What else can I call it?

[LovebirdsFlying]

I had been wondering how to explain depression to people in terms of other medical conditions, such as diabetes or epilepsy, so that people understand it's not something I choose or can just snap out of. Then it occurred to me, maybe the biggest barrier to understanding what is happening inside me is to label it "depression." People hear "depression," and they picture somebody sitting around crying and moping over something bad that happened. "Yeah, I was depressed for a week after my goldfish died." That isn't what's happening at all. In fact I am emotionally very dull, and I'm not sure I could cry right now no matter what happened. You have to have at least some mental energy going on, in order to feel emotion.

But even being coherent enough to type this is exhausting for me. I normally type 60 words a minute. I can't do that today. I'd be lucky to clock 25. My thoughts are coming too slowly and randomly to communicate them well. Then I have to go back and re-read my previous sentence, so I can connect it logically to my next one. I'm the same way verbally. I keep losing what I'm saying, in the middle of saying it.

Maybe instead of trying to explain this "depression" in light of other illnesses, the solution is to call it something else so people don't assume I'm simply in need of being cheered up? What should I call it, then?

 

[Christownsme]

Hi,
I'd call it a chronic imbalance of neurotransmitters.

 

[prov1810]

There's something incommunicable about pain, and in a way that's a blessing. It's good that pain is not contagious. I am glad that others do not feel my pain. The only way to really understand it is to experience it, and their cluelessness is their freedom from it, so, good for them.

I too know depression - physically painful, emotionally null depression. Understanding it is our job, so that we can take care of ourselves.

 

[Criada]

I find people accept 'clinical depression' as being more medically valid than just 'depression' - maybe it sounds a bit more scientific, I don't know...

 

[drjean]

If you have been diagnosed with clinical depression, yes that is most accurate to use. However, I understand what your dilemma is and suggest you quit trying to make them understand and tell them you suffer with a medical condition (and you're needing accommodations while you heal.)