Am I just a whiner?

People in my life do care. I am loved by my wife and by my kids. So, I know I have it a lot better than some on this board. Yet, I feel so dead inside. Life offers no lasting happiness. I can feel happiness and literally seconds later be dark, dark, dark!

Do I need my *** kicked (kick in the pants as my folks would say) or is this just life or am I just a whiner?

Thoughts

but that's what depression is, it's not your fault and you shouldn't be ashamed, it's no different than having the flu or a broken leg, try keep your head up

Hi IDM,

Knowing that you're loved and being able to actually feel that inside/having it really touch you can be two entirely different things............and depression can step all over that feeling..........
Besides being loved and cared about can sometimes help with depression but it's not a cure
In fact sometimes it can make things even worse, I don't know if stuff like "But I don't deserve their love", "They can't really love/care about me", "I'm only letting down people who care about/love me in feeling like this", "They'd be happier if they didn't love/care about me" resonates???
And sometimes people who love/care can unintentionally say the most insensitive things if they don't "get it"...............

So no comparing yourself to others situations, hey??
Pro's and con's everywhere..........and depression is hard full stop
And we are talking about some of the unavoidable symptoms of depression..........so no kick in the pants here
But...........encouragement ...........so maybe if there's any guilt about feeling depressed, ditch it, it's completely understandable if you're finding things tough at times, and a little self-compassion and self-care??
And some of those people who love and care about you...........perhaps you could fill them in when you're in a "dark place" on what they may be able to do/not do for you that could help just a little??
And maybe with those brief times of happiness..........you could write them/the circumstances down then, even if they don't extend other periods just a little, they may be able to give you just a little more hope in them/others coming around again.
And..........if there's anything you can do in those dark times...........maybe some things in your day/life you can change..........or distractions??
Although I'd also say that it's great that you're talking about things on here..........sometimes letting out those feelings can help a little, and any support you can get from people who "get it" can't be a bad thing, right??

So, no you're not a whiner, real kudos for speaking out and thankyou for sharing IDM

Alison

No you're not a whiner! How you feel is how you feel.

The fact that you keep going for your wife and kids in spite of how you feel shows you have strength and generosity.

I really hope you get to feel happy, or at least ok for more of the time and that the memory of the better moment will help you survive the weight of the terrible darkness until the next one.