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.

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The Shocking Truth

TheGreatMarkian
TheGreatMarkian

If one more person tells me to just 'cheer up' because 'it's not all that bad', I'm going to scream!


There are people who try to say they will support you, because they understand what it feels like to go through depression ("I've been sad because of ... before" is always a lovely comment).


I'm not 'sad', I'm not 'upset'. I'm just not okay. I literally have got to a point where emotions seem to be a thing of the past. I don't have happy times, I don't have sad times - the reason behind it is because I've been that used to being judged on showing emotion that it seems easier not to.


But it is NOT easier! I'm going day by day, trying to put on a brave face and just get on with work and my life. I get up in the morning, I go to work, I come home. I force myself to eat, because not eating is also bad for you, I force myself to engage in conversation. I make it, by appearances, seem as if there is nothing wrong to the absolute BEST of my ability.


But why should I have to play this game? Why should I have to go through life being ashamed, just in case something thinks I'm just 'having a paddy' or 'attention seeking'? 


It eats me alive pretending that I'm okay, but what else can I do? 


Don't lose who you are, in the blur of the stars
Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing,
It's okay not to be okay...

Gail59
Gail59
Hello my friend, I and everyone here understands how you feel and how awful it is to try to act like everything is fine when you are suffering. I"ve gone through similar situations such as yourself. My other brother did not understand what I went through over ten years ago when I called him on the phone as he lives far away from me. He actually told me to "pull myself up from the boot straps"! That was very upsetting to say the least, but Karma always takes place even though it may have taken ten more years to occur as he is now dealing with his own Severe Depression! We speak to each other but it's not as close as it was years ago thanks to his weird wife who have social problems and he seems to enjoy being bossed around by her. It's too much to explain. I would be offering more comfort to him but he does not deserve it because as a professional in the medical field at the impressive Johns' Hopkins he did not even look I what i had told him all those years ago and how I was being treated with meds, etc. One positive note is that there seems to be an effort on the part of society to eliminate the stigma with Depression, etc. as there should be none. We simply need more help, comfort and understanding that this can happen to anyone. Hang in there and even though it's as hard as hell, you are worth a good life. Here for you is you ever want to talk. Gail
whatswrong19
whatswrong19
TheGreat, I know what you mean about people who want you to "cheer up" for their sakes, they think they are being unselfish, but really they want you to cheer up so they can be comfortable, so it's really just another way in which people are selfish.
APOR2017
APOR2017
I am so sorry that you are going through this and that you feel this way. Its not a fun place to be. Ive been there and am here if you need to chat. you are not alone. Big hugs!