[silver_moon]

I've been thinking lately that I wish someone could be me for a day (couple days, whatever). Just to experience what it is like for me being depressed.
I don't feel like my family and boyfriend really understand my depression (and I know you can't really unless you've been depressed yourself and everyone's different).
But I've been very very depressed and incredibly lonely lately and noone really seems to take me seriously. I just wish that someone could be me for a day so they'd know how I feel, how lonely I am, how much my heart hurts and how desperate I am to be 'me' again (the old bubbly, happy me I once was before all this s**t happened).

I know that may sound naive and silly, but I just want to be understood by the people that are close to me.

Molly

[Cmara]

I bet it would help those around us be more empathetic. I'm sure it's difficult for anyone who's never gone through this to really understand how all emcompassing depression can be. Sometimes I feel like those around me are saying to themselves "oh great.....she's depressed again", or "why can't you just snap out of it", or "you live a great life...what is there to be depressed about"? The good news is that all of us know, so until the people in our lives can understand us ~ this is the place to be understood!

[pachyderm]

I would not wish on anybody some of the things I have felt!

[kebsfroggy]

My brain is telling me there is a saying something about walking a mile in my shoes.

Forget the shoes, spend a day in my head. I agree with both Cmara's and pachyderm's opinions.

While the enlightenment someone would gain being me for a day might help them understand, I wish no one ever has to live in this hell I call life.

My depression is complicated by memory loss. I won't bore you with details and I wouldn't be able to explain anyway.

But you do have to wonder if they would better understand our illness if they had to live it for a day.

[silver_moon]

They're good points... and I do feel absolutely horrible wishing someone could spend a day in my shoes. I wouldn't want anyone to feel like this either, but then, what's a day?
I don't really know how to explain what I'm thinking right now... A day of depression is hard. What's harder, I think, is being depressed for years... I don't think the 'worst days' ever really get easier because you can think to yourself "well I've been depressed for this long, how do I know I'll get better".
I'm not sure how to explain it. Maybe when I understand how to put what I'm thinking into words it might make it easier?

I don't know... I just know I feel lost right now and feel I haven't much hope...
But like Cmara said...
</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Cmara said:
The good news is that all of us know, so until the people in our lives can understand us ~ this is the place to be understood!

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
...I know there's a place I can go where I can be understood and can relate to other people.

Molly

[DOWNINNATICK]

It's funny you say that, when I was in my women group for depression I mentioned that they should be a group for our loved one, so they could understand a little of what we're going through. Some think a pill will cure all and a couple of sessions with a counselor makes you all better.
Part of my agrees with you, to have people walk in my shoes for a day or two, but then again I wouldn't want them to feel the pain I do.
One good thing is, I know I'm not alone when I read posts, and hearing others saying the same thing I feel, when I'm here or at group, but once I'm out I feel empty and alone again.

Try to explain to them about depression, tell them to read up on it and maybe then they will be able to help you through the dark times.

[kebsfroggy]

You should not feel guilty about feeling that way. I think we all get frustrated because there doesn't seem to be an effective way for our loved ones to know how we feel.

Physical injuries can be seen, touched, etc. Metal illness has nothing concrete for them to see, hear, or feel. They know we are suffering but their understanding of how much, etc. Well I just don't think there is an effective way.

We are all here for you and that is a good thing. Especially since we are going through or have gone through the same or similar symptoms ourselves.

[In_The_Darkness]

Hmm. I sorta know what you mean.

I understand that people that haven't felt depressed don't know just how bad it feels, or how serious it is.

However, I don't want people outside of PC knowing how I feel cus it mite make them sympathetic, and I dont need sympathy anymore cus it just really annoys me!

Also, I wouldnt want anyone being me for a day cus they would ruin their life, loose school friends and just live in lonliness, I hate the concept of my only freind feeling how I feel - I'd cry for her.

[Clandestine]

HOW I WISH!!!!!
I also want to stop time ;[

<font color="purple">Clandestine</font>