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.
The more I observe my depression and try to understand some of the reasons, besides a chemical balance or instead of a chemical balance, the more I"m beginning to thing my depression is situational. I think I am closing in on the reason for it...and it really sucks.
I suffer from social anxiety. I would definitely describe myself as more introverted, and somewhat on the quiet side, especially around people I dont' know. I am very uncomfortable in group gatherings, especially gatherings that involve a group of people laughing and having a good time, such as a party or bar. I prefer quiet places with my wife and family. At this time I feel like I could care less about extending my circle of friends beyond my immediate family. I know that's probably not healthy, but it's almost as if I could care less about having friends. I am very happy with just my wife and immediate family. Probably because it is not threatening to me. But when I am threatened with having to go to a group gathering that involves someone other then my immediate family, such as today's Kentucky Derby cookout this afternoon, my depression starts to overcome me and I feel sad and I want to withdraw. I think because I see people laughing and joking and having fun, that it makes me almost sad because I feel as though I cannot reach that same level of happiness. It's like they don't have a worry in the world and I feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders. So when I anticipate going to a function where that type of jovial atmosphere will be present, the depression comes out in me and only when that function is over will I take a deep breath and feel happier.
Does this happen to anyone else?
Finally, I just want to say, I love all you here at DS.
Have a great day!
I suffer from social anxiety. I would definitely describe myself as more introverted, and somewhat on the quiet side, especially around people I dont' know. I am very uncomfortable in group gatherings, especially gatherings that involve a group of people laughing and having a good time, such as a party or bar. I prefer quiet places with my wife and family. At this time I feel like I could care less about extending my circle of friends beyond my immediate family. I know that's probably not healthy, but it's almost as if I could care less about having friends. I am very happy with just my wife and immediate family. Probably because it is not threatening to me. But when I am threatened with having to go to a group gathering that involves someone other then my immediate family, such as today's Kentucky Derby cookout this afternoon, my depression starts to overcome me and I feel sad and I want to withdraw. I think because I see people laughing and joking and having fun, that it makes me almost sad because I feel as though I cannot reach that same level of happiness. It's like they don't have a worry in the world and I feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders. So when I anticipate going to a function where that type of jovial atmosphere will be present, the depression comes out in me and only when that function is over will I take a deep breath and feel happier.
Does this happen to anyone else?
Finally, I just want to say, I love all you here at DS.
Have a great day!
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Thanks for your reply.
I don't however find solace in my family. I'm sure that some of my extended family are depressed but we don't talk about it. They consider it a weakness and would say that I have nothing to be depressed about.
I hope you get through the Kentucky Derby cookout okay.
See what I mean by situational? Does that make sense? This is what I'm being told anyway.
So my question is, through depression, whether it be mild or chronic...does it create phobias? Such as social as you stated above? It's quite a learning process isn't it? I tend to interpret depression as learning to walk all over again. A baby step at a time. I'm glad you feel comfort in being around family, so maybe you are right in thinking that is is brought on by a direct situation.
I'm sure you are correct in your explanation of situational depression. I never looked up the definition and I assumed it meant depression brought on by specific situations or events. In my case, any event that involves a social gathering that requires talking to other people, being friendly, trying to be funny, etc., is intimidating to me and allows my depression to overtake me. I don't know if its temporary or not so perhaps my depression doesnt' fit the definition of situational. I just know that depression is camped out on my doorstep always and certain events or situations occur that pass the key along to depression to open my door and come right in. Social gatherings for one. And there are others as well that I'm sure I will discover as I observe and monitor events surrounding my bouts of depression.
Thank you all for your replies and kind words. I love you all!
have u ever tried cognitive therapy? it's usually..relatively speaking..short term..and is result oriented..as in getting over a paticular phobia or issue...and mastering it. you're given assignements..to slowly build on confidence. so you're kinda held accountable. lol..u'd maybe be given some easier things to accomplish by the next visit..find u LIVED through it..and it gets easier and easier.
i've found this type of therapy very helpful with certain issues of my own.
just a thought. :)
Thank you all for your replies.
it just seems to me that the social anxiety is the main issue. :)
I am on 15 mg Lexapro and also take suboxone. I take the suboxone to deal with a 5 year addiction I had with pain killers. I used the pain killers for my back pain at first but then I discovered how they made me more sociable, pleasant and friendly. It's as though my social anxiety disappeared. So I used the pills for stress and social anxiety and depression. Eventually, I became addicted to them because you build up a tolerance to the opiates and you need more and then more, etc. I was out of control towards the end so I finally got help. I have been clean for 4 1/2 months now thanks to the suboxone. The only problem is, now I have to deal with social situations without the pills. The pills were my courage and comfort in a bottle. Now I have to learn to deal with stress and social events and my depression without the pain pills. Hence, the increased social anxiety and depression. Figures the one thing that really helped me deal with stress and anxiety and depression can also make you depend on them and make you addicted and, if you aren't careful, can kill you. It's a cruel joke by someone.