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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mbowden98 10/24/2011

Just wondering if depression makes you oversensitive? When little things happen - like I found out that a volunteer commitment I wanted to do won't work out and I also got rejected for donating blood because of low iron (something that's happened before, but not a lot) and, boom!, I feel like a big failure. Some of you may not get this, but I really like to donate blood as they can use mine for premie babies in the NICU so I feel really good when I can help, and the volunteer commitment I didn't realize they only wanted people in the evening and I know I'm just too wiped out by nighttime for that to be a good idea, but it sucked because I filled out a bunch of paperwork,etc..., and went in to meet with someone before anyone told me that they only wanted people in the evening. Anyway, why do I take these things so personally? It's really stupid, but I can feel myself starting to spiral down from these two small (in the big scheme of life) disappointments. Why do I do that? I have such a hard time bouncing back even from small things.

ThePepperMan 10/24/2011

I think it is part of a cycle of things. We define being "good" (or productive, or helpful, or generous, or successful, or ... ) in terms like that. Then when we can't do that thing, we consider ourselves to be failures.

I get really upset at myself when I lose my keys or my cell phone. As a result, I can be almost annal when it comes to knowing where they are.

The trick for me is to think of what ever "failure" is bugging me in different terms. For example, think of all the blood you HAVE donated, and compare that to the national average. (Most people do not donate blood, so you are so far above that curve you are stellar!)

mbowden98 10/24/2011

Thanks, Pepper Man. I will try to look at it in different terms. That's not easy for me. It's hard for me to stop the downward spiral once it starts. Still kind of wallowing right now and I hate that. I need to force myself to go do something so I feel a least a little bit productive today.

deleted_user 10/24/2011

I consider myself oversensitive. I have a very fragile ego, definite product of self-esteem issues and various traumas throughout my life.

So when I feel rejected -- or used, even -- I internalize everything and immediately find a reason to blame myself for it.

I wish I understood it better, myself. Huge hugs to you, you certainly aren't the only one who feels this way :)

deleted_user 10/25/2011

i`m same as the `phem.

mbowden98 10/25/2011

Wow - thank you everyone for your responses. I think too part of the problem is I feel myself slipping back into depression and then the rejection just exacerbates that. It's a constant battle, isn't it? I really appreciate - more than I can say - your feedback and support.

deleted_user 10/25/2011

Just try to stay motivated and set small tasks for yourself today to help you feel accomplished. There are always going to be people who are worse off than you but handle the adversity better because of their personality. That usually makes me feel like a failure because I realize that I'm not that bad off, so why am I miserable about my life? I guess we all handle stimuli differently and what may not affect one person can be devastating to another. Don't expect perfection. To err is human.

Heidiclark 10/25/2011

Yes I can very much relate to what you are saying. I think it's important for us to validate ourselves often and not just for what we DO but for who we ARE. Watch parents with their little kids at a park and you'll see many of them giving lots of praise to their kids for just about everything they do. We need to be doing that for ourselves as well. :)

deleted_user 10/25/2011

We as givers or very productive driven individuals (which I tend to be too much of) relate our value to what we have to offer and can do for others. Even something small can affect how we perceive ourselves. There are many ways you can give to others. Find organizations to do volunteer work (which I do when I can). Take a moment, catch your breath and you will find your place. You are valuable and others will see that too.

DaddysGirl876 10/25/2011

I consider myself pretty sensitive to begin with. But with the depression at the level it is, I have been so over-sensitive of everything that it's driving me mad! I take things way too personally. Then I end up even more depressed because of the false view I'm seeing.

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