[fallenangel337]

I'm so sick of everyone telling me that depression is a child's disease...Everyone tells me "oh, you'll grow out of it." I'm a month away from being a legal adult...what, am I just going to wake up in a month rid of depression? I'm so sick of being discounted because I'm young...I hate how people tell me because I'm young, I have no opinion, and I'm basically nothing. I don't think people can realiz/remember that they were my age once, too...

[Rohag]

Depression a child's disease one grows out of... That would be nice. Are they trying to shame you out of your/our condition?

Maybe, if they're tuned in to your pain and sincerity, they will educate themselves about depression. Invite them to your world. Are they open?

[Amazonmom]

What a misconception! While I had my first depression at the age of 17, I am 33 now and still have to manage depression.

I think you are making excellent insights into depression and therapy for someone so young.

I agree with Rohag. If people seem educable and interested, tell them about your experiences.

[fallenangel337]

Originally Posted by Rohag

Depression a child's disease one grows out of... That would be nice. Are they trying to shame you out of your/our condition?

Maybe, if they're tuned in to your pain and sincerity, they will educate themselves about depression. Invite them to your world. Are they open?

I doubt it, but it's worth a shot. Everyone discounts it as a cry for attention...like a label I put on myself. It's so hard to show them anything about this, becasue that gives them one more thing they can discount and disregard.

[Amazonmom]

Realize that this is a problem THEY have, not a failing in you.

You are doing the right things about it, getting treatment.

Is this your parents telling you these things? Or is it someone else?

[notz]

I haven't a clue what the average age of a PC member is, but I'd give 2 to 1 odds that it's plenty older than you are!

So much for outgrowing depression. *I wish!*

[ECHOES]

Until I read your words "depression is a child's disease...", I had never heard the phrase.

I think those who say that are seeing depression as something else, because they don't understand it's depth. They think of it as something they can relate to, a pouting child or a day of feeling down/blue that goes away. I think there also might be a hidden wish in that phrase, that they hope your depression gets better for you with maturity/age.

You are right--you count, you matter, your opinions are valuable.

[fallenangel337]

Originally Posted by Amazonmom

Is this your parents telling you these things? Or is it someone else?

It's mostly my dad, stepmom, and other adults I come in contact with.

It's always something...whether it's my depression or anything else, my age is always the excuse. I can't be intelligent...I'm too young. I can't have an opinion...I'm too young. However, I guess I'm not to young to be depressed.

[justfloating]

(((((((((((fallenangel)))))))))))))


Family can be difficult, because they see you as their child long after you've become an adult. My family still treats me like I'm 14, and it drives me crazy. Being in your teens with depression can be tough, I think, because so many people think that young people are melodramatic or overly emotional or maybe just hormonal, and don't take a lot of what they say seriously. Having a family who won't listen is like being stuck between a rock and a hard place -- on the one hand you want to throw off what they're saying completely; on the other hand, they're your family and you've got to live with them.

I might point out to your family the vast number of politicians, actors, writers, musicians and scientists, past and present, who struggled with depression all through their adult lives.

And if that doesn't work ... well, it might be a small comfort to know you have the strength that comes from knowing you're right. Good luck.

[Amazonmom]

You've hit the time in your life when you realize that the adults in your life aren't always right, and they will give you bad advice sometimes. Notice I said sometimes...not ALL the time LOL

They can't make the depression go away by minimizing it. If that technique worked I would have been cured at 17!

Originally Posted by fallenangel337

It's mostly my dad, stepmom, and other adults I come in contact with.

It's always something...whether it's my depression or anything else, my age is always the excuse. I can't be intelligent...I'm too young. I can't have an opinion...I'm too young. However, I guess I'm not to young to be depressed.

[Tumnus]

I got in the most arguments with adults when I was 17. Hated living at home and hated having lived with depression since I was 13. Usually, the depression doesn't go away, but this time in your life will pass. I'm sorry it's so hard right now. I would not live that time in my life over again.