The Truth About Depression: Madness

By Deborah Gray, Health Guide Friday, February 17, 2006

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“Our perhaps understandable modern need to dull the sawtooth edges of so many of the afflictions we are heir to has led us to banish the harsh old-fashioned words: madhouse, asylum, insanity, melancholia, lunatic, madness. But never let it be doubted that depression in its extreme form is madne...

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Mick

2/22/06 8:30pm

I have depression myself and I really don't mind the word madness. However I think madness is a moment state of mind instead of a ongoing depression. I really hate the word depression to tell you the truth. It does not give justice to what the disease is. Depression conjures up a feeling instead of a disease. For example, when someone is not familiar with depression they simply chalk it up as a emotion. So, I say get rid of the word depression and replace it with something like "serontin deficient-disorder or disease." ****************************** Dear Mick, You're right - depression does convey just a mood instead of representing the whole disease. And I agree that madness is just one aspect of it, and doesn't necessarily apply to everyone. It would make sense to replace "depression" with something like "serotonin deficient-disorder" because then maybe it would be thought of as a disease and not a mood. Thanks for the feedback - that was a very interesting observation. Deborah

mcman

3/ 2/06 6:20pm

Hi, Deborah. I absolutely hate the word, depression, as well. Madness accurately describes severe depression and misery accurately describes what we have to live with day to day. I've been reduced to nothing too many times by one of the most powerful forces in the universe. The least they can do is come up with a suitable name. You don't have to answer this.

Tina Bush

3/31/06 12:36pm

I agree that the word depression is much too mild to describe my bi-polar disorder. I have friends and family that will say to me "I'm depressed". And I'm sure they are not suffering the way in which I do when I'm depressed. I now tell people that I have a mental disease. Let them think what they will. But I bet they take it more seriously than they do depression. ******************* Hi Tina, That's a much more meaningful term you've come up with than "depression" and I think you're right that it will have more of an impact on their understanding. Thank you for reading, Deborah

1/ 1/07 8:18pm

"So if you want to sugarcoat your depression, that’s straight up and sugar-free." I HAVE JUST READ YOU POST ON THIS WEBSITE. I AGREE WITH YOU TO A POINT THAT BEING PC SOMETIMES MEANS THAT WE SUGAR COAT PROBLEMS BUT HEY, IF A PERSON IS DEPRESSED AS IT IS THEN WHY ADD ONE MORE THING FOR THEM TO WORRY ABOUT. WHY SHOULD THAT PERSON HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY OR THINK ABOUT THEM JUST BECAUSE OF A LABEL. SURELY THIS IS ONLY GOING TO ADD TO THERE TROUBLES AND WORRIES. I AGREE THAT IF YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO LABEL YOUSELF AS BEING MAD YOU SHOULD BEABLE TO DO SO. SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO BELIVE THERE IS A GOD THAT WILL HELP IN TIMES OF CRISIS AND GO TO CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY AND SOME PEOPLE PREFER TO THINK THAT THERE IS NO GOD. SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE A CONDITION THAT CAN BE TREATED AND ISNT AS BAD AS EVERYBODY MAKES IT OUT TO BE AND SOME PEOPLE WOULD RATHER JUST FACE THE MUSIC AND ADMIT TO THEM SELVES THAT THEY ARE MAD AND THERE ISNT A WHOLE LOT ANYBODY CAN DO ABOUT IT. PLEASE DO NOT BE OFFENDED BY THIS EMAIL, THAT WAS NOT MY INTENTION, I JUST HAVE STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT THIS SUBJECT AND HOPE THAT IT MAY INFLUENCE YOUR OPINION ON LIFE. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. TAKE CARE.

Aubrey

2/12/09 6:58pm

Mental Illness? It's just madness gone politically correct! oh god I have been waiting so long to tell that one.

Temporarily "Mad"

6/30/12 11:41pm

Being "mad' to me is a strong term--much like being "insane." And, yes, I have been both during my lifetime w/bipolar 1 disorder. I was "mad" & "insane" when I had my suicide attempts. I wasn't thinking rationallly, but despite being dxed w/bipolar I don't think I am "mad" all the time.

I work very hard not to be! I tell you being "mad" to me is being out of control & not in my rational mind so I don't think it is a "permanent" condition of depression or bipolar...

I can be very depressed yet not "mad" enough to attempt suicide.

rose martin

11/25/12 1:50pm

I totally agree that the word Depression doesnot accurately convery what many sufferers, particularly of severe ongoing depressions, bipolar etc., have to endure. I have been told by so many 'We all get depressed' and that's true, but a real depressive episode, and ongoing moderate Depression with anxiety is Madness. Recently I lost my lover of 2years because of my Madness, the respect of his family [he's a widower] because of a crazy agitated outburst. Athough goaded, I wouldnot have done this, had I not been so angry and agitated and totally overcome by this madness that is full of backness and rage and impulsiveness, I sold my home many years ago during an awful bout of Depression, the results are life changing and I suffer daily from that mad action and many more to boot. Lets call a spade a spade, madness is surely when our thinking is distorted, warped, when we see no light, no hope, it is insantiy, and that is madness, add to this the physical and emotional pain and youve got a very very painful and isolating illness - Madness is real, it exists.

Rose Martin

The Truth About Depression: Madness

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