I called my brother today. My brother and I are pretty close, actually, but when I told him that I felt suicidal this morning and what I am experiencing with clinical depression and generalized anxiety disorder, he was not helpful. His comments caused me to feel worse. He kept saying what a "great life" I have and how I should appreciate it. I know that he was trying to help and expressing his own frustration with the stress of his own life in comparison to mine and just not understanding how I could be clinically depressed because I am married to the same wonderful man for 27 years, have 1 wonderful teenaged son and live in a nice house in a nice area. He kept talking about how people have it so much worse than I do.

I started to feel guilty listening to him and to get confused and anxious. So I handed the phone to my husband. Then later I emailed my brother, when I could collect my thoughts, and gave him some links to places online to learn about clinical depression and anxiety as illnesses. I also told him how his comments made me feel and that I still know he was trying to help, but it was not helpful.

Then I beat myself up a little for making a bad decision and going to him for support. I guess I didn't know how he'd respond for sure. Now I know.