Bear w/ Red

[red]

As most of you know, I struggle w/ some depression issues. sometimes I can have a great day & then comes the crash. Lately I'm experiecning more crashes than usual. I am seeing someone for this & just need time.

I know some worry when I'm not on-line. Just wanted you to know that I'm OK. I just have one of the times.

Keep me & all that struggle w/ mental issues in your prayers. It's not just in our head & we can't just snap out of it.

Jason & Austin- congrats on the number 1500! Remember when we got excited about 500?

Red

 

[shortyjock89]

Red, don't you worry.  You probably have more people here in our big ole online family that are pulling for you than some folks do in person.  I know that sometimes I wonder where you've gone, but everyone needs some time every now and then.  I know how it is to deal with depression..not me but people that I'm very close to..It's a horrible thing to have to deal with, and alot of folks don't know how much it can affect everything and everybody in your life. 

As long as you say you're doin OK, I guess I won't worry...we're behaving pretty good (for us, anyhow) right now. 

1500!! I think I was one of the first couple hundred to sign up, I can't wait to see how big this forum can get...It's a really good place..and as long as we can all behave and be nice to each other, it's gonna be around for a long time.

Get to feeling better and keep us posted....we really do care about you.. (thumbsup)

 

[cattlejunky]

I know with this glumy weather it is easy to get down without having depression.   I could use a big ole dose of sunshine!  Hang in there

 

[Telos]

Hang in there Red. There is light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark it seems now. I'm going to try my best to go see you at the Junior Nationals in big KC.
So... get better so we can have some good laughs.

 

[showsteerdlux]

Hope you get back to feelin better soon. Tell woody and killer kitty to help you snap out of it.  (thumbsup)

 

[Jill]

I was just wondering this morning if you were doing ok, I'm glad you let us know. 

 

[DL]

red - I thought from the title that you got a new dog who you named Bear and there was going to be a picture - glad you are feeling OK (Bet that Bear would have knocked Woody's nose out of joint 

 

[Doc]

Hang in there Red! (angel) Looking forward to seeing you at the OBE!

 

[OH Breeder]

Red, Try a little UV light. I know there are tanning salons close by. I go in the winter. Not to get tan but for the SUN. It is a great pick me up.You don't have to stay in long about 10 minutes or so. Small doses.
Hate to say it, but the pills are good too.
That is the down side to Ohio from October til April. Very little sun.  :-\

 

[TJ]

Red,

You are a great person & I will be pulling for you as you deal with this.  I occasionally deal with similar issues & it's no fun.  Exercize, eating right, getting some sunlight & getting plenty of rest will help somewhat.  Sometimes just talking about it or simply talking to someone who cares will help.  Hang in there!!

TJ

 

[shortdawg]

I'll keep you in my prayers !

 

[red]

It's more than lack of sunlight. I'll bare my soul & tell you I was diagnoised as being bi-polar. It explains my up's & downs. The med's are helping w/ the up swings but the downs are the worst. I'm lucky to have my lifelines especially "justme". I'll always struggle w/ the problem. I believe getting this out in the open helps not only me but all those that have similar problems.

love ya all
Red

no DL, no new puppy. Woody is all I can handle. I will admit he's been a lifesaver. where before I'd stay hidden in bed I have to get up to tend to him. He & Killer make my life bearable!  Plus the hubby is amazing!

 

[kanshow]

Hang in there Red!  Remember that you have a lot of friends.  I know it can be a struggle to get the right meds sometimes so I'll be keeping positive thoughts and prayers that you can get on the road to the right treatment ASAP.    You have a lucky hubby and a lucky Woody to have YOU!!!!   

 

[red]

for those of you that are questioning what the different mood swings of bipolar versus just depression, here is something from a website on depression & bi-polar. I'm sorry if this isn't cattle related but I firmly believe many of us cattlepeople, ranchers & people sufer from mental illness than many think. In a macho industry, many of us don't want to show our weak side or admit a problem. If this touches one other person then I've done something good today. For me, today is a hypomania day.
Hypomania- what most people think as normal. We love these days & are fun & social
Mania- Katie bare the door. We take risks, do dumb, stupid things. Some drink or use drugs to the extreme. Others may get in fights or nothing.
Depression- the black days when all is lost
Red

from www.Bipolarconnect.com
Hypomania: It’s great not having to sleep.
Mania: If I don’t sleep I’ll end up in the hospital.
Depression: I wish I could get up.

Hypomania: Who needs meds?
Mania: I need meds.
Depression: Maybe if we add a little bit of this to your current meds…

Hypomania: I want more.
Mania: I can’t take much more.
Depression: Who cares about more.

Hypomania: I love the energy.
Mania: Please, make it stop!
Depression: Give me enough energy to get out of bed.

Hypomania: I’m so creative.
Mania: I’m so tortured.
Depression: I’m so nothing.

Hypomania: Suicide would be insane.
Mania: Suicide would be a welcome relief.
Depression: I don’t have the energy to even try.

Hypomania: Nightclub.
Mania: Hospital.
Depression: Home.

Hypomania: Turn it up.
Mania: Shut it up.
Depression: Turn it off.

Hypomania: Raising voices.
Mania: Hearing voices.
Depression: Lost voices.

Hypomania: I’ll pick you up.
Mania: They’re coming to get me.
Depression: Don’t bother, I don’t feel like going.

Hypomania: But it’s only been 3 times.
Mania: Get the (bleep!) away from me.
Depression: Yeah, right…

Hypomania: Sing
Mania: Scream
Depression: Cry

Hypomania: “I want to rock and roll all night…”
Mania: “Here we are now, entertain us, I feel stupid, and contagious…”
Depression: "...fool said I you do not know, silence like a cancer grows..."

Hypomania: Workout
Mania: Blackout
Depression: Hideout

Hypomania: Life of the party.
Mania: Is thrown out of the party.
Depression: Couldn’t begin to party.

 

[knabe]

i'm thinking some of this mental stuff is learned and reinforced biochemically when we are young.

when we don't allow the concept of winning and losing to take hold, ie giving everyone a trophy, this sends a BAD message to the brain.  it is being reinforced to later and later ages, and then is medicated, especially in boys, and exhibited in girls with depression and image issues (and for girls, there isn't a drug yet).

we basically have no balance between men and women in the education system and kids are not taught how to deal with reality.

when they grow up they have no coping mechanisms.

I had this conversation with my 5 year old daughter last night on the way home.

daddy, how come you don't speed up like a race car to that other car?
well, i don't need a ticket from the policeman.
i wish policemen were invisible.
well, they kind of are invisible, but show up when you break the law.  we make rules to protect people and police are there to protect us from bad people.
i wish there were no bad people.
well, that would be nice, but there are some bad people and laws are there to protect us from each other.
i wish everyone was good.
i do to sweety, but that's just the way it is.
daddy, can i have some money?

 

[cattlejunky]

I have a cousin that suffers with being bi-polar.  Your descriptions fit her to a T.  She has done several stupid things (stealing, drugs, habitual liar).  she is either way up, or way down.  She is 39 with a son that is 5.  Her son spends alot of time with grandparents which is good.  We all have our quirks thats what makes us interesting, plus we have keep the Drs. in business.  I sometimes go OCD  obcessive compulsive.  This really hits when it is time for a cattle show.  I make list, schedules it drives my husband nuts, but its nice to always have what you need.

 

[fluffer]

Red,
Your a wonderful strong person.  You may not always see it in yourself, but even on the days when you can't even drag yourself out of bed and show up here at steer planet your still loved and very well respected!  I have never met you (I hope to run into you at the OBE) but your great, caring, giving,strong,intelligent, thoughtfull personality shows through here on this site.  I can't even imagine what you must be like to know face to face. 

I have a cousin who is bipolar and went to college with a boy who was bipolar.  I know it is a very tough thing to live with and control.  Your in my prayers!  Good luck to you!

Fluffer