[TheLastChapter]

This morning, my mother gave me another reason to hate the stereotypes of depression. I told her that I was thinking about bringing up my anxiety to my doctor and possibly looking into something to help me over come it. She immediately started into how pills are addictive and how I am already on so many other medications (mainly health wise, only one for my depression) and how I will become addicted to all of it. I was considering pills, but I would accept anything that he tells me that will help. My mother cannot really tell me what to do with my health, because I am 18 and it is my decision to keep her informed about what I am thinking medication wise. But she is convinced that I am going to become a drug addict in order to "numb" any feelings. I am so sick and tired of it. Because I know better. And I would rather spend my money on other things than on drugs. I am just sick and tired of it all.

[Rohag]

Originally Posted by TheLastChapter

...it is my decision to keep [Mother] informed about what I am thinking medication wise. But she is convinced that I am going to become a drug addict in order to "numb" any feelings.

It is praiseworthy to keep your parents informed. In view of your mother's perspective, however, consider limiting what you share with her. Her "need to know" about your health care decisions is not all-encompassing.

The stereotypes and misinformation are persistent...

[Mayson]

As you said, you are in complete control of your life right now, since you are of legal age. I on the other hand am not so lucky. What I would suggest doing is going to your doctor and just talking about it. Just going to the doctor does not require you to get prescriptions for things. Doctors have a stigma of only giving prescriptions, but they are also there to give reccomendations. They may not even suggest pills, they might suggest a physical activity or something to do in place of, and you can go in there saying, hey, I don't want to take pills for this, but what else can I do.
Here you might be able to help me out, I am struggling to tell my parents about my depression, what did you do and how did your parents react?

[morganjane]

I have issues with talking to my parents about my depression because Dad's family history is strewn with people who have it and don't deal with it well. At the end of the day, you just have to accept that, even though they love you, they aren't in a position to fully understand your illness, and your health is more important than their perceptions.

[TheLastChapter]

Originally Posted by Mayson

As you said, you are in complete control of your life right now, since you are of legal age. I on the other hand am not so lucky. What I would suggest doing is going to your doctor and just talking about it. Just going to the doctor does not require you to get prescriptions for things. Doctors have a stigma of only giving prescriptions, but they are also there to give reccomendations. They may not even suggest pills, they might suggest a physical activity or something to do in place of, and you can go in there saying, hey, I don't want to take pills for this, but what else can I do.
Here you might be able to help me out, I am struggling to tell my parents about my depression, what did you do and how did your parents react?

Honestly, I didnt tell my parents. They figured it out. I spent nights crying in my room and avoiding people. Depression runs in my family. But when they found that I had self harmed, they figured it all out. It was hard admitting to them that I had depression. But I didnt accept that they were right about it. I thought I was just emotional. But once I was kind of able to accept it, it really helped me knowing that I did have a support system. I also had a realization that I was sick. And that I was tired of the way I felt. I made a list (because talking to people is very hard for me) and I just showed it to my mom. Everything that I had felt or anything that I thought that would be important. And with that list I went to the doctor, by myself (I wanted to do it by myself because it is my personal illness), and I handed him the exact same list. With this I was able to get what I needed across to the doctor and my mother without me saying too much about it. I hope this helps. And do not be afraid to tell your parents. Even though my parents are not the best in the whole world, I know that I can go to them when I need someone to keep me company or to just tell me that I am going to be okay. Parents love and care about you. They want you to get better also. So good luck and many hugs your way

[shabur]

I suffer from crippling anxiety and but for the medication I would be curled up in a ball somewhere in a corner.

One thing that has helped me manage it, in addition to medication, is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT helps you recognize the triggers. Then there is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy which uses CBT, but takes it to the next step by helping you develop a plan to deal with your triggers. I have found this to be very helpful. I carry my plan with me wherever I go.

[Idiot17]

Originally Posted by TheLastChapter

This morning, my mother gave me another reason to hate the stereotypes of depression. I told her that I was thinking about bringing up my anxiety to my doctor and possibly looking into something to help me over come it. She immediately started into how pills are addictive and how I am already on so many other medications (mainly health wise, only one for my depression) and how I will become addicted to all of it. I was considering pills, but I would accept anything that he tells me that will help. My mother cannot really tell me what to do with my health, because I am 18 and it is my decision to keep her informed about what I am thinking medication wise. But she is convinced that I am going to become a drug addict in order to "numb" any feelings. I am so sick and tired of it. Because I know better. And I would rather spend my money on other things than on drugs. I am just sick and tired of it all.

My "parents" said the same thing to me.
Wishing you luck on standing up for your needs and to do what's right for you since it's not an 'easy' thing.

[Petra5ed]

[OK, I would stop asking your mom for her advice. I don't know her, maybe she's a good mom otherwise, but she's not a doctor. Trust the professionals to help you. Personally, I cant talk to my mother about anything for reasons such as this.

There's a lot of stigma around depression, I know personally. It sucks... My advice is to stay quiet about it especially around unsupportive people like your mother. I use this forum as my outlet to discuss this stuff. Sorry it's got to be so hard!