Oscar K

Thank you for your response and interest. I have learned that depression is a natural condition/ formation/resource. The question about "stuff" popping up is always extremely challenging. I'm constantly conjuring bold boulders to force that "stuff" back down in my vast, dark cavern. There is so much responsibility we have in trying to be more or less FUNctional. "Old Man Depression" and "Old Maid Anxiety" play the most awful tricks on our psyches. My approach is to try to play some clever tricks right back. Clever and powerful metaphors or as I like to call them "CLEVERFUL MEDaphors" can counteract the debilitating effects of depression and anxiety . Maybe this is some food for thought. Anyway I am always happy to respond and discuss metaphors. Oscar

Actors will sometimes say they need the energy from stage fright to really perform. Sounds counterintuitive but many actors affirm this. The cave metaphor for me is helpful because of the many implications. In nature caves are formed by erosion, stress and upheaval. (Sound familiar?) A cave is a great place for temporary shelter but definitely not for long term residence. The ENTRANCE to a cave also serves as the EXIT. Going too deep into a cave and getting lost or trapped will require help in getting out. A cave can be useful for storage of harmful emotional baggage. Trying to figure out how a cave was formed DOESN'T change the cave. (Endless therapy anyone?) Trying to fill up a cave will create a hole or depression somewhere else. Personally I must anchor myself outside my deep, dark, dangerous depression abyss. Hopefully this can help. Oscar

Metaphors are my favorite subject. I would be interested in that video you mentioned. Personally I invoke a cave metaphor for depression. Anxiety I think can be compared to "stage fright". Metaphors only exist when we imagine, pretend and make believe them into existence. When we invoke a metaphor we insist one thing IS something else when obviously it isn't. We are playing a trick on ourselves. A very valuable trick. One trick I find helpful is to drop metaphorical boulders on intrusive thoughts and useless emotional baggage. Anyway maybe this helps a little. I'm always here to talk about metaphors or as I like to call them: MEDaphors. Oscar

I would just like to comment on the "chains of the past" metaphor you invoked. Any chain no matter how strong can be broken. Personally I keep a hefty supply of metaphorical boulders to metaphorically smash useless emotional baggage. Maybe instead of bold boulders you can invoke a giant metaphorical hacksaw to repeatedly cut thru those "chains". The idea is to be clever with powerful metaphors. My motto: DESPAIR not / REPAIR a lot. Oscar

Welcome friend to our forum. The "dark, deep hole" is a useful metaphor for depression. I invoke the cave metaphor for depression because of the many helpful implications. A cave is a natural formation / resource. Check out some other posts and hopefully you will find support and meaningful insights. Oscar

Welcome new friend to our forum family. No need to feel nervous. We all have been through hell and can listen to any and all concerns. We are here to help. Our goal is to not leave anyone behind in their depression cave. Make yourself at home and keep posting. Oscar

From across the pond, welcome to our forum family. We are all here for each other. Our goal is to not leave anyone behind in their deep, dark, dangerous depression cave. My motto is : DESPAIR not/REPAIR a lot. We look forward to seeing your posts and insights. Oscar

Welcome new friend to our forum. I can't comment on the antidepressant drug since I never used them. I hope you will find the support you need on our forum. Our goal here is to not leave anyone behind in their depression cave. We are here to help each other as best we can. Oscar

Everyone has value and promise here in our forum. We are here for each other no matter how grim any situation might be. Every person can do some re-inventing of themselves. DESPAIR not/REPAIR a lot.

Thanks for the info. I read the article and took note of the many metaphors he invoked. On a daily basis I must be as clever as possible with powerful metaphors. My experience reveals depression to be a natural condition/formation/resource. I must "anchor" myself outside my deep ,dark,dangerous depression cave. I do give myself permission to take temporary shelter inside myself staying real close to the EXIT/ENTRANCE. We all have an inexhaustible supply of metaphors. There is never a good reason to be lost and trapped within oneself. Life is way too short and precious to miss out on some fun. Oscar

You can be nice to yourself. Nice and fair to yourself. Sometimes we must be less than nice to toxic people. It's all very tricky.

Okay I'll add my " too sense". All of the above points are very helpful. I tend to see depression as a natural condition/formation/resource. I compare depression to a metaphorical cave. In nature caves are formed by erosion, stress and upheaval. (Sound familiar?) The ENTRANCE to a cave is also the EXIT. Trying to figure out how a cave was formed DOESN'T change the cave. (Endless therapy anyone?) A metaphorical cave is a great place to consign useless emotional baggage. A cave is a deep, dark, dangerous place. Not a place to go too deep or fool around. Personally I try to "anchor" myself outside my depression cave. The idea is to be clever with powerful metaphors or as I like to call them "Cleverful MEDaphors". Food for thought maybe? My motto: DESPAIR not/REPAIR a lot. Oscar

I can give my input for what it is worth. I am a big believer in the power of clever metaphors. I need to keep a hefty supply of bold metaphorical boulders to crush and bury useless emotional baggage. It isn't a perfect approach but it does help me. We can be creative and try to counteract the debilitating effects of depression. Hope this helps a little. My motto: DESPAIR not/REPAIR a lot. Oscar

Welcome new friend to our forum family. We are a caring group of people from all walks of life and all ages. I have a grandson your age. My approach to depression involves invoking clever and powerful metaphors. My motto is: Despair not/ REPAIR a lot. Keep posting your concerns and we will try to help you as best we can. Oscar

Welcome new friend to our forum family. We are always here for each other. Our goal is to not leave anyone behind in their depression cave. Old Man Depression tricks us into thinking we are lost and trapped within oneself. My approach is to try to play clever tricks right back on Old Man Depression. We all have unlimited access to powerful metaphors to counteract the debilitating effects of depression. Anyway welcome again and check out some other posts for support and meaningful insights. Oscar