I have a severe form of depression, diagnosed for years, under continued and extreme medical treatment. My illness has been officially determined a disability. My experience has been that most people absolutely do not care to understand the circumstances of being radically impaired by a mental illness. They deem it a character flaw. The stigma is oppressive.
I am working on a writing project with the goal of raising awareness that depression is a disease, not an attitude. I have been told countless stupid and ignorant things about my depression and am wondering what all the rest of you have had to put up with.
:)
peace
2006-08-23 00:08:42 · 16 answers · asked by alma 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Its all in your head.
Things will get better.
Don't worry about it.
Cheer up!
Your making it worse than it really is.
Pill Popper/Drug Addict ( I love my antidepressants)
You're always so pessimistic!/Your glass is half empty!
Why are you always so negative?
If I think of anymore I will post them. I have depression and GAD...which i think they both trigger each other, but I know I've heard more and they'll come to me when I leave the computer..haha....
Good luck with your project, I would love to be kept in the know so i can read/see it and let people know about it. Take Care!
2006-08-23 00:15:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm glad someone who knows the horror of depression is doing something to educate the public. Good for you.
I've heard: for God's sake, don't tell anyone--what will they think of the family.
You enjoy being sick in the head.
Are you using depression as an excuse not to (whatever)?
Do you think you're special? Everyone gets depressed. Live with it.
How do you KNOW you're depressed and not just down this minute? Life goes on; things will change. Go with the flow.
There's so many others swirling in my head I can't even gather them together. I too have a mental disorder and am on disability. People are suspicious of it--they think I'm trying to put something over on the system--run a scam. If people can't see an outward sign of an illness, then they don't believe it exists.
2006-08-26 00:40:38 · answer #2 · answered by goldie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Years of therapy and medications..most family and friends joke about me being a "certified" nut case, after all it's documented! I am considered disabled due to mental illness. I am well aware my thinking is not quite the "norm" at times..sure they want you to "snap" out of it, or make a "gratitude" list, or find a "hobby"...not realizing easier said than done! I'm luckier than most, family is well aware and patient and considerate on those days I am unable to function properly..besides they know I am very intelligent in spite of my "mental" illness.
2006-08-29 07:26:08 · answer #3 · answered by tamara.knsley@sbcglobal.net 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"You have to pull youself up by the bootstraps." Uggh....my dad says that to me all the time and I just want to smack him!
My depression is a disability, too. I can't stand the stigma....people act like mental illness is a joke. It has become a punchline. No one would joke about cancer.
2006-08-23 07:14:36 · answer #4 · answered by First Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im really touched to know this about you. I never had severe depression, but when I get upset or in a bad mood, i hate it when ppl think its PMS. And worse they dont say it directly but say 'Oh , its that time of the month again'
2006-08-23 07:19:19 · answer #5 · answered by Heista 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people have said hings such as:
They don't believe in depression.
You put yourself in depression.
You just belive you got depression because you heard and seen it before or someone told you that you do.
I don't belive in no relapse in depression that is you tripping.
2006-08-23 07:13:49 · answer #6 · answered by pudding heart 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same here. The worst thing they ever said was:
I know its your birthday soon so what colour straight jacket would you want.
Nice..
2006-08-23 07:10:32 · answer #7 · answered by Indiaxo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
youre not depressed youre just weird. This is what someone said to me once
2006-08-28 13:07:26 · answer #8 · answered by Argent 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Snap out of it."
"Take a walk."
"Get some sleep, you'll feel better in the morning."
"Smile, be happy."
"You are so negative."
"You are lazy."
2006-08-23 07:14:00 · answer #9 · answered by riverhawthorne 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"you can do whatever you want. you're not a member of the family anymore."
2006-08-28 13:08:50 · answer #10 · answered by di_ako_guapo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋