Depression?

Question

My dad is mad that I've been Dignosed w/ depression. I've asked why and he just gets madder and my depression deepens. HOW DO I COPE???

Answer 1

First, remeber that it does not matter what anyone else thinks, even a parent. Focus on taking care of yourself. This can be very difficult to do. If you are seeing a counselor it is a good idea to talk to him or her about this. If you find yourself concerned about your father, try to do something you like to take your mind off of it like read, play a game, go for a walk.
It may help you cope if you think about the reasons your dad may be upset. He likly is not mad or at least mad at you. His reaction is probably due to something else.
Remeber that mental illness is does have a strong gentic component. It may be that your father is dealing with his own issues. Your diagnosis may have brought up issues he has dealt with in his own life. You would think this would make him more understanding, but sometimes people rather ignore or resent a problem instead of facing it.
Mental illness is also different than other illnesses. Your father may not truly understand your problem. Unlike a broken foot or the flu, mental illness cannot be seen by a third party. Your father may not understand depression. He may think it is an excuse or you just need to get over it. There are two ways to deal with this. If you think he would be open to it try and get some pamphlets and books on depression. Either given them to him or place them in a location in the house where he is likly to see them and pick them up. (the bathroom perhaps). If he knows more about the issue he may be more understanding.
If you don't think you can help to educate him, your recovery may be enough to open him up. Now that you have been diagnosed, treatment should help. Taking a medication and seeing a counselor can help people with depression improve. As you start feeling better, the change will likly become obvious to your father. Once he sees that treatment is improving you life he is more likly to be open and supportive about it. The best way for others to understand how much treatment can help is to see you get better.
Your father's reaction may also be generational. Remeber that when he was young, depression and mental illness were much less discussed and treated. Today, we diagnose and treat mental illness a lot more. Today people talk about depression, there are commercials, books, and hundreds of new medications. When your father was your age if you had depression you just had to deal with it. Very few people went to the doctor or took medication. Mental illness used to be seen as a serious condition and a person had to be really wacked in order to seek help. Try and realize your father may have a differnt idea about what mental illness and depression is than most people do today. Again the best way to help with this is to help him to educate himself.

Answer 2

Oh Honey...

Your dad is probably not mad at you. I imagine he is mad at the situation. Some parents think mental illnesses are caused by bad parenting, not chemical imbalances.

The best thing you can do is talk to him. Tell him what depression and that he did not cause this. It is amazing how much this may help the situation.

Every parent dreams of having a "perfect" child. One who is smart, attractive, talented, obedient, polite, and healthy in mind and body. Many spend money on preschool and private education to create academic advantage and increase the odds of acceptance into a prestigious college.

It comes as a shock when our youngster has difficulty navigating this traditional path. An elementary school report card may contain "C"s and learning disabilities discovered. Or he or she may simply dislike academic courses.

A healthy parent learns to love and accept their child as he or she is and relinquishes personal and social expectations. Family resources — emotional and financial — are allocated to maximize strengths and remove obstacles to the full development of a youngster's potential.

At no time is this parental resolve more tested than when their teen is diagnosed with a mood disorder.

Maybe you could look up on the Internet some support groups in your area for parents of teens with depression, If you are scared to talk to him or give him the group info, I suggest leaving it on the Kitchen counter before you leave for school.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Wow, it's really hard for me to answer this since I don't know your individual circumstances or anything about your relationship with your dad. I will say that it sounds like your dad does not want to accept the fact that you are dealing with depression. Maybe it's hard for him to see you going through this or maybe he doesn't know how to talk about it cause he hasn't dealt with it before. Maybe you could ask him if he would go to counseling with you. It might benefit you and your dads relationship and help you with your own depression. If your dad doesn't want to do this maybe you could have your own private therapy/counseling. If this isn't an option try and get out and do things alone or with friends. Find a hobby. I have found that getting your mind off of the things that make you feel depressed helps tremendously. I hope this helps some :)

Answer 4

I have been dignosed with depression also. Ive tried all sorts of pills like lexapro and wellbutren XL but they just made me worse. I am almost never depressed when Im around my frineds. They always know how to cheer me up. Depression is when certain chemicals in your brain are unbalanced. Like u could have more of one and not enough of the other. Pills are supposed to balance it out, but some just make it worse. It depends on the person for what kind of drug u take.

Answer 5

Well, I guess you could talk to someone, like a school conselor or a pastor or something. Talking to someone could help out a little, and it helps get things off your chest. Or write. Get a journal, and just write your heart out on paper. if you're feeling sad...write about how you're feeling. I've been where you are, and just doing these two things helped me out a great deal. Also, have friends that can help you and support you with what you're going through. I hope I helped in some way or another. Have a blessed day!

Answer 6

If your father is 'mad' about your depression, he is probably scared that he might lose you to yourself. Talk to him. I mean REALLY talk to him. Make sure he is listening, and tell him about all of your worries. Then ask him about his worries. Tell him that you are becoming more depressed as he gets madder for your depression. Make sure you keep your voice calm. If he starts to yell leave the room. Tell him you can not take any yelling or fighting because it only makes it worse. I hoped this helps.

Answer 7

First of all, it is not your fault that you have depression.

Why is he mad? Is he mad at you, or himself?

Maybe anger is his way of coping with your depression- although it's not an effective way. It's not a positive way to deal with it.

In fact, HE may be depressed. Anger can (in some cases) indicate depression.

Prayer works. God cares about you, and he will listen if you open up your heart. I will pray for you, too.

Answer 8

Its hard to cope... I have schizoaffective disorder and my parents try to make it like theres no such thing as a mental illness... the best thing you can do is just ignore him or try to show him things about mental illnessess so he can learn about them. If you talk to your doctor they will give you places you can go to get advice and find ways to cope...
Good luck and God bless

Answer 9

Actually drinking milk and getting more calcium will help more than you could guess I used to have it and have turned it around

Answer 10

He's old school! (No such thing!!!) See http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 2.