Comments on: The Dark Side http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:45:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: wudnesh http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70963 wudnesh Sat, 25 Aug 2007 16:41:54 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70963 M'lady even from what you wrote at #23, I realize there's a lot to learn. Thanks for sharing hon. I actually asked my friend about him after I read what you wrote, inna, she said he's now taking medications and seems fine. Moi is happy to see your joyful self :) M’lady
even from what you wrote at #23, I realize there’s a lot to learn. Thanks for sharing hon. I actually asked my friend about him after I read what you wrote, inna, she said he’s now taking medications and seems fine.
Moi is happy to see your joyful self :)

]]> By: masinkomelody http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70806 masinkomelody Sat, 25 Aug 2007 05:01:14 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70806 Thanks Peaceethio for the links.....it's good to know there's a book on the subject by an abesha for abeshoch. "Dr. Tedla is author of "Understanding and Surviving Depression, Alcohol & Drugs: A Personal Guide for Ethiopians." Thanks Peaceethio for the links…..it’s good to know there’s a book on the subject by an abesha for abeshoch.

“Dr. Tedla is author of “Understanding and Surviving Depression, Alcohol & Drugs: A Personal Guide for Ethiopians.”

]]> By: Peaceethio http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70697 Peaceethio Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:02:15 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70697 Hi guys...this is really a very major issue in our (Ethiopian’s) community and it is rapidly growing. I do not know what one can do but as a community we need to come up with a great support group. Since any kind of depression is referred as 'ebdet and a big taboo' in our culture. I had a friend who was at the first state of depression (i went to the Mental Health Clinic with him) who did not want to take the medication but rather go to ethio. for some kind of baptism. (do not take me wrong i support prayer but when there is a cure for it why not sue it...as far as i am concerned God uses medicine too!) any ways the guy disappeared on me since then!excellent article to read http://www.seleda.com/mar02/suicide.shtml http://www.seleda.com/apr00/jebdu.shtml Hi guys…this is really a very major issue in our (Ethiopian’s) community and it is rapidly growing. I do not know what one can do but as a community we need to come up with a great support group. Since any kind of depression is referred as ‘ebdet and a big taboo’ in our culture. I had a friend who was at the first state of depression (i went to the Mental Health Clinic with him) who did not want to take the medication but rather go to ethio. for some kind of baptism. (do not take me wrong i support prayer but when there is a cure for it why not sue it…as far as i am concerned God uses medicine too!) any ways the guy disappeared on me since then!excellent article to read
http://www.seleda.com/mar02/suicide.shtml

http://www.seleda.com/apr00/jebdu.shtml

]]> By: Guest http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70621 Guest Fri, 24 Aug 2007 16:27:27 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70621 Alpha! BTW this is what Blogs is all about.. isn't it? Alpha! BTW this is what Blogs is all about.. isn’t it?

]]> By: Guest http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70620 Guest Fri, 24 Aug 2007 16:26:53 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70620 Thank you Engeda for sharing your thoughts!!!! Don't listen to haters like Alpha! Happy Birthday Ethiopia! I loved the video too, Ameseganlehu!! Thank you Engeda for sharing your thoughts!!!!

Don’t listen to haters like Alpha!

Happy Birthday Ethiopia!

I loved the video too,

Ameseganlehu!!

]]> By: Alpha http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70600 Alpha Fri, 24 Aug 2007 14:33:08 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70600 Engeda.....you aint got no shame do ya! Engeda…..you aint got no shame do ya!

]]> By: Engeda http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70526 Engeda Fri, 24 Aug 2007 07:10:57 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70526 # The Official Ethiopian Millennium Song! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wn9j15WrFM What do you guys think?? I wonder how many Ethiopian Mili songs will be out in Addis? I loved this one!!! cool tunes too. Engeda #

The Official Ethiopian Millennium Song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wn9j15WrFM

What do you guys think?? I wonder how many Ethiopian Mili songs will be out in Addis?

I loved this one!!! cool tunes too.

Engeda

]]> By: Adjoa http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70306 Adjoa Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:30:48 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70306 arif ... konjo... inspiration. i love the photographs! makes you think.... arif … konjo…

inspiration. i love the photographs!
makes you think….

]]> By: Alpha http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70149 Alpha Thu, 23 Aug 2007 03:47:25 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70149 M'Lady.....Don't know what to say....thanks for opening up about your situation and for an article that is wirtten so beautifully. And Gigi, thanks for sharing your exprience as well, i really do wish you all the best and e-mail M'Lady she is truley a wise lady ;-) M’Lady…..Don’t know what to say….thanks for opening up about your situation and for an article that is wirtten so beautifully. And Gigi, thanks for sharing your exprience as well, i really do wish you all the best and e-mail M’Lady she is truley a wise lady ;-)

]]> By: Doro Mata http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70144 Doro Mata Thu, 23 Aug 2007 03:30:32 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70144 wow indeed but I'm gonna go bake to the press to comment... for some reason, I feel naked saying anything here wow indeed

but I’m gonna go bake to the press to comment… for some reason, I feel naked saying anything here

]]> By: Rahwina http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70087 Rahwina Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:20:43 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70087 Sinko...love the post. I have always thought we needed a hotline for counselling services and I am still looking into it. Sinko…love the post. I have always thought we needed a hotline for counselling services and I am still looking into it.

]]> By: Chala http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70077 Chala Wed, 22 Aug 2007 22:59:19 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70077 Wow very great topic indeed. Thanks for sharing. I know a person (Ethiopian) that confides in me about every little thing in his life. Some of his concerns are real but most of it is imagined and things that are blown out of proportion, and for the longest time I have been trying to figure out if it was a mental disorder (depression) or if the person is merely trying to get attention. That scenario is still puzzling to me, but since being around him is so emotionally draining, I have limited my contacts. I wish I could help and point out what the real issue might be but the fact that the person is in their late 60's makes it more difficult. Wow very great topic indeed. Thanks for sharing. I know a person (Ethiopian) that confides in me about every little thing in his life. Some of his concerns are real but most of it is imagined and things that are blown out of proportion, and for the longest time I have been trying to figure out if it was a mental disorder (depression) or if the person is merely trying to get attention. That scenario is still puzzling to me, but since being around him is so emotionally draining, I have limited my contacts. I wish I could help and point out what the real issue might be but the fact that the person is in their late 60’s makes it more difficult.

]]> By: masinkomelody http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70024 masinkomelody Wed, 22 Aug 2007 19:54:04 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-70024 <p>Thanks everyone for your kind words. It trully is a very important subject.</p> <p>Gigi, i applaud you for coming forward and sharing your experience with us. I am sorry that your immediate family could not see you through this, but i'm sure you have taken advantage of the wealth of support that is available out there. If you would like, please feel to email me at masinkomelodyATyahoo.ca. </p> <p>Wudiye, no i did not take the medication at all. It was a wise decision in my specific case because i was at a stage where it was reversible without having to go that avenue. I relied mainly on personal talk therapy and adjustments to my behaviour and the situations that were causing the stress. I made exercise a part of my personal treatment plan, as it has been noted to affect our brain positively..i.e.increase serotonin levels as well as to rid of the physical symptoms. In addition, i sometimes took 5-HTP pills, which is a naturally occuring amino-acid used by some as an antidepressant, also to suppress apetite and to help with sleep. There is a wealth of print and online material on coping with depression and i really integrated the advice from there too. </p> <p>Although it felt like it will never go away, in my specific case i'm happy to say that i am back to the joyful person i used to be plus a newer positive me. </p> <p>Every treatment plan is dependent on specific people and cases and is something that should be consulted with a professional. As for your friend's friend, could he also be schizophrenic? I believe hallucinations are mostly associated with schizophrenia. Has he seen a doctor about it and if so, is he taking his medication? I work with someone who is bipolar schizophrenic and he's been quite well with his medication, but had a manic episode recently when he thought everything in his life was going well and decided to stop taking it</p> Thanks everyone for your kind words. It trully is a very important subject.

Gigi, i applaud you for coming forward and sharing your experience with us. I am sorry that your immediate family could not see you through this, but i’m sure you have taken advantage of the wealth of support that is available out there. If you would like, please feel to email me at masinkomelodyATyahoo.ca.

Wudiye, no i did not take the medication at all. It was a wise decision in my specific case because i was at a stage where it was reversible without having to go that avenue. I relied mainly on personal talk therapy and adjustments to my behaviour and the situations that were causing the stress. I made exercise a part of my personal treatment plan, as it has been noted to affect our brain positively..i.e.increase serotonin levels as well as to rid of the physical symptoms. In addition, i sometimes took 5-HTP pills, which is a naturally occuring amino-acid used by some as an antidepressant, also to suppress apetite and to help with sleep. There is a wealth of print and online material on coping with depression and i really integrated the advice from there too.

Although it felt like it will never go away, in my specific case i’m happy to say that i am back to the joyful person i used to be plus a newer positive me.

Every treatment plan is dependent on specific people and cases and is something that should be consulted with a professional. As for your friend’s friend, could he also be schizophrenic? I believe hallucinations are mostly associated with schizophrenia. Has he seen a doctor about it and if so, is he taking his medication? I work with someone who is bipolar schizophrenic and he’s been quite well with his medication, but had a manic episode recently when he thought everything in his life was going well and decided to stop taking it

]]> By: wudnesh http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69984 wudnesh Wed, 22 Aug 2007 18:14:40 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69984 M'lady, it takes courage and someone like you to discuss something we are aware of and see ourselves or others go through, but never talk about. Thank you....egzaber yisTish! here is hugs and kisses {} :) Qn for you: so, did u finally take the medications? If not, do you still think it was a wise decision?, and why? {trying to understand if a person can be helped without taking medications, that's all} My friend is friends with a guy (yea, abesha) who seems to suffer from a depression. He works full time, and goes about everyday life like the rest of us. The difference is that,for example, they'd be in a cafe enjoying coffee minamin, and suddenly something takes over him...he would say 'look at that person, he's one of the spies they sent after me....I don't know where else to go....they're hunting me down.." etc. I guess this goes beyond what you called mild, but my friend always feels bad for not being able to do any more than just be a good listener. Hopefully, articles like this will encourage abeshas in the field to organize something (I wonder what we, as a community, can do). Gigi, sorry to hear you had to go through it, without telling your fam , for so long. Please start anew by saying it'll go away. That's a start. If you don't mind, can I take your email from Bernos and write to you? I wish you well. M’lady,
it takes courage and someone like you to discuss something we are aware of and see ourselves or others go through, but never talk about. Thank you….egzaber yisTish! here is hugs and kisses {} :)
Qn for you: so, did u finally take the medications? If not, do you still think it was a wise decision?, and why? {trying to understand if a person can be helped without taking medications, that’s all}
My friend is friends with a guy (yea, abesha) who seems to suffer from a depression. He works full time, and goes about everyday life like the rest of us. The difference is that,for example, they’d be in a cafe enjoying coffee minamin, and suddenly something takes over him…he would say ‘look at that person, he’s one of the spies they sent after me….I don’t know where else to go….they’re hunting me down..” etc. I guess this goes beyond what you called mild, but my friend always feels bad for not being able to do any more than just be a good listener. Hopefully, articles like this will encourage abeshas in the field to organize something (I wonder what we, as a community, can do).

Gigi, sorry to hear you had to go through it, without telling your fam , for so long. Please start anew by saying it’ll go away. That’s a start. If you don’t mind, can I take your email from Bernos and write to you?
I wish you well.

]]> By: Sky http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69960 Sky Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:58:52 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69960 Wow Masinko I am sure it took so much courage for you to write about your personal struggle with this disease but by posting this wonderful piece you are saving peoples life who are struggling alone and ashamed. God bless you my sister for opening the door for others, to let them know it is ok to talk about it and seek help!! Much power and respect to you!! Wow Masinko I am sure it took so much courage for you to write about your personal struggle with this disease but by posting this wonderful piece you are saving peoples life who are struggling alone and ashamed.
God bless you my sister for opening the door for others, to let them know it is ok to talk about it and seek help!!
Much power and respect to you!!

]]> By: abyssinia http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69947 abyssinia Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:17:28 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69947 gigi, thanks for sharing you story. It really breaks my heart to hear that your families were not aware of the magnitude of this disease at the early stage. Whether genetic or not, there is always help out there and know a lot of people care. We all appreciate your courage to talk about this issue openly and in the process help other young people like yourself. Thanks MM for bringing this up! gigi, thanks for sharing you story. It really breaks my heart to hear that your families were not aware of the magnitude of this disease at the early stage. Whether genetic or not, there is always help out there and know a lot of people care.

We all appreciate your courage to talk about this issue openly and in the process help other young people like yourself.

Thanks MM for bringing this up!

]]> By: sweet&sour http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69946 sweet&sour Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:15:42 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69946 Well done MM! Thanks for bringing this up to the table-it was really over due! I def. agree that our community needs <strong>major</strong> work as far as dealing w/ issues related to depression. First & formost, we need to see it as an <strong>issue</strong> in order to start addressing it. But meanwhile, I think every one of us r capable of making a difference if we simply learn to be good listeners to our own brother/sister who might be going through some form of depression. Well done MM! Thanks for bringing this up to the table-it was really over due! I def. agree that our community needs major work as far as dealing w/ issues related to depression. First & formost, we need to see it as an issue in order to start addressing it. But meanwhile, I think every one of us r capable of making a difference if we simply learn to be good listeners to our own brother/sister who might be going through some form of depression.

]]> By: kiki http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69942 kiki Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:09:51 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69942 Thank you Melody for bringing such an important and personal topic out in the open. I know it will inspire someone to seek help with their depression. I had a friend who had a hard time of it after she had her second baby. Luckily, her husband was able to convince her to seek help. It took a while but she is better and back to her "old" self now. Thank you Melody for bringing such an important and personal topic out in the open. I know it will inspire someone to seek help with their depression. I had a friend who had a hard time of it after she had her second baby. Luckily, her husband was able to convince her to seek help. It took a while but she is better and back to her “old” self now.

]]> By: emebet http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69934 emebet Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:27:46 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69934 what a beautiful article Masinko Melody. i hope the courage it took for you to write this article will inspire people to reach out to others or get help themselves. "Actually, we have no problems - we have opportunities for which we should give thanks… An error we refuse to correct has many lives. It takes courage to face one's own shortcomings, and wisdom to do something about them". ~ <strong>Edgar Cayce</strong> what a beautiful article Masinko Melody. i hope the courage it took for you to write this article will inspire people to reach out to others or get help themselves.
“Actually, we have no problems - we have opportunities for which we should give thanks…
An error we refuse to correct has many lives.
It takes courage to face one’s own shortcomings,
and wisdom to do something about them”. ~ Edgar Cayce

]]> By: DawitK http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69905 DawitK Wed, 22 Aug 2007 13:17:06 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69905 Masinko Melody - Thank you for sharing this with us Unfortunately, our community tends to think that depression isn't serious and is often looked on as a personal weakness rather than a serious medical illness. And for that reason many people who suffer with depression think they can deal with it themselves. There are to many people out there with loved ones going through depression and they have no idea, or they to think it is a weakness and wont seek help for their love ones...there is much judgment about mental diseases that we have to change. Masinko Melody - Thank you for sharing this with us

Unfortunately, our community tends to think that depression isn’t serious and is often looked on as a personal weakness rather than a serious medical illness. And for that reason many people who suffer with depression think they can deal with it themselves.

There are to many people out there with loved ones going through depression and they have no idea, or they to think it is a weakness and wont seek help for their love ones…there is much judgment about mental diseases that we have to change.

]]> By: Ethio Jazz http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69885 Ethio Jazz Wed, 22 Aug 2007 12:01:50 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69885 Thank You MM for bringing such a personal story to teach and make us understand about depression. You're truly are a gem. Thank You MM for bringing such a personal story to teach and make us understand about depression. You’re truly are a gem.

]]> By: Bed_ford http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69786 Bed_ford Wed, 22 Aug 2007 03:22:11 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69786 Thank MM for the article; it is a taboo subject in our culture to talk about depression and a lot of people suffer quietly. I hope your courage open others to seek help. Thank MM for the article; it is a taboo subject in our culture to talk about depression and a lot of people suffer quietly. I hope your courage open others to seek help.

]]> By: walid http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69769 walid Wed, 22 Aug 2007 01:09:06 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69769 Wow, what an insightful article! Thank you, MM.You really brought up a subject we all should address but failed to in any meaningful way. Depression indeed is a huge problem in our community. And no surprise at that given the enormous cultural gap involved and the disillusionment and sense of isolation that adjusting to life in America creates in each of us. But the difference remains in the way we deal with it-a function of both our personality and circumstances. But aside from the vagaries of life and differences in personalities, are we culturally predisposed to depression? Wow, what an insightful article! Thank you, MM.You really brought up a subject we all should address but failed to in any meaningful way. Depression indeed is a huge problem in our community. And no surprise at that given the enormous cultural gap involved and the disillusionment and sense of isolation that adjusting to life in America creates in each of us. But the difference remains in the way we deal with it-a function of both our personality and circumstances. But aside from the vagaries of life and differences in personalities, are we culturally predisposed to depression?

]]> By: walid http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69764 walid Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:53:17 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69764 Wow, what an insightful article! Thank you, MM.You really brought up a subject we all should address but failed to in any meaningful way. Depression indeed is a huge problem in our community. And no surprise at that given the enormous cultural gap involved and the disillusionment and sense of isolation that adjusting to life in America creates in each of us. But the difference remains in the way we deal with it-a function of both our personality and circumstances. But aside from the vagaries of life and differnces in personalities, are we culturally predisposed to depression? Wow, what an insightful article! Thank you, MM.You really brought up a subject we all should address but failed to in any meaningful way. Depression indeed is a huge problem in our community. And no surprise at that given the enormous cultural gap involved and the disillusionment and sense of isolation that adjusting to life in America creates in each of us. But the difference remains in the way we deal with it-a function of both our personality and circumstances. But aside from the vagaries of life and differnces in personalities, are we culturally predisposed to depression?

]]> By: yonas http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69727 yonas Tue, 21 Aug 2007 22:10:52 +0000 http://www.bernos.org/blog/2007/08/21/the-dark-side/#comment-69727 a noteworthy post! melody, thanks for sharing your personal story and addressing an important issue that's (unfortunately) not taken seriously by most in our community. a noteworthy post! melody, thanks for sharing your personal story and addressing an important issue that’s (unfortunately) not taken seriously by most in our community.

]]>