Hi Grace, this is one place you don't have to hide your depression. You will find that there are many people who can identify with you and understand what it is like to be depressed. Feel free to express yourself, and to tell your story here....this is a safe place....no judgement here.

You're not alone, sounds like the start of my story. It's good to talk. Hugs!

Thanks

Hi Grace.Sorry to hear your struggling.Its hard for me to make friends too.In fact i dont have any,other than my kids.I wish you did not need to hide your depression.Alot of people have depression and probabaly could relate.Maybe this friend might not be a good support to you if she feels this way?Its hard to tell.Maybe shes just trying to broach the subject.I hope you can get the support you need here ..hugs xxx

You've come to the right place. I think we all can relate to your feelings of loneliness. It's very challenging to make good friends when you suffer with depression, but the ones who accept it are probably the best friends you could ever ask for. I hope you start to feel better soon.

I know I need a support system and my depression is often triggered by loneliness. It's exhausting to always have to hide who you are. Honestly, I feel like a defective person. I am married and have children and they certainly give me a reason to keep trying. I feel I cheat them sometimes though because I can't do all the things I'd like to do. Right now is a hard time for me, and it's also the week of my daughter's birthday party. I feel so overwhelmed. I don't know how I can get everything done. We are even discussing rescheduling the party, which makes me feel so guilty.

Just do one thing at a time for your daughter's party. It will all come together. It might help to write down little things you can do at your own pace right now.

Hang on in there Grace. Just write a list, and tick things off the list. Keep blinkers on you about bits of the event you can't handle... don't let yourself see them for now! :) This friend who doesn't like to have 'mentally ill' friends may have an intriguing understanding of mental illness. I don't believe though that mood disorders are mental illness. They're some kind of emotional illness. They're certainly not 'real' mental illness like bipolar or schizophrenia or psychosis. They're a mood imbalance. So it may be that your friend doesn't at all mean people who have depression. I know i had a bit of paranoia when I had the major depression/GAD but I have to say now I'm out the other side, and I'm less afraid of how people will react if they find out, I tell my friends and oh blimey they come back with the same stories. The same problems. The same experiences. I bet half the women in your town are on antidepressants. You're not anything like as alone as you feel... and there's no shame in depression.

Maybe try a hobby, for instance, if you lIke dogs, you could volunteer at a shelter. Find a PT job, take some classes... you might make friends doing something you enjoy. Also, it's a bit of a stretch but try to put yourself out there. Talk to other ppl. If they respond, great. If not, just move on. Don't put pressure on yourself to make friends but just be friendly. The more you practice it, the more natural it will feel.