Bressie now the voice of mental health in Ireland?

bridgettedon · 25-01-2016 07:03PM

the_barfly1 wrote: »

This celebrity bandwagoning of mental health issues is creating a climate in which doctors are afraid to NOT prescribe anti depressants to people who do not need them. FFS there's something like 10% of the population on them!!!!

Yer man Bressie had/has (did he have at all?) a few anxiety attacks and calls it depression. F*uck off. And now he's making a living from making teenage girls think that they too are depressed. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a few kickbacks from the pharma companies in there too.

People really need to cop on and learn the realities of depression.

Grieving a broken relationship is NOT depression.
Feeling down about being unemployed is NOT depression.
Not being able to afford the latest poxy iphone and feeling sh1t about that is NOT depression.
Anything that causes negative feelings that you have the power to change is NOT depression.
Yet these are the reasons that people claim to be depressed.
When I was younger it was called feeling blue, and it passes.

A quick google will show anybody who's interested that over two thirds of the people currently on anti-depressant medication are NOT depressed. (p*ss off and google it for yourself, i'm not here to aggregate links)

REAL clinical depression is beyond the comprehension of 99% of the population, and rightly so. That 1% are the ones that need real help.

The world is gone nuts about depression. Everybody is depressed, but hardly anybody is. The sad thing is that the "hardly anyone" that are, are having the services that should be there to help them diluted massively by the ones that "think" they are.

I await the attacks of the boards.ie Social Justice Warriors. Do I care? No.

There is a difference between feeling blue and having depression. It is not up to you to decide how an event may affect one person. Some people are more prone to mental health issues due to genetics and their environment. There is a scale of depression just like there are different stages of cancer. There is mild depression and severe depression. I know what severe depression is. It is really debilitating. However this illness didn't begin as severe. It started as mild and progressively got worse and worse. If I had seeked help years ago then things would never have gotten so bad. I was told by my parents it was just feeling blue and that everyone goes through tough times. If I could turn back time I wish I had gone to the doctor back when I was a teenager.

The Bishop Basher · 25-01-2016 07:16PM

bridgettedon wrote: »

I was told by my parents it was just feeling blue and that everyone goes through tough times. If I could turn back time I wish I had gone to the doctor back when I was a teenager.

A good friend of mine was told only yesterday to clean her house as that would sort her depression.

As long as people think like that, we'll continue to need people like Bressie, leveraging their position in the public eye, to highlight the need for more openness and better education in this area.

The work he's doing in schools, introducing kids to simple mindfulness techniques is years ahead of it's time. If adopted as main stream education it would save countless lives not to mention massive savings in health expenditure.

But these things are always initially mocked by the masses.

Irelandcool · 25-01-2016 07:32PM

Um just saying have mental health illness is normal. I mean while you may not be hit by depression at the moment you are most definate will encounter a family member or friend with it at some stage of your life. I mean its like cancer people think it is not normal but yet everyone will be affected by it be it a friend, family or even yourself gets diagnosed with it. It is ignorant to think that this is not the case. I mean in a small rural town like I live things like mental health issues are a lot more common then you think.

suicide_circus · 25-01-2016 07:35PM

^^^^people who think like that are not going to be convinced by bressie or any other Z list celebrity.

the_barfly1 · 25-01-2016 07:35PM

bridgettedon wrote: »

There is a difference between feeling blue and having depression.

I agree.

The Bishop Basher · 25-01-2016 07:38PM

suicide_circus wrote: »

^^^^people who think like that are not going to be convinced by bressie or any other Z list celebrity.

We're talking about it right now because of Bressie.

Whether you like him or not is irrelevant. He's making bigger difference then you are.

bridgettedon · 25-01-2016 07:42PM

the_barfly1 wrote: »

I mean no disrespect, but I think you're missing the point(in relation to my position, at least).

It's clear that you've had genuine problems, but this celebrity depression culture is doing more harm than good in my opinion, and is leaving people too afraid to administer a bit of tough love where necessary. This is in turn leading to the mass medication of a lot of people who would benefit much more from a bit of that tough love. I don't think that anybody would argue that sometimes a good kick up the arse is the best medicine. This one-size-fits-all approach to mental health is the medical equivalent of mollycoddling. There is no balance.

What you describe DOES sound like a genuine case - so why should mental health services be clogged up with people who do not need them, resulting in genuine cases having fewer resources available to them?

And yes it is true that I don't know what it feels like to experience the kind of depression you speak of, and I'm glad - but I know both people that are in similar situations, as well as (plenty) more that are just a drain on services.

THAT is the crux of the issue as far as I am concerned.

I wish you well in your continued recovery, even though we most likely disagree on many things - but hey - ain't that the beauty of the human race, individual viewpoints!

PS-I still think Bressie is a disingenuous, money-hungry cretin profiting from peoples mental health issues though. I'll never change my position on that! :pac: There are so many non profits around doing great (real) work that should be promoted instead of that guy.

I think you are overestimating how many people with mental health issues are being referred to the mental health services in this country. From my limited experience you need to have a serious mental health issue to be referred. And within these services I have gotten some tough love. It's not all patting you on the back saying you are doing a good job.

eviltwin · 25-01-2016 07:42PM

Swanner wrote: »

A good friend of mine was told only yesterday to clean her house as that would sort her depression.

As long as people think like that, we'll continue to need people like Bressie, leveraging their position in the public eye, to highlight the need for more openness and better education in this area.

The work he's doing in schools, introducing kids to simple mindfulness techniques is years ahead of it's time. If adopted as main stream education it would save countless lives not to mention massive savings in health expenditure.

But these things are always initially mocked by the masses.

Awful advice but on the other hand you have medical professionals who think anti depressants are the answer to everything, something I've recent experience of.

I don't have a problem with Bressie making this a conversation point, it's still needed but I doubt his sincerity and that doesn't make me want to listen to him. What's he actually doing that is proactive that other well known sufferers aren't?

On a personal level I've experienced the lack of interest Bressie has in talking to anxiety support groups and maybe that colours my view of him.

ponzook · 25-01-2016 07:50PM

the_barfly1 wrote: »

REAL clinical depression is beyond the comprehension of 99% of the population, and rightly so. That 1% are the ones that need real help.

The world is gone nuts about depression. Everybody is depressed, but hardly anybody is. The sad thing is that the "hardly anyone" that are, are having the services to hat should be there to help them diluted massively by the ones that "think" they are.

I await the attacks of the boards.ie Social Justice Warriors. Do I care? No.

And this is stigma on why suicide rates are through the roof in Irelandl particularly with young men. Coming from a family member I know who has depression and another friend I had killed himself . Where are you getting these facts of 1%? Depression is the same as having HIV or Diabetes and its better to be caught early than waiting two years until your bed ridden and contemplating your own life.

A person in work who you wouldn't think has depression, a sports star, your neighbor or a family member could have it. some have it much worse than others and can still function but are miserable and can act okay in social situations but on the inside they feel absolutely horrible with anxiety and depression. Should these people not get some help before they get any worse? You sound like the old wives tail "Ah his nerves are at him"

What happens with depression?

1) Everything you once enjoyed doing seems pointless to you. You might have enjoyed watching movies, playing computer games but now all these do is bore you.
2) You don't feel happy, you don't feel sad, you don't feel excited like you once did about events coming up. All you feel is numbness, hopelessness and self-loathing and irritability.
3) You feel tired and have brain fog all the time.
4) You live life in a dream like state and are exhausted all the time.

Like I said earlier your work collegue, best friend could have all these symptons of this horrific disease but can function in social situations but will gradually get worse and worse until they start contemplating their own life or start just staying in bed all day, quit their job etc. They have moderate signs of depression and in three years down the line it peaks and they are in a horrible state. Idiots like you really bug me and learn the facts before you spout utter rubbish. Its a disease like any other and utterly horrible to see people go through it.

The Bishop Basher · 25-01-2016 07:53PM

Agreed on the docs. They'll help you treat the symptoms but very few, in my experience, will ever look to treat the cause.

And obviously you're entitled to your personal view on Bressie as is everyone. But whatever you think of him. At least he's actually doing something at a time when mental health issues are on the increase and mental health services are on the decline.

Teaching mindfulness in schools is a no brainer. It should be taught from infants up in an age appropriate way obviously. Bressie is introducing it into schools and while the benefits may not be noticeable for a number of years, there will undoubtedly be significant benefits both for the individuals and the rest of society.

25-01-2016 07:55PM

He seems a bit...unclear.

He has stated in the past that he doesn't have depression, but anxiety issues. But now he talks about his battles with depression????

http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/the-fear-factor-228486.html

the_barfly1 · 25-01-2016 08:02PM

ponzook wrote: »

Idiots like you really bug me and learn the facts before you spout utter rubbish.

I'm not bothered. I have my viewpoint and you have yours but there is absolutely no need for personal insults as it just weakens your position.
I've gathered my viewpoint over many years of living life, and experiencing colleagues, family and friends with issues similar to those already mentioned. Just because my views differ from yours does not make them wrong.

Gbear · 25-01-2016 08:06PM

ponzook wrote: »

And this is stigma on why suicide rates are through the roof in Irelandl particularly with young men.

There's less stigma about mental health issues than there has ever been, but things only seem to be getting worse.

Wells Melted Ufo wrote: »

Sorry, but you are wrong here, and that mentality is what makes it worse.

It's not hard to believe that with more people comes more problems, such as mental health issues. Live is too stressful for a lot of people.

I think it's the opposite.

I think life has become far too easy.

Idle hands are the devil's playthings and all that.

I grew up never knowing any kind of struggle or difficulty. I basically had total comfort and was always handed everything.

Obviously, part of the problem is down to immutable elements of my personality, but if you never have to extend yourself or challenge yourself, it's hardly any wonder you shrink away from challenges when they're presented to you later.

Given that it seems to be disproportionately effecting men, I'd say it's about the in-built way through which men derive self-worth - dealing with adversity - and that hunger isn't being satisfied by modern society.
We can just coast along.

suicide_circus · 25-01-2016 08:09PM

Swanner wrote: »

We're talking about it right now because of Bressie.

Whether you like him or not is irrelevant. He's making bigger difference then you are.

Calm your udders there, did you even read what I said?

Richard Hillman · 25-01-2016 08:10PM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

He seems a bit...unclear.

He has stated in the past that he doesn't have depression, but anxiety issues. But now he talks about his battles with depression????

http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/the-fear-factor-228486.html

It is quite strange. He was only diagnosed or realised that he had anxiety issues a couple of years ago. Since that incident a couple of years he has been coming out with loads of new stories about his anxiety as a kid.

the_barfly1 · 25-01-2016 08:13PM

Gbear wrote: »

There's less stigma about mental health issues than there has ever been, but things only seem to be getting worse.

I think it's the opposite.

I think life has become far too easy.

Idle hands are the devil's playthings and all that.

I grew up never knowing any kind of struggle or difficulty. I basically had total comfort and was always handed everything.

Obviously, part of the problem is down to immutable elements of my personality, but if you never have to extend yourself or challenge yourself, it's hardly any wonder you shrink away from challenges when they're presented to you later.

Given that it seems to be disproportionately effecting men, I'd say it's about the in-built way through which men derive self-worth - dealing with adversity - and that hunger isn't being satisfied by modern society.
We can just coast along.

I like your point of view, great points!
Downtime is a absolute f*cking drag and no doubt contributes to making people feel useless, that's why people should be talking about Men's Sheds and not Niall f*cking Breslin.

More importantly - 500 posts! (in 12.5 years, i'm proud of that)

ponzook · 25-01-2016 08:21PM

the_barfly1 wrote: »

I'm not bothered. I have my viewpoint and you have yours but there is absolutely no need for personal insults as it just weakens your position.
I've gathered my viewpoint over many years of living life, and experiencing colleagues, family and friends with issues similar to those already mentioned. Just because my views differ from yours does not make them wrong.

I agree with the viewpoint of people thinking they have it for some of the reasons they mentioned and feel bad for a week or two and think they have it.

Didn't mean to insult, just a subject close to my heart for previous reasons I mentioned. Theres 600 suicides in Ireland on average in every year. And a lot more people who depressed who are depressed and will get worse and worse without help. A lot of people with depression as well will never get suicidal but will learn to mange the symptoms whether on their own or help from their doctor or psychiatrist but people should really seek home to make themselves feel better and enjoy the things again that they once enjoyed doing.

25-01-2016 08:21PM

Richard Hillman wrote: »

It is quite strange. He was only diagnosed or realised that he had anxiety issues a couple of years ago. Since that incident a couple of years he has been coming out with loads of new stories about his anxiety as a kid.

Maybe it's part of the process. But not sure he's ever been tackled as to why he remembered his depression and even wrote a book about it after initially saying that he did not have it.

It could lead to skepticism...

yabadabado · 25-01-2016 08:22PM

fair ****s to him.Charging 3k a go to talk about himself.The man is a genius.

the_barfly1 · 25-01-2016 08:39PM

ponzook wrote: »

I agree with the viewpoint of people thinking they have it for some of the reasons they mentioned and feel bad for a week or two and think they have it.

Didn't mean to insult, just a subject close to my heart for previous reasons I mentioned. Theres 600 suicides in Ireland on average in every year. And a lot more people who depressed who are depressed and will get worse and worse without help. A lot of people with depression as well will never get suicidal but will learn to mange the symptoms whether on their own or help from their doctor or psychiatrist but people should really seek home to make themselves feel better and enjoy the things again that they once enjoyed doing.

Issue close to my heart too, hence why I'm bothered engaging in this thread.
The SJW crowd, including Bressie have in my opinion made it worse, for reasons I've already mentioned.

Deleted User wrote: »

Maybe it's part of the process. But not sure he's ever been tackled as to why he remembered his depression and even wrote a book about it after initially saying that he did not have it.

It could lead to skepticism...

I'd love to hear an interviewer pull him up on it. Anxiety is not Depression, heck, I've a good mate with awful anxiety so know what it's all about, it's not all the doom and gloom that chap says it is, of course it can be sh1tty from time to time, but it's not the constant struggle he makes it out to be. (how could he function if that were the case) but heck, that doesn't sell books and corporate events, does it.

The Bishop Basher · 25-01-2016 08:40PM

suicide_circus wrote: »

Calm your udders there, did you even read what I said?

Apologies. I missread your post. My bad.

Just seems to be a lot of people with all the answers, doing absolutely nothing while knocking those who are.

etoughguy · 25-01-2016 08:43PM

I'm a huge fan of Dressie, I admire all her work

The Bishop Basher · 25-01-2016 08:50PM

the_barfly1 wrote: »

I've a good mate with awful anxiety so know what it's all about, it's not all the doom and gloom that chap says it is, of course it can be sh1tty from time to time, but it's not the constant struggle he makes it out to be. (how could he function if that were the case) but heck, that doesn't sell books and corporate events, does it.

With respect barfly1, having a mate with anxiety may have helped you understand what his experience of it might be. But the rest of your post indicates that you have no idea what anxiety can be like for some people and to suggest that its not a constant struggle is simply incorrect. It might not be for your friend but for many others it relentless.

Sound Bite · 25-01-2016 09:11PM

Regardless of opinions on Bressie, surely it is a positive thing that someone like him is talking about mental issues.

Having a guy, who appears to have it all, goodlooking, friends, sporting ability, musically talented, and an attractive girlfriend, come out and talk about his experience helps young men realise that anyone can suffer from depression, surely that's a good think.

I agree that medication tends to be the first form of treatment is not helping things....but depression and anxiety are very real struggles for some people. Several male friends have spoken to me about their own struggles....men seem to find it difficult to their male friends about mental health for some reason.

eviltwin · 25-01-2016 09:15PM

Swanner wrote: »

Apologies. I missread your post. My bad.

Just seems to be a lot of people with all the answers, doing absolutely nothing while knocking those who are.

With all due respect you don't know what any of us are doing to raise awareness or help with mental health issues. Having Bressies profile might get you on the radio or an audience with TDs but he's no more an expert than anyone who has or has had depression and anxiety.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 25-01-2016 09:18PM

smash wrote: »

Do you think it's ok to diagnose someone with depression because they're upset about the fact that they weren't granted a mortgage for the house they wanted?

I think it's ok for a qualified doctor to diagnose somebody with depression.

smash wrote: »

How about "hey you with the false depression diagnosis - would you mind shutting up and stop making a mockery of a mental illness just so you can gain social networking points?"

Possibly an incorrect diagnosis, but a false diagnosis? Sounds like you are describing somebody who is seeking attention. Ignore them, defriend them, whatever, but you have absolutely no right to question the diagnosis of a doctor and play it down. Who do you think you are exactly?

smash wrote: »

We're rapidly heading in that direction.

Are we? Mind pointing out the evidence or is this just some sabre rattling nonsensical tripe you are using to "strengten" your feeble argument?

smash wrote: »

Identifying bullshít

Oh dear... :rolleyes:

Gbear wrote: »

I think it's the opposite.

I think life has become far too easy.

Maybe for you it's far too easy, but how can you possibly take that one example and imply that life is too easy for millions of people?

What exactly is too easy?

PressRun · 25-01-2016 09:22PM

the_barfly1 wrote: »

This celebrity bandwagoning of mental health issues is creating a climate in which doctors are afraid to NOT prescribe anti depressants to people who do not need them. FFS there's something like 10% of the population on them!!!!

Yer man Bressie had/has (did he have at all?) a few anxiety attacks and calls it depression. F*uck off. And now he's making a living from making teenage girls think that they too are depressed. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a few kickbacks from the pharma companies in there too.

People really need to cop on and learn the realities of depression.

Grieving a broken relationship is NOT depression.
Feeling down about being unemployed is NOT depression.
Not being able to afford the latest poxy iphone and feeling sh1t about that is NOT depression.
Anything that causes negative feelings that you have the power to change is NOT depression.
Yet these are the reasons that people claim to be depressed.
When I was younger it was called feeling blue, and it passes.

A quick google will show anybody who's interested that over two thirds of the people currently on anti-depressant medication are NOT depressed. (p*ss off and google it for yourself, i'm not here to aggregate links)

REAL clinical depression is beyond the comprehension of 99% of the population, and rightly so. That 1% are the ones that need real help.

The world is gone nuts about depression. Everybody is depressed, but hardly anybody is. The sad thing is that the "hardly anyone" that are, are having the services that should be there to help them diluted massively by the ones that "think" they are.

I await the attacks of the boards.ie Social Justice Warriors. Do I care? No.

I 100% agree with this. It's great that mental health is being talked about a lot more, but I still think there's some misunderstanding about what actually constitutes clinical depression. I think some people feel like happiness is the default emotion and if they don't feel content about everything that's happening in their lives, then there must be something wrong, which just isn't the case. Sadness is a perfectly normal emotion that everyone experiences. Everyone is going to experience at least one major event in their lives that creates emotional upheaval and leaves them feeling quite low for a period of time. But because we seem to be fed this idea that experiencing a period of unhappiness at certain moments in life is 'abnormal', people start thinking there's something wrong with them, which leads to misdiagnoses and people taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds that they don't need. I think there's also an element of mollycoddling going on too, where people feel as though every problem they have deserves to be blown up and turned into a big 'issue', leading to the depression label being bandied about way too much.

Clinical depression is an illness. And for many it's a life-long illness that needs monitoring and psychiatric treatment, and in some cases it takes lives. It shouldn't be viewed as something that 'everyone experiences', because they don't. There are certain things in life that are difficult to deal with and which may leave someone feeling overwhelmed or upset for a period of time. This isn't the same as having a mental illness. Obviously mental illness can be triggered or exacerbated by life circumstances, but there needs to be some distinction made between people who are simply experiencing a normal emotional reaction to difficult situations in their lives and people who are actually unwell and need psychiatric treatment.

The Bishop Basher · 25-01-2016 09:26PM

eviltwin wrote: »

With all due respect you don't know what any of us are doing to raise awareness or help with mental health issues. Having Bressies profile might get you on the radio or an audience with TDs but he's no more an expert than anyone who has or has had depression and anxiety.

True but I would assume that if anyone has that level of involvement and exposure they would mention it given the topic being discussed.

And I've no problem agreeing that he's no expert but he doesn't claim to be one. His goal is to raise awareness so people feel comfortable asking for help. It's not the only solution but it's one of them and it's working.

smash · 25-01-2016 09:53PM

Wells Melted Ufo wrote: »

I think it's ok for a qualified doctor to diagnose somebody with depression.

Possibly an incorrect diagnosis, but a false diagnosis? Sounds like you are describing somebody who is seeking attention. Ignore them, defriend them, whatever, but you have absolutely no right to question the diagnosis of a doctor and play it down. Who do you think you are exactly?

I have every right to question the diagnosis of a doctor and if more people did it then perhaps it would not be over diagnosed and actual cases would not be trivialised.

I know people who have suffered from depression from root causes leading back to events in their youth that you wouldn't wish on your worse enemy. I know people who've committed suicide and people who have had parents who have committed suicide. I know people who have actually suffered and the barrage of fukwits who've come out of the wood work over the last few years claiming to have something that they don't have makes me sick to my stomach.

Wells Melted Ufo wrote: »

Are we? Mind pointing out the evidence or is this just some sabre rattling nonsensical tripe you are using to "strengten" your feeble argument?

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/charting-the-depths/201305/depression-over-diagnosed

There's a million other articles if you bothered to google it.

eviltwin · 25-01-2016 10:01PM

Swanner wrote: »

True but I would assume that if anyone has that level of involvement and exposure they would mention it given the topic being discussed.

And I've no problem agreeing that he's no expert but he doesn't claim to be one. His goal is to raise awareness so people feel comfortable asking for help. It's not the only solution but it's one of them and it's working.

I doubt anyone here would get anywhere near that level of exposure without his level of profile. I personally think he's being disingenuous. It's always great to get mental health issues discussed though.

Bressie now the voice of mental health in Ireland?

Comments