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As a sufferer of depression, I would have to say that I don't think it's still widely accepted over here in the UK. When I was first diagnosed, I felt I was stigmatised by certain people, as many don't see it as being an illness, merely a state of mind which you can 'easily snap out of' which is a load of rubbish.
Reply 2
guitargirl03
As a sufferer of depression, I would have to say that I don't think it's still widely accepted over here in the UK. When I was first diagnosed, I felt I was stigmatised by certain people, as many don't see it as being an illness, merely a state of mind which you can 'easily snap out of' which is a load of rubbish.


How did others react? What caused the depression? Sorry if im being nosy, I have anxiety and I think a bit of depression because I just go into these mood/frame of minds where I can't do anything other than sit there and complain, thinking I can't cope with the future.
Riddy
How did others react? What caused the depression? Sorry if im being nosy, I have anxiety and I think a bit of depression because I just go into these mood/frame of minds where I can't do anything other than sit there and complain, thinking I can't cope with the future.


Well I also suffer from anxiety, stress and OCD, which helped to fuel my depression, however, the main event which helped to trigger my depression was the death of a close family friend, who also happend to be my best friend's mum.

I also found out, with the help of counselling, that my OCD could have helped fuel my depression, due to some of the rituals which I have to carry out.

I used to self-harm when I was really depressed, which is why I was put on medication by my doctor, as I was putting myself at risk.

In regards to how others reacted, it was a mixture. My closest friend, if I'm being honest, rarely talked to me about it, and it felt as though a) she didn't understand and b) she didn't want to understand, therefore she wasn't very supportive. My grandparents also thought that I would be able to snap out of it, which wasn't the case.

It's been almost a year since I was diagnosed with depression, after having it for almost 4 years, and I finally feel free of my demons. If you're feeling unhappy, seek advice from your GP.
Reply 4
Im not sure about guitargirl but with me its like nothing to do with the environment (or it doesn't seem so). I can be doing something I really enjoy then suddenly feel doomed like something bad is going to happen and I can't cope, I hate the state of mind.
To the OP, I don't think depression is widely accepted as an illness here - by which I mean, of course it's accepted to BE an illness, but when people hear "depression", they think "snap out of it" (as guitargirl03 said) or, worse, that you're "a freak" (not my words!).

It's actually extremely upsetting as one of my friends was depressed and when she mentioned it to another of my friends, the second friend got very strange, wouldn't talk to the depressed girl and confided in me that she thought so-and-so was "just attention-seeking". I was furious with her but unfortunately it didn't change her opinions, and in my experience depression, self-harm and associated disorders or problems still tend to be popularly stigmatised among the general public.

Having said that, among medical professionals depression is now taken very seriously by almost all of them, and so help can be found in a sensitive and (hopefully) healing environment. So at least the potential is there to make a full recovery - and given that around 10% of people will currently suffer depression in their lifetime, hopefully we are moving towards the point where it won't be something to hide away so much.

In the meantime, unfortunately, it seems to be just another of those things you're not supposed to mention.
Reply 6
guitargirl03
Well I also suffer from anxiety, stress and OCD, which helped to fuel my depression, however, the main event which helped to trigger my depression was the death of a close family friend, who also happend to be my best friend's mum.

I wasn't able to grieve properly (I was quite close to her, as I saw her almost every day for 7 years) as I had to be 'strong' for my friend.

I also found out, with the help of counselling, that my OCD could have helped fuel my depression, due to some of the rituals which I have to carry out.

I used to self-harm when I was really depressed, which is why I was put on medication by my doctor, as I was putting myself at risk.

In regards to how others reacted, it was a mixture. My closest friend, if I'm being honest, rarely talked to me about it, and it felt as though a) she didn't understand and b) she didn't want to understand, therefore she wasn't very supportive. My grandparents also thought that I would be able to snap out of it, which wasn't the case.

It's been almost a year since I was diagnosed with depression, after having it for almost 4 years, and I finally feel free of my demons. If you're feeling unhappy, seek advice from your GP.


Yea some just don't like talking about stuff like this its just not them, I couldn't understand why people were depressed either before I started, I thought that they were just going over the top about being in a bad mood or something but its one of the most horrible feelings ever.
My mates don't even know about it I don't think they know what anxiety/depression is Ive kept it quiet for 4 years, I once 'attempted' to break it to my closest friend and said to him 'do you ever go into moods where you feel panicky and can't cope' he just looked and said 'not really'. I just feel pathetic for being like this im sure its my fault and that im causing it myself, my brain is just weird but thats what everyone with our problem probably thinks.
Riddy
I just feel pathetic for being like this im sure its my fault and that im causing it myself, my brain is just weird but thats what everyone with our problem probably thinks.


;console; Absolutely not. You're right, everyone I've ever met who's depressed does tend to think that way, but having come out the other side, it's completely wrong. I know saying "it's not your fault" won't actually help you stop thinking that, but...it's really not. :smile:
Reply 8
Phantom Phoenix
;console; Absolutely not. You're right, everyone I've ever met who's depressed does tend to think that way, but having come out the other side, it's completely wrong. I know saying "it's not your fault" won't actually help you stop thinking that, but...it's really not. :smile:


Thats good, I suppose all the pressure and being called lazy and mental by family members makes people think that its there fault.
Riddy
Yea some just don't like talking about stuff like this its just not them, I couldn't understand why people were depressed either before I started, I thought that they were just going over the top about being in a bad mood or something but its one of the most horrible feelings ever.
My mates don't even know about it I don't think they know what anxiety/depression is Ive kept it quiet for 4 years, I once 'attempted' to break it to my closest friend and said to him 'do you ever go into moods where you feel panicky and can't cope' he just looked and said 'not really'. I just feel pathetic for being like this im sure its my fault and that im causing it myself, my brain is just weird but thats what everyone with our problem probably thinks.


seriously, it's not your fault... it's just the way you are, like with any illnes. if you had diabetes or something you wouldn't blame yourself and it's the same with this!! i know at first you think you must be somehow bringing it on yourself but seriously it's not at all your fault... i don't if that helps at all. and there are loads of people that know exactly how you feel, although unfourtunately there are going to be loads of people who haven't been through it or just can't empathise and won't know what to say to you. i don't if this helps but your problem is probably a lot more normal/widespread/common than you think... and by that i just mean that lots of other people will have gone through a similar thing and understand just how you feel... i hope that helps a bit and that you start to feel better soon. if you want to chat feel free to PM :smile:
Riddy
Thats good, I suppose all the pressure and being called lazy and mental by family members makes people think that its there fault.


If it helps, believe me I know the feeling. But, now I have some perspective, I also know it's *******s.
Riddy
Thats good, I suppose all the pressure and being called lazy and mental by family members makes people think that its there fault.


This is very true. Sometimes one side-effect of depression is that you can don't want to get up, which then aids others calling people with depression lazy, when, in truth, they can't physically get out of bed.
Reply 12
Argh I hate people who don't understand it (ie pretty much everyone). Recently my mother was a bit ill with some bug which made her really irritable, and I was sleeping a lot at the time. She kept having a go about my late nights and sleeping in, and then mentioned my having to go out and get a job sometime soon (she's since taken it back and realises I can't work right now). I hate the completely unhelpful response of anyone you tell about it. I went to the doctor when it was really really bad a couple of years ago and she did nothing, which really sent me over the edge. I've seen another doctor recently though, and am seeing a mental health worker, who is fantastic. I'm so glad I'm taken seriously now.
Reply 13
What Americans are inclined to term 'depression' is effectively the default here; so, probably.
guitargirl03
in truth, they can't physically get out of bed.


Can someone expand on this? You might not want to but surely you can physically get up if you force yourself?
My doc explained to me that the difference between CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) and depression - two disorders often confused/amalgamated in the public consciousness is the following:

People with CFS want to get out of bed, but physically can't/it makes them ill.

Depressed people don't want to get up. Although if they do get up and get some exercise they usually feel better!
^That's interesting. It was once described to me that the difference between clinical depression and 'feeling down' is that someone who is feeling down might feel terrible but can carry on in spite of their feelings/problems, because they have to. Someone who is clinically depressed cannot; does not have the ability to.
Reply 17
I wouldn't say it's as clear-cut as that though.
No, nor would I. It's not my personal opinion; as i said, it's just how it was described to me.
My philosophy, life is 2 short to be depressed.