(March 29, 2014 at 8:28 pm)sven Wrote:

(March 29, 2014 at 4:48 pm)Deidre32 Wrote: Something I've noticed in reading through this thread. There seems to be an idea, whether it's intentional or unintentional, that depression is largely a choice. One of my friends has battled clinical depression for a few years, and she would love to choose to be happy, every day. It's not something she can 'will' herself out of, unfortunately.

You're right. It's not a choice. The only choice she has is what she's going to do about it.
I think if you have a clinical depression, medication is a must. The modern SSRI medicines are very good, and can give you a springboard. Problem is you have to take advantage of it.
Molierere said something like this: sickness can place a person in a position that is so comfortable that it makes recovery very difficult.
Believe me -- I've been there once.

I read your reply in the other thread, with respect to depression. Very poignant, and I bet you've inspired someone, already. Great post.

I'm not depressed at all. Most of my days are good ones.

Yeah, I'm not depressed. Things are actually going awesome for me right now.

*Raises hand*

(March 28, 2014 at 4:31 pm)KUSA Wrote: It is not my intention to offend anyone suffering from depression so please don't get offended. My heart pours out to you if you suffer from it.

I just seems very odd to me that so many Atheists are depressed. When I officially quit believing I felt better.
I know that I am in control of me and not some god.

I am a happy Atheist. Let me know if you are too.

I'm happy with my life.

I suffer from depression but that has nothing to do with my lack of religion.

And I haven't had a bad bout of depression for nearly 10 years.

(March 30, 2014 at 6:18 pm)Beccs Wrote:

(March 28, 2014 at 4:31 pm)KUSA Wrote: It is not my intention to offend anyone suffering from depression so please don't get offended. My heart pours out to you if you suffer from it.

I just seems very odd to me that so many Atheists are depressed. When I officially quit believing I felt better.
I know that I am in control of me and not some god.

I am a happy Atheist. Let me know if you are too.

I'm happy with my life.

I suffer from depression but that has nothing to do with my lack of religion.

And I haven't had a bad bout of depression for nearly 10 years.

If it has been 10 years I wouldn't say you suffer from it. Sounds like you beat it.

(March 31, 2014 at 8:17 pm)KUSA Wrote:

(March 30, 2014 at 6:18 pm)Beccs Wrote: I'm happy with my life.

I suffer from depression but that has nothing to do with my lack of religion.

And I haven't had a bad bout of depression for nearly 10 years.

If it has been 10 years I wouldn't say you suffer from it. Sounds like you beat it.

Emphasis on the bad bout.

Still get it occasionally, though I haven't been so bad as to be suicidal.

I honestly don't think you ever truly beat mental illness, just suppress it.

I personally think everyone is mentally ill. How well you control and suppress it determines if you are "normal" or not.

(March 31, 2014 at 8:33 pm)Beccs Wrote:

(March 31, 2014 at 8:17 pm)KUSA Wrote: If it has been 10 years I wouldn't say you suffer from it. Sounds like you beat it.

Emphasis on the bad bout.

Still get it occasionally, though I haven't been so bad as to be suicidal.

I honestly don't think you ever truly beat mental illness, just suppress it.

You do if you rearrange atoms.

(March 28, 2014 at 5:10 pm)yukithemeddler Wrote: I'm not depressed because I know that everyone is stupider than me.

I'd be really depressed having to be the only intelligent guy dealing with a world full of stupid people.

I personally was more depressed as an atheist but that was due largely to the way my lifestyle changed after I began fearing God. I assume so anyway.