http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyzueBjNG6I

This is Professor Eli Somer, a pioneering MDD researcher. Talking about the history of the research into the disorder. About its symptoms and effects. A little about treatment. Most importantly for me, validating that this isn't "just a stupid thing I could stop at any time." That it can have a serious impact and it is worthy of psych time and intervention.

I still don't think I can ever turn up at my GP. With a printout of the Wikipedia page in hand. And say "Look, this TOTALLY describes me. Please help." But things have moved so far in the ten years since I started combing the internet to see if other people were weird in the same way as me. That perhaps getting some real help isn't so very far off after all.

Is it true that MDD, is a symptom of AvPD?

I think it can be associated with various problems. AvPD does makes sense, yes. As did SPD when I first read about it.

Prof. Somer found out about MD while working with abuse survivors. And so he thought for a while that it was directly associated with abuse. But I [and many other MDers] have never been abused. So it's more general than that.

I also wonder about links with OCD. And dissociative disorders. The mailing list I'm on includes some people identifying with each of those. [And finding help through being treated for them.]

But I suppose it becomes like anxiety or delusions. Can be associated with a range of disorders. Which perhaps is why no one treatment or source of help fits everyone.

[quote="Ada"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyzueBjNG6I

This is Professor Eli Somer, a pioneering MDD researcher. Talking about the history of the research into the disorder. About its symptoms and effects. A little about treatment. Most importantly for me, validating that this isn't "just a stupid thing I could stop at any time." That it can have a serious impact and it is worthy of psych time and intervention.

Ada,
I was fascinated by Professor Somer's video. Thanks for sharing it. I don't think I am a sufferer, but I do need to think about it and do some research.

Thanks again,

Don

I have PTSD and Major Depression. My Psychiatrist also said a seperate anxiety disorder. I have been depressed and anxious since 1968. I have a very active imagination. I can visualize in my mind the stories I put into play every day. I often talk aloud to the characters I'm thinking about. I know there just thoughts but very intense. I often write this way. I call it free writing. It eases the stress in situations that I visualize in my mind. After my Near Death Experience, I found that I could no longer read comfortably line by line but very comfortably scanning paragraphs. It's very strange. I'm not quite use to it. I will check this out Ada. Thank you for all you do, especially your noble calling as a moderator. You would be a very good novelist in my humble opinion. Sincerely, Jonathan

Someone give that poor man a Ricola.... !

Interesting video. I've read some of your blog before and am fascinated by you and your excessive daydreaming. I... Wonder if I am, or have been, a maladaptive daydreamer. Young Snaga was often in his own world! Almost regrettably, with age, and perhaps internet addiction, and the demands of a LTR, the time spent on daydreaming had decreased. Although sometimes I do it unbidden, such as at work, usually replaying favorite bits over and over with no ability to stop and bring my full attention to reality. It can be quite maddening.
Alas, it seems my ability to intentionally spend hours on elaborate scenarios, which up until sometime in my late 30s I would reserve time for, has sharply declined, although I still do snippets. I almost worry it signifies age related reduction in cognitive ability. I dunno. OTOH while reserving so much time for a fantasy is troubling on the face of it, with each passing year my attention span seems to lessen a tiny bit, the vividness grows less vivid, and I feel almost as if... slowly losing my imagination. Which has always been dear to me.