Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
Im having feelings of shame tonight. I was in the hospital two, three years ago for detox and making threats while detoxing. Well while talking to my husband tonight about this period in my life he told me I should be ashamed and I agree that I should take responsibility for my actions but I should never feel shame for having depression. I had depression before I ever went through anything I lost my mom at 15. I started having chronic pain at 20 and at 26 I went through detox and it was ugly I had my first grand mal seizure which I continue to have seizures. I met wonderful people while I was on the floor and one is still my friend she is actually coming over tomorrow we are doing Christmas exchange and she always makes me laugh. Its what my husband doesn't understand. She has bipolar and I have depression but we never talk about it and we always have a good time together. I just feel like I have to defend our friendship with my family because of where we met. I feel such shame now for being in the hospital and having depression and you know talking to people getting my feelings out it sometimes makes me laugh and Im able to smile. I go to therapy twice a month my therapist sees nothing wrong with my friendship. He calls it a support group actually and encourages us to see each other as long as we don't mope together LOL. My husband has never met her he refuses to because of his job which I understand and I just wish though that he didn't see people with depression as bad people. I don't know how to feel around him now. Just feeling low tonight
I think you should be proud you went into a detox center and came out just fine. And your relationship with the friend you met there sounds like a good, supportive friendship. You never need to tell anyone where you met her. If someone asks, just say you met years ago in a group or some other such statement.
As for feeling ashamed because you have depression. Well, your husband is not aware of how this illness affects people. We don't choose to have this condition. It's not something we want. It's often a chemical imbalance in our brains. And even if the depression was caused by an event, it's still an illness that we should not feel ashamed to have.
I'm sorry you're not getting positive support from your husband. Stay here on DS and you'll find a lot of caring and kind people who have depression. We will support you through this. We care.
I agree with all the other replies.
I have things from my past that are private. Like how I met my last fiance. I don't tell people the truth. I don't lie I just don't give all the details. No one needs to know my business, unless I want them too. I just say he was another driver that knew my parents.
Some people we can tell and some people we need to be more discriminating with. How about at a coffeeshop near the hospital or at a group like someone else mentioned. Or on the bus. Whatever it doesn't matter. With certain people sometimes the more we tell the worse it is.
My life is just that its my life. I don't need to share all the "skeletons" in my closet with everyone I know.
Your husband and other people who say you ought to be ashamed, they are so very wrong with their judgemental attitude.
Who the hell do they think they are, mother Theresa? So they haven't got skeletons in their closets. I'm sure as heck they've done something they aren't proud of at one time or another in their lives.
Screw what your husband says.
It's not your fault you have depression and if you had to detox from something, so what, it happens. People get hooked on stuff. You ought to be downright proud that you went for help and you are doing great now.
Your husband needs to remember to love you no matter what your past was and what you have been through or going through.
He needs to stop worrying About what people may think and just stand by you like a man.
I think your husband has that old school mentality like my father.
It's like no one should be depressed and count blessings and all of that. He's one of these people who tries to makes you feel guilty and worse for being depressed.
Who cares where you were and how you met your friend. You have a friend and that's awesome and something to celebrate.
Continue to be strong. Don't allow your husband or anyone to get to you and to doubt yourself. You are doing fine in my book.