Do you have trouble talking to family members about clinical depression, or any kind of life's problems?

Question

I don't like to talk to them about it, because they don't understand about the difference between clinical and situational depression, and it seems like they think a person has a choice. As most of you know, that choice may be easy with situational depression, but someone can not pull themselves out of the sickness depression. It is also hard because people think someone wants pity, but the truth is a person wants understanding from them so they can help the person and not cause him to be anymore depressed. I do take antidepressants and they help as long as my family are acting fine toward me, but sometimes they do and say things that make it worse. Things are really getting more and more serious, it's getting harder to hold on. I have had the problem for many years, but I have never been so tired of life as I have been lately. Do many of you know what I am talking about?

Answer 1

Yes, depression is hard to discuss. You know what it's like and All you want is for someone to empathize. While I am not clinically depressed I have some experience. Please keep in mind that people don't always know how to properly support those with such a deep sadness, and may even be afraid to allow themselves to get on that train of thought. Keep going to therepy, you CAN help yourself. Another bit of advice? Help others! Be the one that understands them, and by helping them you may help yourself. Lots of Luck!

Answer 2

Yes I do understand. Are you seeing some kind of counselor along with taking anti depressants. Maybe she/he would be a safer place for you to talk about it. It is difficult to explain clinical depression to others. They do tell you to get over it. I'm at a place in my life that my family would like to hear what my medical problems are, because they may have a very good chance of getting the same problem.

Answer 3

Yes, often. My children don't understand the illness--nor does my brother--nor did my parents. The kids make fun of me when I worry that I am running out of pills--and my brother thinks I shouldn't be taking any pills to start with.

I've been taking Elavil for depression for over 20 years, and they help in general--but not when everyone is driving me nuts. Sometimes a situation can make things go out of wack--even if the pills normally work.

I also take meds for panic attacks. Same goes with them. On a normal, non-stressful day, they work. If people places or things are out of line, I can still have an attack.

Answer 4

Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression..

But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then.

Helping you eliminate depression?

Answer 5

You may not agree but I have personally found that depression , because there is no apparent visabel problem , people can not get that it is a debilitating disease, all you need to do is snap out of it, If it were that easy, But there is no blood , no broken bones, no bruses, just feelings, and every one has an answer for you, just never the right one, And yes in their ignorance they often make you worse by saying and doing thoughtless things.

Answer 6

Look you need to tell your Dr exactly what you said here.This is nothing you can handle on your own.Most people don't know what your talking about especially your family if they haven't experienced it.You can get some good help with this ,just tell your Dr. how you feel.Tell him that your feeling tired of life and every thing you said here and don't wait around,do it tomorrow if you can.Been there ,you can be cured!!! Hang in there and think positive.

Answer 7

I can relate to what you're talking about. I was once suicidally depressed and checked myself into a hospital psychiatric ward. While I was there, a lot of my family members came to visit me, which helped cheer me up a bit, and all of them asked me why I was so depressed that I thought of suicide. My depression stemmed from a revelation that life itself was purposeless and more pain than gain. My suicide note contained 24 pages of my explanations, but my family members didn't seem to understand it, not one of them. They couldn't even remain calm and open-minded enough to hear me out and think on my detached level. To avoid further frustration, I just started having casual conversation and playing scrabble with my visitors.

In all honesty, I don't think my family wanted to understand the reasoning behind my depression. They wanted me to not be depressed, and they inquired about my reasoning to show their concern, which was important, but not to understand. They could've done that by hugging me and bringing me some food so I wouldn't have to eat that hosptial crap. I accepted that my family would never really understand that part of me and stopped expecting them to.

The conclusion I reached is this: You family loves you, and a part of that love is that their concern for your well-being always comes ahead of trying to understand you. If you want someone to really understand you what you're going through when you're not well, pick someone who doesn't love you.

Answer 8

yeah i can understand. i have had OCD as long as i can remember....but wasnt diagnosed til about 12 years ago. my family of origin is the hardest to talk to about it with. when they witnessed my breakdown 5 years ago...that was the first time they opened up to what was going on. after i recovered...its like the door is closed again. i get alot of support from my husband and a couple of good friends,and that helps sooo much.
i wish you all the best.
if needed get a support system outside of the family.

Answer 9

Thanatos is pulling you into the pit of death and despair. Focus upon that which you have left to live for, which is probably your family. Live for your family, not for yourself.

Answer 10

"Anger is more useful than despair." --Terminator 3
Go break something.