To those who suffer from depression, what do you feel you hate most about it? And I mean those who are diagnosed with depression, not just those who are "feeling down".
I was diagnosed a few years ago with major depression after a lifetime of it and I think I know how you feel. I'm not anywhere near as bad as I used to be but still its always there in the background and unfortunately I think it always will be.
To answer your question I think the thing that I hate most is like you said, the lack of understanding and the loneliness that accompanies it. The majority of people will have a period where they are down or depressed but most will never suffer from clinical or major depression for years at a time, thus they will likely never understand what it is and how it is different from what they go through. Its nearly impossible to explain to the everyday person also which adds to the ignorance leading to the comments you described. In their defense though, in a way they are right. Depression is partially just feeling sorry for ourselves..however they are wrong in thinking that one can simply stop feeling as they do and just snap out of it. People dont mean to make you feel bad with their comments its just that they have no idea what you are going through. I do, and I can only sympathize with anyone who has to suffer through the things that I did.
I'll tell you one thing though, freeing my mind was the best thing I ever did for myself. I was then able to focus on what was causing my depression (even clinical depression can have a trigger !) and work to eliminate it as much as possible.
I'm living proof that you can get better. Now I can usually tell when I am sliding back into that mindset and *usually* I can prevent too much of a lapse. Sometimes I actually have told myself 'no i'm not going to start feeling this way again' then I start thinking about something more positive and planning things I am going to do in the future and believe it or not it works. It never would have worked in the past though so I like to think I have a major handle on the depression these days. I hope you can get to this point too...pm me if theres anything you'd like to ask or talk about.
a couple of silly superficial things that helped me during the past year(dont get mad if they are stupid or sound like something you've heard before:)
-healthy diet (i feel better not only physically but mentally when i eliminate simple carbs, all sugar and empty calories from my diet) not easy but i do notice a difference when i do it.
-pick something your interested and become obsessed with it. i know it sounds silly but if you pick one thing at a time and throw yourself into it theres not much time left to think about all the 'stuff' that is there in your head just trying to convince you that life isnt worth living. this works for people who arent ready yet to face the actual 'cause' of their depression but still need to get through the bad time and stave off suicidal thoughts. the depression is still there but it isnt in control.
-shop. yup shop. be irresponsible and get a credit card. then buy a couple of really REALLY great outfits that you just look absolutely AWESOME in. when you are having your worst depression force yourself to shower, shave, get a haircut and put on a great outfit. seriously. even if you dont go anywhere in it. but going out in it works even better.
theres a lot of ways i have learned to deal with this so like i said, give me a holler if you want to talk.
flower
