A good way to remove the stigma

[musgravellis]

I am new to this forum so bear with me. Up until now I have been too embarrased to really talk to anyone about it except close family and one great friend. I have had acute relapses of chronic depression for about 5 years, and every time I relapse I take meds which helps, but I get pretty bad side effects. Afew weeks ago I got the usual warning signs (sigh), waking at 4a.m on the dot, Zero appetite and forcing myself to eat, and mostly massive lethargy. My actual mood wasn't really an issue cos I just sat on the couch watching TV and didn't want to see anyone. My great friend rang me cos she was worried. She had read a book called "The Apron and Napoleon's Hat' and suggested I give it a try. I got it as an ebook and I dont think its in bookstores. It is bloody brilliant! Its written by a doctor who ended up getting sick himself. But the best thing is that she recommended it to some of our mutual friends who know about my ilness but who have sort of deserted me lately and are very reluctant to talk about it. There has been a mental health awareness campaign in Aus for a few weeks which has been great. Several of my old friends who I had pretty much lost touch with and who had read the book rang me unexpectedly and I had long great chats with all of them. It was awkward to begin with but it became clear very early on in each conversation how much their attitude had changed, how chilled out they were about the whole issue, and how it is possible to have a good laugh about it. I'm not embarrased anymore! The book didn't cure me and am on low dose meds, but god it helped. Educating the ignorant is the key, and if everyone who has never suffered mental illness read it, the world would be a much better place. Keep well everyone.

[Ponder]

That mental awareness of which you speak in this Great Lucky One Nation of ours, is quite a shallow affair & governed with a charitable spirit overshadowed with unattainable goals and expectations, not to mention with a large sector of covert religious backing.

"ARE YOU OK?"

The best we could get out of the receptionist at the local mental health clinic (when requesting a copy of some paper work) in Hervey Bay QLD Australia was a fucking rude attitude as if to say "go fucking hang yourself"

I'm here to keep things real with regard to such fanciful attitudes with regard to this great country Australia is offering up such Caring Attitudes.

What utter BS. When you have been in the system as long as we have, whilst the pessimistic blanket of give up is bound to keep you hemmed in - you also get to see the fucking truth.
________________________

All the same, thanks for the book recommendation -

What's it about - what strategies does it offer up?

I wonder what it can offer to those of us so ingrained with our cynical attitudes?

Think Positive - Give to get - The Law of Attraction - or some other abbreviated ABC technique bound to bring one happiness measured in a new shiny you?

Scratch that - I'll go find out myself -

Maybe I'll come back with a wondrous Testimony to how that book saved my life.

Welcome to the forum ;)

[Ponder]

http://www.amazon.com.au/The-Apron-Napoleons-Hat-Murray-ebook/dp/B00KAE2G8U

One review to match the number of posts.

Figured as much -

Wow - such an insightful past - they must of had real fun toying with so many misguided people. I can see how it would be amusing to laugh at all those sorry souls who keep digging their own holes.

Let me know when there are several more reviews -

Another yuppy book -

Seems like a high price though - I've seen much better for less.

[Dahila]

Your good friend called you ? hehehe we have quiet a few a day here:)

[Ponder]

LOL - I don't know what I would do without you here Dahila. Thank God - Doh !!! I mean - I don't know what I mean ... - I know your a good friend though. :)

[musgravellis]

Sorry Ponder, when you said cynical I didn't think anyone could be worse than me. I thought forums were supposed to be supportive. I didn't get the book at amazon, i got it on ibook store. I didn't think it was expensive considering you pay 3 times as much for a paperback. Anyway it worked for me and thats all that matters. Since when does a forum deliberately go out to make someone who is strggling feel worse?

[Ponder]

Stick around and you will surely find out that such most defiantly happens. Commonly called Trolls - but also spamers that trigger nuters like me. My Bad.

Allow me to apologize for being so negative ... we get a LOT of SPAM in this forum and given my "foul" mood and irate attitude to soldering on in this glorious world ... I've pretty much been an asshole of late. Hmmm - perhaps more so - just sarcastic. Whatever.

I'm glad you have responded actually. Mores the power to you for having found some kind of resolve from that book. I hold myself in contempt and am currently back peddling - or perhaps even doing a back flip.

Your right - I usually pay around that kind of price - that is if I can't find a torrent and really want to find out more about the book. Good for you.

As for the story and dynamics with the doctor and patient relationship - I will always remain skeptical of such Revelations given my so called unique perspective as a self professed victim to which many professional preach we "choose" to be and bla bla bla bla ....

BUT - for those less tragic and more hopeful cases - I am sure much can be gained from the insights of those who have to offer whatever for the taking.

__________________________________________________ ___

I only hope the clinical psychologist or whatever it sees itself as - the one I see tomorrow ... is that one in a million that actually knows how to handle hard cases like myself - rather than tick and flick like so many bulk billers do. But Alas - that is my issue - my perspective ...

Once again - very glad to see a person behind the book recommendation ... in this age of selling one self ... a first time post like that can easily be taken as spam. "We get it all the time in here. "

Again - Nice to meet you - welcome to the forum! -

I know nothing - don't mind me. Apologies ...

[musgravellis]

Thanks Ponder, apology appreciated and well said. I honestly dont really know about spamming and it is not my intention to advertise his book. It just helped me is all. As for your earlier post asking about what strategies it offers, it dosen't really offer any. Its just a bloody brutal and honest and funny (in a very very self-deprecating way) account of someone who has experienced life on both sides of the fence, as patient and doctor. Like I said earlier, it is something that the novices who have never suffered should read. Anyway appreciate your very insightful opinions and best of luck. Cheers.