  Not all sociopaths are serial killers.

No, that is not okay...:huh:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Camerus on May 23, 2011, 09:33:09 AM
I was quite depressed a few years ago, but I do pretty well these days.  Never took any meds.

I still struggle with SAD (seasonal affective disorder), for which I sometimes think the best cure might just be leaving Canada and its cold, endless winters behind.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:33:38 AM
@garbo Well, it's as ok as being a depressive is, in that it's not the fault of the sociopath... but I guess it doesn't mean they don't need treatment. :hmm:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Valmy on May 23, 2011, 09:34:38 AM
Yeah from about 19 to 21 or so.

I basically learned as long as I do things I am ok.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:35:40 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 23, 2011, 09:32:19 AM
Quote from: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:23:52 AM
This. I think I'm (moderately) sociopathic.

:huh:
Well, I'm an egotist. I didn't say I have the sociopathic personality disorder, but I can recognize certain tendencies, like thinking my desires and needs are more important than other people's, or having bouts of rage when I don't get my way.

I try to keep that in check, but when I'm under significant stress and/or tired, I have a greater difficulty keeping this under control.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:36:07 AM
Quote from: Valmy on May 23, 2011, 09:34:38 AM
Yeah from about 19 to 21 or so.

I basically learned as long as I do things I am ok.
So boredom = depression (at least in your case)?  That makes sense.  People that spend too much time in idle thought are more likely to think bad things.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:37:08 AM
Quote from: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:35:40 AM
Well, I'm an egotist. I didn't say I have the sociopathic personality disorder, but I can recognize certain tendencies, like thinking my desires and needs are more important than other people's, or having bouts of rage when I don't get my way.

I try to keep that in check, but when I'm under significant stress and/or tired, I have a greater difficulty keeping this under control.
To me that sounds more like classic narcissism.  A sociopath is someone who has no ability to empathize with and care for others,
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:38:12 AM
I think people are confusing depression with just being in a bad mood. As far as I am aware, depression is an overwhelming feeling of apathy, when a person does not as much want to get up from bed even if things need to be done.

Teenage angst/boredom/laziness is usually *not* depression. It's just being a teenager (with a hormonal imbalance to boot).  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Valmy on May 23, 2011, 09:38:28 AM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:36:07 AM
So boredom = depression (at least in your case)?  That makes sense.  People that spend too much time in idle thought are more likely to think bad things.

Loneliness to.  I hate living alone because of the tendency for me to get depressed.

So basically yes, I need stuff going on and people to interact with.  Otherwise I get alone with my thoughts and start to go to really dark places.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: DGuller on May 23, 2011, 09:40:19 AM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:24:49 AM
That's ok.  I think lots of people are, actually.  Not all sociopaths are serial killers.
No, it's not.  :huh:  And, no, they're not.  :huh:  Sociopathy is lack of empathy, and it is pretty rare.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Valmy on May 23, 2011, 09:40:55 AM
Quote from: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:38:12 AM
I think people are confusing depression with just being in a bad mood. As far as I am aware, depression is an overwhelming feeling of apathy, when a person does not as much want to get up from bed even if things need to be done.

Teenage angst/boredom/laziness is usually *not* depression. It's just being a teenager (with a hormonal imbalance to boot).  :rolleyes:

Believe me things needed to be done.  I all but failed out of school and probably set my career back many years.  I just couldn't seem to work or do anything or get out of bed.

Having work or that sort of stuff to do is not really what I am talking about.  I need activities and social interaction.  But it might not have been clinical depression, just my experience of depression-like feelings in my life.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:41:32 AM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:37:08 AM
Quote from: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:35:40 AM
Well, I'm an egotist. I didn't say I have the sociopathic personality disorder, but I can recognize certain tendencies, like thinking my desires and needs are more important than other people's, or having bouts of rage when I don't get my way.

I try to keep that in check, but when I'm under significant stress and/or tired, I have a greater difficulty keeping this under control.
To me that sounds more like classic narcissism.  A sociopath is someone who has no ability to empathize with and care for others,

I guess it's a matter of degree and the boundaries are often blurry. I do know that if I have some personality disorder/deficiency (do not necessarily mean "disorder" in a clinical sense), it's one of those tending towards egotism and treating others as my lessers/tools/playthings (narcissism, sociopathy, histrionic), than one when I turn against myself and consider myself inadequate/depressed/apathetic.

I'm definitely a choleric (and almost exactly like my father in that). I blame my mother, who apparently always keep saying (when pregnant with me) that she would rather her son gets mad than sad. :P
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:42:39 AM
Quote from: DGuller on May 23, 2011, 09:40:19 AM
No, it's not.  :huh:  And, no, they're not.  :huh:  Sociopathy is lack of empathy, and it is pretty rare.
I said "I think", but you responded as if you know for sure sociopathy is rare.  How do you know this?  Maybe there's some definitive study on the subject that I'm not aware of. :hmm:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:43:02 AM
Quote from: DGuller on May 23, 2011, 09:40:19 AM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:24:49 AM
That's ok.  I think lots of people are, actually.  Not all sociopaths are serial killers.
No, it's not.  :huh:  And, no, they're not.  :huh:  Sociopathy is lack of empathy, and it is pretty rare.

What is the one called when you claim you are sociopathic because it will make you look special? :P
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: DGuller on May 23, 2011, 09:45:46 AM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:42:39 AM
Quote from: DGuller on May 23, 2011, 09:40:19 AM
No, it's not.  :huh:  And, no, they're not.  :huh:  Sociopathy is lack of empathy, and it is pretty rare.
I said "I think", but you responded as if you know for sure sociopathy is rare.  How do you know this?  Maybe there's some definitive study on the subject that I'm not aware of. :hmm:
Off the top of my head, I recall a figure of 1%.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:47:12 AM
Quote from: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:43:02 AM
What is the one called when you claim you are sociopathic because it will make you look special? :P
Desire to be 'special' is narcissism IIRC. :)
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:48:00 AM
Quote from: DGuller on May 23, 2011, 09:45:46 AM
Off the top of my head, I recall a figure of 1%.
So that means there are about 3 million sociopaths in the United States, right?  That doesn't seem all that rare to me, but I guess 'rare' is a relative term.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:48:47 AM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:47:12 AM
Quote from: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:43:02 AM
What is the one called when you claim you are sociopathic because it will make you look special? :P
Desire to be 'special' is narcissism IIRC. :)

I thought it's more histrionic (aka attention-whorism). :P
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: DGuller on May 23, 2011, 09:54:33 AM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:48:00 AM
Quote from: DGuller on May 23, 2011, 09:45:46 AM
Off the top of my head, I recall a figure of 1%.
So that means there are about 3 million sociopaths in the United States, right?  That doesn't seem all that rare to me, but I guess 'rare' is a relative term.
Well, duh, in a country of 300 million, even a tiny percentage translates to a shitload of people (or at least a crapload).  Your odds of enountering sociopaths don't materially change whether there are 300 million or 30 million people in US, though.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Neil on May 23, 2011, 09:56:10 AM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:37:08 AM
Quote from: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:35:40 AM
Well, I'm an egotist. I didn't say I have the sociopathic personality disorder, but I can recognize certain tendencies, like thinking my desires and needs are more important than other people's, or having bouts of rage when I don't get my way.

I try to keep that in check, but when I'm under significant stress and/or tired, I have a greater difficulty keeping this under control.
To me that sounds more like classic narcissism.  A sociopath is someone who has no ability to empathize with and care for others,
Still, maybe they should institutionalize him, just to be sure.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:57:20 AM
Quote from: DGuller on May 23, 2011, 09:54:33 AM
Well, duh, in a country of 300 million, even a tiny percentage translates to a shitload of people (or at least a crapload).  Your odds of enountering sociopaths don't materially change whether there are 300 million or 30 million people in US, though.
I still think it's a lot more people that most folks realize, but also the media makes it seem like sociopaths are always murderers.  I have to assume there aren't millions of active serial killers out there right now.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 09:58:41 AM
Quote from: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:48:47 AM
I thought it's more histrionic (aka attention-whorism). :P
I don't think histrionic people necessarily have a 'me-complex' about themselves like narcissists do.  In fact IIRC histrionics often have low self-esteem.  The "I'm a special person who is better than everyone else and how dare people not acknowledge or recognize it!!!" attitude is classic narcissism.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: garbon on May 23, 2011, 10:17:49 AM
Quote from: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 09:38:12 AM
I think people are confusing depression with just being in a bad mood. As far as I am aware, depression is an overwhelming feeling of apathy, when a person does not as much want to get up from bed even if things need to be done.

Thanks for that. :rolleyes:  But yes, that's exactly what I suffered from. :)
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Razgovory on May 23, 2011, 10:31:57 AM
If Marty was a sociopath it would explain why he lies about being a lawyer. 
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: DGuller on May 23, 2011, 10:36:06 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on May 23, 2011, 10:31:57 AM
If Marty was a sociopath it would explain why he lies about being a lawyer.
I would think that it would actually confirm that he is in fact a lawyer.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Razgovory on May 23, 2011, 10:50:21 AM
Quote from: DGuller on May 23, 2011, 10:36:06 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on May 23, 2011, 10:31:57 AM
If Marty was a sociopath it would explain why he lies about being a lawyer.
I would think that it would actually confirm that he is in fact a lawyer.

Nah, Sociopaths have a hard time focusing on long term goals.  They tend toward menial labor.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Pedrito on May 23, 2011, 10:53:03 AM
Never diagnosed, but it could've been at some point in my life.

L.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: DGuller on May 23, 2011, 10:58:39 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on May 23, 2011, 10:50:21 AM
Nah, Sociopaths have a hard time focusing on long term goals.  They tend toward menial labor.
I don't think that's true.  Sociopaths are unusually common in positions of power.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 11:05:10 AM
I think Raz is confusing a sociopath with a psychopath.  Psychopaths are the ones who have very little self-control and often explode with rage.  Sociopaths OTOH have an unusual amount of self-control.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 11:36:00 AM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 11:05:10 AM
I think Raz is confusing a sociopath with a psychopath.  Psychopaths are the ones who have very little self-control and often explode with rage.  Sociopaths OTOH have an unusual amount of self-control.

That's not me then. I tend to explode with rage. But I read about sociopaths and psychopaths, and indeed it is not me - I have been a very diligent and valued student (almost too much), have been with the same job for the last 11 years, and generally do not shirk duties and the like.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: garbon on May 23, 2011, 11:40:40 AM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 11:05:10 AM
I think Raz is confusing a sociopath with a psychopath.  Psychopaths are the ones who have very little self-control and often explode with rage.  Sociopaths OTOH have an unusual amount of self-control.

Does the DSM make a distinction?
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 11:48:29 AM
My results at http://www.4degreez.com/misc/personality_disorder_test.mv

Paranoid:  Moderate
Schizoid:  Low
Schizotypal:  Low
Antisocial:  Moderate
Borderline:  Low
Histrionic:  High
Narcissistic:  High
Avoidant:  Low
Dependent:  Low
Obsessive-Compulsive:  Low

:hmm:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: garbon on May 23, 2011, 11:52:02 AM
I think you took that before and also showed up high in those two areas. :P
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 11:52:57 AM
Quote from: garbon on May 23, 2011, 11:52:02 AM
I think you took that before and also showed up high in those two areas. :P

There is also a depression test there. I got:

Disorder Your Score
Major Depression: Very Slight
Dysthymia: Very Slight
Bipolar Disorder: Very Slight
Cyclothymia: Slight
Seasonal Affective Disorder: Slight
Postpartum Depression: N/A
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Razgovory on May 23, 2011, 12:00:05 PM
Quote from: garbon on May 23, 2011, 11:40:40 AM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 11:05:10 AM
I think Raz is confusing a sociopath with a psychopath.  Psychopaths are the ones who have very little self-control and often explode with rage.  Sociopaths OTOH have an unusual amount of self-control.

Does the DSM make a distinction?

I don't think so.   I thought Psychopathy was an older term.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 12:13:53 PM
Quote from: garbon on May 23, 2011, 11:40:40 AM
Does the DSM make a distinction?
I don't remember.  I have read the DSM-IV (my mother has all that stuff on account of her job), but that was years ago.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 12:14:43 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on May 23, 2011, 12:00:05 PM
I don't think so.   I thought Psychopathy was an older term.
:hmm: I want to say they were grouped in with Antisocial Personality Disorder, but again not entirely sure.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 12:19:42 PM
Paranoid:  Low
Schizoid:  High
Schizotypal:  Low
Antisocial:  Low
Borderline:  Low
Histrionic:  Low
Narcissistic:  High
Avoidant:  Low
Dependent:  Low
Obsessive-Compulsive:  Moderate

:hmm:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 12:23:04 PM
Major Depression: Very Slight
Dysthymia: Very Slight
Bipolar Disorder: Very Slight
Cyclothymia: Very Slight
Seasonal Affective Disorder: Slight
Postpartum Depression: N/A

Winter SUCKS. :mad:

Otherwise, I'm an excellent person. :showoff:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Razgovory on May 23, 2011, 12:27:42 PM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 12:19:42 PM
Paranoid:  Low
Schizoid:  High
Schizotypal:  Low
Antisocial:  Low
Borderline:  Low
Histrionic:  Low
Narcissistic:  High
Avoidant:  Low
Dependent:  Low
Obsessive-Compulsive:  Moderate

:hmm:

Yeah, that's not very scientific I don't think.  It does have rewording of questions and different shading, like a real test, but I doubt it has the mechanisms to properly calculate it.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: garbon on May 23, 2011, 12:28:19 PM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 12:14:43 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on May 23, 2011, 12:00:05 PM
I don't think so.   I thought Psychopathy was an older term.
:hmm: I want to say they were grouped in with Antisocial Personality Disorder, but again not entirely sure.

I think they have both been subsumed by it.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 12:29:36 PM
Quote from: garbon on May 23, 2011, 12:28:19 PM
I think they have both been subsumed by it.
It seems strange to not differentiate between the two. :hmm:  Maybe they were finding that most individuals who exhibit one also exhibit some degree of the other so it became a spectrum disorder? :contract:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 12:31:07 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on May 23, 2011, 12:27:42 PM
Yeah, that's not very scientific I don't think.  It does have rewording of questions and different shading, like a real test, but I doubt it has the mechanisms to properly calculate it.
The one that surprised me is the schizoid finding.  I don't have strange thoughts IMO. :hmm:

The narcissist one isn't surprising... I don't think I have narcissism, but I do have high self-esteem and a large degree of self-confidence, and in a test that short it's probably hard to separate those individuals from the true narcissists.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Razgovory on May 23, 2011, 12:41:44 PM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 12:29:36 PM
Quote from: garbon on May 23, 2011, 12:28:19 PM
I think they have both been subsumed by it.
It seems strange to not differentiate between the two. :hmm:  Maybe they were finding that most individuals who exhibit one also exhibit some degree of the other so it became a spectrum disorder? :contract:

This isn't really an exact science unfortunately.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Eddie Teach on May 23, 2011, 01:09:37 PM
Major Depression: High-Moderate
Dysthymia: High
Bipolar Disorder: Slight
Cyclothymia: Moderate
Seasonal Affective Disorder: High
Postpartum Depression: N/A

Also I'm apparently schizotypal and avoidant.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Razgovory on May 23, 2011, 01:42:22 PM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on May 23, 2011, 01:09:37 PM

Also I'm apparently schizotypal and avoidant.

They overlap quite a bit.  Though I wouldn't take this test to the bank, other things you've said could suggest a like this.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Barrister on May 23, 2011, 01:44:51 PM
Quote from: Maximus on May 23, 2011, 08:48:25 AM
Quote from: Barrister on May 22, 2011, 02:44:34 PM
My life right now - definitely not depressing.
One does not need to be in a depressing situation in order to be depressed.

I don't think I was implying that.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Fate on May 23, 2011, 01:58:39 PM
I am: recovering asocial WoW nerd. I think I made progress over this past year, but certainly not enough...

Disorder | Rating
Paranoid: Low
Schizoid: Moderate
Schizotypal: Low
Antisocial: Low
Borderline: Moderate
Histrionic: Moderate
Narcissistic: Moderate
Avoidant: Very High
Dependent: High
Obsessive-Compulsive: Moderate

Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 02:24:05 PM
Quote from: Caliga on May 23, 2011, 12:31:07 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on May 23, 2011, 12:27:42 PM
Yeah, that's not very scientific I don't think.  It does have rewording of questions and different shading, like a real test, but I doubt it has the mechanisms to properly calculate it.
The one that surprised me is the schizoid finding.  I don't have strange thoughts IMO. :hmm:

The narcissist one isn't surprising... I don't think I have narcissism, but I do have high self-esteem and a large degree of self-confidence, and in a test that short it's probably hard to separate those individuals from the true narcissists.

Yeah. It's hard to tell a narcissist from a truly awesome person, like us. :P
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: MadImmortalMan on May 23, 2011, 02:55:34 PM
Quote from: Martinus on May 23, 2011, 02:24:05 PM

Yeah. It's hard to tell a narcissist from a truly awesome person, like us. :P

Royal "we"?   :P
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: DontSayBanana on May 23, 2011, 09:13:34 PM
Disorder | Rating
Paranoid: Very High
Schizoid: Moderate
Schizotypal: Very High
Antisocial: High
Borderline: Very High
Histrionic: Very High
Narcissistic: Very High
Avoidant: Very High
Dependent: Very High
Obsessive-Compulsive: High

In other words, I'm crazier than Raz, Fate, and a sack full of cats.  Not that we didn't know that already...
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: 11B4V on May 24, 2011, 03:37:28 AM
The survey says.......

Disorder | Rating
Paranoid: Low
Schizoid: High
Schizotypal: Low
Antisocial: Moderate
Borderline: Low
Histrionic: Moderate
Narcissistic: Moderate
Avoidant: Low
Dependent: Low
Obsessive-Compulsive: Low

Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: dps on May 24, 2011, 02:25:17 PM
Well, apparantly I'm a mess:

Paranoid:  High 
Schizoid:  High
Schizotypal:  High
Antisocial:  Moderate
Borderline:  Moderate 
Histrionic:  Moderate
Narcissistic:  Very High
Avoidant:  Very High
Dependent:  Moderate
Obsessive-Compulsive:  High

OTOH, I'm apparantly not particularly depressed:

Major Depression: Slight-Moderate
Dysthymia: Moderate
Bipolar Disorder: Very Slight
Cyclothymia: Slight
Seasonal Affective Disorder: Very Slight
Postpartum Depression: N/A
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Barrister on May 24, 2011, 02:47:52 PM
Test gives me "low" across the board.   :cool:

And "very slight" for the depression test. :cool:
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Eddie Teach on May 24, 2011, 04:24:37 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on May 23, 2011, 01:42:22 PM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on May 23, 2011, 01:09:37 PM

Also I'm apparently schizotypal and avoidant.

They overlap quite a bit.  Though I wouldn't take this test to the bank, other things you've said could suggest a like this.

Judging from the descriptions, avoidant fits better.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Razgovory on May 24, 2011, 04:26:25 PM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on May 24, 2011, 04:24:37 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on May 23, 2011, 01:42:22 PM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on May 23, 2011, 01:09:37 PM

Also I'm apparently schizotypal and avoidant.

They overlap quite a bit.  Though I wouldn't take this test to the bank, other things you've said could suggest a like this.

Judging from the descriptions, avoidant fits better.

Good for you.  Having really weird thoughts is not pleasant.
Title: Re: Have you ever been diagnosed with depression?
Post by: Ed Anger on May 24, 2011, 07:10:31 PM
I took the survey. I am Adolf Hitler. And Neutral Evil. And an Orc.