how can I get support from my family and friends? no one seems to understand the severity of depression, they know nothing about it. how can i get their support?
2006-10-11 13:02:32 · 4 answers · asked by Queen of Halloween 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
it's hard to get support from people that don't understand what you're going through. i was lucky to have my dad who had the same problem which was a mild type of anxiety. for you it's difficult but your friends and family don't know what kind of pain emotionally this causes you. if they will listen you need to tell them what is going on. maybe consult a doctor about medication. as bad as it sounds maybe even a shrink, though i tried that once and didn't like it cause it was way over my head what he was talking about. if they are your true friends you will make them understand and your family should come natural to sympathy for their own kid. depression can lead to worse things and somebody needs to help take care of you. i know how you feel so i can definatly sympathize with you. so good luck
2006-10-11 13:27:30 · answer #1 · answered by whatisthis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suffer from Major Depression and Anxiety with anger issues, and a little over 2.5 years ago I tried to kill myself. Neither my wife or I recognized the signs of my depression at the time.
I spent a week in a regular hospital after my suicide attempt, because of another health issue that I was having at the same time. My right leg was double its normal size and as it turns out I had severe DVT (a massive blood clot that I still have to this day and will have for the rest of my life).
Once I got out of the regular hospital, I had my wife drive me to a behavioral hospital, where I admitted myself and was a patient for another week. After I got out, the following day I went back to the behavioral hospital and admitted myself into their day program, where I was a patient for about 5 months.
I also invited my family and friends to join me on family nights, which was one night a week where current patients and former patients could bring family and friends. On these nights they would re-enforce what they teach the patience in the program and it gives the family and friends a chance to learn about the problem of their family member of friend.
Anyway, throught the entire process I talked with my family and friends and let them know how I was doing and educated them about depression. As they learned more about it, two of my sisters in-laws discovered they were suffering from depression too, so they got help too. They both are much better and no longer need medication or therapy, which is great for them.
I think, you just need to do the same. Educate your family and friends about depression, so that they understand what you are going through and can become part of your support group.
However, if they can't understand and not be very supportive, then I would not try to force them.
I am including some links to some websites that have some good information that you can use to educate your family and friends about depression.
2006-10-11 13:58:21 · answer #2 · answered by JSalakar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your family and friends will not give you the support you need, perhaps your doctor, or a counselor, can recommend a support group. The members of the group have "walked a mile in your Moccasins" . Your family and friends have not, so they don't understand.
2006-10-11 14:36:38 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your first step should be to consider talking to a counselor. Your community should have a community mental health clinic, or your school counselor is probably available if you are still in school.
2006-10-11 13:10:26 · answer #4 · answered by Clown Knows 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋