I think we can always make choices .. but that is just my opinion.

We don't choose to have depression, but can maybe make the choice to do something about it? My sister's husband says "why don't you either do something about it or shut up about it"! People who have never been depressed or acknowledged that was what is wrong with them, don't really understand.

i get you girl. those that don't apparently aren't on the same page of music. horray for them. so much for a boost, huh? i have had days on end when i could NOT get out of bed. you would have though i was drugged. i see folks LIVING and feel like i merely EXIST. yes, we have a choice to FIGHT, but when you have what feels like no AMMO we just sit in the fox hole and wait for the enemy to let up. maybe 'we' are here to help them appreciate all the more, the EASE of their situation. keep up the FIGHT girl. you are not alone.

I have acknowledged it. I have done the therapy, I have done the medication. But, there are some days when it just doesn't help. Like one day several years ago. I won $1000 on a scratch off, but I just couldn't bring myself to be enthusiastic about it.

You're right, we can't choose to feel better, it doesn't work that way. Trying to think positively, utilising sources like meds and therapy, diet and exercise, support groups both online and in RL, these are things that we can choose to use in order to try to recover.

I think it's like so many other things...you have to have been there to understand. People can sympathize and care, but it's something only others who suffer will ever really "get."

Sucks for people who suffer in ways that aren't visible, because to the rest of the world, we look like nothing's wrong, and we shouldn't act like there is. They would be much more sympathetic if they could see a wound, but the wound is hidden.

I do think we choose, to a point. I just gets so damn hard to get up and fight, when it never lets up. Or, it feels like it never lets up sometimes.

Babbling, sorry. Hugs.

I get that same twisted form of thinking all the time from people. They something like ... your life is what you make of it.... well there are those day when i just cant seem to make anything of it. I dont think anyone would say they wanted to go threw this and if there was some magic way to escape it im sure everyone would.

I do understand...before I was starving, I actually was always naturally thin, so I got all the comments before way back, when I was actually eating normally.

People see so much on TV and in magazines about celebrities with eating disorders, it's become almost a joke to see a thin person and make that assumption. They don't get that it hurts to have comments made about your appearance, no matter what your weight is.

If these are people you can have a conversation with, try just telling them "Hey, I know you're joking around, but it's getting old." If they're really your friends they'll stop. If they don't stop...they can fuck off, in my opinion. That's just immature teasing.

Hugs to you.

WOW...THAT WAS WEIRD...

I just posted my reply to a DIFFERENT thread on this one...what the hell...hit the wrong key somehow.

Disregard what I just said, sorry, it belongs elsewhere!

I think we choose to do things that make helps us fight the depression. However, I don't think it is a choice. Like any other disease you have to take care of yourself, go to therapy, take your meds, get plenty of sunshine, and partake in a support group. It want make it go away but they will make your life a little easier.

I agree with you.....Depression comes and goes at its own pace....I can feel good one day and shitty the next......((((HUGS))))

Just like summer said: If people haven't experienced it first-hand, they cannot understand how debilitating it can be. That's so true with so many things in life, but especially with something like depression.

My brother has had it---and yet, he still ends-up preaching at me about all the things I could be doing that would "help" my "healing". (I do believe his was situational.) Even he does not understand what chemical, major depression feels like.

I've had a little luck explaining it to people by using metaphors. For instance, comparing how I feel to just having lost a close relative. It's like grief that never goes away. Most people can relate to that, to some extent. Then I get the "o-o-o-o-ooooooooh!" responses from people. It paints a better picture for them.

(((hug)))

They understand, they just don't want to wallow in it with you. Call it their selfish survival instinct. Would YOU want to drown with someone???

The fact is, happiness takes work, even for supposedly normal, well-adjusted people. Depressed people just have to work harder. Exercise is a biggie for me. Anger and strength keep me out of the abyss.

People can't understand things they haven't experienced or known before...

HUGS

Well, now that you understand is not something you have chosen, WHAT are you going to do about it!
We are like Dorothy in the the Wizard of Oz. We are all born with Ruby slippers. They were with us the whole time, and we ignored them. We had our funn, whining and nagging and complaining about our lives. We enjoyed being victums. We had no responsibilities, but few pleasures, either.