Is Barack Obama Depressed? NY Times to print a story on Obama's supposed depression?

[Cali_Democrat]

Is Barack Obama Depressed?
By John Cook
Sep 12, 2011 4:45 PM

Is Barack Obama Depressed? Wouldn't you be? Barack Obama is at the nadir of his political popularity and effectiveness. He has been maneuvered into an economic corner of 9%-plus unemployment by a relentlessly nihilistic Congress. His achievements—killing bin Laden, saving the auto industry at negligible cost—are written off as flukes. Plus all this 9/11 anniversary stuff! We hear the New York Times is looking into whether it's all starting to get to him—like, clinically.

We're told by a source inside the Times that the paper is preparing a story arguing that Obama no longer finds joy in the political back-and-forth, has seemed increasingly listless to associates, and is generally exhibiting the litany of signs that late-night cable commercials will tell you add up to depression. Or maybe Low T.

Either way, the investigation was described to us as taking seriously the notion that Obama may be suffering from a depressive episode.

Read More: http://gawker.com/5839440/is-barack-obama-depressed

[TwilightGardener]

1. What crap. He seems to be functioning just fine.

[nenagh]

32. This makes me quite annoyed because they might be setting Pres Obama up..

'Zyban' and 'Wellbutrin' are exactly the same chemical, called, 'Bupropion'

But, 'Zyban' was marketed for stopping smoking whereas, 'Wellbutrin' was marketed for depression.

So, when that article says that we could only know if Pres Obama is depressed if we find an RX for Wellbutrin.. that is duplicitous because he very well may have been taking bupropion as Zyban for stopping smoking.

Edit: Although Zyban is marketed as being used for 3 months to stop smoking... because it reduces the cravings for nicotine & therefore cigarettes... The Dr's may have continued to give him Wellbutrin, the exact same drug, to continue reducing the craving to smoke.

Here in Canada, Zyban is covered by health plans for maybe one or two tries.. But health plans cover Wellbutrin.. because it is marketed for depression..

[Mass]

2. He did not seem depressed yesterday.

May be we can wait until the Times actually writes an article before worrying, because gawker is not exactly a great source.

[Whisp]

3. yes, he's not a homophobe, nor a mysoginist so he must be

something!

depressed is a good one, tho.

:rofl:

maybe he's just a little pissed at the whole situation, something normal like that. but of course 'depressed' sounds a lot better - sounds just this side of mentally unstable and stuff like that.

I thought he would be accused of being a Pedophile next, seeing as nothing much else sticks, but I guess Depressed got in line first.

[gateley]

10. Not just a little down and depressed, CLINICALLY depressed!

:eyes:

This is disgusting, but if the NYT actually pursues and reports on this, it'll stick in peoples' minds.

[enough]

4. Perhaps he has some inkling of the seriousness of the situation we all face. (nt)

[steve2470]

5. Funny how this diagnostic speculation may get published about President Obama while...

the presence or absence of symptoms in Shrub was studiously ignored.

Hmm.....:think:

[gateley]

11. Good point! nt

[gateley]

6. Oh, please. I sure as fuck would become depressed, but I think Obama

is going to handle it much better than many of us could.

It's not just that the auto industry, money bomb, health care and other accomplishments are being regarded as "flukes", they're being sold as not only ineffective, but harmful and costing the taxpayers billions of dollars. Lies about accomplishments, or total disregard, must be frustrating beyond belief.

It's got to take a toll, and I think it has to affect everyone who actually CARES (as opposed to Bush and Reagan and their crews).

I don't know how he keeps on fighting, but he does, and I think this story is shameful.

But I'm not un-reccing - we should be aware of what's out there, IMO.

[Cali_Democrat]

12. This is true. Obama has got a lot on his plate

Unless he's been diagnosed as depressed by a medical professional, there's no reason to think he's depressed. Like you said, the issues have taken their toll on him, but coming to the conclusion he's depressed is strange. I'll be interested to see what the NY Times has to say.

[gateley]

15. Yeah, we'll see what they do. It'll be good for business, naturally. nt

[babylonsister]

48. If it's 'strange', why bother posting suppositions?

And if he's been diagnosed with anything, I doubt we'd hear about it, nor do I think that's the case.
Yes, he's got a lot on his plate but he's been at this for awhile, I think he knows how to stay focused and not let the whackadoos, and there are a lot of them, get to him.

[Cali_Democrat]

50. That's why I'll be interested to see what the NY Times has to say. n/t

[geek tragedy]

58. You are quite eager to spread this smear.

You WANT it to be true.

[Cali_Democrat]

61. It's impossible to know if someone is depressed for sure

Unless that diagnosis has been provided by a medical professional. Some people in this thread are saying he's depressed...that we all should be. But I think that's impossible to know for sure. I know people that have been depressed and its no laughing matter.

Also, I don't want the President of our country to be depressed. That's absurd.

[geek tragedy]

66. Spare us your concern troll act. You're spreading rumors

designed to paint him as medically unfit for office.

You are spreading lies.

[Cali_Democrat]

72. I do not think Obama is medically unfit for office

You are mistaken.

[geek tragedy]

75. But you have your concerns, right?

[Cali_Democrat]

77. Damn right I have concerns about many of his polcies.

Wars, tax cuts, economic policy, indefinite detention, domestic spying etc.

You bet. I'm done responding to your personal attacks.

Have a good night.

[graywarrior]

7. Yeah? Abe Lincoln was bi-polar--supposedly.

I'd be depressed, too,if I had to deal with Boner, Cantor, Ryan, and the rest of those life sucking dementors.

Oh wait.... I AM depressed seeing their ugly mugs every day on TV.

[gateley]

16. You're such a Dem softie -- I'd be homicidal. nt

[graywarrior]

19. You mean I'd have a choice?

Then screw that serenity prayer.

[gateley]

20. Bwah! nt

[backscatter712]

24. I prefer this serenity prayer...

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I cannot accept,
and the wisdom to hide the bodies of those people I had
to kill today because they pissed me off.

And also, help me to be careful of the toes I step on
today as they be connected to the ass that I may have
to kiss tomorrow.

Help me to always give 100% at work...
12% on Monday.
23% on Tuesday.
40% on Wednesday.
20% on Thursday.
5% on Friday.

And help me to remember...
When I'm having a really bad day,
and it seems that people are trying to piss me off,
that it takes 42 muscles to frown and only 4...
to extend my middle finger and tell them to bite me!

Amen.

[graywarrior]

25. I like your Amen. Nice touch.

[WI_DEM]

8. It sure is pile on Obama time. Before they go out there saying the president is clinically

depressed they better have something more to go on that he doesn't find joy in the political back and forth. Hell, I'm not president and I'm frustrated by it too.

[LiberalFighter]

9. Using a gossip source? Gawker and others like it belong in the sewer.

[FrenchieCat]

13. The brother can't get a fucking break, eva, period!

Perhaps if he had a blue dress in his closet,
the fucked up media would be overjoyed!

[Proud Liberal Dem]

29. They gotta find something, Frenchie

Nothing else has stuck yet but they are not yet done trying. :banghead: :puke:

AAAAAARGGGH!!!!!

[JoePhilly]

14. He's depressed that it was necessary for him to save America from a deeper Depression.

[Lost-in-FL]

17. Good! That just means he is human. nt

[struggle4progress]

18. Coming up next: "Is Obama actually a giant Martian sand worm? Get the story from unnamed sources!"

[gateley]

22. That's already been verified as factual. Really!

:7:

[dennis4868]

21. WE ARE ALL FUCKING DEPRESSED....

People need help and jobs and Obama cant give it to them bec repubs say NO to everything...WE SHOULD ALL BE VERY DEPRESSED...any one who is not is a nut job.

[rurallib]

23. ye have nailed it.

[BeyondGeography]

26. Judith Miller writing this?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

27. I hate armchair psychoanalyzing

Media should not be engaging in this kind of behavior IMHO and it will end up serving as nothing more than another salacious anti-Obama hit piece with no basis in facts. I can imagine the toll being POTUS takes on a person but it's a leap for somebody to claim that he's depressed let alone actually posit a diagnosis unless we're talking about a professional actually evaluating him and rendering a diagnosis (in which case that information couldn't even legally be released to just anybody, anyway). :shrug:

[steve2470]

30. I agree.

Unless President Obama is having serious problems functioning and thinking and making criticial decisions (which I strongly doubt), this is just tabloid-style rumor-mongering. I would not be surprised if EVERY President has had at least one minor period of being sad or discouraged. No big deal.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

34. I know that if I were in his shoes right now, I'd be depressed

However, I think just about everybody except for the very well-heeled right now are a bit down. I certainly don't envy President Obama having to work with a bunch of insaniacs in the Republican Party and some recalcitrant Democrats in Congress but, unless, like you said, his ability to do his job is impaired, I really couldn't care less.

[madamesilverspurs]

28. Oferfucksake.

No further comment needed.

-

[boxman15]

31. He hasn't seemed depressed lately.

His speech to Congress, his speeches to crowds around the country, and the unveiling of his debt reduction plan all point to Obama getting his mojo back. In fact, I haven't seen him this motivated and excited since 2008.

Why the fuck does speculation pass for journalism nowadays? I guarantee there will be little to no quotes from any psychologists or psychiatrists, especially not from those who work with Obama or the White House. And yet it will be advertised as groundbreaking journalism and picked up by the mindless masses through the 24/7 cable news media.

[jefferson_dem]

33. Get this shit out of here.

Stale gossipy bullshit.

[nenagh]

36. Watch jefferson_dem if they are trying to set up Pres Obama..

I am surprised that the article uses 'Wellbutrin' as an example of antidepressant medication..

Because he could have been taking the same chemical, bupropion, that is in 'Wellbutrin' the exact same drug, bupropion is marketed as 'Zyban' for quitting smoking..

[CakeGrrl]

35. More head-shrink bullshit? SERIOUSLY?

This is getting comical.

ODS is hitting new levels of crazy.

Unrec.

[treestar]

37. No, and this is a moronic method of suggesting it

Who dismisses getting bin Laden, etc.? The author, because that fits his idiotic idea.

[Avalux]

38. Someone posted this exact same thing a few days ago. It's repuke psy op garbage.

There's so many loaded, negative words in that 'article' that I want to scream.

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[a kennedy]

39. What else can they say about him......

now he's depressed??? OMFG!!! Can it get any better then this??

[riverwalker]

40. anyone NOT depressed

at this time, in this country, is a freaking idiot.

[lunatica]

41. Jesus! Now they're starting rumors and innuendo about his mental health!

There's just no low that's too low for them.

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[geek tragedy]

59. 'They' are here. n/t

[Arkana]

44. Oh good--MORE sensationalist crap.

What's next--Obama is in fact a squidman from the planet Zarg VII?

[Brigid]

45. He doesn't sound depressed to me.

I'm no psychiatrist, but I've never heard of a person suffering from depression sounding like Obama has been sounding lately.

[woolldog]

46. low T would explain his lack of fight against the GOP.

Makes sense to me. Maybe we can get him a patch or something?

[totodeinhere]

47. What a pile of steaming crap that is. It's an attempt by Obama's enemies

to get him anyway they can. Now they have stooped this low. It's an outrage.

[tinrobot]

49. Depression is anger turned inward

Maybe Obama just needs to get angry at Republicans... and let them have it.

I'd sure support that.

[applegrove]

51. If he is he will see reality better. Depressed people are more perceptive.

[woolldog]

52. Wasn't there something on NPR on this recently?

Basically slight mental illness = better leader

I remember them specifically bringing up and discussing Bush and Obama and the guy swung that bush was very normal and well adjusted and Obama from what we k ow seemed the same. The guy actually said that he hoped for the nations sake that Obama wasn't as well adjusted as he seems. lol

[applegrove]

53. It was a review of a book. About how Roosevelt was manic depressive and Churchill was depressive.

That allowed Churchill to see through Hitler. Yes I've heard it from other sources too. Just think. If you are in love or love something you may not see it as it is. You see things in rosy coloured glasses if you passionately love your country. So too anger. You see red. Makes a lot of sense to me.

[Mimosa]

54. I think all Prez's but the dumb ones had a bit of depression.

Not low T ever for those who 'rise' to the presidency. But once they get in they learn things we will never know. :(

There are obviously RESTRAINTS against progress.

Anyhow, a couple of presidents -including Obama- came from 'broken families'. Since HE titled a book "Dreams from My Father" -a father he only MET ONCE- Barack Obama has a father problem. Many people who were raised by grandparents seem to have emotional 'problems'. Personally I'm happy my grandparents generation raised me. They were more 'literate' and Victorian. I feel i learned some things which even my mother's generation lost. I preceive the same is true about Barack Obama. I do not think he is depressed or troubled. He has to deal with things we can't even imagine.

[EffieBlack]

55. What incredibly lazy "journalism!"

Back in the day, a news organization that heard another news organization was about to go with an interesting story would put their own people on the story and try to scoop everyone else.

Now they just write a story about the fact that another news outlet is about to write a story about something interesting.

Our media at work. How pathetic.

[woolldog]

63. Are you planning on reading the Suskind book?

Saw the author interviewed on John Stewart today and it confirmed my worst fears about the administration.

[YellowCosmicSun]

56. thanks for dragging this stinking pile in here.

[geek tragedy]

57. Alerted. You should be banned,

[Cali_Democrat]

60. For what?

[geek tragedy]

65. Your transparent efforts to smear and defeat a sitting Democratic President.

Trying to paint him as mentally unstable/ill. Classic Repuke tactics.

[Cali_Democrat]

68. I don't think Obama is mentally unstable or mentally ill

In fact, I think he's very stable mentally. I have no insight into whether or not he's actually depressed and that can only be determined by a medical professional. Apparently the NY Times is going to come out with an article claiming he's depressed, not me.

You are mistaken.

[geek tragedy]

Yes, given your track record of hating on the President, I'm certain

that posting this article was done without malice whatsoever.

[geek tragedy]

71. Yes, given your track record of hating on the President, I'm certain

that posting this article was done without malice whatsoever.

[Cali_Democrat]

73. I do not hate President Obama.

Hate is a very strong word. Disagreeing with many of his policies is not tantamount to hate.

[geek tragedy]

78. Your last two posts:

1). Suggesting that he's clinically depressed WITH NO EVIDENCE;
2). Accusing him of lying about AQ attempting a terror plot on the anniversary of 9/11 WITH NO EVIDENCE.

Your agenda is policy--the defeat of Obama in 2012.

[Cali_Democrat]

80. When did I say Obama was lying about a terror plot?

Again, you are mistaken. These warnings came from our intelligence agencies. The agencies said there was evidence, but none has been produced. I don't attribute this to Obama specifically.

I'm done with you.

[liskddksil]

62. for an impending NY Times article?

its not the national enquirer.

[geek tragedy]

67. For spreading mental health smears.

This is seriously foul, Edmund Muskie type crap.

The OP wants a Republican to win so bad it stinks up the room.

[Cali_Democrat]

69. That's simply not true. n/t

[Name removed]

74. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nolabear]

64. As a THERAPIST I can address this.

Ahem...

What kind of irresponsible, unprofessional, unethical rag would print such speculative drivel? A diagnosis of clinical depression is based on a carefully examined set of criteria gathered in cooperation with and with consideration for the person being diagnosed. "Depression" has a spectrum, triggers, specific characteristics for each individual and can manifest in myriad ways. The media can throw around terms all day long but exhaustion, irritation, quiet, not a single one or all three in combination can reliably lead to a diagnosis of depression. It means nothing.

The horror of a rumor like this is that very quickly "looking into whether it's starting to get to him" becomes "it's starting to get to him" without a shred of evidence being actually found.

[stevenleser]

82. Well said. n/t

[steve2470]

83. I agree also

This is just a way for the Republicans to imply that he is "crazy" and unfit for office. Of course, being clinically depressed does NOT mean you are "crazy".

Even if he was clinically depressed without any psychotic symptoms, I don't think that's a disqualifier for office unless he was extremely seriously depressed and unable to function effectively.

[Tarheel_Dem]

70. Are there no depths too low, for even you?

:shrug:

[geek tragedy]

76. Why the hell are the mods allowing this shit?

Maybe Larry Sinclair is legit now.

[Tarheel_Dem]

79. Great question. It's disgusting. (nt)

[FrenchieCat]

81. It's more than disgusting.....

They are so fucking desperate!