Depression Support Group

yes I know I am.
everyminute of my life.

I never let them know I usually wear a mask. However i been learning to not put it on anymore. Its hard and sometimes I still use it around some people and mostly its because some think I have it all together and i really dont and I dont want them to know. LOL

Insanity is the only sane reaction to an insane world

There is a Stigma but what bothers me more is the lack of understanding that many Mental health patients are more than functioning people that it is treatable.

Some people think you can just give your-self a good shake NOT

How can we explain the illness to people that do not understand what mental illness is.

It has a stigma that most people don’t feel comfortable talking about and automatically think mentally ill people are crazy. That is not the case it is like any other illness.

The trouble is it is an internal illness from the outside we look normal the general misconception is that we can just shake it off, or can be happy if we want at will.

The trouble with depression is that people don't understand, the first thing I would recommend is that you have your spouse, family member or a responsible person to attend a therapy or doctors visit with you, so they can get a better handle on what it is all about.

There are also many books you can get from the Library that fully explain the illness you can share with family or friends.
Here is my take on why people think you can just shake your-self and every thing will be all right.

Everybody at some times have had a mild version of depression, everyone has felt down, sad or had emotional problems this is normally referred to as seasonable depression that can come and go with out treatment therefore they think they just gave themselves a shake and they were cured.

If you break your arm there is a big bandage. If you break or sprain your angle you have a limp or a stookie. If you are in accident and bang your face you will be swollen possibly even black eyes. If you injure yourself cut your leg or arm they can see blood, if you have cancer they can see your hair is falling out. If you have a bad flu you will be sneezing, coughing and runny eyes they are all visual evidence you are hurting.

On the other hand with depression we look normal, maybe a little sad face but there is no visual evidence to prove we are ill. (Not that we should have to prove anything)

The way I explain it to people is I site all of the above, say these are all external illnesses, and depression is an internal illness I hurt on the inside where it is not easily detected visually no bandages, blood, or hair falling but it is every bit a serious illness.

You can tell them do you really think I would want to be as sad and down all the time if I was not ill. I would rather be happy and normal there is no way I can just wake up and feel good or shake it of.

Some of out top world leaders and celebrities have excelled in spite of mental Illness : JUST TO MENTION A FEW THERE ARE MORE:

In spite of suffering depression some of our Worlds most Famous, Creative, Talented Suffering depression through out their lives we are in good company!

Sir Winston Churchill, Princess Diana, Vincent Van Gogh, Charles Dickens, Spike Milligan, Brittany Spears, Sting, Ted Turner, President Lincoln, Marilyn Monroe, Curt Cobain, Buzz Aldrin, John Cleese, Robin Williams, Robert Downey Jnr, Beethoven, Mark Twain, Richard Dreyfuss, Carrie Fisher, Larry Flint, Ben Stiller, Darryl Strawberry, Robert Louis Stevenson, Stephan Fry, Macy Gray, Connie Francis, Linda Hamilton, Jimmy Hendrix, Ernest Hemingway, Isaac Newton, Ozzy Osborne, President Roosevelt.
Woody Allen, Drew Barrymore, Rosie O'Donnel, Roseann Barr, Phil Spector, DMX Dark Man X, Ellen DeGeneres, Brooke Shields, Mike Wallace, Axl Rose, President Richard Nixon, Marie Osmond, Billy Joel, Alanis Morissete, Elton John, John Denver, Barbara Bush,Claude Monet, Yves Saint Laurent, Joan Rivers, Monica Seles, Tammy Wynette, Terry Bradshaw.

Nah...I have not been affected by stigma.

I don't generally tell people I have a depression diagnosis. I can't imagine why I would unless it's a conversation specifically about mental health issues.

scotsman, I really do think that one of the best ways to eradicate stigma is to remind people of everyone with mental health problems that have achieved great things and are greatly respected. Thanks for everyone's thougths.

I flatty deny any mental illness even though by rights I can class myself as having a "disability" according to the psychiatric team.

If on forms I'm asked if I have an illness I always tick the "no".

So although I haven't actually been discriminated against there's obviously a feeling that I will be if I'm truthful.

People tend to just assume you're a nutter. Most of my family and friends wouldn't believe me if I confessed. I've developed such amazing skills at lying and my happy mask is flawless.

It's true, ppl do not understand depression and many don't considerate it to be an illness. Many ppl think you can shake it off....pull yourself together.....and 'we' the sufferers know it's not possible to do that.
A person's judgement and decision making is questioned if they suffer from depression. If there two ppl applying for a position in work, and one suffered from depression, then they wouldn't be considered for the position.
Mental health colours the attitude of non sufferers unfortunately