Shawn Andrews chemical imbalance thread

[ice grillin you]

I am not sure that you will find more misguided and misinformed posts than in the last 2 or 3 pages of this thread.

seriously.....it actually hilarious

[PhillyPhreak54]

DAWKINS DETAILS HIS OWN DEPRESSION
Posted by Michael David Smith on August 5, 2008, 8:09 a.m.

Shortly after Eagles guard Shawn Andrews revealed that the reason for his absence from training camp is a battle with depression, one of Andrews' teammates revealed that he, too, has suffered from depression.

Safety Brian Dawkins said in an interview Monday night that he sought treatment for clinical depression early in his career.

"I went through it my rookie year, my first two years, so I know what it's like," Dawkins said.

According to one estimate, more than 16 percent of Americans suffer from depression severe enough to warrant treatment at some time in their lives, so there are likely scores or hundreds of NFL players who have suffered from depression. But Dawkins and Andrews are two of the few who have discussed it publicly.

"It's nothing to scoff at," Dawkins said. "The thing about it is we're held up as being these mighty people because we play this violent game, but at the end of the day, we have the same emotions as the average cat."

The Eagles did not respond publicly to Andrews' revelation about his depression. The team has said it considers Andrews' absence unexcused, meaning it could fine Andrews more than $15,000 for every day of camp he misses, which would total close to $200,000 for the time he has missed so far.

[rjs246]

I'm not bashing the guy for getting help, I'm bashing him for using it as an excuse to take a vacation from his job. We've all got issues. Some of us more than others. But we manage to function as normal adults, hold down jobs. Function. If he's saying that his depression is so crippling that he can't work then he should retire. He's got the money to do it. Otherwise, I don't don't want to hear about it. It's a football team, not a farging healing circle.

I root for laundry.

[PhillyGirl]

I'm not bashing the guy for getting help, I'm bashing him for using it as an excuse to take a vacation from his job. We've all got issues. Some of us more than others. But we manage to function as normal adults, hold down jobs. Function. If he's saying that his depression is so crippling that he can't work then he should retire. He's got the money to do it. Otherwise, I don't don't want to hear about it. It's a football team, not a farging healing circle.

I root for laundry.

If he was not in the right "mind" to come to camp, he couldn't and he SHOULDN'T have. If his depression WAS that crippling and he didn't get any help, I guarantee you he WOULD have retired. But he took the right steps to get better and get medication to help him be able to function in society and as part of a team.

[ice grillin you]

if you have severe depression you cant even get out of bed much less go to an nfl training camp

[Wingspan]

If his depression WAS that crippling and he didn't get any help, I guarantee you he WOULD have shot himself in the face eventually.

[Wingspan]

If he was not in the right "mind" to come to camp, he couldn't and he SHOULDN'T have. If his depression WAS that crippling and he didn't get any help, I guarantee you he WOULD have retired. But he took the right steps to get better and get medication to help him be able to function in society and as part of a team.

It's not that simple. Just because he is seeing a therapist...and or taking meds...does not mean he's "cured" and he can go back to skipping through a flowery football meadow. Clinical depression is not about just being sad for a few weeks. It actually has very little with being "sad" at all. It's a chemical imbalance, that in most cases be controlled, but not cured.

I would actually be surprised if he doesn't retire young. It's not like a broken bone, where in 6 weeks of rehab, he's all better.

And another note. It is disgusting to me that there is no mention of this on the eagles home page other than half a mention on some retarded practice blog, they should have already announced no fines, and that they are treating Andrews like they would treat any other player with a medical condition.

[Feva]

if you have severe depression you cant even get out of bed much less go to an nfl training camp

Word.

Folks are more concerned with trying to make a "cool" message board comment rather than actually considering that Andrews could be legit in his comments.

Depression doesn't sound as cool as a broken leg so it can't possibly be anything serious.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

The problem is that if his depression is so severe that he can't attend training camp, he can't be trusted to be an anchor on the OL for years to come.  What if he doesn't feel like playing football the morning of a playoff game?

Clinical depression is a real and serious problem, so I don't want the team banking on him.

[SunMo]

ha, i love that in all the hideous comments people make on this board, some get their feathers ruffled for this issue?  farg yourselves.



wah

[rjs246]

The dude is farging with this team's chances to be good this year. That's all I care about. I'm terribly impressed that everyone is suddenly an expert on depression and mental health of millionaire athletes, but I don't give a shtein. I want this team to win something while I am still young enough to get drunk about it.

Players who cause trouble for the team, whether it's by Greg Lewis-ing all over the field, or by Terrell Owens-ing all over the locker room or by Shawn Andrews-ing all over training camp, get no love from me.

IGY is equating this stance to me trying to be some sort of tough guy. Which is a typical thought process for him. but that isn't the case. I just don't give a shtein about these players. They are young, wealthy and talented. They don't need my approval. If they deliver a championship to the team that I care about then I'll bow down and worship them in unholy ways for the rest of my life, but until that happens farg them and their dumbass idiosyncrasies.

[PhillyGirl]

If he was not in the right "mind" to come to camp, he couldn't and he SHOULDN'T have. If his depression WAS that crippling and he didn't get any help, I guarantee you he WOULD have retired. But he took the right steps to get better and get medication to help him be able to function in society and as part of a team.

It's not that simple. Just because he is seeing a therapist...and or taking meds...does not mean he's "cured" and he can go back to skipping through a flowery football meadow. Clinical depression is not about just being sad for a few weeks. It actually has very little with being "sad" at all. It's a chemical imbalance, that in most cases be controlled, but not cured.

I would actually be surprised if he doesn't retire young. It's not like a broken bone, where in 6 weeks of rehab, he's all better.

And another note. It is disgusting to me that there is no mention of this on the eagles home page other than half a mention on some retarded practice blog, they should have already announced no fines, and that they are treating Andrews like they would treat any other player with a medical condition.

I never said "cured", did I? I said come back to the team and function.

I know about it, my point was that if he can get it under control, that's fantastic. I know quite a few people who are back to their 'normal' selves now that they have found the medication that works for them. 

I do also find it disgusting that the team is handling it this way. Way to make others aware of a terrible affliction and how it can affect ANYONE. Great opportunity to do the right thing.

[rjs246]

Also, this is the second time that I've said 'whatever' to Andrews missing time rather than pulling out my hanky and crying for him, only to have the homer-brigade get their knickers in a twist about it. Why does everyone feel the need to adopt Andrews as their favorite child and defend him tooth and nail? Did he buy you all puppies? Is he married to your sisters? He's a nice guy who is a good football player, and that should be applauded, but ease off the jock for god's sake.

You know, it makes me giggle to think about what you guys seem to think makes someone 'tough' or 'cool'. Obviously, to you posting dissenting opinions on a message board means that I am trying desperately to be the alpha male around here. I couldn't possibly actually believe any of the things I say! It's all an act. I'm really just a big softy who wants everyone to be happy and try their best.

[mpmcgraw]

The best medicine for depression is pot so someone fly to whatever hick ass state he lives in and give him a farging joint.

[mpmcgraw]

Also, this is the second time that I've said 'whatever' to Andrews missing time rather than pulling out my hanky and crying for him, only to have the homer-brigade get their knickers in a twist about it. Why does everyone feel the need to adopt Andrews as their favorite child and defend him tooth and nail? Did he buy you all puppies? Is he married to your sisters? He's a nice guy who is a good football player, and that should be applauded, but ease off the jock for god's sake.

You know, it makes me giggle to think about what you guys seem to think makes someone 'tough' or 'cool'. Obviously, to you posting dissenting opinions on a message board means that I am trying desperately to be the alpha male around here. I couldn't possibly actually believe any of the things I say! It's all an act. I'm really just a big softy who wants everyone to be happy and try their best.

I thought they were implying that you had a small penis.