Should I tell my family about my depression?

Question

I've been depressed for about 11 years but only found out 7 months ago. I've been on medication since then and even though I was hesitant to believe a drug would help, it really did. Only my husband knows about my disease. Should I open up to my immediate family so they know what's going on with me and why I was like the way I was growing up? I don't want them to feel sorry for me or treat me differently but I do want them to know that the way i was really wasn't me or my personality.

Answer 1

I'm in a similar position to you, though less advanced in my depression.
I've found that I'm coping well enough with my depression at the moment, and as I am only 24, I don't think that it's something that I need to tell my family about. I do often think I should but as I'm also a student away from home, the last thing I want to do is to worry my parents about it, although I'm pretty sure they have an inkling of my feelings.
I think if you're in a better place mentally, comfortable with your condition and how your family feel about you, then by all means tell them. This is assuming that you have a sound relationship with your parents etc.
I'm considering telling my family, but I just can't think of the right time, you know?

Good luck with your decision.

Answer 2

I've been depressed for about 11 years but only found out 7 months ago. I've been on medication since then and even though I was hesitant to believe a drug would help, it really did. Only my husband knows about my disease. Should I open up to my immediate family so they know what's going on with me and why I was like the way I was growing up? I don't want them to feel sorry for me or treat me differently but I do want them to know that the way i was really wasn't me or my personality.

Answer 3

Never look back or try to make excuses, or feel you have to, for the past. Tell them and let them connect the dots. They will likely not treat you different, if they care for you, they will simply understand more. It is important to have a support structure and those around you should be and active an knowledgeable part of that ... let them be on the inside with you rather than looking in from outside. They are likely smart enough to connect it to past behavior, don't try and do it for them. Life is about moving forward, not looking back ... move forward, but bring you family along with you ...

Answer 4

If the subject happens to come up in conversation (if there is a noticable change in you, then it WILL come up), then yes tell them, but really I have always believed that unless what you are going thru is affecting everyone around you, then your medical decisions are your business only.

One of my aunts was recently diagnosed with clinical depression and once she got into treatment, her sisters and parents realized based on her change alone, that she had been depressed her entire life.

BTW, good for you for taking care of yourself. Remember, just because you do tell people about a medical procedure or treatment you are undergoing, that doesn't mean you owe them more details than you are comfortable giving.

Answer 5

You should tell your family about your depression and the fact you are taking medication. If something happens to you they should know. But I don't think it's necessary to telling them what you went through when you where growing up, there's nothing to be done about it now and it might cause your family unnecessary pain. If you need to talk to someone, see a therapist. I've gone through everything I've said, I have depression, and other things also, didn't tell my family though, didn't feel they should know about it. Hope this helps you.

Answer 6

Yes. Someone else in your family may be suffering and not know it. You may find if you think about your relatives, past and present, you may find others that exhibited depression.

It's nothing to be ashamed of. But think about how you want to explain it. It still has a stigma of a person having mental problems rather than a simple chemical imbalance. It's good to compare it to something else, like diabetes, that needs treatment but can be easily regulated.
Not sure I'd bring it up at Christmas dinner though .

Answer 7

Only if you feel it will be of benefit to you should you tell them. I suffered depression (sometimes still do) for years but the condition became much easier once my family became involved. Some naturally will be different around you as they may feel that TLC is the cure where others may pretend that everything is the same as usual so you don't feel any different.
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 8

You have to decide if that will help you or the relationship with your family,its better to open up so they have an explanation for maybe past behaviour.My Ex-wife suffered from depression for over14yeats,but would not even confide in me,the marriage has broken down ,she see's none of her kids and her new life is breaking up already as well,tell your closest friends in the family.

Answer 9

Hi :) I sympatise with you. I get bouts of depredssion every now and then , i even tried killing myself when i was ten! Yes ten! I've come out of it tho, but my brother has it really bad. My dad used to physically abuse us, to the extent that i got hit with a hammer once. I have learned to forgive my dad but my brother hasn't, he blames all his insecurities on him. He was institutionalised for a short while too. I'm the only one who gets my brother out of my whole family. The rest think it's just a bad day, get over it kinda thing, which is not the thing you want to hear. Take to some one who understand, not many people do. I wish you the best,

Answer 10

I think you should tell them. It's a explanation for as why you've act the way you did in the past years. It's closing an old chapter and starting a new. Just tell those who are closer to you and let them know that you are not telling them out of sympathy but just because you feel they should know.