If you're depressed...

[Bossy Monkey]

consider taking a break from DU. I've just been away three days and my mood has mysteriously brightened, even as the weather has gone totally overcast. This is in no way a knock on DU, DUers, the Lounge, political discourse, yaks or Internet socializing. Your mileage most likely will vary greatly; I am cursed with infinite empathy, and tend to live and die with every DUer's bad news, bad days, or bad relationships. So it's probably just me. Still, if you find you're DUing a lot and are also depressed, taking a break might be worth a try.

Sorry to say that reverting to lurking hasn't led to any drastic upsurge in my productivity. But at least I'm thinkin'

If you've been looking for me, look here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=671006

[AngryYoungMan]

1. On the other hand...

Sometimes, when I get depressed, DU cheers me up. If I feel particularly outnumbered or surrounded by hostile idiots, I can go to DU and find other people who think like I do.

Not contradicting your point in the slightest. Just making an additional observation.

Maybe DU is like a bar, or a dime bag of weed...if you're depressed, you can turn to it for a pick-me-up, but habitual dependence will ultimately worsen your depression.

[Westegg]

2. Depressed?

Who WOULDN'T be these days. I actually find that most folks on DU are fairly jolly and life-affirming, despite the occasional tale of woe. I suggest Lexapro, a refined version of Celexa, for depression. It works for me!

[Bossy Monkey]

6. I've tried over a dozen anti-depressants, including Lexapro

The only ones that worked were Luvox and Paxil. However, both changed my personality to an unacceptable degree (not to mention sexual function). Luvox also wound up affecting liver function, which wasn't really what I had in mind. But I'm always really glad (and only a little jealous:)) when medications work for other folks.

[Rashind]

3. I agree.

DU tends to throw a lot of bad news in your face. It's important to get that bad news, but sometimes you just need a f'en break. I've been keeping in the lounge for a couple of weeks now. I've just got too much going on with school and shit to add the stress of current events. :shrug:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. I hear ya

but I miss ya when you're gone...your absence gets ME depressed :D

[Bossy Monkey]

7. I'm depressed that you're depressed that I'm depressed :)

Hey, I think we may have a bestseller here! (or anyway a Chekhov play)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

5. I can understand that...

And I hope you soon find your energy levels back to normal. :hug:

[Bunny]

8. It's why I mainly stay in the lounge.

The good, bad, and occasionally ugly all show up there, but it's mostly all in good fun. Sometimes when I read LBN and GD, I feel so overwhelmed and unable to fix anything, and I get depressed. So I stick with the lounge, where I can read about sex, poo, farts, and everybody's critters! Then I can feel better about our ultimate mission (and I think we all know what that is!!). So take a break if you must, but do spend time in the lounge. :)

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

9. Me too. I can't even go look at GD anymore... LBN just makes

me madder than hell.

I like it here, where I can joke and laugh at everything.

That is what keeps me sane... well, that and a couple SSRI's a day.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. I like your bears...

:-)

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

12. Thanks, I give your seal, the seal of approval

Big bear hug to you...

[Amaya]

11. I know what ya mean..

I rarely ever go into GD anymore. Not a very nice place lately

[nuxvomica]

13. Try this thread when you're depressed

This guy is all about perspective:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=267253

[VOX]

14. Agreed, but it's not just DU, it's a good chunk of the Internet...

All the bad news and right-wing crap makes you feel powerless, and can give you the "what's-the-use" feeling.

These days, the more progressive you are, the greater the chance that you'll be sickened and let down by current events. The bad guys are holding onto the ball -- hell, they *own* the ball -- and it's tough to have hope.

I recently moved, and was disconnected from the Net for about 10 days. What a relief!

Now I'm back at it, but with some perspective.

[eleny]

15. I've been visiting the HGTV boards lately

And watching movies on TCM channel. It helps to do other stuff. But then I feel that I've missed something important. Sure enough, I have! So, I check in every day. Three days off is admirable in my book. Congrats. It's a healthy recharging.