Okay! What Is Going On Here!! SoapBox Time!

[Guest guest]

Greetings To The List: It sounds like many of you are in a deep blue

funk. SO GET YOUR LADDERS AND START CLIMBING OUT. Yes this a

netiquette scream or an appeal to don't just sit there. Do Something!!

To all the men in Chronic Pain did any of you read the link I posted on

the subject? If not here it is again.

http://home.earthlink.net/~fotojoy/menspage.htm

On the subject of Depression, yesterday I posted a full page of articles

on that subject.

http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/7379/deephole.html If some of

the family members need a reminder of what to say to a depressed person,

print out this piece below, make copies and either post it or give it as

a handout.

Best Things to Say To Someone Who is Depressed

Version 1.2 - April 29, 1995

It is most tempting, when you find out someone is depressed, to attempt

to immediately fix the problem. However, until the depressed person has

given you permission to be their therapist (as a friend or

professional), the following responses are more likely to help.

The things that didn't make me feel worse are words which:

1) acknowledge my depression for what it is (No 'it's just a phase')

2) give me permission to feel depressed (No 'but why should you be

sad?')

Here is the list from contributors to a.s.d.:

1. " I love you! "

2. " I Care "

3. " You're not alone in this "

4. " I'm not going to leave/abandon you "

5. " Do you want a hug? "

6. " I love you (if you mean it). "

7. " It will pass, we can ride it out together. "

8. " When all this is over, I'll still be here (if you mean it) and so

will you. "

9. " Don't say anything, just hold my hand and listen while I cry. "

10. " All I want to do know is give you a hug and a shoulder to cry on.. "

11. " Hey, you're not crazy! "

12. " May the strength of the past reflect in your future. "

13. " God does not play dice with the universe. " - A. Einstein

14. " A miracle is simply a do-it-yourself project. " - S. Leek

15. " We are not primarily on earth to see through one another, but to

see one another through " -(from someone's sig)

16. " If the human brain were simple enough to understand, we'd be too

simple to understand it. " - a codeveloper of Prozac, quoted from

" Listening to Prozac "

17. " You have so many extraordinary gifts--how can you expect to live an

ordinary life? " - from the movie " Little Women " (Marmee to Jo)

18. " I understand your pain and I empathize "

19. " I'm sorry you're in so much pain. I am not going to leave you. I am

going to take care of myself so you don't need to worry that your pain

might hurt me. "

20. " I listen to you talk about it, and I can't imagine what it's like

for you. I just can't imagine how hard it must be. "

21. " I can't really fully understand what you are feeling, but I can

offer my compassion. "

22. " You are important to me. "

23. " If you need a friend..... (and mean it) "

Now if all else fails go read the The Creed from the Ladies of the

Heart.

http://www.Ladies-of-the-Heart.com/ladies2.htm

Now I must get ready and go to church.....

Blessings' & Peace

D.