College Advice?

[Forlorn Drifter]

To add on to what AQ said, despite what everyone says, there's still a large stigma about any mental illness. Different types have different levels of stigma, but if you say, "oh yeah, I have clinical depression and I'm on medication for it", people don't want to be around you. If they do, you tend to have an established relationship already, they want to "fix" you, or you find a truly compassionate person. The last seems to be on the low end of encounters from what I've seen.

@Luke
I don't think I could ever pull stand up because of the type of humor I have. I don't think it would work well enough for a mixed audience.

[AppleQueso]

On the flipside though, it's none of their business what medication you need to take or why.

[jp1]

To add on to what AQ said, despite what everyone says, there's still a large stigma about any mental illness. Different types have different levels of stigma, but if you say, "oh yeah, I have clinical depression and I'm on medication for it", people don't want to be around you. If they do, you tend to have an established relationship already, they want to "fix" you, or you find a truly compassionate person. The last seems to be on the low end of encounters from what I've seen.

On the other hand if you have clinical depression and you refuse to take medication for it, people find you charming.

Like AQ said, it isn't something one needs to advertise anyway.

[Forlorn Drifter]

No, it isn't. But then people might accuse you of hiding it. Its a circular problem.

[AppleQueso]

No, it isn't. But then people might accuse you of hiding it. Its a circular problem.

and then those people can fuck themselves

[MrPopo]

At some point I feel like this discussion is going to devolve into recreating the text of "If you give a mouse a cookie".

[Sarge]

First off, a huge disclaimer: I've never had depression.

I have, however, had a loved one go through it. And I learned a lot about it during that time. I can certainly understand your consternation about taking a drug that affects your brain chemistry. In people that don't actually need it, those drugs can cause all sorts of issues. But if a person does need it, if there is a legitimate problem with the brain chemistry, then those drugs can do absolute wonders... after a while. It took a significant period of time with this individual before the right combination was found, but they are now operating nearly where they were before all the problems started.

I also completely get why you'd worry about the stigma of it. I've run across too many people that don't understand mental illness at all, running everything from the gamut of "they just need to pick themselves up" to "depression is a form of demonic oppression". Obviously, none of that is at all helpful. But I also see that, as time goes on, there is less and less a stigma as people are educated as to what is actually going on. It's no different from any other sort of imbalance or injury, and if the means is there to treat it, by all means, do so. Just make sure you don't get a quack of a doctor, or if you feel drugs aren't the answer, visit a good therapist. Definitely do due diligence, but at the same time, don't dismiss it.

And if people think you have a problem, they're going to think it regardless of whether or not you tell them, so they can just keep it to themselves. Or more bluntly, I agree with AppleQueso's sentiment. Who cares what they think? Do what's right for you.

If I've gotten any of this wrong, or given terrible advice, then please, please, those of you who actually have dealt with depression, correct me.

[Luke]

@Luke
I don't think I could ever pull stand up because of the type of humor I have. I don't think it would work well enough for a mixed audience.

With that type of "I don't think" attitude, you are right.

But the "I don't care what YOU think, here is what I have to say" attitude has turned slum into stars.

Louis CK, who may be a poster child for white dudes, frequently uses the word Nigger as if he was calling someone "dude". That's what is so awesome about comedy, as you get a pass to say whatever you want.

Plus finding your audience takes years upon years. Making a few people laugh your first few rounds is enough to make it worth while. As I'm not saying you should pursue this as a career, but rather something to lighten the mood, have some fun, meet great people, and get a jolt out of life.

And if you do bomb, guess what? You did something that 90% + of people don't have the fortitude to do. Saying "I did stand up at blah blah" is something you can carry around for life and impress people with.

Do it. I'll help you with punching jokes, maintaining on stage, and getting an audience in your corner. You've got nothing to lose.