People often think that taking meds makes all fine and dandy.
No, it means they are making an effort.
I look at it like this, if a loved one breaks their legs and arms, gets them set but is confined to their bed, I'll feed them, bath them, change their clothes, empty their bed-pan and wipe their azz for them.
But, if all they want to do is lay there and whine about how much they hurt instead of getting them taken care of, they can go *beep* themselves.
She has been diagnosed with it. I do feel for her for that. But, then she should be working to get better (or at least manage it) which means she shouldn't be getting drunk all of the time, using illegal drugs, using new, designer drugs she got from strangers....
The first season they were all cr*ppy all of the time. There was no reason for anyone to feel for any of them other than Edgar. This season it is hard to feel sorry for her knowing how cr*ppy she's been and not taking care of herself.
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Ronin-Trap
9 years ago
First of all, its a fictional character. I just feel this needs to be emphasized in the context of real world problems with depression. It may not make much sense to analyze an unrealistic portrayal. So I will just point to one of your sentences:
But, if all they want to do is lay there and whine about how much they hurt instead of getting them taken care of, they can go *beep* themselves.
The thing you need to understand is that depressed people do not want to lay in bed and get no help. They just cannot do it. Everything that makes you get up in the morning, whether it be good feelings or pressure, is gone. A chemical imbalance, akin to two broken legs (for the sake of this argument), makes it impossible for them.
That's the tricky thing with depression: you lack everything, through no fault of your own, that would help you beat any other illness. And I know that it is hard to imagine being in a state like this, because healthy people never experience anything like it.
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justanicknamed
9 years ago
First of all, its a fictional character. I just feel this needs to be emphasized in the context of real world problems with depression. It may not make much sense to analyze an unrealistic portrayal.
Then why have any discussion on any TV show or movie which isn't supposed to be factually true?
The thing you need to understand is that depressed people do not want to lay in bed and get no help. They just cannot do it.
The thing you need to understand is that I HAVE dealt with a depressed person, and that was all she wanted to do.
My point is perfectly valid. This isn't the first time Gretchen has faced this. She's been diagnosed. She ignores the treatment and advice given and instead leads a drug and alcohol filled life which leads her back to depression.
And, this show has unabashedly been about not feeling sorry for anyone because they all know they are all cr&ppy people and proud of it. Why start trying to make us feel sorry for her now?
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Ronin-Trap
9 years ago
The point I meant to make with the first paragraph was this: we have next to no information about her past treatment experience. It might be poorly written or it might have been knowingly omitted from the plot. Either way it is not substantial enough to discuss it in analogy to real life, and/or to early to discuss it as literary device.
As to your experience: If she was depressed and you showed her the same attitude that you showed here, you dealt with it poorly and have learned nothing from your experience.
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justanicknamed
9 years ago
we have next to no information about her past treatment experience. It might be poorly written or it might have been knowingly omitted from the plot.
We know enough that she isn't just down in the dumps. She's said enough things for a person to understand that she's sought professional help before. This isn't a person who has self-diagnosed, although she is self-prescribing.
As to your experience: If she was depressed and you showed her the same attitude that you showed here, you dealt with it poorly and have learned nothing from your experience.
I won't apologize for what I did or said. I'm not PC and I'm not going to sit there and let a person whine and cry and go on and on about their sh!t. We all have sh!t to deal with, deal with it.
After a while, it gets old hearing the same sob-story or seeing the person lay on the sofa 24/7 with out getting any help. Either get off the sofa and get help, or get off the sofa and find a new place to lay around all day.
Once you start helping yourself, and that can even be accepting of my help to get you to someone who can actually help you, then I'll work with you.
Until then, go elsewhere.
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Ronin-Trap
9 years ago
Paragraph one:
The only thing we do know is that she ran around witch the same shirt for a couple of semesters. If I remember wrong, please cite the episode or the corresponding dialog.
Paragraph two:
She was suffering from depression, you told a person with two broken legs to stand up and walk. That's all you did.
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justanicknamed
9 years ago
As I said, any reasonable person would be able to deduce that she has gotten some kind of diagnosis and treatment in the past - be it from how she knows what she is dealing with or taking Adderall.
And, if not, it makes it even more pathetic that she thinks she has this problem but refuses to get any help.
As far as your paragraph 2, it comes down to one thing only. My kids know this, as well as my friends, family and all of the kids I've coached over the years. I don't expect excellence, I expect EFFORT. If you can't be bothered to make an effort, I won't bother with you. I'm not talking about being sick or down for a day or two; I'm talking prolonged laziness.
I'm not going to wallow in your misery. If you want my help, you have to make an effort on your own. I'm not going to drop you off at your AA meeting every week if you go out for a drink after each meeting. But, if you are actually making an effort, I'll sponsor you.
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Deee123
8 years ago
So, you are saying you are a fair-weather friend. Only there for the good times?
If you think you know depression, and cannot understand the lack of effort, then you are mistaken in your comprehension. If EFFORT was all it took to get over something, then there wouldn't be addictions, or mental illness. Sometimes you CAN NOT move. Or speak. There is no choice involved, the individual is drowning.
Whether or not an alcoholic goes out for a drink after the meeting isn't the point. The point is they made it to the meeting. they are trying, but that is not good enough, in your world. I see it as the person doing all they can do at that time, and maybe with support, they will make it further the next time. Abandoning a sick person makes no sense.
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justanicknamed
8 years ago
So, you are saying you are a fair-weather friend. Only there for the good times?
Yep. That's EXACTLY what I'm saying.
Sometimes you CAN NOT move. Or speak. There is no choice involved, the individual is drowning.
Bullsh!t. At least in Gretchen's case. She refused any and all help. It is on her at that point. I get it if she's alone and has no one to help her, but they were all trying to do something for her and she fought them off.
The point is they made it to the meeting. they are trying, but that is not good enough, in your world.
You really need to work on your reading comprehension. I flat out said, "I don't expect excellence, I expect EFFORT."
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