I got into a heated argument with my mother and the word "pity" was thrown-that I need to stop pitying myself. So now I'm questioning myself. Am I really depressed?

[SgtRock]

My mom knows better than to say something like that to me. The results wouldn't be pretty.

Originally Posted by SgtRock

My mom knows better than to say something like that to me. The results wouldn't be pretty.

Yeah, the word "pity" is insulting.

[Onward2wards]

I suspect that some people throw the "self-pity" accusation around when they see someone expressing distress but doing little to change a situation. However, experiencing distress and being too anxious or discouraged to take action is NOT pitying oneself!

[MtnTime2896]

When I had cancer, was it self pity to be sick? Maybe when I got really sad seeing my mom cry, but was that still actually the case?

Depression is an illness, condition, whatever the hell people want to call it. A disease, maybe? Either way, it's something the sufferer can only do a limited amount of things to treat it. Pity, is an emotion. Depression (illness) v. Pity (emotion).

Originally Posted by Só leigheas

When I had cancer, was it self pity to be sick? Maybe when I got really sad seeing my mom cry, but was that still actually the case?

Depression is an illness, condition, whatever the hell people want to call it. A disease, maybe? Either way, it's something the sufferer can only do a limited amount of things to treat it. Pity, is an emotion. Depression (illness) v. Pity (emotion).

It's an insensitive word to use. I'm starting to think she doesn't believe in depression.