[Samanthagreene]

All the people I've told about my depression so far have been really supportive, but a lot of them assume that when I'm sobbing or SIing, it's because something happened. My mom came in on me once as I was crying and immediately asked, "What happened?" I couldn't find words to explain that nothing had happened, I was just a terrible person and hated myself so much. Other friends do this, too.
I think generally, when people think depression, they don't think about neurotransmitters as much as breaking up with a boyfriend or losing a loved one. These things are terrible, but is it possible to explain to them that my specific depression isn't CAUSED by anything, it just cycles in and out? Has anyone else experienced similar difficulties with people?
Thanks,
-Sam

[Lost in this world]

I did have a similar situation. I had a family member tell me to stop crying and get over it. When most time I cant get over it! You cant explain why you are sad. It just happens.

[shamon86]

Originally Posted by Samanthagreene

All the people I've told about my depression so far have been really supportive, but a lot of them assume that when I'm sobbing or SIing, it's because something happened. My mom came in on me once as I was crying and immediately asked, "What happened?" I couldn't find words to explain that nothing had happened, I was just a terrible person and hated myself so much. Other friends do this, too.
I think generally, when people think depression, they don't think about neurotransmitters as much as breaking up with a boyfriend or losing a loved one. These things are terrible, but is it possible to explain to them that my specific depression isn't CAUSED by anything, it just cycles in and out? Has anyone else experienced similar difficulties with people?
Thanks,
-Sam

Absolutely! I avoid talking to my family about it because its too complicated to explain, luckily I have a close friend who has gone through the same so she understands somewhat. When I first told her about it though, she told me that I must have had unresolved issues with my mothers passing that I wasn't confronting. I actually told my therapist that I was frustrated because I felt like I had no reason to be depressed. And so I'll tell you what she told me... There doesn't have to be a reason! You feel the way you feel and that's okay! I have to remind myself of this every once in a while. Good luck!

[lostincornflakes]

I cry a lot. It can be really embarrassing, mostly when it happens in public. I literally can't control it. And I rarely leave the house because of it. However I also go long periods with out crying. I'm sure it's because of my bipolar. I used to think I was manic way more than depressed but after my last hospital stay I've been more depressed than ever. Pdoc started me on Wellbutrin SR yesterday. I sometime wish the manic would come back.

[Dionysius]

It`s definitely difficult/impossible to explain depression to anyone who doesn`t/hasn`t suffered with it. I know what is depressing me, but still can`t explain it to anyone. I feel isolated in my mind and feel people in general don`t want to know about anyone`s depression.

[shortandcute]

When I was living with my sister and her husband, I was already suffering from depression and anxiety, but I didn't quite understand it at the time. They kept pestering me about "what was bothering me," and I tried to explain to them that nothing happened, I was just feeling bad. Then they started accusing me of sinning in secret and "tampering with the devil" because I couldn't explain why I was feeling that way.

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by Dionysius

It`s definitely difficult/impossible to explain depression to anyone who doesn`t/hasn`t suffered with it. I know what is depressing me, but still can`t explain it to anyone. I feel isolated in my mind and feel people in general don`t want to know about anyone`s depression.

Someone said to me once, "For those who know, no explanation is necessary; for those who don't, no explanation is enough."

[cookfan56]

Originally Posted by Samanthagreene

All the people I've told about my depression so far have been really supportive, but a lot of them assume that when I'm sobbing or SIing, it's because something happened. My mom came in on me once as I was crying and immediately asked, "What happened?" I couldn't find words to explain that nothing had happened, I was just a terrible person and hated myself so much. Other friends do this, too.
I think generally, when people think depression, they don't think about neurotransmitters as much as breaking up with a boyfriend or losing a loved one. These things are terrible, but is it possible to explain to them that my specific depression isn't CAUSED by anything, it just cycles in and out? Has anyone else experienced similar difficulties with people?
Thanks,
-Sam

Most people just don't understand, so I've learned to just tell immediate family. My problem lately is that I'm not deeply depressed, but just depressed enough that I keep looking toward the future and seeing nothing in it except problems and pain. One of my kids is a constant source of pain and needs to be dealt with constantly (like me, she has depression, other physical issues/illnesses), which means doctors, meds, etc. Actually my other child who is now an adult also got depression from me.

I guess what I'm saying is that I'm making it day to day now but I don't see anything like a "happy future" for any of us. I find myself passively wishing death. In other words, not *doing* anything, just looking up different forms of cancer, etc. I'm actually avoiding seeing doctors for my annual visits like mammograms, getting a colonoscopy, etc. because I feel like if it happens to me it would be better than all this other crap long-term. I do take meds and they help somewhat but not really. I'm still married to my kids' father and I honestly many times have felt that if I were gone my kids would have a chance at a better step-mother than I am a mother. (or even a better nanny!)