Stunned to hear of a dear friends deep depression

[Anonymous]

FFS. Let me guess. She is a UMC, middle aged, white woman? Likely overweight, taking antidepressants, claiming fibromyalgia, but no real problems? 95% of deep depression can be cured by regular vigorous exercise, healthier diet, and better sleep. 0% can be cured by shouting that you are a helpless victim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe this is evidence of my depression, but posts like this make me upset. The fact that people are so shocked that people are not okay even when they’re acting like it means that we are doing an extremely poor job educating people about what depression is.

What’s weird about this post is not just the surprise, but the surprise that this could happen to someone she is envious of — someone who seems so blessed by fortune.

It’s like we’re living in the Middle Ages, and rich beautiful people are favored by God? Like what part of you doesn’t understand that diseases don’t care who they touch?

But I suppose if it’s cathartic for you to witness the humbling of your friend, then sure… post away. I don’t see concern for her as a person. Just thinly veiled schadenfreude. Sad. Maybe that’s why she’s depressed.

Ditto. My thoughts exactly as I read OP’s post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FFS. Let me guess. She is a UMC, middle aged, white woman? Likely overweight, taking antidepressants, claiming fibromyalgia, but no real problems? 95% of deep depression can be cured by regular vigorous exercise, healthier diet, and better sleep. 0% can be cured by shouting that you are a helpless victim.

Well I'm not OP's friend but while I am white and middle aged, I'm not UMC, not overweight, don't "claim fibromyalgia", and like literally all people on Earth, I have some real problems. And I have depression despite the fact that I exercise and eat well. I do sleep like garbage though, because I have terrible insomnia. So maybe you don't understand what you think you do about mental health. Cool story tho, bro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe this is evidence of my depression, but posts like this make me upset. The fact that people are so shocked that people are not okay even when they’re acting like it means that we are doing an extremely poor job educating people about what depression is.

It doesn't really make me "upset," per se, but, as someone with depression, it's a stark realization that some people haven't experienced it and don't relate to it all. OP seems to be under the impression that depression results from adverse life events, but it doesn't always. Kind of reminds me of how my mother dealt with my depression: "My life was harder than yours. You have nothing to be depressed about" (!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe this is evidence of my depression, but posts like this make me upset. The fact that people are so shocked that people are not okay even when they’re acting like it means that we are doing an extremely poor job educating people about what depression is.

It doesn't really make me "upset," per se, but, as someone with depression, it's a stark realization that some people haven't experienced it and don't relate to it all. OP seems to be under the impression that depression results from adverse life events, but it doesn't always. Kind of reminds me of how my mother dealt with my depression: "My life was harder than yours. You have nothing to be depressed about" (!)

Still to this day, my mother seems to think that depression can be cured with the comment: "But your life could be so much worse. You could have had XYZ happen, but it didn't, so you should be happy and positive."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FFS. Let me guess. She is a UMC, middle aged, white woman? Likely overweight, taking antidepressants, claiming fibromyalgia, but no real problems? 95% of deep depression can be cured by regular vigorous exercise, healthier diet, and better sleep. 0% can be cured by shouting that you are a helpless victim.

You are a complete POS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be sure to keep it to yourself, and let her know how grateful you are that she shred it with you. The secrecy and shame surrounding severe depression is no joke.

The shame is there because people don't talk about it. We are very open about our child's depression and addiction, we are not ashamed or embarrassed by them having a mental illness.

Hopefully someday soon people will understand that this isn't a disease of choice but can be treated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FFS. Let me guess. She is a UMC, middle aged, white woman? Likely overweight, taking antidepressants, claiming fibromyalgia, but no real problems? 95% of deep depression can be cured by regular vigorous exercise, healthier diet, and better sleep. 0% can be cured by shouting that you are a helpless victim.

You are a complete POS.

+2

[Anonymous]

This whole thread is a mess.