Comments on: depression and the power of language http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/ making lives better, making better lives Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:48:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: pregnancy nutrition guide http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/comment-page-1/#comment-637731 pregnancy nutrition guide Sat, 07 Mar 2009 11:07:25 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/#comment-637731 Another good cure for depression is to try working towards something you want in life. Anything worthwhile takes work and if you work towards what you want, you can tell yourself you did something to achieve a goal and that makes you feel better. Another good cure for depression is to try working towards something you want in life. Anything worthwhile takes work and if you work towards what you want, you can tell yourself you did something to achieve a goal and that makes you feel better.

]]> By: Svasti http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/comment-page-1/#comment-554134 Svasti Sun, 19 Oct 2008 08:54:24 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/#comment-554134 Hi Isabella, For this series of exchanges with CK, I'm jointly awarding you both the Flower Smeller award as I think what the two of you are doing here is special and worthy of attention. You can read about it more here: http://svasti.wordpress.com/2008/10/19/some-flower-smeller-awards/ <em>Svasti's last blog post..<a href='http://svasti.wordpress.com/2008/10/19/if-youre-new-here/'>If you?re new here?</a></em> Hi Isabella,

For this series of exchanges with CK, I’m jointly awarding you both the Flower Smeller award as I think what the two of you are doing here is special and worthy of attention.

You can read about it more here:
http://svasti.wordpress.com/2008/10/19/some-flower-smeller-awards/

Svasti’s last blog post..If you?re new here?

]]> By: Fighting Darkness, Recovering Words. « http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/comment-page-1/#comment-540744 Fighting Darkness, Recovering Words. « Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:50:42 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/#comment-540744 [...] continuation of a cross-blog conversation I’m having with isabella of Change Therapy. In her last installment she said: “by leaving depression in the darkness of wordlessness, i give it more power; like [...] [...] continuation of a cross-blog conversation I’m having with isabella of Change Therapy. In her last installment she said: “by leaving depression in the darkness of wordlessness, i give it more power; like [...]

]]> By: Emma McCreary http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/comment-page-1/#comment-535600 Emma McCreary Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:44:30 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/#comment-535600 "Labelling" and "naming" have different connotations to me. I've seen people who suffer under the yoke of someone else's label - letting it define them in some kind of incontrovertible way, losing their autonomy and agency to heal. I've also experienced the power of naming something, owning it, getting clarity and tasting the truth of it. Traditionally, naming something gives you power over it. I've also experienced someone else naming something in me and having that same experience - so it's not who names it. One difference seems to be if you identify with the thing you are naming. If you think "I am a depressed *person*" - that depression somehow defines *you* or your potential to be - that is awful. I wonder if this happens mostly when "authority" decides on the name and its meaning - that is, gives a diagnosis. Diagnosis means "identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon". When you diagnose someone as "depressed", and they decide that *they* are the nature or cause of their depression - that is not so good. And not true. Naming isn't the same as diagnosis. Naming says the true nature of a thing. It says that depression is depression. That it is NOT you, it is NOT your nature - it is something separate and apart from your true nature. That is when naming is powerful - when it reflects something true and lets you know a thing. Perhaps for catatonic kid, "speechlessness" is a true name for her depression, and thus powerful for her. Perhaps not for you - not for me, I've often been quite eloquent about the mess in my brain. =) I agree with your idea that it's important to find our own names for things - to name our own truth and legitimize it. <em>Emma McCreary's last blog post..<a href='http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/cheekyboots/~3/385536683/'>meet gina</a></em> “Labelling” and “naming” have different connotations to me.

I’ve seen people who suffer under the yoke of someone else’s label – letting it define them in some kind of incontrovertible way, losing their autonomy and agency to heal.

I’ve also experienced the power of naming something, owning it, getting clarity and tasting the truth of it.

Traditionally, naming something gives you power over it.

I’ve also experienced someone else naming something in me and having that same experience – so it’s not who names it.

One difference seems to be if you identify with the thing you are naming.

If you think “I am a depressed *person*” – that depression somehow defines *you* or your potential to be – that is awful. I wonder if this happens mostly when “authority” decides on the name and its meaning – that is, gives a diagnosis.

Diagnosis means “identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon”.

When you diagnose someone as “depressed”, and they decide that *they* are the nature or cause of their depression – that is not so good. And not true.

Naming isn’t the same as diagnosis. Naming says the true nature of a thing. It says that depression is depression. That it is NOT you, it is NOT your nature – it is something separate and apart from your true nature. That is when naming is powerful – when it reflects something true and lets you know a thing.

Perhaps for catatonic kid, “speechlessness” is a true name for her depression, and thus powerful for her.

Perhaps not for you – not for me, I’ve often been quite eloquent about the mess in my brain. =)

I agree with your idea that it’s important to find our own names for things – to name our own truth and legitimize it.

Emma McCreary’s last blog post..meet gina

]]> By: isabella mori http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/comment-page-1/#comment-534326 isabella mori Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:44:35 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/#comment-534326 @suzanne, i really like the idea of stepping stones! @dan, you (and someone else here, too, i believe) use the word "labeling". it would be interesting to look into the nuances of difference between the idea of "labeling" and the idea of "naming". at first glance, i'd say that "labeling" can be a superficial act - think of the idea of "slapping a label on something". the notion of pigeonholing arises, as well. "naming", on the other hand, has a much more thoughtful ring to it. it is, perhaps, the end result of reflecting on the object to be named. the idea of naming a child comes up for me. is it just semantics? i'm not sure that depression is a choice. depression often has a biochemical /genetic aspect to it. to say that depression is a choice can be a bit like saying colour blindness is a choice. how to DEAL with depression, well, that's a different matter. @clinically clueless - i like the idea of getting very specific, and bringing up the use of metaphors. that's a tricky one. sometimes metaphors are the closest we can get to accurately describing a situation, and sometimes it can be a bit of a copout. what a challenge to figure out which is which! @suzanne, i really like the idea of stepping stones!

@dan, you (and someone else here, too, i believe) use the word “labeling”. it would be interesting to look into the nuances of difference between the idea of “labeling” and the idea of “naming”.

at first glance, i’d say that “labeling” can be a superficial act – think of the idea of “slapping a label on something”. the notion of pigeonholing arises, as well.

“naming”, on the other hand, has a much more thoughtful ring to it. it is, perhaps, the end result of reflecting on the object to be named. the idea of naming a child comes up for me.

is it just semantics?

i’m not sure that depression is a choice. depression often has a biochemical /genetic aspect to it. to say that depression is a choice can be a bit like saying colour blindness is a choice.

how to DEAL with depression, well, that’s a different matter.

@clinically clueless – i like the idea of getting very specific, and bringing up the use of metaphors. that’s a tricky one. sometimes metaphors are the closest we can get to accurately describing a situation, and sometimes it can be a bit of a copout. what a challenge to figure out which is which!

]]> By: ClinicallyClueless http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/comment-page-1/#comment-534243 ClinicallyClueless Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:30:33 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/#comment-534243 I follow CK's posts, so I know what you are referring to, but it dawns on me that depression is often spoken about in terms of metaphor which removes us from the actual feeling. The more specific I get with the feelings under my depression the less power depression has. When I'm vague and distant from it, it remain elusive. I also am finding out that much of my depression is a defense against those feeling which I do not want to own...sigh...and I thought being depressed was bad enough...the feelings and things I am defending against are worse!! One tiny step at a time. I follow CK’s posts, so I know what you are referring to, but it dawns on me that depression is often spoken about in terms of metaphor which removes us from the actual feeling. The more specific I get with the feelings under my depression the less power depression has. When I’m vague and distant from it, it remain elusive. I also am finding out that much of my depression is a defense against those feeling which I do not want to own…sigh…and I thought being depressed was bad enough…the feelings and things I am defending against are worse!! One tiny step at a time.

]]> By: dan | Stress Management Courses http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/comment-page-1/#comment-533216 dan | Stress Management Courses Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:27:39 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/#comment-533216 You know a couple of things occur to me - one is that when you give something or someone a label, often they begin to take on the characteristics of that label. I meet a whole heap of people who are labelled by someone else as depressed, who then choose to apply that label to themselves. Depression is a really serious problem and it's made increasingly worse by giving people that label, when in many cases this makes them worse. The second thing that occurs to me is that for many people, depression is their choice. Just as for other people happiness is their choice. When you truly understand this concept, you will find the power within you to make changes and become happy. You know a couple of things occur to me – one is that when you give something or someone a label, often they begin to take on the characteristics of that label. I meet a whole heap of people who are labelled by someone else as depressed, who then choose to apply that label to themselves.

Depression is a really serious problem and it’s made increasingly worse by giving people that label, when in many cases this makes them worse.

The second thing that occurs to me is that for many people, depression is their choice. Just as for other people happiness is their choice. When you truly understand this concept, you will find the power within you to make changes and become happy.

]]> By: suzanne koehler http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/comment-page-1/#comment-533009 suzanne koehler Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:10:59 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/#comment-533009 I wrote this as a girl, this may say it better. YOU SEE ME AS I SEE YOU SEE ME SEE YOU YOU SEE ME AS I SEE YOU SEE ME SEE YOU SEE ME AS I SEE YOU SEE ME YOU SEE ME AS I SEE YOU SEE YOU SEE ME AS I SEE YOU YOU SEE ME AS I SEE YOU SEE ME AS I YOU SEE ME YOU SEE YOU I wrote this as a girl, this may say it better.

YOU SEE ME AS I SEE YOU SEE ME SEE YOU
YOU SEE ME AS I SEE YOU SEE ME SEE
YOU SEE ME AS I SEE YOU SEE ME
YOU SEE ME AS I SEE YOU SEE
YOU SEE ME AS I SEE YOU
YOU SEE ME AS I SEE
YOU SEE ME AS I
YOU SEE ME
YOU SEE
YOU

]]> By: suzanne koehler http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/comment-page-1/#comment-532997 suzanne koehler Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:02:41 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/#comment-532997 These are incredible. In credit able. Words are difficult, and the change within without. They can be a paintbrush to paint a new hope, or a box to cling to, to help or to hinder. I like the comments here. Then there is faith, the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. The Bible says that they are powerful, and to chose wisely, to paraphrase, it is a choice. David commands his soul that is charges his thoughts and being to to have corage and strength etc. The Living Word. There is allot about words. We can stand on them or sink by them, and changing them for positive is professing the path. When you are depressed though, your being changes and it's context as well as wellbeing and there seems to be few words to round up to express what is going on and who you are and unclear. A chemical imballance, that we try to credit to verbs. Even depression can be an adjective or a noun and what you are going though, not who you are . It is as individualized as much the words to discribe it are diversified, and universal, like music and math, but the feelings to be expressed are often depressed too and not expressive of the self that is lost and needs to be found, nor those that watch like has been written so appropo by the others ...but it doesn't feel that way and when a kind , loving and sincere word comes your way, what a difference, huh!? When it comes finally from within, and with things like this, thanks to isabella, it's a word that can be expressed and heard. Compassion. Therapy. Expression. Did you ever feel so invisible in your depression that you not only didn't know you, but you felt like you were in the way, like you were standing infront of someone elses cue cards and in their way!? As I have said before, in another area, is the patch worked for me, and the depth that we can look at is which way to go from here, and not stay within it and find comfort in that over chosing to not talk about it to move on. So much to say! Use your words as stepping stones in direction. These are incredible. In credit able. Words are difficult, and the change within without.
They can be a paintbrush to paint a new hope, or a box to cling to, to help or to hinder. I like the comments here.
Then there is faith, the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. The Bible says that they are powerful, and to chose wisely, to paraphrase, it is a choice. David commands his soul that is charges his thoughts and being to to have corage and strength etc. The Living Word. There is allot about words. We can stand on them or sink by them, and changing them for positive is professing the path.

When you are depressed though, your being changes and it’s context as well as wellbeing and there seems to be few words to round up to express what is going on and who you are and unclear. A chemical imballance, that we try to credit to verbs. Even depression can be an adjective or a noun and what you are going though, not who you are . It is as individualized as much the words to discribe it are diversified, and universal, like music and math, but the feelings to be expressed are often depressed too and not expressive of the self that is lost and needs to be found, nor those that watch like has been written so appropo by the others …but it doesn’t feel that way and when a kind , loving and sincere word comes your way, what a difference, huh!? When it comes finally from within, and with things like this, thanks to isabella, it’s a word that can be expressed and heard. Compassion. Therapy. Expression. Did you ever feel so invisible in your depression that you not only didn’t know you, but you felt like you were in the way, like you were standing infront of someone elses cue cards and in their way!? As I have said before, in another area, is the patch worked for me, and the depth that we can look at is which way to go from here, and not stay within it and find comfort in that over chosing to not talk about it to move on.
So much to say! Use your words as stepping stones in direction.

]]> By: isabella mori http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/comment-page-1/#comment-530924 isabella mori Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:11:09 +0000 http://www.moritherapy.org/article/depression-and-the-power-of-language/#comment-530924 thanks for all the great comments so far! @joshua the challenge with thinking positive is that this seems to be a thinking pattern that is severely impaired during depression. in fact, thinking, period, is impaired. actually, this would be something to write about in a future post: how thinking and language interrelate, especially during depression. @sean i like how you describe the cycle of changing words and thoughts. at some point, action will come into the cycle, too, right? @kara hmmm ... you say something about being collaborative here that rings very true; for example, how can people with mental health issues help their health professionals become more collaborative? @marc i have had exactly the same experience. i used to be a master of sarcasm and just loved my wit. now i'm less witty and more kind :) @evan yes, something happens when we express our experiences. again, material for another blog post: what EXACTLY happens? thanks for all the great comments so far!

@joshua the challenge with thinking positive is that this seems to be a thinking pattern that is severely impaired during depression. in fact, thinking, period, is impaired. actually, this would be something to write about in a future post: how thinking and language interrelate, especially during depression.

@sean i like how you describe the cycle of changing words and thoughts. at some point, action will come into the cycle, too, right?

@kara hmmm … you say something about being collaborative here that rings very true; for example, how can people with mental health issues help their health professionals become more collaborative?

@marc i have had exactly the same experience. i used to be a master of sarcasm and just loved my wit. now i’m less witty and more kind :)

@evan yes, something happens when we express our experiences. again, material for another blog post: what EXACTLY happens?

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