Borg999

You can't...the 'symptoms' are identical.

What you do is give them one chance then ignore.

If you're in a position to administer the forum AND you're concerned others may be adversely affected through the interaction you remove the person.

The person to diagnose her is obviously a doctor, and perhaps that is the advice she should be given... under the premise she get a health check prior to returning to the workforce.  With a bit of luck the doctor will recognise it should she be really depressed and treat her appropriately.

As for she might be this and she might be that, it is too difficult to know one way or another over a forum, and clinical depression/bi-polar is not something to ignore or be trifled with... hence the advice she consults a health professional. 

Now you obviously already know this, Doc, but my input was more a general thing to help Borg999 and others who may be confronted with similar situations and are unsure of how to react.

The reason I felt it imporatant to say something is because I've suffered with clinical depression for a number of years, and in retrospect, for many more years prior to being diagnosed.  In fact, it was somebody's advice that prompted me to see my doctor, and I'll be forever grateful for it.  Being properly diagnosed probably saved my life, and why I suggest treading with caution regarding the mental state of another.

You might also (if you're in a position of responsibility/authority there) pm the person framing your concerns and suggesting the appropriate help...if for only legal and humanitarian considerations.

I struggle with depression and sought treatment for it (much better now, thanks).  In my personal experience, depressed folks don't seek out help regularly.  You won't see me generally going on about depression anywhere and simply, eventually, made a decision to get myself sorted.  To be really blunt... I've known many people that seek attention.  I don't think I've met any people that are depressed that are constantly seeking out help.  

If I was a mod on that forum, I'd pm the person and try to curtail them a bit.  If they continue, I'd cut them off.  If people don't want to listen to advice, its a waste of time.  GL! 

Indeed, pacov. Glad you got it sorted.

Perhaps people will come to realize that depression is another lapse in health and not stigmatize it and other central nervous system problems.

I find it fascinating that while people can lionize a Hawkings, they stigmatize people with depression...after all, we're talking about the same organ and its dysfunction/illness.

Perhaps it's because people are taught to respect that which they don't understand, while mimicking the misguided.

Very well said, Elana, very well said.  Since taking the various meds to help with depression I have been better able to manage it, but at the same time I find creativity and self-motivation more difficult, thus creating a negativity that at times I am unable to see beyond.  Sometimes it's as though I'm existing but not truly living, and to move past that I seek positive influences in the funny and comedic... sharing in a joke or 3. 

Sadly, some people are unable to do this so reach out in different ways, such as on forums, where anonimity is their only form of defence.  Nobody knows who they really are and they can just up and leave if they don't like the tone of what's being said.  Another sad fact, as electronic media makes like more impersonal these days, is how much easier it is to kick a troubled person to the kerb than care... how much easier it is to dismiss them because the alternative is too much trouble.

As for the woman Borg999 is speaking of, she is obviously troubled, and her anonimity prevents knowing exactly what her issue[s] are, which is why her public forum behaviour needs to be addressed by a PM or email, away from negative input, etc.  This is also where pointers can be used to help the woman help herself, such as with health professionals and self-help groups, etc.  Now this is not taking responsibility for her or her circumstances, but responding to a cry for help and offerring a caring spark of hope that gives her the confidence to rise above it all.

Sometimes that's all it takes.... a few kind words offerring hope.