[Hastogetbetter]

I wanted to open this up.
Newly (within the last year) diagnosed with severe depression. Since "coming out" (through an intervention) it seems my family now walk on eggs with me.
They don't understand depression at all.

What can I do to help them understand
But as a depressed person not feel rejected if they are not receptive
That will put me over an edge.

[mudgey]

This is a tricky one! I've been with my husband for 10 years and he still walks on eggshells around me! I don't know if anyone can truly understand unless they go thru it themselves. That is why I like PC. People here feel just like me. I find it strange yet so refreshing to have others saying the way they feel and I'm nodding my head yes because I feel that way too. I don't know if they will ever understand. It is one of the problems that I'm sure a lot of us have. Stay strong and come here to talk.

[SmackytheFrog]

Mudgey you just explained why I feel so draw to their forum like a nutshell!

About your family, I know know its hard to explain to people, especially your family. My family still doesn't really understand mine. When my gran found out she snapped at me and angrily asked why I'm depressed and I couldn't explain to her that it's not that my life is particularly bad its that I don't feel good enough and it was taking over and keeping me from enjoying life. She still doesn't understand it, but I've decided to talk to the members of my family that don't make me feel threatened about my depression.

My suggestion would be to talk to the ones you feel most comfortable with first. Or maybe even sit them down and have a reverse intervention. If you're seeing a therapist maybe you could ask them to help you in explaining it in a way they will understand and as back up.

Just remember that you are accepted here and we'll always be willing to talk if you need to.

[turquoisesea]

I agree that's a tough one. Giving them access to information is important. Some people gain from reading articles, some from direct contact/conversation. I've heard of people who bring family members to a therapy session so the therapist can talk to them and explain some more about everything. I hope you can get them to understand a bit better

[desertrose1993]

Please don't feel like you are the only one, only my mother semi-understands and she still get's very frustrated sometimes. The other ones just say "snap out of it", your fine, just make yourself do stuff, we can't help you, we can't help you pay for treatment either...Blah, blah, blah.

You are not alone