On Higher Ground

[Brubeck]

HaWho -

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on your depression. I asked because I have been reading up on depression lately (mostly discussions on Quora). Since depression is the biggest ingredient in the MLC cocktail, I'm trying to learn more.

The most common feedback I read about depression was two things.

1. Most people who battled depression found that in the midst of their battle the greatest thief of it all was concentration. They couldn't form thoughts, complete ideas, or see through common tasks.

2. They couldn't remember what they did the day before, much less the general state of things in general. Their memory was indeed shot to hell.

I admit the question I asked [HaWho] about memories of depression was loaded. Over the past year, like many of you I've read about MLC and all the branches it reaches out into - depression, bipolar disorder, bad relationships, drug addiction, divorce, etc.

I also found that many people (HaWho included) seem to really mourn and regret the time they lost. I don't mean to rub it in for those who feel this way, it's just something I've discovered. People eventually shrug over lost finances and possessions, but nobody seems to get over that loss of time - even if they aren't battling MLC, depression, etc. but just spent some time in a bad relationship or job.

I leaned recently that Stevie Nicks got sober from hard drugs and drinking at 40, but then got hooked to anti-anxiety medication (Klonopin). She said she lost 8 years to her prescription addiction. She said she barely remembers anything from her 40s, and that she still considers this loss of time to be the greatest failure of her life (she's almost 70). Food for thought.

Didn't mean to hijack your thread, HaWho - just sharing my research. As painful as the past 1 and 1/2 years have been as a LBS, I guess I'm lucky not to be in MLC, because I see the memory lapses left & right.