[manwithnofriends]

...because that only makes the depression worse. All that the depressed person needs is to be listened to. Only the depressed person knows the cause of the depression, and only said person can fix it. No one else knows.

(so it's great that there are "thank" and "hug" buttons here)

[allme]

[Dionysius]

I wonder which is worse not knowing the cause of your depression or knowing the cause. I mean if you know the cause does it make it easier to live with?

[gayleggg]

Originally Posted by Dionysius

I wonder which is worse not knowing the cause of your depression or knowing the cause. I mean if you know the cause does it make it easier to live with?

No, I don't think it does help to know what the cause is, unless the cause can be fixed.

[bronzeowl]

I am often inclined to agree. Sometimes, the only "help" we want is knowing someone is willing to listen. No advice. No tips. Just listen.

[Dionysius]

Originally Posted by gayleggg

No, I don't think it does help to know what the cause is, unless the cause can be fixed.

In the past I haven`t known the cause and it made me feel really isolated, it used to creep up on me so to speak, at the moment there are a few things making me sad, none of which can be fixed. I can live with that. For me it was worse not knowing the cause, I suppose everyone is different, thanks for your reply, btw.

[Nammu]

acceptance is all I need. Just don't try to fix me, just accept me, all of me the good, the bad, the depressed. I'm not saying to ignore bad behavior, but don't shame me for an illness.

[Sadley]

I'm sorry, but I 100% disagree. I've had the hardest time thinking of what to say to my therapist. I start talking about how I feel, and then he just says "Do you have anything besides hopelessness and despair to tell me"? And I don't because I'm very very depressed. How am I going to get better that way??? Its NOT working. I need serious help. I need someone to PUSH me hard and make me do things.