[SkyTime]

How do you feel about telling people that are not aware that you suffer from depression? It seems therapeutic when I tell someone, but I don't have the nerve to "announce" it to large numbers of people. I feel like a load is lifted when I tell someone. I am selective on who I mention it to, but since I feel better stating that I suffer from depression, it is always tempting to do so. The fake smile that I carry around all day is very tiring. I think that when I tell someone, it sort of explains why I am the way I am and why I do the things that I do (or don't do). Just wondering if this is common in others that are depressed. I have been for years.

[justxholdon]

I have the opposite feeling. I'm afraid to tell anyone. It feels like to me that people will view it as a cop out or attention seeking or that I'm just 'being dramatic' and I'm in no way saying this about anyone. It's just beliefs of my own that have been reinforced by undereducated and compassion-lacking individuals.

It would be nice to tell people. Like, hey, I'm having a hard day today, maybe be gentler in the way you talk to/about me please. Lower your expectations a little today, I'm not feeling myself. That actually sounds fantastic. It'd take off so much pressure I put on myself to keep up appearances.

Good on you for being able to speak up.

[SgtRock]

Nope. Not unless I know them very well. Otherwise I keep it to myself.

[whisperingskye]

I don't tend to tell anyone if I can help it. I spent years hiding it, eventually though things happened that meant my family and friends found out. I still wish they didn't know but it is what it is.

[Fuzzybear]

I don't usually tell people.. but many people have commented on my anxiety (irl)
(And many irl have judged it.. maybe if they had walked for a day in my paws.. )

[SkyTime]

Originally Posted by justxholdon

I have the opposite feeling. I'm afraid to tell anyone. It feels like to me that people will view it as a cop out or attention seeking or that I'm just 'being dramatic' and I'm in no way saying this about anyone. It's just beliefs of my own that have been reinforced by undereducated and compassion-lacking individuals.

It would be nice to tell people. Like, hey, I'm having a hard day today, maybe be gentler in the way you talk to/about me please. Lower your expectations a little today, I'm not feeling myself. That actually sounds fantastic. It'd take off so much pressure I put on myself to keep up appearances.

Good on you for being able to speak up.

I understand how you feel. It can be the most difficult thing that you do. I just discovered over time that I personally felt better after telling someone about my condition. There are still many family, friends and co-workers that I have never discussed it with. Maybe I will never tell some or many of them, but I feel better about the ones that know. It's like I don't have to explain or make up reasons that I don't care to go somewhere or participate in a crowd setting. Of course, it is also helpful to reach out to others that are experiencing some of the same feelings. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[shamon86]

It's not information that I usually tell people, I've only told one co worker who was going through the same thing. My managers and co workers have commented on my mood lately though, saying that I looked sad, but I don't think it'll do any good to tell them. It probably doesn't matter, I can only imagine about half of my co workers deal with it to so what's the point of making a big deal about it myself

[Cyllya]

I'll mention it to almost anyone if it comes up in conversation. (Since I am in a better position than many other people to disclose this sort of thing, I am often on the lookout for an excuse to talk about it, to contribute to increased awareness.) I don't really "announce" it, but I wouldn't have an issue with, for example, mentioning it on a social media status post.

However, I always refer to it as something like "I have a depressive disorder" (or "I'm in a depressive episode right now"), so they'll understand it as a medical problem.

[catnip123]

I don't tell anyone unless it's absolutely necessary. I'm embarrassed to be depressed

[Naynay99]

I have only told like 3 people in my lif besides pdocs and Ts about my depression and mood issues.
And I don't tell them everything. I leave out the really bad stuff.

I remember when first depressed I had read a depression memoir (Some title like "the beast"). And then my mom started to read it and she asked me with a horrified expression "is this what it is like for you??!"
So I downplay it and make sure that when they visit the dishes are done and house is clean and I am presentable and sane. Because the only thing worse than feeling depressed is feeling depressed AND feeling responsible for people worrying about you....

I am also super paranoid about peple at my job ever finding out. Even now i sometimes worry that my support group is a little too close to work and that one day a parent of a student is gonna walk in. And that they will break that whole anonymity clause, and I will be ****ed.

[Nike007]

I've just started to go through depression within the last 2-3 weeks now and I have told two people. One I just told today and the other person I told was the one who said I should go get help for it. I have hid my normal sad mood for years, or at least never have gotten treatment for it, though it was suggested by a social worker that I should have a few years ago. I personally have gone through at least one period of major depression in the past, maybe two, so it's not unfamiliar this experience.

It feels nice to tell someone, but the times I have I have either started to cry or wanted to cry. I feel it's hard. Maybe it's because my social anxiety thrown into the mix adds that extreme fear of judgment, plus stigma makes me do this. Or it's because I'm depressed. Either way, it's hard to tell people for me, and why I haven't really told anyone about it until last week, since it has interfered with my school, which impacts my future. I was able to do things before but now it's really hard.