Today, my family finally noticed my depression because of how quiet, down and uninterested I’ve been. They responded by harassing me for saying nothing, calling me names, and making fun of me. Hmm, I wonder why I’m depressed. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, my parents screamed at me for being diagnosed as depressed, because I’m not allowed to be depressed, because me being depressed makes them look like bad parents who couldn’t raise a happy, normal child, so I have to be happy or I’ll be punished. FML
Today, I opened up to my parents about my depression. Their response was to have a very heated discussion about whose fault it was. FML
Today, I went to the doctor. I told her I felt down all the time. She asked me a few questions and she told me I was depressed. She suggested to go home and find the sources of my depression. When I told my parents, they started laughing and said "Yeah, right." I think I found my source. FML
Today, I found out that my entire family thinks I have no friends, am expressionless (to quote, "a robot") and that my monotonous voice hints at the suppressed depression hidden deep inside me. According to them, I need psychic evaluation. It all came out during a family reunion. FML
Today, my shrink diagnosed me as severely depressive, due to a lot of stress and yells at home. After the session, my parents argued about whose fault it was and then went on to yell at me for being depressive and wasting their money. FML
Today, I finally got time to take a nap. Later, my mom asked me if I was depressed because I didn't leave my room for 3 hours. She talked to my dad about it, and now my family thinks I'm depressed because I slept for 3 hours. FML
Today, my mom found out that I've been having counselling behind her back for the past 4 years. I broke down in tears explaining everything. Her response was, "So you go and bitch about me behind my back?!" And she wonders why I'm depressed. FML
Today, and for the past year, I've been struggling with depression because of family life. I've been talking to my mom for the past weeks, telling her things that happen when she isn't home as a way to build trust. I finally told her I have depression and have had had it for a long time. She laughed. FML
Today, I told my mom I wanted to see a doctor, because I feel like I’m slipping into depression. I told her I was so sad, I didn’t shower for 4 days. Her response? “I don’t believe that. You’ve always had great hygiene!” Duh, I’m not myself lately! Thanks for noticing. FML
Today, I finally confronted my parents about my depression and avoidant personality disorder. I showed them a well-kept journal of every time they've disregarded my feelings on something completely valid. I'd worked on this journal since I was ten years old. They denied it all and told me to "quit being a crybaby." FML
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Top comments
Chazzster 32
There is no one good answer to your situation. (1) Don’t expect others to know what you are feeling just by observation. It’s better to tell someone about important feelings and moods. But start with someone who you know will react in a helpful way rather than just using the opportunity to make fun of you - Start with a parent or close friend that you have a good relationship with. (2) Most untrained people simply do not know how to react to someone with depression. Sometimes people from earlier generations were conditioned to suppress depression as they considered it a weakness rather than a mental health issue and that’s how they react. And of course younger siblings just take their cues from their parents or older siblings reactions. Rather than play to the entire house and expecting them to pick up on your feelings you really should have approached Mom or Dad and told them how you were feeling and that this was not a mood that was going to quickly pass. I understand that when you are feeling depressed that your thinking process is not at its best, but that’s what would have more likely gotten you help instead of being made fun of. The other approach would be to play it cool not showing your feelings and go to someone you trust for advice such as a counselor. Then they could advise you how to share this with your family. That’s not easy but it avoids being made fun of. There are many kinds and varieties of feelings. Some are intense but pass quickly and some are longer lasting. Part of growing up is knowing how to deal with the feelings we have. Serious depression requires professional help and nothing else will touch it. At the same time, to the untrained and ignorant, depression in someone else makes them feel uncomfortable and they just want to not have to deal with it - Resulting in empty platitudes (like “cheer up”) or confusion at best, and outright hostility at worst. I hope you are able to find help.
Dana Kingsmill 1
This is what my parents did to me, which made it worse and upped my suicide attempts 👍
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Comments (4)
RichardPencil 32
It's an old-fashioned therapy called Pissing You Off. Instead of quiet and uninterested, you become loud and interested in kicking their asses. It doesn't work well, but it is cheap.
electraliv 13
The famous Richard Pencil, what an honour
RichardPencil 32
I'm honored that you honor me with "honour" with a "u" in it. That's big time stuff! :)
electraliv 13
Ahhh, you must be American hahaha Honoured is also correct!
RichardPencil 32
I know it's correct. Being American, we think that spelling is fancy, and something not used for run-of-the-mill compliments. Are you British?
electraliv 13
Aussie hehe
RichardPencil 32
Cool. I watched all of the seasons of "Rake!"
Chazzster 32
There is no one good answer to your situation. (1) Don’t expect others to know what you are feeling just by observation. It’s better to tell someone about important feelings and moods. But start with someone who you know will react in a helpful way rather than just using the opportunity to make fun of you - Start with a parent or close friend that you have a good relationship with. (2) Most untrained people simply do not know how to react to someone with depression. Sometimes people from earlier generations were conditioned to suppress depression as they considered it a weakness rather than a mental health issue and that’s how they react. And of course younger siblings just take their cues from their parents or older siblings reactions. Rather than play to the entire house and expecting them to pick up on your feelings you really should have approached Mom or Dad and told them how you were feeling and that this was not a mood that was going to quickly pass. I understand that when you are feeling depressed that your thinking process is not at its best, but that’s what would have more likely gotten you help instead of being made fun of. The other approach would be to play it cool not showing your feelings and go to someone you trust for advice such as a counselor. Then they could advise you how to share this with your family. That’s not easy but it avoids being made fun of. There are many kinds and varieties of feelings. Some are intense but pass quickly and some are longer lasting. Part of growing up is knowing how to deal with the feelings we have. Serious depression requires professional help and nothing else will touch it. At the same time, to the untrained and ignorant, depression in someone else makes them feel uncomfortable and they just want to not have to deal with it - Resulting in empty platitudes (like “cheer up”) or confusion at best, and outright hostility at worst. I hope you are able to find help.
introvert nerd 4
I feel sad for you . chat with me if you want to
Dana Kingsmill 1
This is what my parents did to me, which made it worse and upped my suicide attempts 👍