[QueenCopper]

Someone that I know told me they don't feel depression is real. I was really offended because I suffer from depression and anxiety. Of course I asked for an explanation which made me want to punch them in the face. They said depression is nothing more than someone not happy with life wanting attention. I told them that I don't want attention, I don't even want to be around people. I really want to be happy and not have panic attacks. I never considered this person a friend, just an acquaintance but I don't even want that any more. It just made me feel worse.

Maybe I should not let it get to me but it hurts to know people think depression is fake.

[hopeless2015]

This person obviously has never suffered from depression. It's very real. I don't want attention either, I just want feel like I deserve something out of my life

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[Cavegirl]

I am definitely not seeking attention either. It just shows that most people are either, uneducated, ignorant, misinformed, or all of the above when it comes to mental illness. It can be infuriating. I recently tried explaining things to my family and it did not go well at all. They know that I am diagnosed with mental illness. But, they can't grasp the "illness", just the "mental". So, to them, I can just "will" it away with my "mental" abilities, because my "negativity" is the cause of me not getting better.
Yep...it is frustrating.

[21stCenturySM]

**** em

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[tgwwtl3]

I really hate when people think that people suffering from depression are just attention seeking. I don't know how someone can think we would want to feel the way we do and think about how better off the world and our loved ones would be without us. Of course this isn't true and why would we ever choose that?

But I think what's even worse is that I am starting to think those people are right.... What if I am just attention seeking? I should just be happy. There people that have it worse than I do and my stupid little problems don't matter in the slightest. I just need to grow up like people tell me to.

[21stCenturySM]

I'm SZ but my wife and father are bipolar. I don't understand emotions really well but I know depression is very real and I have some insight into it. I see them suffer, and it upsets me. I know this is a real thing, and people should have less stigma.

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[adam_k]

Originally Posted by QueenCopper

Someone that I know told me they don't feel depression is real. I was really offended because I suffer from depression and anxiety. Of course I asked for an explanation which made me want to punch them in the face. They said depression is nothing more than someone not happy with life wanting attention. I told them that I don't want attention, I don't even want to be around people. I really want to be happy and not have panic attacks. I never considered this person a friend, just an acquaintance but I don't even want that any more. It just made me feel worse.

Maybe I should not let it get to me but it hurts to know people think depression is fake.

This person should wear a shirt that says "I don't understand depression."

It's very real. There a lot of people who suffer and its not just feeling sad. Some people just don't get that because they have a bad day and can eat some cake and feel better. We can win the lottery and not feel anything. Except maybe guilty because we don't feel like we deserve to win.

There is a stigma out there and it's not likely to disappear soon. You're pain is real to you and I and many others acknowledge it exists.

I don't think you are an attention seeker, and if your like me you often hide how you feel, which is the exact opposite of seeking attention.

Don't let his statements let you feel invalidated. Your feelings are real and valid. You deserve to be heard.

[sarah5147]

Originally Posted by Cavegirl

I am definitely not seeking attention either. It just shows that most people are either, uneducated, ignorant, misinformed, or all of the above when it comes to mental illness. It can be infuriating. I recently tried explaining things to my family and it did not go well at all. They know that I am diagnosed with mental illness. But, they can't grasp the "illness", just the "mental". So, to them, I can just "will" it away with my "mental" abilities, because my "negativity" is the cause of me not getting better.
Yep...it is frustrating.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard those words...if you'd stop being so negative....if you'd just think positive....if you'd just get out of bed and do something fun, ugh. As if it's that easy, just think positive and you wouldn't be depressed. Nothing is fun when you are battling this, nothing is easy. I wish those who don't have it had a way to feel it, maybe they'd understand.

[IrisBloom]

I had a good friend tell me that drugs are just a crutch and do nothing, you think the drug makes you better so it does. I've never been an attention seeker. I suffer in silence. I do not go around telling people how depressed I am. I have had to reach out for help several times when I felt I was in danger of myself. These people took me seriously, thank God.

Just keep in mind that there are a lot of ignorant people in the world (and get a lot of "knowledge" off the interwebz these days). They just show how misinformed they are when they say things like that.

Keep pluggin away!

[Fuzzybear]

[QueenCopper]

Thanks everyone! People should think before they let words roll off of their tongue. I am not one to talk about how I feel and that statement clearly confirmed why I don't. I thought I would give PC a try and I am glad I did because I don't feel so alone with this battle.

[adam_k]

Im glad you don't feel alone.

[LysthieaMoons]

Your reaction is completly understandable. Knowing me, I probably would have at least yelled at the person. Depression is very real, and it has been the cause of many suicides. It is just as real as cancer. Please don't listen to that person. Based on their thoughts on depresion, they seem to be a bad influence.

I hope you can get better. You cam private message me too if you want.

[SvanThor]

Things can seem unreal to those who haven't fought the same struggles. Kind of like how people who don't use drugs wonder why addicts can't just break their addictions immediately. To know whether or not something is real, experience always can tell you the truth.

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