Do people enjoy being depressed?

Question

I know that sounds so non-understanding! I'm sorry but I have a friend who "suffers" from depression and she seems to do it just to get attention. Not to mention other teen friends I'm around that do the same thing. Maybe it's just a teenager thing but it seems to get worse all the time. I know that some people actually suffer from it! I just get so frustrated with the people who just want attention.

Answer 1

In my view I have never known anyone, child, teen or adult that enjoys being depressed. There are people in the world that will manipulate you any way they can but true depression IS NOT FUN. Never ignore someone that is depressed or suicidal. Just because they are afraid to go threw with it does not mean they don't really feel that way or that they can't do it. It is very painful being depressed. I would not wish it on my worst enemy. More times than not it hits you from out of the blue, a flood of memories and emotions hit you all at once. That is my opinion, people are not depressed to get attention, there are just way to many people in the world that do not understand it or what it does to people suffering with it. There are levels of depression yes so it is not always easy to see. One may seem fine and hide it the best they can but when all h e ll hits the fan you can't hide it anymore, you break down. I accept my condition so I am not afraid to talk about it, nor do I need the attention. Teens especially have it tough because they absolutely believe they have no one to talk to, that will understand them. The same goes for someone that is depressed. They know there are people to talk to but think and feel that there is not a soul that would understand the pain your in. So people be more compassinate because it is hard for people with depression to come to terms with it and learn how to cope effectivly. It is people that say things like your just looking for attention, go work you'll feel better etc etc etc that make it hard for people to be open about their illness.

Answer 2

Some people who experience depression do appear to experience a secondary gain from being depressed. One of those things is attention. When I get a sense that a person enjoys "suffering", I tend to suspect that person carries an Axis II personality disorder, most likely a borderline personality disorder. Another thing they might enjoy is the abdication of responsibilty which can occur when people become so depressed they appear not to be able to function. For some people feeling depressed is better than feeling nothing at all, which is a state that some depressed people may slide into if their symptoms go on long enough without some sort of intervention, treatment or change in behavior. For most people that are depressed, however, they do not enjoy the depression itself but may not know what to do differently or think about their feelings so that their symptoms and thoughts change in a positive more adaptive direction.

Answer 3

A lot of teenagers suffer from depression because of the changes that are going on in the brain. Right after puberty, the frontal lobe cortex is creating and destroying brain cells in a process that will prepare the brain for higher-level conceptual thinking. The problem is, that's the area that allows a person to control emotions. So while this is going on, it's hard to control emotions...hence what seems like depression...feeling very emotional. Because life can be very frustrating when you're trying to grow up, yet you're really still a kid.

The suffering is real in most cases, but you're right, the attention and compassion it can bring feels good, because it's helpful. Maybe some "just want attention." But I bet most are feeling pretty crappy.

Answer 4

The answer is no. People suffer by being depressed, but most of them don´t seek help, they think people will laugh at them so they keep the suffering for themselves. There are various physical symptoms of depression, not only emotionals like sadness. People can stop eating, or eat a lot, they can experience dizzines, headaches, etc. Depression can last for days, weeks, or even years. Teens may experience mild depression but it has to do with fluctuating hormones, which in a short period of time may stabilize. Maybe your friend is only feeling sad, ask her what´s wrong, support her, that´s what friends are for. Remember that not all teenagers are alike, maybe you don´t feel as bad as others, good for you. Eventually, everything will go away. It´s my opinion.

Answer 5

People who are legitimately depressed do not find their condition enjoyable or pleasurable. There are some people who are complainers and say they are depressed, but more than likely they have a personality disorder or perhaps they are seeking attention. There are some theorists who believe that some people suffer from a depressive personality rather than depression. That is, they are constant complainers who are never satisfied with anything in their life even if good things happen.

Answer 6

Yes I'd want to be careful about assuming they're just doing it for attention, but the idea for some people that it's more cool or fashionable to be full of angst isn't really new. If you ever catch them in an off guard moment smiling and appearing to have fun, make an effort to pay extra attention to them then. It's called conditioning and it's like the way I train my cat by feeding him only when he's not screeching like a banshee. People are a little more complicated but who knows, it might make a difference!

Answer 7

Hard to say. Your friend may "just want attention today" and commit suicide tommorow.

Most people get depressed some of the time and for many teen age years are the toughest where they have the most peer pressure and the greatest chance of not hanging out with people with simular interests.

If you are really friends with the individual, mabye go and do something with them and accept that mabye they do feel somewhat down. It may be hard to believe but it happens.

Answer 8

The fact is that you are so very compassionate to take the time and effort to get on here and ask, please give yourself a pat on the back hun, if someone shows that they are depressed it probably is not as bad as it looks and they are doing it for attention,real depression is not as easy to see. I saw a film once where a guy was trying to commit suicide and this dr. said ok let me help an started to gas him, well the guy started fighting for his life so he thought anyway he saw what the good old dr. wanted him to see, we all have bad days and it's easy to give up and want to quit but we also have the power to be happy all we want so maybe ask if the person enjoys being depressed and then help them to see that they don't have to be but that they are choosing it. Just like anything else no one can make you upset unless you allow it. Its all about choice's and decisions dear.

Answer 9

Someone who pretends to be depressed just to get attention most likely isn't really depressed. But apparently they need the attention for whatever reason. Just be a good friend and eventually they should grow out of it. People who actually are depressed do not enjoy it and usually don't easily admit to it. If someone is truely depressed try to get them to talk to their dr. and get on medication if needed.

Answer 10

I'm sure that anyone who actually suffers from depression doesn't enjoy it. However, I totally agree with you about some teens acting depressed just to get attention; I don't think I know anyone like that, but I'm familiar with similar behavior.