"Well why are you depressed?"

Some people don't regard depression as an illness and they criticise and blame the person instead.

I...don't think I've been asked that question. Then again, I usually make sure no one (including my parents) knows this side of me. I tend to think deeper than some of the peple I know, so already that narrows down the number of people that I can be on the same wavelength with in this subject. I know I'll tell someone one day, but I don't think I've found the right person to talk to.
I think I can see how some people don't like being asked that question though, especially if the person who's asking doesn't quite grasp how any of this can work....There's also the traumatic memories depending who's being asked...Well, that or even just the confrontation itself. I'd probably be scared/annoyed of the latter.

When I've said to people I have depression, a lot of the time they have made me feel like I've created it, like its about my character, that its to do with your attitude to life, thoughts, how you percieved and deal with things. And they haven't believed it to be illness. Psychological therapies like CBT that are recommended for people with mental health issues aim to challenge negative thought patterns and habits.

My T has NEVER asked me that question and I'm glad she hasn't. In fact, I was the one that told her I didn't have a reason to feel depressed. She responded, and has always said "you don't have to have a reason". Yes there are some triggers that have occurred that probably helped my depression along, but it isn't the sole reason as to why I feel the way I feel.

Thank you for sharing. I am so sorry you had to deal with this. I have asked this question myself by people who are supposed to be helping. It has taken me a long to realize that there does not have to be a reason and that that is ok.

When somebody asks you why are you depressed it is irritating. There doesn't necessarily have to be a "why" or there may be lots of reasons, but I don't like the way the doctor worded that. Before I saw a pdoc, my medical doc was treating my depression and he did not talk to me in a callous way like that. Rather, he would sit patiently and allow me to talk about all my problems and then he would offer suggestions and prescribe medications.

There are different factors that lead to depression, that's well known. It doesn't occur just like that without some triggers and there are things we say and do that don't help. Bullying, abuse, and loss are factors that cause people to fall into depression. Depression is not just explained by a chemical imbalance. People experience it differently, for different periods of time. Therapists don't like people thinking of it as illness. And others think of it as to do with one's attitude, negative ways of thinking, percieving and acting in situations.

I hate b**ches like that...:/

Seriously though, some of us ARE just depressed. Not all of us have a coherent reason for it.

Well a lot of people have depression due to certain factors, from stressful traumatic experiences. You dont get born with it. There are underlying reasons. Its not just chemical imbalance. Its different for different people.

I'm a sufferer of depression and I know that it is linked to stressful, traumatic experiences. It is illness. But it is also making me look deeply inside and telling me I need to make changes in my life.

Ignorant stupidity, blissfully unaware and therefor insensitive. I would avoid people like that when you can they just make it all worse! I know in this instance you couldn't and sure you avoid them anyway, sorry this has happened to you xxx hugs

Exactly, half the time the original reason becomes meaningless anyway it seems, improving is the goal eventually, thanks for this x

For me, I relate depression to bullying and abusive experiences I've been through and loss of people. When I have disppointments/setbacks I fall downwards. But there are key things I need to know and to change that are hidden underneath depression.

I've been suffering with depression since late teens. And gradually came to realise its more than just depression, I have illness called Bipolar.