Sorry to put a damper on things, but I don’t think Professor Parker’s (what a coincidence!) quote on the top of Finding Optimism is true. Or at least, it may be true for major depression, but I don’t think it is for bipolar disorder, at least with current scientific knowledge.
Anyway, back on topic — another terrific blog about depression is “The Trouble With Spikol”:
http://trouble.philadelphiaweekly.com/
I’ve personally met Liz Spikol. She is a person who looks and acts totally “with it” (and she so resembles and acts like Tina Fey that Tiny Fey herself, also a Philly native, has been asked to comment on her doppelganger — there’s a YouTube of it somewhere). Yet she freely admits every day of her life is a major struggle. EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Sometimes being reminded I’m not alone in that struggle is more of a comfort to me than to have someone say “you can fully recover” when I don’t really think there’s any medical evidence for that case.

I went to Liz Spikol’s site and could see that it could offer some support avenues. Unfortunately for me, the comment by Dr. Ellis that “neurosis is just a high-class name for whining” caused me to pause. Many people are sensitive to the “whiny” issue and are very guarded about what they share in the “real” world. It is such a relief to come here and try to put perspective to one’s “neurotic” self. For me, after I post, I am embarrassed at how pathetic I sound on paper….whiny. But inside my brain the whole pain and thought process gets very intense and the struggle seems to have no end. There is comfort in the fact that others know what the pain is and some have the same questions and some have ideas that might help. I realize that when I first visited this site I HAD to know that I was not alone. Sometimes now I am able to look for more and sometimes not. I just know that you are all there and I do pray for you. I even use my pain AND any joy as a prayer.
Again, thank you.

Well, you’re as upset at Dr. Ellis as I am at Prof. Parker, Question Mark, so we’re even
I should have clarified in my original post that life isn’t just a daily struggle for you or me, or Liz Spikol, or Therese, or Moira, Ginny and Claudia — it’s a struggle for ALL of us with depression.
And the fellowship of blogs like Therese’s (or Liz Spikol’s, and I’m sure James Bishop’s for some people, too) is truly a blessing. Even if I don’t always agree with all the messages!

why are they called carnivals? (althought that is the right name for them)

Yes, the posting of others is important. It is inevitable as people that we will not always agree or even understand all the facets of each others’ lives. Fellowship in the journey IS the true blessing! Thanks!

I thought I was suffering from depression and resistance to medications. After suffering in and out for years, I realized that I am bipolar. Tons and tons of efforts were made by a dear person to help remold my brain, spirit, and soul through stories, blogs, posts, all that. But what I believe that helped the most, or what stands out the most that I try to build upon is the “Davinci” material. When I got that email about the book and all the famous people who have made their way through all the tough, dark and horrible times found themselves to be geniouses(sp?)They all vaselated on ends of the spectrums. If you research the famous people who are bipolar, their extreme knowledge and skill, you can to tap into your strengths and “run with it” to the best of your ability. This I can relate to. Thank God for those rockers, artists, athletes, presidents who give us hope to strive for something genious-like. Even if we don’t become like them, just being able to magnetize towards that extreme with understanding we can get out of our hole for at least a little while. Even if you are not wealthy. The other things that STUCK with me that are definately helpful, are the morning gratitudes of prayer and meditating while asking God to help us stay on track with our goals and tasks for the day. Ask and you shall recieve. But, be careful for what you wish for.God Bless and Special Thanks to the one who so diligently persevered with sending info to help me out of my rock bottom, hole under the rocks. I owe you my life!