A couple days ago I went in for a routine checkup. The nurse takes the vitals and asks me if I'm depressed.

I go, "excuse me? What did you say?".
She says, "are you depressed?"
I said, "hell yeah! Every day I go to work I get depressed!"

She didn't think it was that funny....I had to keep telling her that I was just kidding.

I asked the doctor what that was all about and he said it was a thing from HMSA.
...funny thing is, I don't use HMSA any more.
...And would somebody be able to self-diagnose themselves as being depressed?
I don't think so.

My PCP has been asking that for years. At least three. Yeah, it is my understanding that it something that HMSA has them ask. I was asked to fill or a short questionnaire recently too. Included question about smoking in addition to "how are you feeling" type questions.

When my dad was going through health issues and we were seeing a number of specialists, many questionnaires included ones on feelings.


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I was assigned a new PCP at Kaiser last December.  I mentioned some of the things going on in my life that might be causing some stress, but that I was feeling good about the changes.

She asked me at least 4 times if I would like her to refer me to counseling so I could talk to someone.  Of course I said "yes" so I could no longer breeze through the firearm permit background check!!   

Even though I'm fine (really, I am!), this highlights one of the consequences of closely scrutinizing people for mental illness before issuing a permit to acquire.  People who are active in shooting, or just happen to own guns they don't want confiscated, will be reluctant to accept professional help for real behavioral problems.  Flagging my folder for probable denial is enough for me to refuse treatment, whether I truly believe I need it or not!

This is going to ensure more mentally ill people -- some with guns at home -- continue to be untreated because they fear what might happen to their gun rights should they voluntarily seek beneficial services like counseling.

I think it is an avenue to sell you drugs and services.

"MO  'Tussin!

They're coming to get us all, haha, hehe, hoho

They're coming to get us all, haha, hehe, hoho

Pretty bad if you can sing along cuz you know all the words ! 

Pretty bad if you can sing along cuz you know all the words ! 

I know all the words and I can sing along. Guess I'm one sick puppy!!! 

I used to listen to the Doctor Demento Radio show late night weekends, and that was a frequent favorite they played.  I used to know all the words, too!    

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Demento

nurse asked me this last time i went docs too... i thought was weird. she said it was jus routine but now i wonder...

A rousing uplifting song that's guaranteed to cheer you up.

It's a messed-up portion of the Hawaii laws that make a person choose between seeking professional help and keeping their rights. I have a friend whose wife died. Not surprisingly, he sought grief counseling. Two decades later, he decided to get back into the shooting sports, only to discover he was unable to buy a gun. Turns out that being grief-stuck by losing your life partner and asking for help in dealing with such a situation marks you as nucking futs for the remainder of your life. Until, of course, some other doctor will sign off on your mental well being.

Jiminy Christmas.

I used to listen to the Doctor Demento Radio show late night weekends, and that was a frequent favorite they played.  I used to know all the words, too!    

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Demento

Dr. Demento was on one of the largest rock stations in L.A.. His show was on Sunday nights. It was a favorite of mine and my friends. I recorded every show on my first cassette recorder. The problem I found with his show was that eventually I had heard every song numerous times. And let's face it, there are not a lot of song writers out there writing comedy and parody songs. So fresh content was a real problem. To his credit, Dr. Demento did a good job trying to keep his show fresh and not over play the same songs over and over again.

Now that I see he is still alive and doing podcasts I might buy into that and listen to them when I'm in the car. I probably still know all the words to most of the songs. 

...And would somebody be able to self-diagnose themselves as being depressed?
I don't think so.

If they are being treated for depression either by counseling and/or medication, they know. It is very common that your GP or the specialist who is asking if you are depressed  does not know you are seeing a counselor and/or being treated with medication.

Yes, I know this from experience and no it is not myself I am speaking about.

A rousing uplifting song that's guaranteed to cheer you up.

....
This could be the new jingle for the Hawaii State Civil Defense...
http://m.hawaiinewsnow.com/hawaiinewsnow/db/330510/content/a7D7tgrt

....
This could be the new jingle for the Hawaii State Civil Defense...
http://m.hawaiinewsnow.com/hawaiinewsnow/db/330510/content/a7D7tgrt

From the title, I expected it to be about women going to a public restroom ....   

Was talking a a buddy about this a couple of weeks back,

Gun owners don't get help for mental health problems because they don't want to have their guns taken away. This causes the suicide rate among gun owners to be higher, causing people to believe you should take guns away from people with mental health problems.

I would be more skeptical of someone who admits they never get depressed.  What dreamland are they living in and how did they get there??

I would be more skeptical of someone who admits they never get depressed.  What dreamland are they living in and how did they get there??

The difference is, when someone admits they are depressed, they mean it in a "mood" sort of way.  When a health professional (or busy-body Liberal) hears the word, they view you as suffering from a mental illness.

Reminds me of ambulance chasers trying to drum up business by exaggerating a patient's injuries.