Comments for StayOnTop: Depression

Comment on One Suicide Rule by Kathleen

Kathleen — Sat, 18 May 2013 06:45:13 +0000

Thank you for sharing such an important topic and treating it with respect. May you live a very long life free of demons yourself so that you can continue to provide valuable advice and a venue for those feeling hopeless that come upon your posts to find a way to live another day and choose life.

Comment on Why Facebook Is So Depressing by Carlyn~

Carlyn~ — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:34:56 +0000

You know, it’s not the bright, shiny lives my FB friends ‘appear’ to have, it’s the fact that in person, the people onmy friends list ask about the garden, the bees, the weather, etc. Then, when I post pics or comments, those same people just ignore me. 98% of the time, no one even seems to notice my posts (have I been prioritized out of view?), so why bother? Or, in the same vein, they remove my posts or comments from their pages…? I don’t do religious or political topics, either, so I’m baffled. (If I ask, they act like they don’t know what I am talking about…?) Maybe I expect too much, but I don’t go on about my health or babble ceaselessly about how wonderful my kids are, so how come no one cares when I usually only post about stuff they actually ASK about? It just makes me feel like all their words are just lip service and makes me sad. Just sad. And hoping I’m not just being paranoid and neurotic!!! ACK!!

Comment on Smoke Rings: Freud’s Addiction by Henk

Henk — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:11:58 +0000

Hi Cathy, thanks so much for reading me! I sent you a more extensive reply at your cb552 email address – Henk

Comment on A Pet Is No Cure by Henk

Henk — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:01:31 +0000

Bessie, thank you for pointing out that for some of us, having a pet can actually be a very positive thing and a great help in battling depression. Maybe I should have stressed that a little more.
What I wanted to say here, was that people should not assume as a given fact that a pet will automatically solve all their problems. In some cases, depending from exactly what kind of depression we’re talking about, that would be expecting too much from the animal (or from the human-and-animal relationship). Also, some of us may be simply too depressed to be able to give a pet the proper regular care that the animal (being fully dependent from its “boss”) is entitled to. Having a pet can be a blessing, but it is a responsibility too! In my view, when people expected too much from taking a pet, disappointment can take over and then the responsibility can become a problem.
But anyway, I am glad you took the trouble to show us the other side too, the blessing that can come with the responsibility. Sometimes, it can indeed work out very well for both the happy owner and for the pet itself. Thank you for the reminder.
I wish you many, many happy years with your dog. And I wish your dog many, many happy years with you!

Comment on A Pet Is No Cure by Bessie

Bessie — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:41:42 +0000

I have suffered from depression my entire adult life. I have tried everything to fight it, diet, anti-depression meds, anti-anxiety meds, many therapists, exercise, diet changes, moves, job changes, prayer, etc. It has been a long and difficult journey for me.
Two years ago, I lost the two most important people in my life to death and my relationship of seven years ended in a heart-breaking way, and I lost touch with ALL of my lifelong friends, and I lost my job and my house (all due to situations that were beyond my control). This seems to be the perfect storm that would lead me to some sort of depressed state. It was shortly after that that a small stray dog came into my life & I took him in to keep him safe (he was in bad shape). His original owner was found & he asked if I could keep the dog because he could not take care of him. I was not in the market for another pet and wondered if I was doing the right thing by taking this dog.
It’s been a couple years, I am still trying to get back on my feet and recover from all that has happened, it is still quite difficult.
BUT, for the first time in 20 years I am free of depression. I take no medication, have given up on the therapy (cannot afford it).
I KNOW that the reason I have felt good for so long is this dog.
I wake up and he is next to me licking my face.
I walk him everywhere, even when I don’t feel like it.
I have met dozens of people while out with him.
He is so funny, he has brought laughter back into my life.
He brings so much joy to others, and watching that brings me joy.
The quality of my life has been dramatically improved from having this dog.
He has broken the negative, selfish cycle of depression for me. He has forced me to exercise, laugh, be social & reach out to others during a very dark time in my life. I have had a pretty dramatic shift in my perspective since this dog followed me home. I feel liberated and free of the dark cloud that has followed me around forever.
After so many years of working so hard to beat my depression, I simply cannot believe the solution was so simple. I attribute my new found freedom to that dog, he was my cure. My prayers have been answered. Maybe animals really can help to cure depression? I can only speak for myself, but owning this dog has worked so much better than anything any doctor or therapist ever did for me, and with no side effects or health risks. Maybe some people just need a patient, loving, loyal being to help them out, and finding that in humans can be incredibly difficult. I was lucky enough to be sent a canine who could do for me what no human had the time or patience to do, and for that I am eternally grateful!

Comment on Smoke Rings: Freud’s Addiction by cathyburke

cathyburke — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:51:19 +0000

Hello – glad to read you here. Your old friend from Leeds, UK. Cathy

Comment on Smoke Rings: Freud’s Addiction by cathyburke

cathyburke — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:49:11 +0000

Just today thought about you and looked you up on the web and here you are with a fascinating blog. Wishing you all the best, Cathy Burke

Comment on Smoke Rings: Freud’s Addiction by Jess

Jess — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 03:54:10 +0000

An excellent paper! I really have no clue how I stumbled upon your writing, but once I started reading, I was intrigued and very interested in everything you presented. (and I’m not a fan of research papers or smoking in the least)

Comment on The Willard Suitcases by Henk

Henk — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 22:46:19 +0000

see my answer below (I put it in the wrong box)

Comment on The Willard Suitcases by Henk

Henk — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 22:40:02 +0000

I’m sorry I cannot really help you much here. I guess the best thing to do would be to directly contact photographer Jon Crispin (see link to his blog in the post).
His project is still running (he intends to photograph all 400 suitcases) so at least he should know where the actual suitcases have been stored and who (maybe some official at NY State level? Have you tried asking there?) is responsible for them, and perhaps also for other parts of the Willard “heritage”.
You could also try to ask staff at the Albany museum to see if they know more.
As for the building itself, already as early as in 1975 (when still in use) it was included in the National Register of Historic Places. Try asking them (their site is at http://www.nps.gov/nr/) exactly who are responsible for the building today (and perhaps allowing visitors).
I hope you’ll find the right key to your Memory Lane…
Wishing you success, Henk