Why do you get penalised for suffering a bout of depression or anxiety?

Question

I had a short period of depression in my teens and since then if i disagree with somebody who knows about it they put it down to me 'having a mood swing'. I am naturally a happy person so i get fed up when i visit the doctor when i am physically unwell as he looks through my file and tries to throw antidepressants down my neck. I had a disagreement with him the once as he refused to give me nicotine gum which the non-smoking nurse said i could have, because i got a bit worked up as he won't take me seriously i got refered to a physiciatric nurse who told me i was fine and she had no need to see me. I had a short spell of depression ten years ago and i've been paying for it ever since. Everyone who doesn't know i had it is fine with me and actually treats me like a human being, everyone who does know about it treats me like a mental patient and looks down on me. If this carries on i probable will end up crazy

Answer 1

Don't worry - what goes around comes around. I used to believe that depression was simply "mental weakness"... then, in my 20s, I was stricken with a severe bout of depression. It's a real disease - and until I went through it, I never really believed in it.

Answer 2

Hi Jaydee,
I think the answer has something to do with the past. Not long ago, there were mental institutions / asylums where people with any kind of mental impairment could easily be placed. It's my view that there has been since those days a stigma attached to depressives and people suffering with anxiety.

This stigma (or feeling of discomfort) for people with mental heath problems is not only held by the general public - who have never experienced such illness themselves or within their own families- but unfortunately it seems to have also filtered down into the medical profession itself. But only to those who are GP's or 'family doctors'.

I do find this fact so disappointing as I would have hoped that people of such learning would take the time to understand that mental illness does not mean crazy. Neither does it mean that when a patient talks, what they say should be ignored, just because in the past they have experienced this or that illness.

Well, I have been through the mill, I really have. recently i went to my GP and explained that I have difficulty breathing sometimes and often spit up blood. I was asked "are you seeing a psychiatrist at the moment". Can you believe that? It really killed me when the doc said that. Of course nothing was done about my complaint, because I did not feel like arguing at that moment.

But I outlined that stuff, just to let you know that I have experienced the same as you, and many others here.

I think the "whys" are firmly rooted in the past. In short they do it because it is ingrained, and they are often very busy. But sometimes it is necessary to speak out and assert yourself. On a good day, I would have at least caused my GP to think of me as a human and not a mental patient. I hope on your next visit you will speak out, if the same stunt is pulled. But you need to stay "Ice cool" when doing so. Try not to get at all worked up

Regards

Answer 3

I have gone through and am going through exactly the same thing. I've tried to hide my depression as much as possible from my family and there have been times when I've exposed it to them. What I hope for is a hug - for some one to tell me everything will be alright. Instead I get laughed at or told to 'Stop being stupid'. Of course, they wouldn't say that or look at me in such a degrading way if they knew what I've been going through. The cutting of my body. The pills and overdoses. Starving. The mental torture. It's too much to imagine right now as I am in a state of peace as we speak - I feel okay right now and I have got through all this by myself. I'm a quiet person and some can't understand why - I can't give myself away can I? Well. Just to let you know I understand where you are coming frrom and I geuss you just will never open people's eyes to how we are feeling and the seriousness of it all.

Answer 4

It's just pure ignorance! I'm hoping that one day all mental illnesses will become 'fashionable' ie pop stars will hold concerts for SANE, princesses will attend meetings of MIND, actors will 'come out' (big thanks to Stephen Fry). If you have cancer, people have great sympathy with you and try to help (also a good thing), but the stigma still remains for sufferers of health problem of the mind. I'm sure that some time soon, many mental health problems will be found to have their origin in viruses or chemical imbalances, however, right now so many are suffering from their illnesses AND public ignorance. Even if you are a non believer, right now ask your God (whoever he or she is) to help. Things have got to start changing and changing fast. I'm glad you are well. Good luck and have patience with the ignorant.

Answer 5

My guess is the Medical Profession does not believe in being cured. All they do believe in is treating the symptoms. Most of the time with junk that is much more poisonious than the problem we went in with.

Most Docs don't or can't cure anything so they figure you are still crazy you have just managed to cover it all up with the meds they prescribe.

What a crock.
Keep proving them wrong.. even if they still refuse to see you as Cured.
Alex

Answer 6

I don't have a reliable and legit source - just a theory. It sounds like you are a smoker too, so here goes.

It may be hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) that caused you to get depressed in the first place. I am guessing this based on my assumption you are a smoker, which somehow slows down insulin production.

If your doctor is willing to test you for high insulin - a precursor condition to low blood sugar, you may want to test my possibly wacky theory out. If you do have high insulin or low blood sugar, and get it under control, you won't have to go to doctors very often, because you will be healthier.

If you want basic information on low blood sugar, check out www.hufa.org.

Answer 7

I work in a Psychiatric unit, and have found that the majority of Doctors are quick to blame every physical problem on a clients mental health. Do what we have done in our unit, shop around until you find a Doctor that has ears and knows how to use them!! Not all Doctors are emotionless robots!! Good luck!!

Answer 8

such is the stigma of life. i have had mental health problems for years. there are some people in my life now that i don't feel i can admit it to because they'll treat me differently. and as for employers there's no way i tell them. i just put my 'good face' on as usual and hide my feelings. to start explaining yourself is hard work and really why should i. I'm glad to hear you are well now for the people who treat you differently when you tell them of the period of depression. just say to them walk a day in someone else's shoes then maybe you'll understand. it usually shuts them up cos they have to think about it.

Answer 9

well my Dr says i will always have it but can control it i know what you me a friend of mine always says when she sees which it can be months has we not close any more oh your out are you wouldn't think you would remember what the town loOKed like or say i say something like i did this or that she will go oh you ok haven't seen you long time been hospital again or you loOK ok but could do in losing weight oh but you cant can you with the depression and not go in out god cant she just shut the **** up its been 2 yrs since i didn't go out for 4 yrs yeah i know where you coming from i would change Dr's and friends like i have

Answer 10

I know how you feel, im on antidepressants at the moment and since starting them people have looked down there nose at me. Just say **** it to all of them, i do.