Posted by LynneDa on January 2, 2004, at 10:23:02
In reply to Re: Saturday, posted by geri122 on January 2, 2004, at 8:50:32
Hi Geri - Happy New Year! I hope a lot of good things happen for you this year!
It sounds like you have a pretty good handle on what your options are and what your present state of mind is right now. I know you are caught between a rock and a hard place in terms of getting help. You are right that there is a huge stigma against mental illness in general, but you can keep it to yourself!
The problem is, everyone thinks it can't happen to them and they are afraid to talk about it if it hasn't - they don't want to be reminded of the possibility. But, as Fallsfall says, there are more people who are depressed and getting treatment than you could imagine! When I first recognized I needed help, I talked to my boss and she was so relieved for me cuz she knew something was wrong with me. She'd been thru a bout with it, as had 3 of my co-workers and the wives of 2 of the guys in my department.
Anyway, you have to take things at your own pace. We can keep urging you to go to your doctor and let the cards fall where they may. We can tell you that people are much kinder than you can imagine and the one's who aren't . . . who needs them! We can try to allay your fears about meds or counseling. But, bottom line is you have to make the choices when you are ready and I respect that. Just know that whichever you choose, you can always talk to us about it.
Keep in mind that, like Fallsfall alluded to, depression, and any mental illness, is progressive - that means it can get worse without treatment. It snowballs from an emotional and physiological sense. But, due to our hormones, it can come and go too!
The best I can do for you now is to help you thru situations. If you have a run-in with your Dad, we can talk about it and help you with some coping skills and maybe give you a way to look at it differently so it doesn't hurt quite as much.
Keep talking to your friend who opened up about her depression. That should help you. I really do think if you see a doctor and he/she diagnoses you with depression or even PMDD (pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder or really, really bad PMS), that will legitimize it for your parents. You have to weigh that feeling of being in a dark hole you can't climb out of versus the storm that you fear may be unleashed if your parents know.
I'm sorry you are caught in such a difficult spot! Just think, you are learning what kinds of things you will and won't do when you are a parent!
Take care sweetie and write when you need to!!
~ Lynne
poster:LynneDa
thread:284151
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20031229/msgs/295703.html