Quote: Lee Henman @ December 3 2008, 10:52 AM GMTQuick straw poll - who is suffering or has suffered with depression?
I'm just wondering about my theory that most people in comedy are essentially unhappy.
I'm with you Lee on this one, so much so I all but created a new topic last week to see if others on this forum had!
I suffered with depression a few years back for 3 months.
Quote: EllieJP @ December 3 2008, 12:35 PM GMTDepression runs in my family. It's a tough and sore subject for me.
Here's a tip: don't open the thread named "Depression" then. 
Quote: Marc P @ December 3 2008, 12:38 PM GMTYou can take the piss if you have been depressed too. Not sure why you would want to mind.
'Cos your brains all imbalanced?
Quote: EllieJP @ December 3 2008, 12:35 PM GMTDepression runs in my family. It's a tough and sore subject for me.
Here's a tip then: don't open the thread named "Depression" then.
Quote: Marc P @ December 3 2008, 12:28 PM GMTRead the whole thread, I didn't say he said he had had depression in the original opening post.
Missed the comment apologies!
I'm ill, writing reports and 118 gags.
As such I missed it producing crap in 3 different formats.
And yes I've been depressed, but I don't know many people who haven't.
Depression is just a normal state of imbalance that may need treatment when it goes beyond the individuals ability to cope.
If we could start viewing psychological/psychiatric conditions like physical ones, I think we'd all be a lot happier.
Quote: sootyj @ December 3 2008, 12:43 PM GMTMissed the comment apologies!
I'm ill, writing reports and 118 gags.
As such I missed it producing crap in 3 different formats.
And yes I've been depressed, but I don't know many people who haven't.
Depression is just a normal state of imbalance that may need treatment when it goes beyond the individuals ability to cope.
If we could start viewing psychological/psychiatric conditions like physical ones, I think we'd all be a lot happier.
Well said.
Quote: sootyj @ December 3 2008, 12:43 PM GMTAnd yes I've been depressed, but I don't know many people who haven't.
Not me! Though my Dad's got it, so hopefully it'll get my sister and skip me.
Quote: sootyj @ December 3 2008, 12:23 PM GMTReread he doesn't, but if Lee did I'm no fan of this modern fixation with endless confession.
I don't see saying you've suffered/suffer from depression as a 'confession'. After all it isn't something that has to be kept secret or be ashamed of. If more people were open it would certainly make life a lot easier for a lot of people and possibly reduce the suicide rate - especially amongst men.
But as you say you're ill sooty, I'll let you off 
.
Wow, this thread seems to make people angry for some reason. That wasn't my intention, or to jump on some "confession bandwagon". It was merely a thought I'd had about depressives in comedy / showbiz. Feels like I've touched a raw nerve or two. Sorry if that's the case.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ December 3 2008, 12:52 PM GMTIf more people were open it would certainly make life a lot easier for a lot of people and possibly reduce the suicide rate - especially amongst men.
There are a lot of useless men around, though. The more that suicide the better.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ December 3 2008, 12:49 PM GMTNot me! Though my Dad's got it, so hopefully it'll get my sister and skip me.
Never? Not even a little? Never been knocked, back, dumped or hurt in your life?
Then taken a little bit longer to recover?
I think to be depressed is to feel and perceive srongly. To never be depressed, is to never have really felt anything.
Quote: Lee Henman @ December 3 2008, 10:52 AM GMTQuick straw poll - who is suffering or has suffered with depression?
I'm just wondering about my theory that most people in comedy are essentially unhappy.
I did, majorly, a couple of years ago, and on and off to a lesser extent since. Not nice.
Going back to Lee's original point with regards comedy and depression there's a Tony Hancock quote about life being both funny and sad, "which seem to me to be the two basic ingrediants of good comedy."
Of course our society has such a phobia about mental unwellness.
In care assessments it depress's me how often parents especially look for a physiological diagnosis.
e.g. ADHD or bipolar (instead of depression), or aspergers instead of being a grumpy teen.
It may explain why mental health services in the UK are so terribly funded and medication orientated.
If we could just maybe all talk a little more.
Quote: sootyj @ December 3 2008, 12:56 PM GMTNever? Not even a little? Never been knocked, back, dumped or hurt in your life?
Then taken a little bit longer to recover?
I think to be depressed is to feel and perceive srongly. To never be depressed, is to never have really felt anything.
Don't agree there really. I've never been really sad/upset/depressed for any prolonged period; maybe I'm just generally a positive person, I don't know.