I will never not talk about my depression
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I will never not talk about my depression
1–10 of 125 posts
Re: I will never not talk about my depression
#2Wow, I wish I could just go on sick leave for 4 months because I was feeling depressed...
Re: I will never not talk about my depression
#3I wonder how much making being depressed part of your identity prevents you from getting better.
I'm not dismissing the reality of it, but reinforcing it to yourself and others around you on a constant basis probably isn't helpful? Constantly ruminating on your depressed state probably isn't good either.
Pretending everything is great probably isn't a good idea or likely even possible (or desirable?), but I'm not persuaded constantly talking about it is a healthy option either.
Re: I will never not talk about my depression
#4Well, I hope this person tries to do something about their depression besides just talking about it. For their sake as well as the sake of everyone around them who is probably tired of hearing about it.
Re: I will never not talk about my depression
#5I wonder how much making being depressed part of your identity prevents you from getting better. I'm not dismissing the reality of it, but reinforcing it to yourself and others around you on a constant basis probably isn't helpful? Constantly ruminating on your depressed state probably isn't good either. Pretending everything is great probably isn't a good idea or likely even possible (or desirable?), but I'm not per…
I know some people who can talk about their psychological struggles and remain likeable (it's some kind of charisma superpower), but other people where it's just a massive bummer (myself included). Step number one of getting along with people has been masking my internal state where possible. That lets me get by. The endless pit of despair and hopelessness that long-term depression can present, as with many chronic illnesses, it can just be a massive downer (especially when there's literally nothing the other person can do - why burden them with knowledge of my pain more than necessary?). And I can be likeable and fun to be around, and I appreciate it when I know other people who are struggling internally manage to play along also in their own way [ I know it takes them a lot of effort and I appreciate it deeply ]. This is how making it work works for me.
Though I guess I can appreciate the principled approach of the person writing the article, that would be a disaster for me given how I am (and I don't think it reflects badly on my social circles). I have to struggle to not be a happiness vampire, and this would tip the scales.
>I’ve been in therapy on and off and I’m taking meds (and no, yoga, essential oils and exercise are not sufficient to treat mental illness)
Often neither is medication.
Re: I will never not talk about my depression
#6Wow, I wish I could just go on sick leave for 4 months because I was feeling depressed...
depression eventually gets you to the point that you can't work no matter how critical that employment is to your well being you just stop showing up or quit in a mental breakdown. sick leave is a nice alternative and i agree it must be nice to have that option but when you say "feeling depressed" vs being depressed i think you have the wrong idea about it.
Re: I will never not talk about my depression
#7Wow, I wish I could just go on sick leave for 4 months because I was feeling depressed...
I'm sure you didn't do it on purpose but the "because I was feeling depressed" part to me makes it sounds a little condescending. Depression for many isn't just something you "feel", it's what defines everything you can and can't do.
Re: I will never not talk about my depression
#8Wow, I wish I could just go on sick leave for 4 months because I was feeling depressed...
Depression is a major illness (ICD-10: https://icd.codes/icd10cm/F329), there is nothing slight about it. Getting treatment and going on leave if you have the option is definitely the right thing.
Re: I will never not talk about my depression
#9I wonder how much making being depressed part of your identity prevents you from getting better. I'm not dismissing the reality of it, but reinforcing it to yourself and others around you on a constant basis probably isn't helpful? Constantly ruminating on your depressed state probably isn't good either. Pretending everything is great probably isn't a good idea or likely even possible (or desirable?), but I'm not per…
You gotta find a balance but talking about it regularly, whenever you realize it affects your behavior is a good way to deal with depression. It also helps others to deal with it better.
Re: I will never not talk about my depression
#10I wonder how much making being depressed part of your identity prevents you from getting better. I'm not dismissing the reality of it, but reinforcing it to yourself and others around you on a constant basis probably isn't helpful? Constantly ruminating on your depressed state probably isn't good either. Pretending everything is great probably isn't a good idea or likely even possible (or desirable?), but I'm not per…
There's a saying therapists use, "What we resist persists."
The research has shown that being open with others about your experience alleviates the symptoms of depression, including constant rumination. Putting on a happy face for the benefit of others, on the other hand, tends to make it much, much worse.
There are of course confounding factors like whether the person has a victimization complex or whatever, but those need to be handled on their own terms. I don't personally experience anything like that, so I don't know much about it, but my guess is that they would also generally be exacerbated by encouraging people not to talk about it.