Things people say to people who have major depression

Same here! As if we don't have it hard enough without people telling us that "other people have it worse"! It just adds to the stigma against mental health issues, it certainly does nothing to help us.
A lot of people have external problems; we have internal problems (or some people have internal AND external). Nobody's problems are any more or less valid than somebody else's issues.

 

Just because someone ELSE has it "worse" doesn't invalidate your experience.

Depression can be caused by emotional stressors that aren't outwardly apparent. And there could be an underlying issue, where YOU feel more intensely than many others given similar circumstance.

The thought that someone else is worse is usually intended to impart a relief as you could think, your situation isn't as bad as you thougt. ... BUT, for depressive person, it doescause that guilt and can invalidate feelings. contrary to it's purpose.

Your feelings are what they are and you feel how you do. No matter what another is going through it doesn't make your feelings less real

 

Ugh. Exactly.
Depression is a mental illness. It's not just sadness that can be gotten over with
It's a mix of intense grief, lack of motivation, low self esteem, and no desire to live- the inability to completely feel happiness, it's not a feeling. And some people don't get that.

 

Yep that's the worst. My second least favorite is, "well just smile anyway until you feel better." My dads side is bad with that one. I've always wanted to say sorry my mind crushing depression is inconvenient for you, with heavy sarcasm. I don't think it would help their attitude though.

 

Im just curious.. What makes it feel better when you are depressed?

 

Someone to just listen and not try to fix you. Going out with someone, or for a walk with someone. By my self gardening.

 

^^ That is right on.

 

True depression needs to be diagnosed by a doctor. I am very thankful for treatment. It's a very private thing, and people who have not experienced it do not understand. It's not just feeling low for a few days and something you will snap out of. I have personally never experienced anyone saying anything like this to me, but I was very careful not to let too many people know what I was going through. If you feel as though you are experiencing true depression, I would urge you to see your doctor. Treatment makes a world of difference.

 

Wow. That is not good. I would see someone else. I really believe mine is chemically based but exacerbated (sp?) by stress in my life. I am on just the lowest dosage of a common antidepressant and it seems to really help me.

 

I've heard "You have to push through it, you choose to feel happy or sad"...yes because I totally choose to feel depressed . /sarcasm/
Sometimes it helps a little bit when I do things I usually love like crafting or taking a walk early in the morning when no one else is around to bother me, or just taking a hot shower.

 

Antidepressants don't work for everyone. I found a huge amount of relief when I started taking my ADD meds again. My doc said he had several people a year who responded the same way. You said you have seizures, one of my freinds in HS had pretty bad seizures, when they were bothering him a lot his mood would tank right before they started a long interruption in his life. Ask your Neuro if they can affect emotion for long periods.

 

And the neuro doesn't explain why he's not concerned about the black spot? Ask for a written report.

To add to what other people have written, I have dealt with depression for 45 years, and it was only this last year my psych rediagnosed me as bipolar 2, which is severe depression interspersed with hypomania, and I was blessed with the anxiety ridden, angry, insomniac kind. He kept me on an antidepressant, added a mood stabilizer, and Ritalin. I've been stable for the first time in that whole time.

Not that you could be bipolar but that there are options medically that could be helpful that aren't antidepressants. Also, it does sound like you need a new therapist. "Have it so well?" Depression isn't having it so well.

 

The counselor sounds incompetent. I'm glad you are rid of them. Good Move for you,

Keep trying new therapists until one clicks. Ive hadseveral. Sometimes, i outgrow someone's methods and just need a change. That can happen too and it's OK.

It sounds weird, or stereotypical, but Chocolate (very very dark, like 80% or higher) can be of great help. I've found it to lift my mood just enough to get out of a depressive rut sometimes.

I've been on a ridiculous number of meds. One turned emotion entirely off. that was weird. Another made me more unstable, some made me antsy, others just didn't work. but now im at a point where they mostly do thier job. im still on several meds, but at low doses and at last it's helping for the most part.

Keep trying. You may find something that works.

Also, Look up meditation, the simple breating one. and the one about caring about yourself/others. I don't recall what they are called, butthe one where you just let your mind go blank and concentrate on breathing helps me immensely.

 

My friend committed suicide because of depression. He was in denial and it was late for us to save him.

 

Major depression can be a fatal disease. These comments are sort of like telling someone who has diabetes or cancer to just eat right and you'll be O.K. These comments are based in ignorance and should be dismissed accordingly. Mouth moving...brain not so much.

 

New doctors are the best choice I ever made. If they don't care they aren't competent, that's not a reflection on you, it just means their bad at their job.