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.

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Curious

cassichase
cassichase

How old were you when you first noticed depression in your life? I am 55 years old and I remember telling my mother at 14 that I did not want to live anymore. She shamed me by saying, "You ungrateful bitch. You have everything. Don't be rediculous." That should have been a sign to her that something was seriously wrong with me. I probably would have been able to get help so that my life would not be so devastating. I have had a life time of hospitalizations and suicidal attempts.  

mollgirl
mollgirl
I am 59 and I also have been depressed since my teens. My parents never really did understand depression. Fast forward my husband says he understands but sometimes I wonder.
enfieldguy
enfieldguy
Depressed since I was around 12, I’m 48 now. It was because my mom was suicidal.
Lilly23
Lilly23
I've had bouts of depression pretty much my whole life due to growing up in an abusive environment but it didn't get severe and chronic until about age 14. I'm 36 now.
Greenteam
Greenteam
Living through my fathers second divorce and the loss of his high paying job when I 13. Totally sucked. Our family never recovered. I've had bouts of depression/anxiety on and off ever since
ChancesR
ChancesR
I first noticed when I was 8.
SimpsonsOK
SimpsonsOK
I began having depressive episodes at around 6 y/o. Family called it, those black Irish moods. My father suffered from depression, so may be a genetic component. Along the way, learned I was an HSP (highly sensitive person... locatable on internet). Estimate is that 20% of the population is HSP; born that way; and guessing many of us here at DS do come from that population. With early childhood traumas, ended up with a complex of disorders. Hugs to all.
lachiem1
lachiem1
On & off since age 40.
SomeGuy092
SomeGuy092
I'm 25. I think I noticed my depression when I was 18.
cassichase
cassichase
What an outcome! It's interesting how many people here have noticed their depression in their teens and some of you younger. It's sad! There must be some sort of advocacy out there for elementary children suffering with depression. Obviously it needs to be addressed a lot earlier than the average population thinks it should be. My heart is sad over this!
jannytheresa
jannytheresa
I don't think that depression was really a term that people used when I was growing up. When I was in my early 20s I experienced a change in health (sudden and drastic) and with it came insomnia, anxiety and depression.
All of it was hard, but realizing how stigmatizing the depression/ anxiety label was really changed things for me. Though I think I had life long low self esteem issues and a bad reaction after a break up in my late teens, I would never have said that I was depressed.
Osheana
Osheana
Just curious- could it be that in some cases some people diagnosed with depression can be empaths.
They are just hsp. I am an empath- and I have been like - well I dont think I can be categorized- but I certainly
can see where people would say Oh the person is just proned to being depressed-when really they are an empath