I got really upset at work today

Its so not good. My job is the only thing in my life that keeps me going...If I lose this job I have nothing left that I care about but now I just never want to go back

I pretty much don't talk about my depression at work, its not a secret but I don't advertise it either. One of the staff members today asked me why I'm so miserable all the time and so I explained to her that I have depression but that I try not to let it into my work. I know that I do let it affect my work, especially recently but thats another point.

At this point, her, another member of staff and a senior manager to me all pretty much ganged up on me and started saying that depression doesn't exist and that its a choice you make to be depressed!

They said you can choose to overcome it and there is no such thing as chemical depression and that I should just be strong and stop feeling sorry for myself.

I tried to explain that you wouldn't say to a diabetic "for gods sake just start making your own insulin and pull yourself together" so why is it okay to say to a depressed person " pull yourself together" its not like I can control my chemical levels is it.

Then they started talking about ant-depressants and that only weak stupid people took them and as much as I argued that some people need them just to function at a reasonable level, that they probably pretty much saved me last year they just shouted me down

I'm so upset, I just felt so attacked, if a friend hadn't come along and told them to shut up because she knew how upset they were making me I think I would have cried right there on the shop-floor.

It all sounds so stupid and petty written here but my self-esteem is so low anyway and I can't deal with people thinking badly about me.

I just don't want to go back, I want to hide because I can't deal with this at the minute.

Sorry for ranting, I just needed to tell people who understand how I feel.

That stinks!!! You're strong for standing up for yourself, and for taking the anti-depressants. What stupid rubbish those people were talking grrrrrrrrrrrr.

Please stay strong.... maybe they will learn one day. And keep posting....

Take care,
Fuzzy

OMG that makes me soooo angry!!! How dare they say that only weak stupid people take them. I wish I could go to work with you. I would mop the floor with them. They are the ignorant ones. I fight depression everyday and if it weren't for the anti-depressants, I am sure I would have checked out long ago.
This just infuriates me that people can be so stupid about depression.
Honey, try to ignore them although I know that's hard to do. Stick with the friend who tried to help you. That is a friend.
Good luck to you and know that there are many, many of us who are all upset about them talking to you like this.
Linda

Thanks Fuzzy and Boopers, I really needed someone to tell me I wasn't overeacting about how much they hurt me, you both really helped me.

I still feel angry. At them yeah but also at myself, I wish I could have said f**k you, you have no idea. I didn't though because I don't. I let people walk all over me and then hate myself for letting them

I want to post here more but I kind of feel like why would anyone want to hear what I have to say. Also I'm tired a lot cause I work long hours but don't really sleep well because I can't so I lack motivation to even turn on the PC, maybe I'm just lazy, maybe its the depression.

I just SO don't want to be like this anymore, I know in my heart I should go to my dr's and start taking medication again but I'm just so afraid of his reaction because I stopped taking them before without his permission...I just never went back. Bad I know but I felt better and thought I knew best

I just don't know where to start, my family and friends don't want to hear about it so I rant here, sorry

I think you did well arguing with them at all, especially three against one, and I bet you had an impact on them too (such that they won't argue with you again about it probably). I think you and your friend probably got across to them that it wasn't something they could "change your mind" about so hopefully they won't bother you anymore. Hold your head high and remember a lot of people argue passionately about something because they're worried about themselves and don't want what they fear to be true for them. Your behavior and how you well you deal with your depression/taking care of yourself can have a positive effect on people down the line you may not even know about who watch and pay attention. It's certainly been helpful to me to hear how you battled as well as you could against higher odds :-) (((polkadotpixie)))

Are you serious? I thought "the get over it" syndrome was gone, especially in the workplace.
I, too, am really mad. Like Linda, I would have whipped the floor with them and put in a call to human rights. Because they are impinging on human rights.

I don't know how it is in not so Jolly ole England, but in Canada and Ontario, things are slowly chaning. When I had a depression episode at work, with a factor being over worked, I didn't know my rights, and took the blame onto myself. But I later found out, months later, that I had a good cause to make a claim for Workers Compensation. I got on the internet and library and read in Human Resources, Health in the Workplace. I described my case exactly, and my rights were definately not adhered to.
I usually get blank looks from Management and even Employee Assistance Program Counsellors when I ask about "mental health in the workplace", it's surprising how word has not gotten around, especially in non-governmental organisations.

I don't have a Union, which doesn't help, but it got me so angry, that I filled a claim, and only then did they present option of Long Term Disability for progressive return to work after my Employment Insrance ran out weeks ago.

I still can't believe how people are so callous, even when faced with the diabetes analogy. Nobody would ever be so stupid as say that to me, or they would have been metaphorically been *****ed slapped.

I could go on for pages on this, but good for you and your friend for staying your ground, and I'd look into Human Resources booklets and manuals to see what accommodations they can make (within reason), because you are entitled, if only to work from home on some afternoons, etc. Why should your health suffer, because of the ignorance of others.

Hand in there champ, we all wish we could go to work with you, and God help anybody who looks at you with disdain and such. I'd ask to see my personal file to see what is it, because I wouldn't want to find out at evaluation time what they've mistakenly taken for something else.

Cheers
Foxynatty

Hi Polkadotpixie,
They're terrible people who have no compassion nor understanding. Then again, depression is something you have to live through to appreciate.
Or maybe they're suffering from some kind of a Tom Cruise syndrome or something.
I'm sorry they ganged up on you like that. I'm glad you had a friend to stand by you.
((((((((Polka))))))))))