Cure for general apathy - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

09/21/2005 06:38:38 PM · #1

I can't seem to care about anything lately. I haven't photographed anything in a couple weeks, my room is a hellhole, thank God I haven't really had any homework to do. Anyone know a cure for this little slump I happen to be in?

rox_rox

Canon EOS-20D

09/21/2005 06:46:21 PM · #2

Sounds like you are bored and/or depressed. I have experienced this a lot (especially when I was younger).

My suggestion is to introduce a new friend or activity into your life. You are (obviously) a good photographer; and when you are ready, you'll pick it up again. Don't try to force it.

P.S. Clean up that mess!

09/21/2005 06:48:40 PM · #3

I'm not depressed, just.... well, bored is a good word. I don't know, I just don't feel like doing anything.

Ivo

09/21/2005 06:48:45 PM · #4

Could be worse.

09/21/2005 06:48:47 PM · #5

1. Get outside...fresh air, some sunshine. A little bit each day. Maybe a little bit of exercise as well...helps release endorphins.

2. If it is worrisome and seems to have happened with no real event you can pinpoint, it's probably a mild depression that is very common and very normal. But just in case, I'd for sure talk to your doctor about it...tell him/her exactly what you've just told us.

3. Clean your room, even if you don't want to. Once it's clean you might feel a little bit better about it.

4. Take your camera with you on campus...photograph weird, boring, mundane, obscure things just for the heck of it...but do it all from some funky angle or upside down or from the ground up (challenge?) or something bizarre like that. You might be surprised at some of the cool stuff you get when you sit down at the computer to edit them. Sometimes it just takes a new perspective to shake things up a bit and spark some inspiration.

5. Talk to someone you trust about why you think you might be feeling down. Friends don't mind when you do that. ;)

6. Let us know how you're feeling. We may be complete strangers and on opposite ends of the planet, but we still care. :)

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

09/21/2005 06:49:44 PM · #6

Sounds more like depression to me - people are generally a little mislead about what is what. My most effective approach is to set yourself the target of doing nothing at all - I mean nothing: no TV, no radio, no reading, no music, just sit somewhere and do nothing. Within a very short time you'll find that even more intensely dull and all the other chores you have to do will be more appealling.

The secret is, that doing nothing whatsoever is actually very very difficult.

e

rox_rox

Canon EOS-20D

09/21/2005 06:51:05 PM · #7

Originally posted by e301:

This is great advice. I was just thinking to suggest the same thing! It has worked for me.

09/21/2005 06:52:36 PM · #8

Depression (clinically) does not mean that you feel down, sad, upset, whatever the standard misunderstanding is. It means that you are listless, can't be bothered, put things off, ignore phone calls, invitations and so on, generally refuse to participate in things.

Not to be confused with being sad, or being self-sufficient - which people also don't require the company of others to be happy/effective.

E

Message edited by author 2005-09-21 18:53:53.

09/21/2005 06:55:47 PM · #9

From //www.depression.com (the same symptoms are listed on countless other sites and in a plethora of textbooks):

Major depressive disorder, commonly referred to as "depression," can severely disrupt your life, affecting your appetite, sleep, work, and relationships.

The symptoms that help a doctor identify depression include:

* constant feelings of sadness, irritability, or tension
* decreased interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies
* loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack of activity
* a change in appetite, with significant weight loss or weight gain
* a change in sleeping patterns, such as difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
* restlessness or feeling slowed down
* decreased ability to make decisions or concentrate
* feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
* thoughts of suicide or death

If you are experiencing any or several of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about whether you are suffering from depression.

edit: in no way am I saying this is what YOU are experiencing, just trying to clarify the symptoms of depression.

Message edited by author 2005-09-21 18:57:08.

Ivo

09/21/2005 06:56:56 PM · #10

I'd suggest you talk to your parents and/or family if possible. This is no place for virtual psychology. Try them out, you might be surprised how willing they are to help.

Message edited by author 2005-09-21 18:57:59.

09/21/2005 07:00:39 PM · #11

Not to do your advice down, Laurie - but I think one should be everso careful about taking problems with depression to a doctor: they're apt to prescribe drugs to treat it, and I think that should be a last resort. It's a reaction borne out of a complete lack of understanding of the brain, and a habit of mind that believes there's an absolute fix for every problem, rather than a belief that one might be entering an eternal maze of contradictions.

e

09/21/2005 07:00:54 PM · #12

Umm.... I appreciate all your concern, but I don't have what is being described. I still do things, I enjoy music, I work out and stuff, I just can't seem to care about those few tings I listed. Although, I have started actually considering cleaning up, just because you told me to... oh yeah, and it's kinda gross in here.

09/21/2005 07:01:59 PM · #13

oh yeah, and i dont do medication unless i have a bad cold or something, no brain drugs are ever going in this young man

09/21/2005 07:02:13 PM · #14

So now you're contradicting yourself.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

09/21/2005 07:04:15 PM · #15

maybe im contradicting myself, maybe im trying to talk myself out of feeling... well, nothing. let me go right on ahead. maybe all i needed to do was talk about it.

rox_rox

Canon EOS-20D

09/21/2005 07:06:26 PM · #16

I'm starting a new thread inspired by this one. Keep an eye out for it.

09/21/2005 07:08:24 PM · #17

Originally posted by e301:

Not all doctors prescribe medications for depression... it is a highly individual and treatable illness. Most don't want that kind of liability anyway. Many will have their patients try exercise or meditation or relaxation therapy, or refer them to counselors or therapists for ways to talk through their problems, or a psychologist or psychiatrist if they feel it's medically necessary. I've been a counselor for 7 years and have yet to meet a doctor that prescribes medicine arbitrarily and without trying other interventions first. Perhaps it's just different here, but all throughout my education, I was told that checking with your doctor is important to be sure there are no underlying health problems that could exacerbate the problem or cause it entirely to begin with.

Ivo

09/21/2005 07:09:49 PM · #18

Originally posted by greatandsmall:

I'm starting a new thread inspired by this one. Keep an eye out for it.

Why?? Are there not better things to enjoy on a recreational site and how can someone counsel someone else unless they really know them? I sometimes question of sense of self-importance on this site.

Just my opinion. Any advice? ;-)

Message edited by author 2005-09-21 19:10:54.

09/21/2005 07:11:28 PM · #19

yeah, i really just wanted someone to tell me to stop being a yutz and do something, not turn this into Dr. Phil. I think laurielblack's first post here was the best advice. i think im gonna clean my room now

Message edited by author 2005-09-21 19:12:52.

09/21/2005 07:11:49 PM · #20

Originally posted by weska54:

yeah, i really just wanted someone to tell me to stop being a yutz and do something, not turn this into Dr. Phil

Stop being a yutz and do something!

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

09/21/2005 07:13:24 PM · #21

Originally posted by laurielblack:

Stop being a yutz and do something!

thanks!

wavelength

Nikon D300

09/21/2005 07:15:36 PM · #22

I've felt like that for half of my life. Half the time I feel like that, half the time I don't. :)

peterish

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

09/21/2005 07:16:54 PM · #23

I'm going through the same thing. I find insanely unorthodox activities to be an effective short term remedy: Binge drinking, Riding my bike donwhill super fast, Stealing, Vandalism, etc. I make sure I do something psychotic every week. I don't know why, but this chases the 'depression' away for a few days or so each time. But in general I'd say the problem isn't solved.

09/21/2005 07:18:55 PM · #24

Originally posted by peterish:

I hope you at least wear a helmet on that bike. ;)