So I am still trying to understand the whole concept of depression, and how stigmatized the idea is. I had been feeling down for the past four or five days, and I seriously thought I was depressed. However, when I read online resources on depression (e.g. Depression.com), I don't recognize many of the symptoms in my behavioral patterns. I mean, I still socialize as usual, I do some work (maybe not as much as I'd like to, but definitely I do work)... so, really maybe I'm not depressed but just having a bit of S.A.D. and feelings of not being productive.
I tend to feel rather unproductive and blue when the weather is awful (which, in Vancouver, has been pretty much ALL THE TIME). However, when it's sunny, I have absolutely no problems whatsoever doing work. And this morning, funny how it goes, I simply snapped out of it. I woke up at 7:00am, and started working like usual. Had a few meetings in between (some with former students, some with close friends) and a volleyball game. And I feel pretty good.
The thing is, depression is still stigmatized. The sole mention of the word seems to warrant worry and weariness. But I would argue that when you are depressed, you are at in a prime position to recognize who are your true friends. When my friends heard that I was thinking I was depressed, everyone rallied to give me 'pick me up's. I still think that people (myself included) need to be educated about what it means to be depressed. And for those of you who may be afflicted by depression, let me tell you this much: YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There are lots of people out there who suffer from it, and I am pretty sure you can find help if you look for it.
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3 comments:
It is definitely still stigmatized. I've been diagnosed with it before. When the subject is broached, there is often a retort that one simply needs to go out and do more or something like that. As your words prove it isn't as simple as that.
I have a love/hate relationship with depression, as it sometimes seem to inspire raw creative impulse. Or maybe that's just an excuse not to deal with it more pro-actively.
Your honesty around discussing it is refreshing.
I'm not surprised S.A.D. happens in Vancouver. Not just because of weather, but because of the number of people who drive in sheltered cars, work in windowless buildings, don't eat outside (although it's too cold right now), work out indoors, etc. When I used to bus and bike, it felt good. Except when it rained and I was caught without an umbrella. Then I was miserable
Noviembre 15th, 2007 en 7:14 am
Diana
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hola raul, bienvenido al mole verde : )
yo escuché a saskia hace 10 años en una conferencia en el tec campus querétaro, en un congreso que organizábamos los estudiantes de arquitectura. hace 10 años las palabras de saskia eran iluminadoras, apantalladoras, sus libros inspiraban sabe dios qué metamorfosis, proponía la revalorización de los “espacios grises” de las ciudades, que las gasolinerías de pemex podían ser hitos (lo dudo, pero la ruca se exalta : P), que los basureros pueden ser reincorporados al tejido urbano, ondas así, que salía uno de la conferencia (una conferencia dirigida a arquitectos) decidido a hacer el bien sin mirar a quien.
los años pasan, yo me gradué, lo que pregona saskia sassen no lo he aplicado nunca jejejeje… y lo que me interesa en lo que hago es que los espacios diseñados para los nuevos ricos rusos y el rico-millonario pavese, para los cuales proyecto, sean éticos y estéticos : P
desafortunadamente no tengo el poder de hacer las banquetas más amplicas, los parques más visitables, hacer algo para que ondas como geo, ara, habi, etc. urbanicen brutalmente como lo están haciendo.. en fin, que uno pone, dios dispone… y zas!.
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