Growing up I was told that black people don't have depression , its just a white thing. That we just have problems and that I should just get over it. But I have menatl health issues, like biploar and schizophrenia.  So what do you think about the issue, or what have you been told about theses issues?
207617
Mental illness can affect anyone.  It doesn't matter what race you are.
659912
I really think the indains should have more of an issue with white people than the blacks should. But it really wasn't that long ago that we whites where hanging blacks... and really that takes awhile to just get over it.   I just wonder how white people would feel if thier grandparents and great grandparents where taken out and hung because they wanted to vote or ride in the front of the bus.   We as whites and blacks need to remember the history behide this issue so that it will never repeat itself again.    As far as racism goes there will always be racism due to the fact that there will be always someone with feelings of being better than someone else.  It needs to be forgiven but never forgotten...and I myself am very sorry for what my past white americans done to the black americans.  I just wished that white americans would take care of their own like the black americans take care of theirs but then again we have never been taken out of our beds to hang because of our color.. while our children watched.   It really wasn't that long ago.
29639
my husband is black and im white and we have 2 kids....very loving family. weve been married for 3yrs almost 4 and havee not yet ran into a problem. we get loooks if were in a town thats not used to seeing it but when they see how loving we are towards one another they look away or smile. i make it known. i dont think its as bad as what it was when whites and blacks werent "supposed" to mix. i feel so what who cares its your life and if you love him, forget everyone else.
603582
have you heard of c.b.t cognitive behaviour therapy? i suffered realy badly from depression for years it started when i was 14 and got worse as i had my 3 children but then a doctor refered me for c.b.t and it was brilliant honestly i still get lows but then thats just life c.b.t really shows you a different way of looking at things and it lasts too and no pills which is fab! hope you feel better soon x
581956
There are middle class Americans of other races who are also impacted by poverty in inner city slums. Is this a race issue or a class issue?\n\nWith that said, the problem relates to everyone because we pay for it. For example, a budget cutback closed the mental health hospital a couple years ago. All the displaced people were literally put on the street with one month supply of whatever medication they were on and a "good luck." Since that time, two people in our community have killed their families. One man killed his mother and a mother killed herself and her children. Either we pay for them to get the services upfront or we pay on the other end of the equation.
424137
Unfortunately some people may have a disorder and not realize it and sometimes seeing symptoms and stuff helps them recognize. I am sure some people that love someone with a disorder are not sure what to do or where to go for help, this could be a place to help find some support. Eating disorders affect many, many people in this country. A lot of people only think of anorexia and bulimia when they think about eating disorders, but there are others, binge eating without purging, overeating is another one. Obesity can be a result of an eating disorder, which is a HUGE problem in this country ( no pun intended). Eating disorders overall create a huge strain on our medical system, which in return we pay for when we see our health premiums go up. So many reasons are there. I think it is a major problem effecting our youth and unfortunately so many young people today do not feel comfortable first talking with and adult about their issues and turn to the internet. While I believe this is a sad state that the youth today cannot talk to their parents and that they will probably be given some wrong information on the internet, my hope is that if having a place to ask questions, read about treatments and get support helps just 1 person then it was worth talking about.
155940
As a proud Black American (yes I said BLACK American NOT AFRICAN American).....We are not Africans. We are Americans and even the Africans will tell you that.  For millions of us our blood is way too diluted to consider ourselves to be solely African. To answer your question, I could really care less about what blacks in other countries and other cultures think of and say about us.  We have been through hell and back for the past 500 years. Our People (the generational Black Americans) have struggled and thrived in the United States for Hundreds of years.  Over the years race mixing has occured between our African Ancestors and Europeans and our African Ancestors and Native Americans.  Most Authentic Black Americans are of diluted blood and aren't pure African at all.  Our features, culture and heritage has evolved into something different than that of our African Ancestors to make us who we are as an ethnic group today.  We have our own rich history, culture, and heritage.  Many of us Black Americans don't even realize how rich our heritage is.  We don't need the approval of Africans or Carribeans or any other blacks to feel good about ourselves and confident in who we are.  We may have our problems, but what ethnic group doesn't?
246098
this sounds like another name for schizophrenia-mental health comes out with more and more disorders eveyday.Hey,sorry I don't have it but why don't you talk to your counselor about it?
569591
No I don't believe that is fair. I have Lupus and people are so sympathetic towards me in that situation, however I also suffer from depression that years ago was totally debilitating and I often found that people's opinions were along the lines of, "just get out of the house, you will feel better" or "give it time you will get over it" and even "it's not that bad, it's not like you have cancer, then you would really have something to worry about". Well I did have something to worry about, my depression almost cost me my life. People are still generally quite intolerant of Mental Illness and sometimes ignorant of the cause and the extreme depths it can reach. They seem to feel that it's in your control, well depression at least. It's a very sad situation. Another reason that coping with a Mental Illness is so hard and requires more understanding is what you have yourself stated, it seems less acceptable and life threatening.
77370
I read once (many years ago) that Native American communities have the highest rate of suicide and depression of any group of people.\n\nI don't think suicide is genetic but a predisposition to depression can be.\n\nAs for how it affects people you might want to look up studies on it. I'm sure someone has looked into this.
234808
I think we tend to focus on the negative because in the early days of mankind it made good sense to focus on the problems; predators, food etc. No we have far fewer problems, but still retain the evolutionary trait. This then leads to modern malaises, such as depression, vanity and such like. As a race, we just need to get over ourselves. \nHello Back BTW\nPhil ;)
105867
God won't give us anything we can't handle.  Depression and bi-polar disease are often caused by imbalances in chemicals in the brain.\nIf you can handle depression with therapy or drugs or whatever you need, do it. \nGod gave us these beautiful bodies.  Take care of yours the best you can.
255345
I am a licensed mental health professional and while I certainly would never diagnose you online, I do think other writers are on the right track.  What you are describing really does correspond with symptoms of depression. The good news is that this is a common and very treatable illness.  While you don't want to go to the doctor, you need to remember that depression (or any type of mental illness) is nothing to be ashamed of.  If you were diabetic would you hesitate or be embarassed to seek treatment?  Heck I'm a professional and have experienced depression. I got the help I needed and moved on with my life.  There are so many new medications and other options you can speak with a professional about.  This is all about taking care of yourself and getting the most you can out of life.  I would recommend getting a referral for a practitioner who has some experience in treating depression.  If money is an issue, almost all communities have free or low cost resources. In the mean time, try to share what is going on with your boyfriend and other people you trust.  Let them be there for you.  If you want to talk please feel free to contact me.  My email is jazzy_59602@yahoo.com.
329372
Depression is very common with everyone at one time or another.  It is a symptom of every mental illness.  You should get involved in doing things that will get your mind off of what is bothering you.  If talking about it makes you more bored or depressed...Don't talk about it.
413966
Depression is a common condition, 15% of the population will suffer from clinical depression at some point in their lives.\n\nEverybody has periods where they feel low, or down. These are normal emotions, and appropriate after bad news, bereavement and so forth.   However, depression – the illness, is persistent, and help is required to recover. The difference with depression is when the unhappiness is without cause, or lasts much longer and is out of proportion to circumstances, or seems beyond the sufferers personal control to manage.\n\nDepression affects people differently.  Some are mildly affected – often known as dysthymia,  and manage to function despite their condition.  Others may be severely depressed and find it very difficult to carry out even the most basic tasks., such as washing and dressing.\n\nThere are also different types of depression, such as the episodes of depression, followed by elation in manic depression  (bipolar affective disorder, SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and PND (post natal depression).\n\nSpike Milligan and Winston Churchill were two famous manic depressives.  Depression is not selective of class, status or upbringing.\n\nSYMPTOMS\n\nSymptoms are many, varied and not all sufferers will exhibit the same problems. They may include:\n\nContinual low mood\nFeeling of inadequacy\nFeeling “tearful” and “emotional”\nIrritability\nAnger / aggression\nAnxiety\nLack of motivation\nLack of social interest\nPoor personal care\nIrrational / guilty thoughts\nFeeling of hopelessness\nSuicidal thoughts\nTired all the time\nLoss of appetite / weight\nComfort eating\nInability to sleep\nDisturbed sleep\nLoss of concentration\nSleeping too much / not waking refreshed\nLoss of libido\nAvoiding people / social situations\nLack of energy\nFeeling physically ill\nExtreme lethargy\nBleak and pessimistic view of the future\n\nN.B. Anxiety and depression are closely linked. Anxiety can cause depression, and depression can cause anxiety.\n\n\n\nSO WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THIS?\n\nDepression is a complex illness, and can occur for several reasons.\n\nIn a person suffering from depression, levels of neuro-transmitters are lowered. One of these is serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5HT).\n\nIt can be triggered as a result of a number of causes:\n\nSocial Circumstances\nUnemployment, divorce or break down of relationship, bereavement, redundancy, sudden/dramatic change to personal circumstances\n\nPhysical Conditions\n\nGlandular fever, influenza, anaemia, diseases such as multiple sclerosis, severe arthritis,  and treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy\n\nHormonal Changes\nPregnancy, resulting in PND – about 10% of all women experience significant PND.  Depression presents more commonly in women (this may also be because men are more reluctant to visit their doctor)\n\nPsychological Conditions\nSufferers of anxiety may also find they develop depression. Unresolved psychological issues also contribute. About 60% of people suffering chronically with anxiety and panic will also develop associated depression.\n\nDrug and Alcohol Abuse\n\nWHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?\n\nEach sufferer is an individual, and treatments vary.  Many people combine treatments for optimum effect, i.e. medication and counselling. The preferred choice at present is SSRI’s along with CBT. The medication is to lift the mood enough to be able to take on board and learn skills needed to overcome the condition long term.\n\nThe first step is to visit your GP. They can confirm your diagnosis and ensure your depression does not have a physical cause.  You must be prepared to be honest with yourself and your GP. If you have some unresolved issues, medication alone will not provide a cure, and your GP can recommend you for  some form of therapy.\n\nTherapy\nThis may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or counselling.  All health authorities have a Community Mental Health Team, who will be able to select and provide appropriate trea
109041
As someone who is qualified to answer this question, I would say that depression is not addictive in the sense that someone gets some kind of relief from it psychologically.\n\nPeople can fight depression all or most of their adult life, as I have. A person can have more than more episode of depression in their lives, many who had depression once, get it again. So while it may seem that depression is addictive,  it is just a disease that needs to be controlled thru medication and counseling
251647
i grew up around black people i am white and used to be over weight. i used to see a lot of black dudes going with white chicks because they used to say the fatty whitties ain't getting nothing else and had lower self esteem then the black fatties and gave less trouble, here in america it is more exceptable to be a druggie then a fattie. plus when you look at it fat people tend to have lower self esteems hense the reason they keep eating. comming from a former fattie myself but what i did was get some excercise loose the weight and married me an arab! so not all fat white women would want to be with a white man or a black man or spanish etc.. to each his or her own!!!!