Best help for depression (1 Viewer)

[ColinEssex]

I suppose in the USA, people look on therapists differently to the UK.

Here, we read or see on TV that almost all Americans have some kind of therapy as the norm. In the UK, therapy (psychiatric or psychology) is often treated as a weakness or failure.

I'm not saying they do no good, I'm saying that the British 'soldier on' attitude is more common. There is a strong reluctance to give in, as criticism from friends and colleagues may consider you as some sort of nutcase.
Plus the fact they are often private and are bloody expensive, if not on the NHS for free.

Col

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

Hi Colin, your post reminded me of a video I watched just the other day:- American Soldier (USA) vs British Soldier - Military Comparison about the difference between American and English soldiers. If you go to time index 5 minutes 30 seconds, you will see why I thought it was relevant to your post.

 

[ColinEssex]

Brilliant. Good laugh

Shame the narrator couldn't speak English, obviously not his first language.

Col

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Colin, to clarify...

Here, we read or see on TV that almost all Americans have some kind of therapy as the norm. In the UK, therapy (psychiatric or psychology) is often treated as a weakness or failure.

I would say that your TV image of Americans with regard to therapy is skewed. Not all of us go to therapists. But there was a time when I did.

When I was in that terrible depression, I found a therapist who could help me sort out my feelings so as to know which ones were legitimate and which ones were not justified. During that time, I had a lot of confusion and my mind was often awhirl with really extraneous thoughts that somehow just clouded my whole thinking process. The therapist helped me to focus on what needed to be done and what could wait for a more convenient time. He helped me recognize that I was reverse-projecting Mom's issues onto myself. Perhaps I had a bit too much compassion, a bit too much of trying to understand what was happening to her and why.

It was during that time that I finally gave up on deity-based religions - though there were some nuggets in some Buddhist variants. Sometimes, asking "WHY" is totally wrong because it is an open-ended question that in such cases admits of no deep philosophical answer. Sometimes you need the simple answer... Why was it happening? Because she got sick. Why did she get sick? Something in her body chemistry. After that, any more "WHY" questions is like a petulant four-year-old objecting to being punished.

My therapist helped me get through that torrent of emotions by steering me clear of the downward unending spiral questions. When I finally DID come up for air, I was able to go on with my life again. So yes, I did have a therapist. But no, not every American has a regular therapist on call.

 

[ColinEssex]

The other main difference between the British soldiers and the American soldiers is that American soldiers have to be able to sing.
They seem to spend a lot of time jogging round in a group of about 12 but have to sing some strange chant.

The British of course rely on stealth and quiet which could explain why so many Yanks are killed in battle - too much noise and singing.

Doc, it's not just my opinion, it's a general opinion of Americans by the Brits.

Col

 

[ColinEssex]

I've noticed in American war type films some other essential qualities you need to be a US soldier.

a) you have to say ' son of a bitch' a lot. Why? I have no idea.

b) you have to say 'god damn' a lot.

c) you have to spit a lot.

d) you need to be able to chew on a matchstick whilst doing other things without choking on the matchstick. This of course makes spitting somewhat tricky whilst having a half chewed matchstick poking out your mouth and singing at the same time.

I'm guessing here as I've no evidence, the compulsory chewing of chewing gum is also performed as we know all Americans chew gum all the time for some reason.

I think all in all, it's pretty awkward being a US soldier with lots to remember.

Col

 

[AccessBlaster]

I have never watched an episode of Wallace & Gromit and thought to myself, UK citizens are all made of clay.

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

Does that mean Morphs an immigrant?

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[ColinEssex]

I have never watched an episode of Wallace & Gromit and thought to myself, UK citizens are all made of clay.

Well, we do eat a lot of cheese. You have to wonder.

Col

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Well, we do eat a lot of cheese

I knew there was something about you folks that was sensible.

But then again, Colin, there HAVE been times when your comments have been pretty cheesy.

 

[HugeThing]

How can you help a depressed friend? My friend is always presenting these negative outlooks in life and I feel that these are signs of depression. I am afraid that he might do something harmful to himself.

Doctor should help him for sure, all you should do - stay with him. Specialist should carry him in this way

 

[Jon]

If they don't want to go to a doctor, regular physical exercise and cognitive based therapy. You might consider buying them the book, "Feeling Good."

Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy: David D. Burns: Amazon.com: Books

Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy [David D. Burns] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy

www.amazon.com

 

[harpygaggle]

Thank you @Jon and @HugeThing for your suggestions. I will suggest that he should see a professional since depression is not a joke. There are a lot of suicides caused by depression. And I will check on that book @Jon, it seems good not only to those who are depressed.

By the way, is eating your "happy food" helps?

 

[Jon]

Food is only a temporary solution, for the moment.

 

[KerryBolt192]

If you are close enough to your friend, you should know their hobbies and there can actually be a lot of choices about how to help them.