tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14879983.post115288949822451825..comments2024-03-18T20:41:39.140-07:00Comments on C. E. Chaffin's Blog: Dr. Chaffin's Tips for Enduring DepressionC. E. Chaffinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02639448512282317750noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14879983.post-1152997251252774092006-07-15T14:00:00.000-07:002006-07-15T14:00:00.000-07:00Another think I like about your blog, CE, is that ...Another think I like about your blog, CE, is that so often I find others here in the comment area that are going through the same thing. The sense of commeraderie is comforting. <BR/>Maggie, I am considering going for the same graduate degree! I haven't enrolled anywhere yet, but I have decided to finally follow this dream of mine. <BR/>-laurenlorguruhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12981617685285594012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14879983.post-1152985884129995002006-07-15T10:51:00.000-07:002006-07-15T10:51:00.000-07:00Dear Maggie,So good of you to stop by. If I "bash...Dear Maggie,<BR/><BR/>So good of you to stop by. If I "bashed the hell out of your poetry," I hope I did it fairly. I never meant to be cruel. And I never knew you were another lurking bipolar. <BR/><BR/>This blog didn't start about mood disorders, it really began about our misadventures in Mexico. Now that we've returned, I sank into a depression. So I started writing about that, partly for therapy, and I'm a little bit embarrassed about it, but people have written me that it has helped them, so on I go.<BR/><BR/>We closed Melic, including the board. The board was dying anyway. But we did have some glory days, didn't we? And I always appreciated your participation, and frankly don't remember "bashing" you; then I'm often unaware when I may appear cruel. Good to hear you've written some fine poems.C. E. Chaffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02639448512282317750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14879983.post-1152975698631410272006-07-15T08:01:00.000-07:002006-07-15T08:01:00.000-07:00Where have all the Melicans gone?/Long time passin...Where have all the Melicans gone?/Long time passing/Where have all the Melicans gone?/Long time ago...<BR/><BR/>Well, if it isn't the grand pooh-bah Melican that I've stumbled across this morning!<BR/><BR/>Maggie here.<BR/><BR/>I am about to complete the book <BR/><BR/>The Best Day The Worst Day--Donald Hall's book about his life with Jane Kenyon. I've always loved her work (not Hall's so much). He discusses her mood swings, but the book is largely devoted to the love and life they shared and her illness.<BR/><BR/>I am better in some ways (now that I am post-menopausal, 47, and slowing down a bit). In my thirties, I don't know how I managed to stay out of the hospital. Mostly I was manic, and when I did bottom out, it wasn't for long. But mania is such a dangerous state of mind. You do and say and live and love and eat and drink with such intensity that you don't realize the harm you bring to yourself and those who love you. I am calmer now, but deeply saddened and still suffering from panic disorder. I lost my father in April and miss him so terribly I can't describe the constant longing and disquietude and despair I feel.<BR/><BR/>I'll start grad school in the spring--Psych--Mental Health Counseling or MSSW (Social Work)...can't quite decide which direction I want to go. Having lived with mental health issues my entire life, I would like to be a help to others who suffer so.<BR/><BR/>Good to read some of your thoughts on the matter, C.E. <BR/><BR/>Although you generally bashed the hell outta my poetry, you did provide a forum for me to hone my craft, and I did get better, and I have written some fine poems over the years (I've been told they are a bit Kenyonesque). I thank Melic for giving me a place to get started. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for that.<BR/><BR/>Take care,<BR/>MMaggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02820421247467536455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14879983.post-1152933332419704442006-07-14T20:15:00.000-07:002006-07-14T20:15:00.000-07:00Good to hear from you all, but I want to address s...Good to hear from you all, but I want to address startdancing: I had a complete remission of depression after ECT for four years. Good luck to you.C. E. Chaffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02639448512282317750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14879983.post-1152913036490714942006-07-14T14:37:00.000-07:002006-07-14T14:37:00.000-07:00I like your list. It would have helped me that fir...I like your list. It would have helped me that first year when I was trying to survive a chronic illness. Movement always helps. <BR/><BR/>I remember that I would not let my husband do laundry because if I did it... I felt useful instead of a lump of flesh.Cyn Bagleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08404416186783891402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14879983.post-1152911925132063842006-07-14T14:18:00.000-07:002006-07-14T14:18:00.000-07:00The tips are helpful. You have praised ECT in sev...The tips are helpful. You have praised ECT in several posts and even called it a miracle, yet you still suffer from severe depression. Did ECT only lessen the severity of symptoms and make depression endurable? Did it alleviate most of the depression for at least a while? Those outcomes alone would make it worthwhile, but I hope it can do even more. I start ECT Monday, and I have high hopes. Do you still have "maintenance" ECT periodically?Snorkelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12284064038149987201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14879983.post-1152910243211914582006-07-14T13:50:00.000-07:002006-07-14T13:50:00.000-07:00I find number four to be key to my keeping on top ...I find number four to be key to my keeping on top of myself-<BR/><BR/>it works until you get to be known, then people want to engage you- <BR/><BR/>then I have to find a new placeAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14067576860660881139noreply@blogger.com