[Ronin88555]

Sometimes I feel so guilty because I burden my wife and friends ... To the point where I think I stress them out.

Sometimes I think I should just be alone so that I can't hurt or bother anyone else.

[gma45]

Sorry you are feeling this way Ronin88555. You probably are not stressing them out as much as you think. Sometimes that is just the depression talking to ya, trying to make you feel worse than you already do. That is why we are here, you can come here any time and just vent, it does help.

[letsgethigh]

I feel like that all the time. I've been depressed for so long. I just feel like people don't really understand. my best friend used to ask me why cant I just be happy. good question right. as if I choose to be depressed and unhappy. I feel like my friends get tired of hearing me complain and I understand. Its hard.

[Fuzzybear]

If they are true friends, you won't bother or burden them

(False friends? Best to know what they are and be rid of them!)

I do know how you feel... I worry about stressing people out too with my depression. This is a safe place to talk

Originally Posted by gma45

Sorry you are feeling this way Ronin88555. You probably are not stressing them out as much as you think. Sometimes that is just the depression talking to ya, trying to make you feel worse than you already do. That is why we are here, you can come here any time and just vent, it does help.

Good point. Isn't there something in the DSM about excessive guilt? Just sayin'.

[letsgethigh]

Originally Posted by Fuzzybear

If they are true friends, you won't bother or burden them

(False friends? Best to know what they are and be rid of them!)

I wouldn't say they aren't true friends. Most people don't understand depression and don't know how to deal with it. And if they are dealing with their own issues, its even harder. In any relationship you just have to be patient and try to understand the other person.

[Altered Moment]

I totally understand how you feel. A year and a half ago I moved from CA (where I had been practically my whole life) back to Michigan to be with my family. It was depression that caused this move. I have been way to big a burden on my parents emotionally. They are totally supportive and there for me but it is too much for them and I noticed it. I have friends but they don't understand from personal experience and get sick of hearing the same old sob story from me.

I am a big believer in having a support network outside of our families and ordinary friends. A big part of that is professional help. A pdoc and a T. And others who go through the same things we do. This site is awesome for that. Local groups. Group therapy. I find the more open I am the more people I find that also suffer. I believe if we are open and willing the universe tends to put people in our lives who we need and who need us. So I am really working on rebuilding a support network here in Michigan outside of my family and ordinary friends. I have been a member of AA for many years so one obvious answer is to start going to meetings where I am now. Some crazy social anxiety has been keeping me from doing it. I need to just do it and you may have just inspired me to go to one tonight. Thanks. I have found that many many in AA also suffer from mental illness so for me it is a perfect place to find support. I am gonna take that first hard step tonight. Thanks again for your post.

[Ronin88555]

Thanks everyone ! Feeling a lot better now. I'm lucky that I have some friends who suffer from depression and so they understand more then others. I've been talking to some friends and family and they do worry a lot and I've been trying to talk to them more to ease some of their worry. They even think that I'm having a bad day or maybe I'm having anxiety in public ... When I was actually ok. I guess I have communicate more when things are ok in my head.

[OhioGirl42986]

I feel like that all the time! I don't reach out to others when I am having a bad day because I don't want to burden others! People get mad at me because they want me to reach out when i need to but it is so hard for me to do it!