|
Source: (consider it)
|
Thread: chasing the Black Dog - a depression support thread
|
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
That does sound like several steps in a good direction, NEQ.
Prayers ascending that the progress will continue. ![[Votive]](graemlins/votive.gif)
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
|
Posted
NEQ ![[Overused]](graemlins/notworthy.gif) ![[Yipee]](graemlins/spin.gif)
Huia
--------------------
Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Erroneous Monk
Shipmate
# 10858
|
Posted
((NEQ))
--------------------
And I shot a man in Tesco, just to watch him die.
Posts: 2950 | From: I cannot tell you, for you are not a friar | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
simontoad
Ship's Amphibian
# 18096
|
Posted
a brilliant post, NEQ. There's lots of hope there, but the struggle is there too.
![[Axe murder]](graemlins/lovedrops.gif)
--------------------
Human
Posts: 1571 | From: Romsey, Vic, AU | Registered: May 2014
| IP: Logged
|
|
MaryLouise
Shipmate
# 18697
|
Posted
Such valuable insights for me to hear, NEQ. Thank you.
--------------------
“As regards plots I find real life no help at all. Real life seems to have no plots.”
-- Ivy Compton-Burnett
Posts: 646 | From: Cape Town | Registered: Nov 2016
| IP: Logged
|
|
system1
Apprentice
# 18389
|
Posted
I like this thread. Please post more so we can empathise.
Posts: 5 | From: North Britain | Registered: Apr 2015
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
|
Posted
Gentle hostly tap on shoulder. System1, you could always empathise without its being a direct reply. Especially on this thread or the prayer thread.
Lothlorien
AS Host
--------------------
Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
simontoad
Ship's Amphibian
# 18096
|
Posted
Bit of a surprise today at my psych's. I've had a tremor for a while. About 10 years ago that settled after a medication switch. I've since been on lithium and seroquel and the shakes came back to the extent that they were a bother about a year ago. In August, after a bad lithium blood test, the Doc took me off seroquel and cut my lithium back. The shakes abated somewhat, but are now back. Lithium test results show the concentration is within the target range.
So now its off to the Neurologist, and the words "early-onset Parkinsons" have been spoken by my Doc.
At this stage, my reaction is "bugger". Also a bit teary, but only a bit.
--------------------
Human
Posts: 1571 | From: Romsey, Vic, AU | Registered: May 2014
| IP: Logged
|
|
Erroneous Monk
Shipmate
# 10858
|
Posted
((simontoad)) I'm so sorry.
--------------------
And I shot a man in Tesco, just to watch him die.
Posts: 2950 | From: I cannot tell you, for you are not a friar | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
|
Posted
{{{{{{simontoad}}}}}}
--------------------
Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
Simontoad
I do hope they're wrong about the Parkinson's.
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
simontoad
Ship's Amphibian
# 18096
|
Posted
Thanks guys, and me too Piglet. I spoke to a mate today who also has bi-polar disorder. He was diagnosed a long time before me and is my age. He said he had been sent to a Neurologist to look for early-onset Parkinsons too. In his case, the outcome was good. I'm feeling a bit better after speaking to him, as it seems like the association between the two conditions is made often because of similar symptoms and the known side-effects of Lithium. So I feel like this is a bit more normal than I thought.
--------------------
Human
Posts: 1571 | From: Romsey, Vic, AU | Registered: May 2014
| IP: Logged
|
|
Fredegund
Shipmate
# 17952
|
Posted
Could someone take my Black Dog out for a while? It's sitting on this desk and there isn't room for it. Can't concentrate on W*** while it's here - and someone is going to notice. Don't know how long I can hide this..
--------------------
Pax et bonum
Posts: 117 | From: Shakespeare's County | Registered: Jan 2014
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
Somewhat more positive news, simontoad.
Meanwhile, this next is addressed to Fredegund's Black Dog: 'DOWN, SIR! NOW! GET UNDER THE BED!'
Hopefully the b***er will obey, and give you some room...
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
simontoad
Ship's Amphibian
# 18096
|
Posted
You're on the list Fredegund.
My wife and I went to the shelter a few years ago looking for an advertised black shaggy Newfoundland. We came home with a grey scruffy terrier, who we promptly christened Newfi.
I think there's a metaphor in there, but I'm not sure what it stands for.
--------------------
Human
Posts: 1571 | From: Romsey, Vic, AU | Registered: May 2014
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
Hmm...perhaps he's a light Black Dog, IYSWIM (though I guess he's probably a Good Guy really).
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
Question to owner of fully-grown Newfie:
Where does he sleep?
Wherever he likes. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
{{{Simontoad and Fredegund}}}
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
Here's a black shaggy Newfoundland.
How on earth can anyone afford to support such a Monstrous Beast? It looks like a sort of Bear... ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
FWIW, I'm afraid I always picture the Black Dog in my mind's eye as one of these.
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
|
Posted
Those are Lab puppies, cute as anything. To me the black dog is a feral animal such as farmers here dread. Quiet, can creep up with no one noticing. They attack the defenceless young in the paddocks and slink back into the shadows.
I have heard them when we had a bush property. A terrible howl coming at night from what seems to be far too close, but in reality is probably some valleys away. An answer would come from one, then another in the pack. Chilling sound.
To me the black dog of depression is much like these dogs.
[ 28. November 2017, 21:47: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
--------------------
Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
lily pad
Shipmate
# 11456
|
Posted
That resonates with me, Lothlorien. My actual pet dog is black and white and I notice how, at night, just a bit of white is enough to make me at least know where she is. I often give her a bit of a look and think, hmmm.........good thing you aren't all black or I might have a metaphorical issue with you!
I'm sure this has been shared before. Here it is again in case it hasn't been seen lately. I find it all too real. I had a black dog
--------------------
Sloppiness is not caring. Fussiness is caring about the wrong things. With thanks to Adeodatus!
Posts: 2468 | From: Truly Canadian | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
Thanks, Lily Pad, for a very positive video.
The BD did look rather like a Lab, though!
(I'm not a dog person really, but Labradors - black or otherwise - are just so cute.)
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
|
simontoad
Ship's Amphibian
# 18096
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Those are Lab puppies, cute as anything. To me the black dog is a feral animal such as farmers here dread. Quiet, can creep up with no one noticing. They attack the defenceless young in the paddocks and slink back into the shadows.
I have heard them when we had a bush property. A terrible howl coming at night from what seems to be far too close, but in reality is probably some valleys away. An answer would come from one, then another in the pack. Chilling sound.
To me the black dog of depression is much like these dogs.
My classic Black Dog is Sirius Black in the Harry Potter films. The scene where he appears briefly poking out of the bushes in the night is the big one.
--------------------
Human
Posts: 1571 | From: Romsey, Vic, AU | Registered: May 2014
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
Those Labrador puppies were so cute they should probably be available on the NHS. Ditto the Newfoundland - what a lovely gentle giant!
Even the dog in Lily Pad's link had a sort of sad appeal.
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
|
Posted
Some years ago, a kind Shipmate sent me the book which the video brings to life. I appreciated it very much and found it useful.
--------------------
Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Jengie jon
Semper Reformanda
# 273
|
Posted
Winston Churchill in picking up the Black Dog was drawing of rich seam of folklore. Please forget cuddly puppies.
Jengie
--------------------
"To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
Back to my blog
Posts: 20894 | From: city of steel, butterflies and rainbows | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
Rich indeed (I recall being told all about the Mhoddy Dhoo on a visit to Peel Castle, IOM, many years ago).
I feel I ought to apologise for introducing Labrador puppies onto this thread! As I said, the words 'black dog' - regardless of connotations - simply conjure up in my mind's eye that most lovable of canines.....
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
TBH I hadn't heard the expression "black dog" meaning depression until I saw this thread, and the animal it conjured up in my mind was much more the creature in Jengie's link than anything cute and adorable.
As I said above, maybe the cute and adorable ones could act as an antidote.
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
For those who are fortunate enough to possess such canine friends, I'm sure they do.
I did once, not so long ago, consider acquiring a Proper Dog. Alas, current health issues (I can't walk very far at a time without needing to rest) mean that I really couldn't look after a Proper Dog properly, IYSWIM.
Meanwhile, back on topic, for all those whose Black Dog is causing problems....
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
|
Posted
One of the best books I have read that depicts the feeling of depression is The Red Tree by Australian author/illustrator Shaun Tan.
It's the most powerful picture book I know and one I don't lend, but have given multiple copies.
Hia
--------------------
Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Jengie jon
Semper Reformanda
# 273
|
Posted
I will second Huia's suggestion. Shaun Tan has produced many good illustrated books but the Red Tree is my favourite.
Jengie
--------------------
"To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
Back to my blog
Posts: 20894 | From: city of steel, butterflies and rainbows | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
lily pad
Shipmate
# 11456
|
Posted
Although our library system has several books by Shaun Tan, "The Red Tree" is not among them. A quick internet search turned up this version of it as a video project.
Thanks for the recommendation. I enjoyed watching it.
--------------------
Sloppiness is not caring. Fussiness is caring about the wrong things. With thanks to Adeodatus!
Posts: 2468 | From: Truly Canadian | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Jengie jon
Semper Reformanda
# 273
|
Posted
Yes but the book is richer still because there is important detail missing from that video.
Jengie
--------------------
"To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
Back to my blog
Posts: 20894 | From: city of steel, butterflies and rainbows | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bene Gesserit
Shipmate
# 14718
|
Posted
The Dog and his anxious cousin are snapping round my heels at the moment- prayer would be appreciated! Please.
--------------------
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Posts: 405 | From: Flatlands of the East | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
|
Posted
Jengie, I think the idea of both video and book together is good, as in I had a black dog. I much prefer the book too, but am a verbal learner, not visual. I miss some visual clues, so words are important to me.
That is just my observation as that topic does not belong for discussion in this thread.
[ 30. November 2017, 19:14: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
--------------------
Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
BG
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
MaryLouise
Shipmate
# 18697
|
Posted
Bene Gesserit
[ 01. December 2017, 07:28: Message edited by: MaryLouise ]
--------------------
“As regards plots I find real life no help at all. Real life seems to have no plots.”
-- Ivy Compton-Burnett
Posts: 646 | From: Cape Town | Registered: Nov 2016
| IP: Logged
|
|
simontoad
Ship's Amphibian
# 18096
|
Posted
Bene Gesserit
--------------------
Human
Posts: 1571 | From: Romsey, Vic, AU | Registered: May 2014
| IP: Logged
|
|
Erroneous Monk
Shipmate
# 10858
|
Posted
((BG)) ((Everyone))
--------------------
And I shot a man in Tesco, just to watch him die.
Posts: 2950 | From: I cannot tell you, for you are not a friar | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Fredegund
Shipmate
# 17952
|
Posted
BG
My BD doesn't really fit under the desk, but it's marginally easier if I put him under there and kick him periodically.
--------------------
Pax et bonum
Posts: 117 | From: Shakespeare's County | Registered: Jan 2014
| IP: Logged
|
|
Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Jengie, I think the idea of both video and book together is good, as in I had a black dog. I much prefer the book too, but am a verbal learner, not visual. I miss some visual clues, so words are important to me.
That is just my observation as that topic does not belong for discussion in this thread.
Sorry to continue the tangent Loth, but I feel its really important to say that the video (which I haven't watched to the end) misses the point that each page show a tiny red leaf of hope that combines together to make the red tree at the end.
For me it is a central theme of the book, that when I am mired in the deepest despair that tiny hope may be there, even though I am not aware of it.
The reason I'm so passionate about the book is that it closely reflects my experience of depression and offers hope.
Huia
--------------------
Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
|
Posted
Huia, that missing leaf is important to the whole thing. I was meaning, sorry, that discussing personal differences like being visual or verbal, were not for this thread. The leaf is different.
I just re-read this some hours after writing. Sorry about any odd pictures in your minds about a missing leaf.
[ 02. December 2017, 00:21: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
--------------------
Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Bishops Finger
Shipmate
# 5430
|
Posted
Black Dog is snuffling around....not sure why, but it's 2 years exactly since I was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Recovering well, physically, I guess - but depression goes with the anti-seizure meds, and the hydrocortisone I have to take to keep me from having a possibly lethal adrenal crisis.
Dark evenings don't help, do they? Nice Mr. eBay sold me a daylight lamp (like a daylight box, but smaller). Not sure if it works for me, though.
for all BD owners.
IJ
--------------------
Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service. (Wilkie Collins)
Posts: 10151 | From: Behind The Wheel Again! | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Piglet
Islander
# 11803
|
Posted
{{{BF}}}
--------------------
I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
simontoad
Ship's Amphibian
# 18096
|
Posted
I was looking for a nifty rhyme like yours BF on the Miss Markle thread. To my shame, all I could come up with is:
Go well, Go Shell.
--------------------
Human
Posts: 1571 | From: Romsey, Vic, AU | Registered: May 2014
| IP: Logged
|
|
Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
|
Posted
BF, don't underestimate the power of anniversaries for major life events. I know for death in a family, the second anniversary can be more stressful than the first (I'm not sure why, possibly because we erroneously think that we have finished grieving ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif) ).
I have a difficult anniversary in March and every year I make a conscious effort to do something enjoyable for myself on that day, so in some way it also becomes the anniversary of the good experiences too, it doesn't cancel out the bad stuff, but it helps make it more bearable.
I would think that being diagnosed with a brain tumour would be a life changing event. however well it was treated.
Huia
--------------------
Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Printer-friendly view
