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PaperclipPerfector  1mo ago (text post)   2737 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for March 10, 2024

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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How does one find purpose/meaning? That is, what gives you a "reason to get out of the bed in the morning"? Particularly when "the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" seem particularly aimed your way.

(More specifically, with neither the usual standbys of "faith and family," and while being too anhedonic for hedonism?)

Edit: to put it more simply, how do I find a reason to keep struggling through another 30+ years of miserable, pointless, futile existence, rather than just skipping to the end?

You sound real fucking depressed. Normally I'd say try to be more active, but as far as I understand you, you're already not terribly inactive. I'm a big proponent of building a family, but you specifically mentioned this is off the list (though I'd strongly urge you to reconsider).

Next on the list is imo leaving Alaska - northern regions are notorious for causing depression, try living in the south for an extended time span, at least several months, and spent as much time outside as possible while there. This is not easy depending on your monetary situation, but as a single guy you can almost certainly make it work.

If that doesn't work, try meds. I know it sounds stupid, depression always feels like a true fact of life when you're in it, but imo it's primarily a chemical imbalance. Problem is that most meds have serious side effects, so I'd try to avoid this if there's other options.

I'm a big proponent of building a family, but you specifically mentioned this is off the list (though I'd strongly urge you to reconsider).

Again, it's not a lack of interest, it's that as a 42-year-old virgin loser, my prospects are non-existent — unless you've got some some sort of new advice how to remedy that?

Next on the list is imo leaving Alaska

Financial reasons and what little family I have prevent this

If that doesn't work, try meds.

I've been on meds since my first suicide attempt back in 2004. This is me on meds.

There are better meds. Ketamine is promising for treatment resistant depression. There's transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroconvulsive therapy.

If your meds aren't working (well, maybe they are, but you certainly don't seem to be not depressed), then alternatives exist. I look forward to getting ketamine treatment when I move somewhere where that's an option.

electroconvulsive therapy

Sorry, but I've read too many accounts of the damage done — to memory and otherwise — to risk it.

Plus, I'm limited to what Medicaid (if I ever get it back) will cover.

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