Comments on: Now That You Are Back – Blue Day 2008

By: kristarella

kristarella — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:24:47 +0000

Thanks so much for your comments everyone! I'll respond to each of you, but for now I wanted to share a link about hypothyroid, which is often diagnosed as depression.

By: LaurenMarie - Creative Curio

LaurenMarie - Creative Curio — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:07:02 +0000

I love Alison’s smile on the front of the book!

When I read the bit about putting it in writing that you care, I thought, “I bet I could design and print a really nice letterpress card for this!” I’ll have to do some more thinking on that :)

One of the worst parts about depression is that you don’t think you need (or deserve) help, so you never get it! I’ve been diagnosed with mild depression; it’s hard at times, but I know it could be so much worse and I’m thankful it’s not.

By: Montana

Montana — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:08:50 +0000

Thank you, so much. Depression and Anxiety have been an often paralyzing part of my life forever (seems like). Thank you for pointing to a new resource.

By: David Airey

David Airey — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:57:10 +0000

Hi Kris,

Particularly helpful is the tip about ‘putting it in writing that you care’. Such a simple task, yet it seems to make a lot of difference.

By: Jacob Cass

Jacob Cass — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:19:09 +0000

Hi Kristarella,

Thanks for emailing me about this, you just caught me!

Personally I haven’t really experienced depression myself however I have had some friends (more like acquaintances) experience it and the worst part about it was that I didn’t even know until about 2 years after they came out of it… I never would have thought as well which just shows that you never know.

Anyway thanks for the heads up about the book and all the best to all involved and kudos to Richard and Alison for putting it all together.

By: Nikki

Nikki — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 07:11:05 +0000

From my first diagnosis of depression at 13 years old I’ve been on-and-off medications and treatments since. I’m now 21 and with a new diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder. I had a lovely childhood until my teenage years when I was frequently bullied and suffered low-self esteem every day.

http://www.depressionet.com.au/ is completely the best resource I’ve ever used. Forums and chat rooms are there for you to contact charming and caring people in similar situations, there is heaps of information on symptoms and links for where to go for help and advice. I cannot stress enough how much it has helped me through the lonely years when I was not accepted at school because of being “crazy,” according to the kids there.

Why would I like this book? I need my partner, family and friends to know what “we” go through. How the mind can malfunction every day with abnormal thought processes. I want them to understand.

Thank you for spreading awareness of illnesses which affect so many people each day. Much appreciated.

By: Warwick

Warwick — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:19:15 +0000

Hey Kristen.

Thanks for taking part in Blue Day 2008, and your generosity.

I wrote about my experiences with depression on my blog last month, and was dumbfounded at the number of responses I received.

I’ve taken part in Blue Day 2008, because I think as more people who have suffered with depression open up about their experiences, together we can strip away some of the stigma that surrounds mental illness.

By: Armen

Armen — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:27:32 +0000

This is great, kristarella. It’s great that Richard and Alison have found the courage to share their experience. There is a lot of misconception concerning depression and its various counterparts.
I have experienced it to quite a serious degree, not personally, but with one of the most important people in my life. In fact, the very reason I’m ministering in Australia right now, is due to the depression of another.

Have you ever read the life of William Cowper? John Piper has dealt with his life, and although very earthy and real, it’s extremely enlightening.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:16:55 +0000

I have never been diagnosed with depression, but those that have known me have wondered if I suffer from it. I never thought about it until I was in my 30s…now in my late 40s I believe I may have had it since I was 9 (I was legally taken away from my grandparents and forced to live with my mother). I’ve wondered if other factors (“valley fever”, postpartum depression, clinical depression, and/or chronic fatigue) may have also contributed to my current mental and emotional status. I hope one day to be able to afford a physical check-up to begin to maybe find why I have been the way I was, and am.

By: Riayn

Riayn — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:02:03 +0000

Thank you so much for helping promote Mental Health Week.
I suffer from anxiety, but I am able to control it and am lucky that it does not have a major impact on my day to day life.

We need to really increase our awareness and dispel the myths surrounding mental illnesses in order to be able to provide those living with mental health problems the best care and support structures we can.