being judged for having depression

[veganbunny]

Do you ever find that people don't understand your depression? And that mentioning your mental halth problems can even scare people away?

I have even found that people who don't know me often back away once discovering my "condition"

Even Penpals from christian websites are scared away by the fact that I don't work, and that I have depression. I find it hurtful when people judge me by my depression, and not by me as a person.

 

[Silver-winged Flyer]

I don't know if they're necessary judging you, its just that they don't really understand what its like and don't know what to say.
Unfortunately there is a stigma attached to mental illnesses which also scares people.
Maybe try explaining to people what its really like and how they can help you.

 

[Jeshu]

Do you ever find that people don't understand your depression? And that mentioning your mental halth problems can even scare people away?

I have even found that people who don't know me often back away once discovering my "condition"

Even Penpals from christian websites are scared away by the fact that I don't work, and that I have depression. I find it hurtful when people judge me by my depression, and not by me as a person.

Yes I find that people don't understand depression very well and I have found plenty of judgementalness focussed at depressed people. Depressed people have often fewer friends and when they suffer at their worst are often blamed or told that they are overdoing it.

From every perspective it is hard being depressed!

Gerry

 

[Soulwings]

There certainly is a stigma against any sort of mental illness.

Luckily, I have had only positive experiences when sharing with others the problems that I have. I refuse to let my mental illness(es) get in the way of my dreams, no matter how hard it gets. But I do understand how that would be difficult for someone who isn't almost TOO bullheaded to manage. Heh. I just don't know when to quit.

What has annoyed me recently is the taboo surrounding mental illness. It's okay to talk about someone's having cancer, it's okay to talk about diabetes and arthritis ... but it's not okay to talk about depression, anxiety, neurosies, eating disorders, self injury, phobias, psychoses. And I don't get it.

 

[UnitynLove]

It ok, because man judges the outside of a man but God judges the heart.

 

[LonelyTraveler]

The hardest thing I'll ever do is tell my family about the path God chose for me. They still don't know, and I'm pretty sure they won't want to accept it as I have.

 

[tapero]

The hardest thing I'll ever do is tell my family about the path God chose for me. They still don't know, and I'm pretty sure they won't want to accept it as I have.

Dear LonelyTraveler, Do you feel like sharing the path God has chosen for you? Praying, love, tapero

 

[veganbunny]

It ok, because man judges the outside of a man but God judges the heart.

That made me think, thanks for saying that!

Also, lonelytraveler, I too am interested in the path God chose for you, if you wish to share it, if not thats fine.

God Bless

 

[LonelyTraveler]

I would share the path God chose for me, but it would violate rule 3.4. So I can't.

But back to the topic, many people judge me because of my affliction. I've lost friends over it, people who I thought would never turn their back on me. But I guess that's the cost.

 

[tapero]

Hi LonelyTraveler,

I understand what your saying, however you can write down what you like, just don't endorse or promote it or say I am... You can say I feel suicidal or feel like I want to hurt myself but not say, I am going to. It really helps to share with others, so just choose your words. You just can't endorse it either by saying it would be the best thing to do etc. There are so many that are hurting, you just need be careful how you convey it to us.

It's real important to have brothers and sisters in the Lord that care for you and we do.

We do care. Love, tapero

 

[LonelyTraveler]

Oh I certainly don't think that it's for everyone. And I am not going to violate scripture and say what tomorrow is going to bring. I just feel that it's where I'm being led. Once I decided to stop fighting the sadness and guilt and pain and let them make their home in my mind, I began to see providence everywhere. Things happening in ways that I couldn't have arranged myself. Ideas coming to fruition that I'd never thought about before.

But who knows? God might not be showing me all his cards. I may be wrong about the hand I think he's dealing to me. Nothing's written in stone, yet.

 

[daisycharm]

Some people dont understand and some people think its all in our heads. I found out years ago.... I dont have to make them understand or even share any info with them. If I feel comfortable enough I will tell them I have depression but I dont ususally go into details. Its really none of their business. Even my husband used to say, " just cheer up and get over it, its all in your head"

That would make me so mad and I wanted to explain it all to him... I was wasting my time. I no longer explain or make excuses for myself. If they get it fine, if not, well, i hope they never have to deal with it.

And as always.... pray for them.

 

[John Spong is wrong]

Do you ever find that people don't understand your depression? And that mentioning your mental halth problems can even scare people away?

I have even found that people who don't know me often back away once discovering my "condition"

Even Penpals from christian websites are scared away by the fact that I don't work, and that I have depression. I find it hurtful when people judge me by my depression, and not by me as a person.

Yes, sometimes this is sadly true. But I've had a lot of people be supporting and accepting too.

Here in Western Australia (WA) our Premier - equivalent of US Governor - resigned because of depression. This had the effect of pushing back the stigma by 20 years. (It would be like Arnold Schwarznegger resigning in the US). So here in WA people are more open about depression than ever b4.

 

[Jeshu]

Oh I certainly don't think that it's for everyone. And I am not going to violate scripture and say what tomorrow is going to bring. I just feel that it's where I'm being led. Once I decided to stop fighting the sadness and guilt and pain and let them make their home in my mind, I began to see providence everywhere. Things happening in ways that I couldn't have arranged myself. Ideas coming to fruition that I'd never thought about before.

But who knows? God might not be showing me all his cards. I may be wrong about the hand I think he's dealing to me. Nothing's written in stone, yet.

Sadness, guilt and pain are no longer 'friends' of mine. Once they ruled my mind and heart and my depression was most severe, now these ungodly rulers have been replaced with The Word, which I read in love for truth. My depression is still often severe but never quite as bad as when sadness, guilt and pain clouded my perspective.

I found that Love for God/Truth speaks the safest language. Guilt, pain and sadness speak the language of misery and death.

That God may BLESS you on your path.

Gerry

 

[christian19]

Do you ever find that people don't understand your depression? And that mentioning your mental halth problems can even scare people away?

I have even found that people who don't know me often back away once discovering my "condition"

Even Penpals from christian websites are scared away by the fact that I don't work, and that I have depression. I find it hurtful when people judge me by my depression, and not by me as a person.

i'm sorry , I can Understand how you feel , if you need to talk to someone please feel friend , to PM me any time

 

[allthatisgone]

I could say I might be one of the rare few that's actually attracted to depression. No, not to depression itself but to those with it. Most tend to shy away coz they wanna be happy and they dont want sb else's sadness touching their own life as much as they can help it.

 

[HannahBanana]

Do you ever find that people don't understand your depression? And that mentioning your mental halth problems can even scare people away?

I have even found that people who don't know me often back away once discovering my "condition"

Even Penpals from christian websites are scared away by the fact that I don't work, and that I have depression. I find it hurtful when people judge me by my depression, and not by me as a person.

I can totally identify with that. My parents love to criticize the fact that I stay in my room on my laptop all day long and cannot seem to get a job. I just wish they could go through what I'm going through, and then maybe they'd understand.

Good luck with everything, and I'll keep you in my thoughts.

 

[jsimms615]

I don't understand or claim to understand my depression either. Looking at my life, you would think I would have every reason in the world to be happy and content. But, then I usually don't discuss with others who I am feeling or how depressed I feel. I usually just try to do my best to get through the day and that takes all my energy.

 

[Rabid_Rabbit]

I found it really hard when my best friend turned on me and blamed me for not trying hard enough to get thru my depression. Gosh that hurt.
Mostly due to the fact that I had been trying so hard and nothing had been working. I was absolutely mentally exausted and quite distressed at that point. But I think it can be quite hard for people who care about you when they try to help but can't see any headway being made.
The sad thing is now I feel very apprehensive talking to her about anything now. It's like self preservation has kicked in to prevent me from being hurt again.