Anonymous asked this question on 4/5/2000:

I saw a question on here asking why people with depression are "experts" and answer some of these questions. This is my opinion.

I have depression....I know first hand what it feels like. I dont have to read signs and symptoms from a book. I know what the day to day struggle is all about. I am an expert, because i have it and i have been dealing with it for many years.....therfore, educated. It is so easy to read a book and tell someone what to do....but I know from first hand experience and from what i have learned from my doctor, counselors, and other depressed people.

I have learned the most from other depressed people i have met. My doctors give me meds, my counselors make me talk....but i get most of the real questions answered by my fellow sad folks.

I am also a dean's list student in college and have taken many courses in psychology and sociology. But again, I AM AN EXPERT BECAUSE I AM DEPRESSED!

larrybergen gave this response on 4/8/2000:

you're not going to like my answer but I happen to agree with that post,I'm sorry to say.

Though your opinions are valid the fact that you still struggle with the disease of depression can only mean one thing that you are in fact not an expert,but a sufferer. the point of the post was valid,though I disagree with the way it was stated. You also state you have been on the dean's list and have studied both psychology and sociology. While this may be admirable it does not make you an expert. i too have taken psychology course,and left the feild in disdain. I have also studied the great works of Shakespeare but I can't write worth a lick,nor do I consider myself a literary expert. It is my experience that advice from those who suffer the disease only breeds more confusion within an already confused and misinfromed feild. I'm sorry to say I disagree with you but i hope that you someday take advice that will actually ease or even cure your depression. PS- there is no need to rate this answer, I already know and understand your opinion. However if you wish to spend the night rating all my answers with a one that would be understandable. Though you should know the game itself is of no interest to me, in fact it is my opinion that it be disallowed,especially with all the recent hoopla some of the posts have caused. It's a shame that it has bred nothing but hostility on a sight that could truly be of value to those who suffer from your said confliction.

All my best, with sincerity, Larry

Anonymous asked this follow-up question on 4/8/2000:

larry....i want to thank you for your honesty. You sure do seek me out easily.

I do not agree with you at all. Who would you rather learn to paint from? an artist or a book? who would you rather learn to cook from? a chef or a book?

I completely feel that I am indeed an expert on this....but let me clarify.

My expertise lies with the daily struggle of depression and not with the chemistry and physiology of it - nor will i ever give advice on the chemistry and physiology of it. It is possible, larry, that there exists many aspects of depression in which there could be "experts". You feel that you are one because you are a counselor. wow.

and larry....i not only studied this field but I excelled in it.

Anonymous asked this follow-up question on 4/8/2000:

also....where does it state....in what book, pray tell, that you can not be depressed and also be an expert on something?????????

Anonymous asked this follow-up question on 4/8/2000:

are you a chemist, larry? You sure do give alot of advice on vitamins. What exactly makes you an expert on this? ahhhhh....maybe you studied them and taken them. hmmmmm......

i think maybe a doctor should tell people to take vitamins....if I remember correctly, there are many contraindications to consider.

larrybergen gave this response on 4/8/2000:

vitamins are categorized as food not drugs. I also would prefer to learn cooking from a chef, but not someone who works at McDonalds. I wish you well,but you seem to be obsessing a bit,could we perhaps agree to disagree and end it at that?

Anonymous asked this follow-up question on 4/8/2000:

I think you need to read it again, larry. Vitamins are chemicals. And as chemicals, if they are taken improperly they can have serious effects on the human body. you must work at mcdonalds.

The average rating for this answer is 3.3.

Anonymous rated this answer a 4.