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.
I have a rare chronic illness called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. I had to quit gymnastics because of it and I can't play any sports. Whenever I talk about it to other people they get annoyed and say it's all I ever talk about. It's really rare and it's so hard to relate to other people. My friends always talk about sports and whatever but I can't play any because I easily dislocate everything. My wrist dislocates daily and so does my shoulder. It's so hard to get up in the morning because of my fatigue. I come home and take a 3 hour nap almost everyday because of the exhaustion from EDS. I am 15 and I shouldn't have to deal with the hips of a 60 year old. I shouldn't have to say "oh my knee just dislocated I'll pop it back in," but that's my reality. I can't relate to anyone and I have so many other issues in my life that gymnastics was the only way I could escape, but now I can't even do that. I can't escape from myself. Every joint in my body hurts right now. I am struggling to keep my eyes open, all I wanna do is cry. Please help me. I don't know how to handle this. My mom is the only other person that I know with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome because I got it from her genes. I really want someone other than an adult who was it so I can really relate to them. I know this isn't an EDS page but I just thought that since EDS is making me so much more depressed, I oughta share. Thanks for listening :).
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Hi. This is my first post. I'm here because my husband is an addict and it's having a negative impact on our marriage and my emotional and mental well being. He's an alcoholic who is also addicted to pornography and video gaming. He spends every moment that he isn't at work or sleeping drinking beer, playing his video games, and looking at porn. He's completely pushed me out of his life. We don't...
https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/
I hope it will give you the courage to be optimistic and even learn good ways to deal with it.
I am very sorry people in your age group don't understand. It is a very complicated condition. i am sorry you are mistreated. All I can say is that young people often don't have the maturity to be sympathetic or even empathetic. As you grow older and learn more about EDS, you will find associations that are understanding and supportive.
Hang in there, .. take GOOD care of yourself, .. understand your condition, and lean to have a good and full life in spite of the problem.
It appears there are support groups all over. I am in Iowa and there are several groups in our small population state. I would encourage you to seek out this sort of contact. You will find, I think, that it is not as rare as you might believe and there are others who share a similar situation.....and the frustration, fear, loneliness that you’re expressing.
Shared common adversity can be an extraordinary and positive force. I wish you well.
I have lived a normal life despite all the limitations. You will too. God bless.
However, I've always been amazed at the stories of those ex athletes who completely changed their course in life and took on new endeavors. Essentially, they started over.
I mention that because 1) gymnastics is usually a sport for the very young and will come to an end sooner rather than later anyway and 2) the people who don't understand you now will soon fade away and they'll be others that enter your life, by choice or by happenstance, and many of the worries or emptiness you may feel now will disappear. In its place will come new people, new opportunities, new purpose.
You're young and your condition surely must be hard to cope with. But, you can and will continue to evolve. You'll learn better ways to manage this and you'll find greater opportunities that make you happy.
Lastly, you have every right to complain. If it helps you to talk it out, then you do so. Just look for people that are patient and understanding. If they aren't, then delete them like you would a bad text message (or Snapchat message as that's more the norm. Lol). But also, be conscientious that others will likely never be able to relate to your level of your condition, so maybe try to balance the down moments, there "complaning" times, with positive thoughts and conversations. Understand that others just won't get it like you do, and that's just being human. We all tend to be a little shallow when it comes to other's plights.
Wishing you the best and stay positive!