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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daredevilfan3 04/27/2015

There's a lot of people in my town that really don't like me or laugh at me. A lot of them are either former friends or just people who have just always bullied me when I was younger. And I'll admit that some of the people that don't like me...like the former friends...are my own fault because I was ignorant when I was a teenager. But I have changed so much. I am 20 years old and I am way smarter and mature. And yet no matter how much I try to prove to the people that don't like me that I have changed, they still see me as how I was when I was 16 and 17. I feel like they are always going to view me that way and hate me. I feel like they're just going to hate me or laugh at me for the rest of my life. Also, to be clear, I didn't do anything seriously bad when I was a teenager. I was just extra immature back then and acted stupid. I didn't break the law or go to jail or anything, though. I have tried so hard to change their opinion about me, but it's not working. They don't even give me a chance.

ThePepperMan 04/27/2015

I am so sorry that people are not giving you a chance to explain yourself. Given what you say, it sounds like the best way to move forward is to work on impressing new people in your life that you are a good person. If they have a good first impression of you, then if they are confronted with the dumb things you did years ago they will be much more inclined to accept your "I was stupid, but that was then and this is now." message.

Gentle hugs

TroJanThunder 04/27/2015

First of all congrats for making positive changes in yourself.

20 is still pretty young, and I think with time and space some of your wishes will come true. In the meantime my advice would be for you to stop trying too hard and give people time to see the new you!

When I was younger is was not very likeable and I now know it was because of the way I was raised. I just didn't know any better, and as I lived longer I knew better!

I'll leave you a quote by Maya Angelou. "When you did what you did you did what you knew. When you knew better you did better."

daredevilfan3 04/27/2015

Thanks, guys. Helped a little.

MMP1 04/28/2015

There will come a time when you won't care what other people think of you, you will only care what you think of yourself because that's all that counts. Be true to yourself, love yourself and don't worry about pleasing others. It's easier said than done, and just takes time. There are some wonderful benefits to getting older. You'll look back and smile at your younger self, and occasionally cringe lol.

koolman 04/28/2015

You can't preoccupy yourself with what other people think of you. I realize you're lonely, but I'd rather be lonely and relatively happier in my own company than in the presence of others and miserable.

People are especially "cliquey" and "categorizing" in your age group, recent high school grads. In their minds, they're still in high school, and part of the so-called "cool" social group.

Sounds like YOU'VE become more mature...and THEY haven't! Shed this group of so-called "friends".

gordos4 04/28/2015

I agree with MMP. There will come a day when you wont give a crap what other people think. Most people are immature when they're teenagers, including those ex-friends of yours. I am wondering if they are jealous for some reason? You will find that when others treat you badly, it's out of their own low self esteem and jealousy. You are so young & have the rest of your life to find true friends. Surround yourself with people who appreciate and accept you for who you are.

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