Why is it so hard to accept depression?

Question

It has come down to this: I think I may suffer from depression. I haven't seen a doctor yet, but I do have experience in the Mental Health field.
I know that depression is a chemical inbalance & it may be situational (i.e. loss of a job, a loved one, car accident, etc) or chronic (ongoing).
I also know that depression is very serious. It doesn't just go away & each episode is worse than the previous one.
A little background info:
*I broke up w my ex in Oct. - after 5 1/2 years together. It was no surprise, but it was still a loss.
*I moved out (from SC w an amazing ocean view to a studio in the not so amazing part of LA with my mom & her bf)
*I was working 2 jobs (one f/t the other p/t)
*I quit my f/t job to enroll back in school

Now I feel super lost, confussed, I miss things I never thought I would (like my pillow!), I cry a lot, I don't sleep or eat, I feel super ugly & worthless, can't concentrate & i have no patience & no sex! & I'm in denial about the depression. Why??

Answer 1

I was just going through the same type of thing where too many huge changes in my life were happening that i wasnt necessarily wanting..thats more the denial part i think...like..why did this happen to me? they say God never gives u more than u can handle but u shouldn't have to handle things alone. It is better to go to some therapy and get your issues resolved either through talk or some help with medication. My biggest current problem got resolved (my son wouldnt talk to me for 3 months..i thought i'd go nuts) so I'm better but know i still have unresolved OTHER issues..got get help..its not a bad thing..do u think it's a bad thing when others come to YOU for help? oh..and go get your pillow :)

Answer 2

Some of the the most difficult things in life to cope with are death of someone close, divorce, and moving. You hit two out of three at once - so anyone would be get kind of messed up in that situation.

It doesn't sound like you are in denial about depression - it sounds like you know you are depressed, and depressed people usually don't feel like doing much of anything - especially going to some unknown doctor to get treated for depression. Recognizing depresion is a first step - now you can start thinking of ways to overcome it. You can look for some self-help sites on the web, force yourself to exercise and vist old friends, make an appointment with a therapist, or make a visit to a doc to try out antidepressants. Antidepressants can sometimes turn things around in a few days to weeks, and offer enough of a boost to get back on track and drop the meds.

Answer 3

One thing that I have learned is that you never "think" you're suffering from depression -- you already know and you don't want to admit it. Depression is nothing to be emabarrassed about, most people have dealt with it at one point or another in their lives.

It sounds like you've been through plenty enough to get you down in a short period of time. Experts say that ending a long-term relationship can be as mentally draining as the death of someone close. Not only did you lose your boyfriend and your home, you've had a major schedule change.

I don't think that anyone can blame you for feeling lost. You're still adjusting to the new situation that you've found yourself in. My advice to you is to talk to a counselor. Even if you talk to your doctor and he/she prescribes medications, sometimes talking these things out with an objective party can really help you move forward. Good luck.

Answer 4

I used to work as a psych RN for many years and can tell you that your symptoms are of serious depression and you need to see your doctor and get on an antidepressant right away! You do not describe any symptoms of bipolar disorder.

I'm not saying that you don't have it, just that you haven't told us any symptoms to justify that one person to suggest that that is the case.

I am depressed and I was in denial for a long time also. I would agree with the person that said that you are not in denial but that one of the frequent symptoms of depression is low energy and apathy about doing anything.

If you have to, ask a friend to be with you when you make an appointment to see a doctor about this. It may help to have a friend go with you to your appointment. I find that if I am with a friend that I can do many things that I can not force myself to do when I'm alone.

Answer 5

It's hard to accept when you have a problem, I can imagine it's even harder to accept because you know what it entails, I'm sure you've been trying to analyze yourself trying to figure out ways to prove that you can't possibly affected. One thing that helped me was to keep a journal and write out my feelings if you find it difficult to talk to friends or family, I went through the same thing years back when I lost my father. Going to a professional isn't a bad option either, talking to someone who you don't know and won't just tell you to get over it actually helps, they won't have a biased opinion to give. I really don't like the idea of using drugs even though I've known people who have taken anti-depressants and said that they help, I think it should be the absolute last resort, but if you do, look into each one and find out the side effects. Another thing that helps is becoming more active (exercising, going for walks, bike riding), not just taking on things just to make you busy and occupied because you can overwhelm yourself. One more thing is praying, I don't know if you're religious, just throwing it out there, it can't hurt to try.It's a hard thing to deal with, hopefully some of these things help you.

Answer 6

Once you take the first step, it's not as hard. You may need help to take the first step though. You need to see a doctor so that you can feel better. If this is your first bout with depression, I know it is very scary but believe me you don't have to keep feeling like this. Your stress levels are incredibly high because of your life circumstances and you need some help right now. It does not mean you are going to be on medications for the rest of your life. Good luck!

Answer 7

I know totally what you are going through... and i am just starting to say ok i have it... i actually just went to the doctor last week and went and got blood tests yesterday... i dont like the idea of it.... but i know i have it.... why cause ijust moved somewhere new to get away from my boyfriend of 2 years... my new boyfriend is in iraq.... its hard to keep up in school... my mom sent my cat to the old owner,,, things suck.... i dont know where i belong alot of the time... and when i was younger my dad beat me and my brothers and sisters and my mom.... so this has been going on for years and finally has caught up to me.... you just need to think of it somthing else if you were a dibetic would you deny that you were.... no you need to get help.... i would go get it... go out there meet knew ppl and be open to stuff... i HATE counsellors but some ppl like them... there are certain things that make me happy and thats playing sports like volleyball and the club season just started that made me happy i got a new job.... and just making the best of talking to my boyfriend on the phone when he can.... try some new things.... i know what your going through and your probably thinking yeah sure you do... you sound happy.... when really i feel alone and lost... but go see a doctor,,, it could be a famlu history of depression as well.... my mom had it my dad had it now my brother has been on happy pills for a lil while... you have to take it one day at a time....do somthing that makes you happy...... dont give up and GO SEE A DOCTOR! best of luck

Answer 8

Hey ... don't worry, In all the recorded history of man, no one has ever died because due to anxiety. So you are going to live. Here's some more good news... your NOT alone. Over 20 million people in America are just like you. I get questions like yours through my website http://www.attackanxiety.com all the time. It's important for you to understand that the ONLY way to remove your anxiety and stress from your life is through focused education. My audio course "When Anxiety Attacks - By Steven Diamond" has helped thousands like you. Even some really famous people too. You should check it out. http://www.attackanxiety.com and watch the video of me on the Jane Pauley show.

Let's talk about depression:
Depression is a mood disorder that causes you to feel sad or hopeless for an extended period of time. More than just a bout of "the blues" or temporary feelings of grief or low energy, depression can have a significant impact on your enjoyment of life, your work, your health, and the people you care about.

Depression affects people differently. Some feel down for extended periods of time; for others the feelings of depression come and go. If you have short episodes of mild depression, you may be able to continue to work and take care of daily activities. However, if you do not seek some form of treatment for your depression, you are at risk for getting more depressed or becoming physically ill. In severe cases, depression can cause people to become incapable of communicating, unable to do routine activities, or suicidal. In these cases, it is essential to seek medical attention.

People with depression may be reluctant to seek help because they feel that it is a sign of personal weakness or a character flaw or that they should be able to "pull out of it" on their own. We now know that depression, like other medical conditions, has a chemical and biological basis. Treatment for depression is safe and usually effective even for severely depressed people.

Stress is what you feel when you have to handle more than you are used to. When you are stressed, your body responds as though you are in danger. It makes hormones that speed up your heart, make you breathe faster, and give you a burst of energy. This is called the "fight-or-flight" stress response.

Some stress is normal and even useful. It can help if you need to work hard or react quickly. For example, it can help you win a race or finish an important job on time.

But if stress happens too often or lasts too long, it can have bad effects. It can give you headaches, an upset stomach, back pain, or trouble sleeping. It can weaken your immune system, making it harder to fight off disease. If you already have a health problem, stress may make it worse. It can make you moody, tense, or depressed. Your relationships may suffer, and you may not do well at work or school.

I encourage you to invest in your own well-being.
Good luck.

Answer 9

Because u don't want to admit that you have a problem.. that's why it's so hard for you to accept depression. If you ever needs a friend to talk to I'm here for you. All my friends are suddenly going emo over family problems but they don't have it as bad as you and i'm glad that you're not going to the wrong direction as cutting yourself, hurting others ect. Well good thing you're back to school. I hope u feel better about your life.

Answer 10

No wonder you are depressed you have been through a lot of changes in youre life. I have been suffering with depression for years and I think why we cant accept it that we think that it cant happen to me, but it does. See youre dr. and he may even want you to go to counseling and please go. I have also found that if you have a hobby it will help you a lot. Good luck.