Do you know the difference between depression and just feeling sad? For the longest time, I didn't.
As a teenager I felt as though something was wrong with me, but I didn't ever think it was depression. I knew I was extraordinarily unhappy. I knew I didn't want to be alive. I knew life held no meaning. But I didn't know it was an illness. I thought it was just part of being a teenager, or just part of being uniquely me.
I wasn't diagnosed until I tried to commit suicide. It was almost too late
If you're feeling unusually sad for an unusually long period of time, check it out. See your doctor and talk about it. I don't anyone else to get to the point I did without knowing what is wrong.
The National Institute of Mental Health has an excellent list of the signs and symptoms of depression and point out that people with depression do not all experience the same symptoms. The severity, frequency and duration of the symptoms vary depending on the individual and the particular illness. Please see their full list of signs and symptoms here.
Hi Jamie. I think it's really great that you're bringing attention to the fact that depression symptoms don't necessarily look the same in everyone. Usually when I've struggled w/depression my symptoms have been very typical. I had an elderly relative however, who had depression and I totally missed it because it involved symptoms that I was unfamiliar with. Luckily the doctors caught it.
ReplyDeleteI was like that too. I was really a sad and crazy child and I didn't realized that something is wrong with me until I came to the point that I tried to kill myself. I totally agree that identification is the first step to getting better.
ReplyDeleteI am going through a severe depression, and it doesn't seem to end. I've been fighting with it since I was 11....I'm 15 now and it is even worse. But I truly believe that it will end one day, I simply have to stay strong....
ReplyDeleteStay strong! I found seeing a therapist very helpful. A new perspective and retraining my brain was good for me. I also did hypnotherapy which also helped. Can you explore options like those with your parents? I found I can only stay strong for so long before breaking.
DeleteI think that you might like to read this...
ReplyDeletehttp://renegadeink.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/into-the-gray/
Thank you, what an excellent post! I've shared it on Facebook now :-)
DeleteThanks for starting this blog! I was diagnosed with major, chronic depression at sixteen (many years ago) and now, having moved out of state, it's hit again and I'm feeling pretty isolated. Finding others to share my background has been slow-going, so I'm thankful you are here. thanks!
Deleteexcellent content...thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteYou know seeing a doctor doesn't do anything. They give you pills that do nothing and push you out the door. What's that gonna do?
ReplyDeleteNot all doctors are like that. There are some good ones. I agree though, just giving you meds and sending you on your way isn't helpful at all. I hope you find a better doctor.
DeleteI am also a mother of two and I don't want my kids to suffer the same depression that I have. Some how it seems inevitable. I sometimes see myself in one of my children and think "Oh God! How can I help him when I can't even help myself?"..............
ReplyDeleteI was lucky - my parents both work in health, my Dad in mental health. Even then, it was a few years and an incident where I was carrying a stanley knife around school before it came to light.
ReplyDeleteThe knife was for self harm, and I was...15? 10 years on and its still a struggle, but you can learn bits and bobs along the way to try and stave it off.
As for experiences with doctors, by the way - one elderly GP prescribed me an antihistamine for anxiety. Not the greatest!
Completely agree with your post though.
Since I am new here, I will just say that I enjoy reading your input. I have severe depression, PTSD, anxiety, and sleep disorders. I have been seeing numerous doctors for the past 10 years and am now "stable" but still under the influence of some major drugs. I suffered numerous traumas with my parasomnias, and must sleep in a room by myself so not to hurt my wife of 37 years. It would be an honor if you would check out the start of my story at sleepproblemsanyone.blogspot.com and let me know what you think. Thanks John
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