Depression doesn't exist, you choose to be this way!

well according to my mother who has a bachelors degree in accounting there is no such thing as depression. I control my mind, I choose to be like this, I'm just being lazy.

I'm glad she informed me, with all her expertise on the subject of the brain and human mind and all.

I guess my pdoc and my therapist have no idea what they are talking about either.


I don't know where I would be without my all knowing and loving mother!

Oh wow! We certainly wish that Depression didn't exist! No one on this earth would ever choose to go through all the pain that Depression causes!

That's terrible. And wrong.

Walk up to her and say, "stupidity doesn't exist, you just choose to be this way."

That is classic! I love that. I'm gonna have to remember that one!

Yeah. That's hilarious. How ignorant can you be? She's the lazy one--she doesn't want to educate herself about your condition. All the people on this forum are all deluded
Well- you know the truth so just feel sorry for her and try to ignore her--.
I'm glad you are getting professional help and I hope one day you'll be able to tell your mother exactly what you think
Good luck

wow. Grrrrrrrrrr

Wow. IMO, that is ignorant and cold of her to say that to you. If she ever becomes clinically depressed, she will know that it isn't merely a matter of "pulling up your bootstraps." Take care.

> Depression doesn't exist, you choose to be this way!

Depression does exist, I can control some things, and who would choose to feel crappy?

I realize its easier said than done, but don't listen to her she is 100% wrong about that. I guess for some people who don't struggle with it they just don't get it its easier if they think people choose to be that way then if they think of it as something that could effect them as well someday.

Obviously no one chooses to feel like crap.

She sounds like my aunt who helped raise me. Do you know how tired I get of hearing her say Buck Up?

I think I would tell her to stick to her accounting. I also have my degree in accounting & computer science & wouldn't think of expressing opinions on something I knew nothing about.

Your post did come across as being sarcastic regarding your mother.

I do know that my depression was situational, not a chemical imbalance that I inherited from my parents.....& I do know that the depression I was experiencing was because of how I reacted to the situation & the whole environment that I felt trapped in. We can learn how to deal with the situations & reprogram the neuropathways that have developed throughout our growing up years to better handle the situations we find ourselves in.

However without work through therapy, & other assistance, it's impossible to just sit there & change those neuropathways.....so it isn't just choice on our part....it does take work to fix what is broken......whether through the use of T or meds....one needs to work with what works for them.

Stick with your pdoc & T......as long as you see some positive progress....otherwise, it's time to find ones that will make positive progress happen. I know I wasted almost 20 years on useless T's that offered nothing to help.....then I got involved with this group after I moved & they have made all the difference & have learned so much about the mind & how it works.

Oh, I hate it when people say things like that. One of my favorites is, "Nobody had depression when I was younger." And to that I want to say, "Yeah? Well, how do you know? Just because they didn't tell you?" If people were always "okay" until recently, they wouldn't have had all those institutions for all those years! Anyone ever see The Snake Pit? It was about a lady who had to be hospitalized for a short while and it was made in '30's or '40's! It's just that everything has been so hush-hush until recently. I was born in the 1960's, and even as a kid and a young adult (in the seventies and "80's) it was still pretty hush hush.

Is it just possible that maybe mom is not that ignorant? Responses like hers can be indicative of someone who has no copping skills as relates to some of life's more complex issues. Ironically, one of the first things she needs to do in order cope is learn more about depression, its challenges and treatments.

My husband is an accountant/systems analyst and had a very difficult time not just understanding depression, but my needs. He doesn't cope well with issues that can't be readily fixed. Despite suffering from depression, I had to be strong and help him. He eventually got it.

We are both now trying to help some friends of ours deal with their daughter's mental illness. It is surprising that they have so little understanding and patience with her condition because they are both medical professionals!

I hope that mom will get past her frustration and become more educated and equipped. Be strong. Know that mom is human and makes mistakes and while it doesn't feel like it, she loves you very much. Consider maybe allocating 10-15 minutes of one of your therapy sessions to invite mom in and have the therapist explain a few things and maybe answer a few questions for her.

I've had people say that to me before as well. I was told that I "use my mental illness as an excuse to act the way I do." It's ridiculous. No one in their right mind would choose to be like this or deal with mental health problems.

Love this! I shared this with my friend, and a woman from my dbt group .... thanks for making us all laugh today

((Hugs)) I know the feeling when someone totally discredits what is going on with you, they will believe what they want to believe but remember that doesn't change the facts about what we struggle with. Keep your head up and know that you're not alone!

My mom believed that mental illness was caused by demons. I was taken to church and humiliated and prayed for to "cast out the demons of rebellion" I feel your pain, so much.

I am so relieved to hear that. Just as soon as my mind comes back from whatever fine adventure it's currently on I will let it know. I'm sure it will straighten out immediately.

my used-to-be-counsellor told me "to just be happy, because there's no reason to be depressed" and "to stop feeling suicidal." he has a degree in counselling i hated the guy.

it shows how closed minded people are...

A pdoc I saw told me I'm not depressed because I'm not on anti-depressants.. Even though I was having Suicidal Ideation .-.;'

There truly are ignorant people in this world..

Denial is one of the most common defensive mechanisms, she knows she is wrong, but does not want to think about your depression, otherwise, she may have to examine herself and ask herself if your depression is connected somehow with her