Is Depression Real? *triggers*

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-24-2004
Is Depression Real? *triggers*
6
Sun, 01-25-2004 - 8:40pm
I have had depression for a while now and I have a problem with self-injury. (I cut) My friend has been an awesome source for support, and so has my teacher (who said she also has depression). The rest of the people at my school don't understand. They tell me that I am just wanting attention and I am stupid for taking medicine. They say that my parents shouldn't be paying to have some idiot tell my how great life is. Then I told them about my suicide attempt and how the medication has helped ease those feelings. I did chicken out of the suicide though. (I was going to OD on pain killers) They kept saying that if I wanted to die, I would have completed the suicide and I obviously didn't want to die if I stopped at 5 pills. I don't know. While I was in my room alone thinking about suicide and attempting it, I realized that maybe I shouldn't be doing this...so I slept. But felt terrible. They say that suicide and depression is a fad that is rich people who want to complain about how stupid their life is. Am I just a crybaby??? They are just making me upset. Now I am starting to question the therapy I am getting. I might just be wasting everyone's time...Help me.

Btw, I am 13, so reply like you would to a teenager.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 01-25-2004 - 9:06pm
Hi, Krazykat,

I'm sorry you're having to deal with depression at such a young age, on top of the negative (and untrue) comments that other people are making. Depression is definitely real, there is no doubt about it...there are brain scans and other tests to show that depression involves chemical changes in the brain that do not happen in non-depressed people.

You are doing a great job by taking medication, getting help through therapy, and talking to your friend and teacher. Those kinds of things have been shown to help depression a lot. And you are also doing a good job of sticking up for yourself when other kids tell you things that aren't true...I know it must be really hard, but try not to believe them when they tell you depression isn't real, or that you are just trying to get attention for yourself.

I wouldn't wish depression on anyone, and as your friends get older, hopefully they will begin to understand the truth about depression and the pain they are causing you by making light of your problems. People who are rich and people who are poor can get depression...and it is a serious thing, especially when you have tried to harm yourself before.

Please continue to get help, and feel free to come back to talk on this board anytime. It's nice to "meet" you here, and I know that everyone here will agree that your depression is real and that you deserve support.

Hugs,

Rose

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-24-2004
Sun, 01-25-2004 - 9:54pm
Thanks, that really helped. I am easily changed by people's opinions. My teacher says I have a bad self-image, because I never trust myself. If someone didn't like my shirt, I would probably never wear it again. That's just who I am, and I believed what they said and it upset me a lot. I was considering stopping the medication...but I don't know. I don't want that feeling to come back. I have reached the point where I am afraid of myself. And I don't know why I even exist.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2007
Sun, 01-25-2004 - 11:10pm

(((((((Honey))))))), I am so glad you posted to us.

 

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CL-ladybug987

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sun, 01-25-2004 - 11:12pm

Hi Krazy!


First of all Depression is Real... For many people is it just like Diabetes, where the body is not producing enough of a natural chemical that we need to feel good, so we take meds to help our body produce it.

*hugs             

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
Mon, 01-26-2004 - 12:54am
Oh Girl, I feel so much for you. I first felt suicidal when I was 14, so I know what you mean.

The biggest thing I can say to you is to recommend that you stop telling your personal problems to all of these unsupportive people. There are very few people in life who can deal with emotions, especially other people's emotions. Junior high and high school age kids are less compassionate and understanding than probably any other age group.

I'm not saying that you should see your depression and suicide attempt as a big, dark secret. But you should treat yourself as a delicate, vulnerable, and very special person. Depression is real. It is painful and agonizing. And it can be overcome!

I had depression for years. I still have some difficult times, but I am much better now. Antidepressants helped me. Therapy helped me the most. I learned to face the pain that I had from my cruel family. And I finally learned to stop being so hard on myself. My therapist helped me so much! Now I'm studying to be a therapist. I think that a good therapist can work miracles. They don't just tell you how great you are. On the contrary, they help you face the things you don't want to face. They help put life in perspective. They give us skills to function in this sometimes nasty and sometimes insane world.

When you are in pain, you need to protect yourself from the people who tear you down. You are better off leaning on the people who understand and support you. The rest you should not tell about your deeper feelings. They are not safe. Healing your soul is like helping a flower grow. You need to nurture and protect yourself during the delicate growing stages. Water yourself with the nurturing of your therapist, teacher and best friend, as well as support on this board. Cover yourself from the storms of people who bring negativity and destruction. They don't understand and they are unaware of real feelings, either yours or their own. Trust me on this one. I've been there.

We are here for you.

All My Best,

MariaC

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-24-2004
Mon, 01-26-2004 - 9:38am
Thank you so much! I am so glad that I posted here now. Everyone is being so supportive! :)