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.
My psychologist mentioned this possibility in our appointment last week, and told me she needed to see me again this week (my sessions lately have been really inconstant... once a month or so). Although I didn't know if she was serious about the idea, she just brought it up lightly.
However, I have been nervous all week about today's appointment and I woke up this morning extremely anxious.
Apparently she was serious, today she gave me 'the talk' about "how my situation has gotten out of her hands and that maybe I need another kind of help, etc. etc." She also talked about medication, she could see I was nervous and tried to calm me down telling me that pills won't put me to sleep all day, or make me hyperactive, and that a psychiatrist is not someone crazy people talk to, and other stuff.
The thing is, I know all of that, I have no rejection about seeing a psychiatrist. But I'm extremely anxious about the appointment my psychologist made with me and my parents next week to tell them the news instead.
My parents know absolutely nothing about my "bad moods", self-injury (this is my 4th year doing it), etc. They just know I'm kindda anxious (but ignore my constant attacks), weird, a lil bit of a loner, and I'm having a hard time eating lately. But I'm scared as my therapist said she has to say the word "depression" during the meeting for them to understand, which sounds logical of course.
But my parents, specially my mother is so cought in the stigma of mental illness and takes everything in a personal way and reacts badly when one of her friends has a panick attack or something happens. I tried to tell her about my supposed depression when it just started... It went wrong, she started crying and saying that they give me everything, what is it that they did so wrong to make me depressed, and things of the sort... Well, that was 2011. I've been seeing my psychologist since November 2013 but they really don't know why, and they can't know. But that caused them to stop believing that I need a psychologist at all, and to take it lightly and even get angry when I ask to go. Now they will be told that I need psychiatric help and maybe even meds and it will probably shock them...
I mean, my life goes relatively well I know and I have no traumatic past situations I'm aware of, but I still feel sad most of the time and crap happens in my mind that make me break down.
I'm terrified already. Any advice? :s :s
However, I have been nervous all week about today's appointment and I woke up this morning extremely anxious.
Apparently she was serious, today she gave me 'the talk' about "how my situation has gotten out of her hands and that maybe I need another kind of help, etc. etc." She also talked about medication, she could see I was nervous and tried to calm me down telling me that pills won't put me to sleep all day, or make me hyperactive, and that a psychiatrist is not someone crazy people talk to, and other stuff.
The thing is, I know all of that, I have no rejection about seeing a psychiatrist. But I'm extremely anxious about the appointment my psychologist made with me and my parents next week to tell them the news instead.
My parents know absolutely nothing about my "bad moods", self-injury (this is my 4th year doing it), etc. They just know I'm kindda anxious (but ignore my constant attacks), weird, a lil bit of a loner, and I'm having a hard time eating lately. But I'm scared as my therapist said she has to say the word "depression" during the meeting for them to understand, which sounds logical of course.
But my parents, specially my mother is so cought in the stigma of mental illness and takes everything in a personal way and reacts badly when one of her friends has a panick attack or something happens. I tried to tell her about my supposed depression when it just started... It went wrong, she started crying and saying that they give me everything, what is it that they did so wrong to make me depressed, and things of the sort... Well, that was 2011. I've been seeing my psychologist since November 2013 but they really don't know why, and they can't know. But that caused them to stop believing that I need a psychologist at all, and to take it lightly and even get angry when I ask to go. Now they will be told that I need psychiatric help and maybe even meds and it will probably shock them...
I mean, my life goes relatively well I know and I have no traumatic past situations I'm aware of, but I still feel sad most of the time and crap happens in my mind that make me break down.
I'm terrified already. Any advice? :s :s
As for your mum, maybe it will be better coming from a professional and have them explain to your mum. When I tried to tell my mum about my problems she would brush them off and start a fight. Now since I've the official diagnosis, she's become a lot more pleasant, thank god.
Not sure why they need to know anyway ... there is little they can do about your depression. Clinical depression is pretty much between the patient and the doctor(s).
I couldn't share my problems with my family (although for different reasons) and I was starting to receive more support.
I think seeing the psychiatrist is a good idea. Take all the support you can!
Hopefully one day you'll feel that telling your family is a good idea. It's been the best thing I've done. But I, more than anyone, know that the timing has got to be right.
Good luck
Gentle hugs