Eve Sedqwick on Graduate Student Depression
The incomparable Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, beloved Queen of Queer Studies, offers the following tongue-in-cheek comments on the regularity of "depression" among graduate students in her new essay "Melanie Klein and the Difference Affect Makes" (which is published in a recent issue of South Atlantic Quarterly entitled "After Sex"):
"Last year at a meeting of my department's graduate admissions committee, one colleague was complaining about a particular applicant whose personal statement focused on being diagnosed with depression in the middle of college. "I hate it when they use depression as an excuse," this colleague said. To which another one responded, "Depression is no excuse! Excuse, hell--it's a prerequisite." (pgs. 640-641)
Couldn't have said it better myself Eve.
I love the pic!
Posted by
Gigi |
3/24/2008
So true...i can vouch for the legitimacy of graduate student depression!!! I'm actually going through it myself right now..the long hours, lack of social interaction outside of the university or your research interests...the totally unbalanced lifestyle...lack of a romantic life (or a strained relationship if you're already coupled)...perfect recipe for depression.
Does it get better???
Posted by
dancehard |
3/28/2008
Although I am writing an undergraduate thesis, I can relate to the feelings of depression and sadness. For one, I go to an institution that is, as Marlon Riggs would say, "immersed in a sea of vanilla". Second, writing where winter never ends doesn't help either. I find watching youtube videos helpful. These videos always help me cope with my "queer of color-ed-ness":
"Drag queens are not to be messed with"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RKdcJfIM-tE
"la pequena amy winehouse"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qaW-uj0Ta14
"gina gospel and the tale of the missing coat"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4iyZKgQmgPE
"Latex Ball 2006 - Javier Ninja - Hands Performance"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6Qtq7KfWK0E
Posted by
Anonymous |
3/30/2008
I, like most gay guys, check out my favorite sites several times a week. In my case, I'm looking for eye-candy, not videos, but pix of fine looking men.
So I don't visit your site too often, Frank. Don't be mad at me - it's just the way it is.
But today, I just thought I'd read some of your thoughts and observations, after looking at all these pictures of you and saying to myself: "What a HANDSOME GUY; but why is he so sad?"
Well, now I know!
I went back to grad school after being out in the real world for eleven years - it was hideous, man!
The worst thing is the isolation - normal people can't really understand what the hell you are doing. And gay culture is so anti-intellectual that there's little comfort to be found there - analyzing an experience you're having gets old after a while!
But even egg-heads need love, Frank, though it may be hard to find that someone with whom you can let it all hang out, and who "does it" for you sexually.
I myself (long out of grad school, thank God) still find myself out of step with most people - just 'cause I experience things so uniquely as "me." And finding the man to unlock my heart is a tough job: lately, all I've been meeting is guys w/boyfriends or lovers.
It's not easy being green.
Well, I'm fresh out of advice, but I've got lots of appreciation and encouragement: You're OK, and you WILL be OK, too.
Two things, maybe:
Try some new things, some new behaviors - no shame, no blame, no judgement. Just something a little out of your comfort zone, just to see if you get different results.
And second, most importantly, be kind to yourself.
Can you tell that I studied to be a preacher?
Forgive my presumption, but a cute guy who needs a good hug always gets me....
Gotta go - be well
Peace
R
Posted by
bobbymo |
7/15/2008