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 understand that every one's depression is different, but I have a question and I hope someone can help me. It's about my teen son. I actually just talked to him so I did get a little information from him as to what I am about to ask, but maybe there are others who can give me some help.
Getting back to "not all depressions are different". My son was 16 at the time, and I do know that depression can manifest itself in teens differently than adults, but maybe this question I am about to ask will apply to anyone with depression. Question: Do or did you have control over how you behaved in certain situations? In other words, are you able to mask your depression under certain circumstances?
Last year my son was experiencing depression, yet his teachers, his guidance counselor, and principal did not believe he had it, even after he was hospitalized. Both his principal and guidance counselor both thought if he had anything....it was bipolar. He was very social in school as well as very active in activities at school. I knew he was depressed despite what the staff said. He was overly dependent on his friends, and to me that wasn't "normal". He had to be around them all the time, and I think his friends helped him stay above water, so to speak. There was only ONE teacher who actually expressed her concern for him around the same time we were wondering if he had it. **My son displayed all the signs of depression except the social aspect and yet most of the school staff questioned his diagnosis. We know he had depression and was/is not bipolar. Can anyone give me insight to this? The reason it's so important is I want to get some education about depression to the school, but if the brochures and talks only list the signs and not explain further --that depression can manifest itself differently, then it won't help someone like my son in the future. I am trying to get a program instituted into the school system but I am getting resistance. Since they didn't believe my son didn't have it, my credibility is tarnished because I am just a wacky parent to them.
Getting back to "not all depressions are different". My son was 16 at the time, and I do know that depression can manifest itself in teens differently than adults, but maybe this question I am about to ask will apply to anyone with depression. Question: Do or did you have control over how you behaved in certain situations? In other words, are you able to mask your depression under certain circumstances?
Last year my son was experiencing depression, yet his teachers, his guidance counselor, and principal did not believe he had it, even after he was hospitalized. Both his principal and guidance counselor both thought if he had anything....it was bipolar. He was very social in school as well as very active in activities at school. I knew he was depressed despite what the staff said. He was overly dependent on his friends, and to me that wasn't "normal". He had to be around them all the time, and I think his friends helped him stay above water, so to speak. There was only ONE teacher who actually expressed her concern for him around the same time we were wondering if he had it. **My son displayed all the signs of depression except the social aspect and yet most of the school staff questioned his diagnosis. We know he had depression and was/is not bipolar. Can anyone give me insight to this? The reason it's so important is I want to get some education about depression to the school, but if the brochures and talks only list the signs and not explain further --that depression can manifest itself differently, then it won't help someone like my son in the future. I am trying to get a program instituted into the school system but I am getting resistance. Since they didn't believe my son didn't have it, my credibility is tarnished because I am just a wacky parent to them.
My teenage years were extremely difficult--as teens we are always focused on being whatever it is they need to be in that moment to make friends and feel secure--masking your depression I think would be a priority at that age because of that alone...
I was a straight A student, in the choir, all the sports, the "in crowd"-prom queen--all the "good stuff" as we say. I was recommended by the staff as being one of the nicest, kindest students--they never once questioned what was on the inside. I WAS the queen of masking myself--if they only knew that every smile covered a hurting scared soul....I learned this--I was the proof of this--I live my life with this rule in mind---
WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU GET.
I am proud that you are taking this to the school and working to get them more aware...sometimes the depression that lives in the closet of ones soul is scarier than the one we can identify by textbook criteria.