THE CURSE OF MANIC DEPRESSION

Posted:  18 Jun 14


INTRODUCTION AND WEB-LINK

The following gem of a 6-minute video is from the brilliant mind of the prolific and famous British philosopher and comedian, Stephen Fry, who is a sufferer of this crippling condition of "manic depression."

What insights this video adds for understanding, a bit more, what fellow humans might be going through -- so that we might be more helpful and never harmful to them -- just the way things are supposed to be in this life!

His insights seem to always aid my growth and maturation -- and I am grateful for that -- and for all the other advantages gained from exploring what he has to say -- on so many relevant things.  (To me, YouTube is like -- an incredibly well-stocked and completely free toy store -- full of treasures -- and completely open and welcoming -- to all seekers of more and more of the world's riches -- material and otherwise.)

Here's the video which so impressed and informed me:  Stephen Fry on Manic Depression

For the sake of thoroughness

Here's the Wikipedia article on "Bipolar Disorder."

Here's a Google search on "Bipolar Disorder."

A TASTE OF WHAT I GOT OUT OF IT

What an insight! 

Including the startling suggestion that "the mood [of the manic-depressive state] is very much like your own personal weather." WOW!

The Setting

1.  He said this in the context of describing his own struggles with manic depression.

2.  Just as when you try to change the external weather -- and surely fail -- you have no control over the incredibly painful thing that unpredictably descends over your mind -- [A HURRICANE?] -- on its own -- whenever it "wishes" -- despite your burning desire that it stay away and leave you alone.

• A thing which, some of the time, makes you prefer death to enduring the excruciating pain for another second.
• And, at other times, makes you feel supremely energized, motivated, and capable of doing the most grandiose of things -- all at the same time.  
• Back and forth -- wearing out the human spirit.  [What a tragic curse and misery (sigh!)].

2.  He relates that these mood-swings are usually and stubbornly out of control -- to the discomfort and confusion and even danger -- for everyone else -- and, of course, the poor afflicted sufferer.

Moral of the Story (for me, at least)

1.  This further confirms the wisdom of the injunction, "judge not, lest ye be judged."  (And, perhaps, "There, but for the grace of God, go I.")

2.  One never knows exactly what anyone else is experiencing behind the scenes.  And careless, uninformed condemnation is ALWAYS an injustice.

3.  The unique "cross" any given soul MUST bear -- may be much heavier -- than others ever imagined -- based on the available information -- which is always imperfect and approximate, at best -- and more than likely to be totally inadequate for fair and just casual appraisals and decisions.


David Nelson


All Original Content © 2014, The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement. When you can, I'd be grateful to learn how you might have found this to be useful.