Quote:
Originally Posted by billieJ
I can deeply identify with the lack of understanding for depression by family members. I have a family member currently visiting me for a month, who somehow manages to find TV shows that demonstrate his belief that depression is a "sin" caused by demon possession. These shows blare forth whenever I enter the living room and make my illness all the worse for the guilt that these beliefs cause. If your family member is at least willing to acknowledge your illness, that is something to be happy about. Well, maybe not happy, but grateful to them for the effort. billieJ
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Depression is a sin caused by demon possession? Oh boy.
Then medication can battle a demon?
Depression is not a sin. It is not a moral weakness. It is not a bad attitude. It is not feeling sad because your puppy ran away. It is not a sign of poor upbringing. It is not anybody's fault.
It is an illness, with symptoms and treatment.
If this relative is in *your* house, can you ask for some respect? You shouldn't have to be dehumanized in your own home.
Let me finally add this thought: There are times when family or friends don't understand, because I am doing *well.* "If you're doing so well, when are you going to get off those medications and quit going to see a shrink?" Of course you realize what would happen if I did just that. I'd fall so hard you could hear the splat from the other side of the world.
I'm doing well *because* I'm doing what I need to do in order to take care of myself. And I'm not going to stop doing it just because some family member is embarrassed by the fact that I am a psychiatric patient.