People's attitude about depression

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-16-2009
People's attitude about depression
8
Thu, 12-17-2009 - 1:14am

I am really getting disappointed on people's response to someone who is depressed. Seems like the majority do not think is a big deal, that it is an option etc. I am so glad I am not major depressed right now, but I see with my other posts here and elsewhere how people minimalize it. I guess some people do not get majorly depressed like I had in the past, some people must have a great gene not to feel ever like the roof if going to fall on you head, or what it means to see only black. When I was depressed really bad, it was like my soul hurt in a physical way, it was such a great pain, I could hardly bear it and it was REAL!


The worst part is to know that these people who tell you to "just relax and do not mind" "cheer up" might run into someone who has committed suicide because of their depression and would be saying, "that is sad", "I do not understand", "why did he had to do that?" HELLO! because you did not listened to him, you chose to look the other way, you did not sat by his side when he was feeling down.


For all those people that are out there feeling major depressed. There is light at the end of the tunnel and I do understand you, I know how it feels. Hang in there.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-1999
Thu, 12-17-2009 - 5:33am

I so agree that most people don't get it,

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-30-2009
Thu, 12-17-2009 - 2:56pm

I think your right, the majority of people think depression is an option and you can just "snap out of it".

siggy waterfall
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-16-2009
Thu, 12-17-2009 - 7:59pm

What I would like to know right now is if there is a movement by anyone, like the American Psychological Society?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-06-2009
Fri, 12-18-2009 - 6:53am

I definitely understand where you are coming from.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2007
Fri, 12-18-2009 - 5:15pm
I have a mother who doesn't get it at all.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-06-2009
Fri, 12-18-2009 - 7:58pm

My husband is also not sure of what to do when I have a bad depression attack.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2009
Sat, 12-19-2009 - 12:50pm

I, too, am discouraged by others' dismissal of depression as a real illness. Even people I know who I think ARE depressed think it's not real!!! It is very frustrating. People don't understand at all. They don't know what it's like to just feel like crying for no reason, or crying because you can't stop thinking about things that make you sad (for example, my father died last year, and when I get depressed, I think about when he died, and it makes me start crying).

They don't know what it's like to feel so gloomy, you just go lay in bed...not because you're tired; because you just don't know what to do with yourself. So you lay in bed and stare at the wall (or ceiling).

They don't know what it's like to hurt so bad...but not really know WHY.

So many people say, "Oh, I don't believe in that!" Actually, my parents used to be like that. That kind of cold attitude is part of why I think I did not do well in high school, and ultimately led me to make certain fateful decisions that have made my life difficult and hellish at times (poor money management skills, didn't go to college, so job options are limited, depression/concentration/motivation problems make going back to school difficult for me).

Anyway, just wanted to pipe in that I agree.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2009
Sat, 12-19-2009 - 1:26pm
I'm glad I stopped by today. I've been having a heck of a time coping with the holiday blues this year. My boyfriend is one of those who doesn't really "believe" in depression...but he doesn't make me feel like a loser because of it. He just holds me when I cry and tells me it's okay. Only problem is, we haven't been able to see as much of each other the past couple of weeks, so that's made it tough on me!