Today, some well-meaning soul told me to just pray my depression away, which would be about as effective as praying away a knife in my shin. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, I opened up to my best friend about my depression. Her response: "If you're so depressed, why don't you just kill yourself?" FML
Today, my dad told me that people requiring psychiatric treatment are just weak and pathetic, and what they really need is a kick up the ass and to get a fucking grip. He told me this not 30 seconds after my doctor recommended I spend some time in a facility for my severe depression. FML
Today, I saw my specialist and I told her that one of my medications is messing with my head too much. I said that it’s making my depression so bad I have started cutting again, and want to walk in front of a truck. They said I just have to "suck it up". FML
Today, a therapist told me that I was too depressed to attend his depression group meetings. FML
Today, I told my mom that I'm bulimic and have been for a few years, and that I needed help. She responded by saying, "Well that's clearly not working for you. Why don't you try anorexia?" She then patted me on the head, smiled, and walked away. FML
Today, I somehow have both crippling depression and a fear of death. Please end me, but don't. FML
Today, my dad told me that I'm a weak and negative person because I suffer from depression and anxiety, then he told me to just snap out of it. FML
Today, I got the best advice for my depression and anxiety from my parents and relatives: "Get it out of your head, there's no such thing. And get married!" FML
Today, I was diagnosed with depression. My girlfriend's idea of consoling me was to break up with me because she can't date a "psycho". FML
Today, my wife told me to stop talking about my depression, in case the neighbours hear and think she’s a bad wife for not being able to keep me happy. FML
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Top comments
Kramer1998 20
I'm religious and even I think people get a bit too crazy about God being the only answer, don't worry OP, there are people out there who will and want to help you!
KayDee29 31
That's when you pray them away...
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Comments (55)
feven 32
They probably meant pray AND do your treatments as well. Not a bad thing to say :)
Fairyjoshy 13
No, it's likely they meant prayer instead of treatment. Christian fundamentalists, especially of the Pentecostal variety, are entirely like that. And if anyone says "pray your depression away", they're one of these. Guaranteed.
tygerarmy 35
If they meant to say it then they would have said it. Now excuse me, I'm going to pray the stupid away.
Tthug 34
There are those crazy people (like the "pastor" that kicks the spirits out of people-complete bullshit). Then there are those of us Christians that think science and medicine are a gift from God to be used to save people.
gmian 34
Prayer sort of IS an effective "treatment." Generally, when people pray, they say the same phrases over and over, consistently from one day to another. Research has shown that praying (or repeating the same phrase over and over) is soothing for the brain because it knows what to expect and exactly how it will be sent through the neurons. Depression and other mental illnesses have been found to be caused partially by anticipation and not know what is going to happen. By praying regularly, it can help alleviate symptoms of some mental illnesses by giving the brain a time to almost relax.
gmian 34
Of course, that's not to say that praying should be used as the sole treatment
R2Y2 22
**** that, try a practical approach.
SueAnn23 8
I agree #1. I don't know why this was down voted so much.
SueAnn23 8
This is retarded.. The reason why prayer works is because of GOD.
hannahgrac3 12
God is imaginary. Sorry not sorry. Someone had to say it.
laden_swallow09 35
No. No one had to do anything. Dick.
Kramer1998 20
I'm religious and even I think people get a bit too crazy about God being the only answer, don't worry OP, there are people out there who will and want to help you!
apitrix 24
To each their own, some people find console in faith, and this console can allow them the strength to overcome their depression. People get depressed for different reasons, perhaps he meant it more in a sense to fill an emptiness in his life?
DoomedGemini 38
Depends on the depression. My intermediate family and I all have to take medication for our depression.
maharb01 17
everybody copes differently I suppose. as epically difficult I'm sure it is, you just have to find the thing that works for you. best wishes!
socialproduct 19
If you get the knife out of your shin that will probably ease the depression a bit.
xxlittlemsanime 24
God can't help you all the time. Try getting some anti-depressants or therapy.
tygerarmy 35
If your god can't help, then your god isn't a god.
elusiveshame 22
If your religion is made by man, you have no god. Oh wait...
The_Skittish_One 27
Comment moderated for rule-breaking.
The Christian God is by definition a powerful God, but because we live in a fallen, sinful, broken world, bad things happen. Sometimes God intervenes and sometimes he doesn't. Not because he isn't a God but because this world isn't supposed to be Heaven.
horneyhic 15
God helps those who help themselves
Aky0n 10
that's a bit convenient isn't it?
elusiveshame 22
And the Christian god is one of hundreds. You have no valid point in your post at all besides random biblical nonsense.
VonBlitzkrieg 27
That awkward moment when you realize that internet is dominated by us heathens.
KayDee29 31
That's when you pray them away...
Roskosity 22
Kayla. I have found you.
KayDee29 31
RUSTAHHHHHHHH
tnlander 20
God save me from your followers. Amen.
hippodankamus 22
I've went to support groups recently and I've found that those help a lot. The sense of companionship and trust you build is pretty great. Maybe try one OP?
EclipseCandy6 24
Ain't no rest for the wicked
socialproduct 19
Thanks for the update.
Fairyjoshy 13
This is the exact mindset that has led to one of my church peers into committing suicide. They would "treat" his depression with a group prayer, and when he didn't magically feel better, he felt like it was his fault. He died feeling like he was nothing more than a burden to everyone he cared about. And the church helped him feel that way, all in the name of God. OP, as someone who also suffers from depression, hang in there. Get therapy if you can, and anti-depressants. If your available therapists suck, find *something* as an outlet. You're already strong for having come this far.
lostinlove17 5
How do you know what he was thinking when he died? Or why he killed himself? Were you there? Have you talked to him since he committed suicide?
Fairyjoshy 13
Have you heard of things called suicide notes?
mistress_paz 30
I have experienced medical depression on and off over the years. Sessions with a competent therapist helps as well as medication as needed. Right now, I see a therapist, make time to exercise, go to a NAMI peer class so am managing without medication. I read FML too because I read in a Psy 101 text that humor and knowing that some folks are worse off than you can help. Once my boyfriend some years back (now ex) said to me, "Have you tried not being depressed?" That still makes me laugh sometimes on how ignorant people are about mental illness. Religious practice helps some people, but prayer can only go so far. Like you said, medical issues generally take more than spiritual intervention.
Fairyjoshy 13
Agreed mostly with this. The thing about religious practice is that it's not so much the "religious" part that helps, a lot of it is the ritual. Humans love ritual, to a degree. There's also the peer support that can come with religious practice, if you practice a mainstream religion. mistress_paz clearly knows what she's talking about, so take her advice, OP.
blackonblight 33
... Someone actually used the "have you tried not being a mutant" trope seriously? I thought that was limited to Chick tracts. Good gods.