It’s like it’s a scar that must be hidden. Like some dirty secret. An ugly sweater you keep in the back of the closet and only bring it out when that aunt comes to visit. You hide it. You deny it, even to yourself.
There are the days when you tell yourself “I’m ok”, as you look in the mirror. You do what you have to do to to get through the next moment, the next hour, the next day.
But you’re not ok and you know it. Your sleeping too much. You’re avoiding any social interaction, isolating yourself. Things that normally bring you joy, no longer do. There is this dark cloud over everything in your life.
Why do people that are depressed deny it? The answer is complicated. Often, the person going through the depression is embarrassed. They want to appear “normal”. They don’t want people to think there is something wrong with them. There is such a stigma attached to depression and other forms of mental illness that the person hides it from those around them and even from themselves.
Sometimes, they don’t know that they’re depressed. They know something’s not right, but they don’t recognize it. Depression is a sneaky thief. It sneaks in under the radar and robs you of the joy in your life.
What can you do if you see that a loved one is depressed but they deny it? Be there for them. Listen, talk, check-in with them. Take that extra minute, make that phone call, or send that text. Get them out of their isolation. Take them to lunch, pop in for a quick visit.
Since a depressed person will often isolate themselves, it is incredibly important to BE THERE, not just physically, but emotionally. Be supportive, encouraging and most of all, be caring. They won’t want your attention, at least not outwardly. They will push you away and try to discourage you, telling you that they are fine that nothing is wrong.
Encourage that loved one to seek help. If you are sure that they need help, don’t give up. Don’t turn your back on them. BE THERE for them. You might just save a life.
The Suicide Prevention Hotline, available 24/7 is 1-800-273-8255
A terrific website on this can be found HERE.
There is a site specifically to help our veterans. Find that site HERE.
Is talking to someone too much for you? It was for me at times. There is a Crisis Text Line. Text 741741 and you can text with a counselor.
Want to do an online chat? There’s a site for that too. Find it HERE.
You can even TWEET with a crisis counselor at @800273TALK on Twitter.
HERE is a link to many international phone #’s for Suicide Prevention.
This is a British number to help Children in crisis. 08001111
Copyright (C) 2019 Penny Wilson
I know this is a repeat. But some things are important to repeat. This subject is one of those. Thank you for joining me on this journey. ❤ Penny
Great advice…I have hid for most of my life and am now finally at almost 50 facing it head on.
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It’s not easy, I know. Thank you so much for visiting and for the follow!
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I suffer with depression. Thank you for writing about it. 🙏
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Thank you, kindly! And thank you for following! ❤
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❤️💔❤️
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Thank you! And thank you for visiting!
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Depression sure is a sneaky thief. Thank you for sharing and shining a light on this topic. 💕
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Thank you for visiting! 🙂
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My pleasure 💕
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If depression goes on for a long long time, months or years on end you totally lose track of what it’s like NOT to be depressed. Also I’ve had drs trying to tell me they thought I was fine when I was feeling crap and WAS depressed. Then again at other times they seemed convinced I WAS depressed when I thought I was not!
The diagnostic criteria aren’t that helpful either. They’re not even meant for patients, they’re for trained drs, and yet the way they’re presented on websites etc you wouldn’t know that.
I wrote a post on depression earlier on. Please drop by and have a look, if you have time, I’m interested in anyone’s reaction.
https://zadenzane.wordpress.com/2021/09/10/a-long-history-of-depression/
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A very well written piece! I left a comment and followed. Welcome to WordPress! Keep writing! You’re good at it! 🙂
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet and commented:
Come read this!
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Thank you, Chuck. ❤
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Excellent post and so true!!!!
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Thank you!
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This is a very helpful post, Penny. Understanding depression is quite difficult when you don’t suffer from it yourself. I’ve had to read up about it so that I can be a better supporter of family members who suffer from this and other mental health issues.
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Thank you, Robbie. It is difficult to understand even if you have suffered from it! I wish you the best! ❤
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Great advice!
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Thank you, Beth. ❤
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Awesome write-up 👌
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Thank you!
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