[WikidPissah]

I have been in a downward spiral for a few weeks. It's dark, I'm hurting, and I'm lonely. Yesterday I had a "friend" call. I use the term loosely because I am the type of person who never lets anyone get too close. She asked what was going on, and I actually told her I was having some depression. She was like "oh yea, I get blue sometimes too, you just have to pull yourself up and get active" *sigh* I told her it wasn't that easy. I told her it was very much like coming down with a virus...the achy feeling, the weird stomach, the exhaustion...all you can do is climb in bed, pull the covers up and pray it runs it's course quickly. She didn't respond well, "that's just ridiculous, depression isn't medical like a virus". *sigh again* Oh well, I tried to explain it, I tried to reach out.

Hi Eileen,

Your friend sounds like if she even has suffered from a depression, it was a very mild one. Perhaps what she thinks is depression is merely "sadness", and so it was very easy for her to get over it. Sounds like she doesn't quite understand how tough depression can be!

I think that it's great that you reached out to your friend though, and are also reaching out to us here at PC. Please keep posting whenever you feel like it, as we are here to listen.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

[Elana05]

Hi Eileen. I'm sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well. To me, depression has A LOT of similarities to having a virus or flu. Your friend just doesn't know or understand what it is. I have gone through that as well with people I speak with. Please take care of yourself. Many good wishes.
Elana

[maureenjs]

hi eileen;
sometimes people just plain SUCK. i once told my (toxic) mother that i was feeling depressed and she said "Honey you just have to think positive thoughts". she had/has no comprehension that this thing called depression is a MEDICAL CONDITION, an ILLNESS. i cant think my way out of clinical depression. yes therapy helps but alot of it has to do woth my meds and the tweeking they sometimes need. and then there are the days like today that fall under the catagory of "i am just depressed today". no reason. no explanation. i just overslepted woke up and tried to start my day and wonder why did i bother. the coffee isnt working, i feel numb and i just want to go back to bed. and i probably will. i feel empty and i dont care about anything. i push the dogs away. i seldom go anywhere because i have social anxiety and no where to go anyway. i spend alot of time alone even though i ve tried different support groups, i volunteer, and i joined a mental health drop in center that ended up being somewhere everyone went to shoot pool and smoke. do i sound depressing? is this a downer to read? well, i apologize. its just how i m feeling. i know enough to know it will pass. i hate that i dont know when it will. please dont tell me what to do - thats the last thing i need today. i just wanted Eileen to know shes not alone in her struggle. and i will make it eileen and so will you.
maureen

[Rohag]

Hi, Eileen2010!

Originally Posted by Eileen2010

"that's just ridiculous, depression isn't medical like a virus".

Thank you for sharing your acquaintance's comment -- it deserves recording in "People Say the Darnedest Things about Depression". *sigh*

[Therapyconfusion]

Its so hard to tell people who dont understand. Plus you never know who will understand or not. Anytime I tell my mom or sisters anything slightly upsetting I get accused of having PMS. Hugs go out to you. I understand and it is like a vius.

[Butterflyangel]

alot of people don't understand. That is why we came to this sight. we're here for you.

[MegC]

I think that is a very good way to describe the feeling!

[WikidPissah]

Originally Posted by maureenjs

hi eileen;
i just overslepted woke up and tried to start my day and wonder why did i bother. the coffee isnt working, i feel numb and i just want to go back to bed. and i probably will. i feel empty and i dont care about anything. i push the dogs away. i seldom go anywhere because i have social anxiety and no where to go anyway. i spend alot of time alone even though i ve tried different support groups,
maureen

yes maureen...that's totally it...thank you.

[Naturefreak]

Eileen2010

[wanttotalk]

Depression like a virus, sounds exactly right to me. Foggy brain, slow moving body, slow to warm up, staying still with my eyes closed is about all I can do. I totally get it. Take gentle care of you.

[Lacer Vita]

*hug*

What a great description. "Like a virus".
Maybe the reason some people don't see it is because it's not catching like one, they've never had it, and ... I'm sure there was another reason, but... meh.

*hug*

There are people out there like that person you know. But not everyone is so unempathetic.

Take care of you, in the best and most loving ways possible.