Fighting the stigma

[McheleM]

It's so hard to talk about this disease, and it is a disease the same as diabetes and cancer are diseases.

I have suffered from depression as long as I can remember, and it got worse when I found out about my cancer. It almost took my marriage, as well as my life. I had several suicide attempts over the past 3 years, and I know that my extended family only speaks of it in whispers, as if its something I did wrong, like being unfaithful to my spouse, when in reality, its nothing I can control. My mother in law thinks I should just "snap out of it" and get over whatever it is that makes me depressed, and of course this makes me feel worse. If it were something I could control, I would. It's not as simple as surgery for cancer, as it can not be removed, only treated, and often the treatments quit working. (I've been through several antidepressants because they stop being effective)

I truly wish more people would talk about it and its toll on their lives. How it affects them, their families, their jobs. And that more people would understand that it's not some horrible thing to be made fun of and whispered about. It's real, it's crippling, and it can be deadly.

[normarae63]

Originally Posted by Wallee

Thanks for sharing. A topic very near to my heart as most of you know, I lost my oldest son to suicide in 2000 just 3 weeks before what would have been his 18th birthday.

Thanks Cindy. I am sorry for your awful loss. I know that no words can ever make what happened go away. Trust that keeping your memories of the happy times with your son will help until you meet again. Hopefully, by sharing his story, you've been able to help another.

[normarae63]

Originally Posted by MomtoJasper

I, too, have fought and survived it. But I remember a time when you didn't talk about it or tell anyone. It is a shame in this century that there is still no cure and you can be labeled like you have a horribly contagious disease.

It is a terribly crippling disease and it's extremely cruel that often in order to get help, a person must also endure the crippling opinions of others on top of all of it!
Thanks for sharing.

[normarae63]

Originally Posted by McheleM

It's so hard to talk about this disease, and it is a disease the same as diabetes and cancer are diseases.

I have suffered from depression as long as I can remember, and it got worse when I found out about my cancer. It almost took my marriage, as well as my life. I had several suicide attempts over the past 3 years, and I know that my extended family only speaks of it in whispers, as if its something I did wrong, like being unfaithful to my spouse, when in reality, its nothing I can control. My mother in law thinks I should just "snap out of it" and get over whatever it is that makes me depressed, and of course this makes me feel worse. If it were something I could control, I would. It's not as simple as surgery for cancer, as it can not be removed, only treated, and often the treatments quit working. (I've been through several antidepressants because they stop being effective)

I truly wish more people would talk about it and its toll on their lives. How it affects them, their families, their jobs. And that more people would understand that it's not some horrible thing to be made fun of and whispered about. It's real, it's crippling, and it can be deadly.

Michele, thanks for posting.

There are SO many great points in your comments that I want to highlight the whole thing! Our "families" should be places we feel safe.I'm glad that yours has shown you(for the moat part) that you are indeed loved and lovable!

Sadly, not enough people have been educated about brain disorders and that lack of education often leads to the whispering. I encourage everyone who reads this thread to do all you can to arm yourself. Look for support groups. KNOW that you are not alone!

[Harrysmum]

Sherry - thank you for sharing this - what an amazing young man. How brave of him to get up and speak in such an eloquent way.

I was 'absent' from YT for a while around last Christmas - my brother-in-law had committed suicide. He, too, hung himself after getting all his affairs in order.

He was in his 60's, a designer of oil-rig pipe lines - a fabulous house, plenty of money, a wonderful family.....but no-one knew, no-one had the faintest idea that he was suffering from this terrible, destructive disease.

My heart truly goes out to you all. Sally xx

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by McheleM

It's so hard to talk about this disease, and it is a disease the same as diabetes and cancer are diseases.

I have suffered from depression as long as I can remember, and it got worse when I found out about my cancer. It almost took my marriage, as well as my life. I had several suicide attempts over the past 3 years, and I know that my extended family only speaks of it in whispers, as if its something I did wrong, like being unfaithful to my spouse, when in reality, its nothing I can control. My mother in law thinks I should just "snap out of it" and get over whatever it is that makes me depressed, and of course this makes me feel worse. If it were something I could control, I would. It's not as simple as surgery for cancer, as it can not be removed, only treated, and often the treatments quit working. (I've been through several antidepressants because they stop being effective)

I truly wish more people would talk about it and its toll on their lives. How it affects them, their families, their jobs. And that more people would understand that it's not some horrible thing to be made fun of and whispered about. It's real, it's crippling, and it can be deadly.

Michelle, thank you so much, from the bottom to the top of my heart, for posting this. It means so much to be open about this disease, to have the courage to share experiences - bc every time we share, we continue to dispel the myth and the stigma that is cruelly and wrongly attached to this disease.

Why on earth we treat disease above the neck differently than below the neck is beyond all comprehension and so dangerous, so life threatening.

There is NO SUCH THING as snapping out of it. My God, if only there was...all of us who suffer would've flipped that switch the very first moment we felt depression sneak its way in.

I too have suffered as long as I can recall, Michelle. So I know the chronic pain / suffering it can cause and what it can do to your entire life. It brings you to your knees, in such a way that you barely can describe the devastation or pain that is felt at times. It is no wonder that it is so deadly .

If you ever need anything, I am always here for you.

I'm going to PM you too bc I also have dealt with extremely treatment/medication resistant depression, and I want to share what worked for me, finally.

Originally Posted by Harrysmum

Sherry - thank you for sharing this - what an amazing young man. How brave of him to get up and speak in such an eloquent way.

I was 'absent' from YT for a while around last Christmas - my brother-in-law had committed suicide. He, too, hung himself after getting all his affairs in order.

He was in his 60's, a designer of oil-rig pipe lines - a fabulous house, plenty of money, a wonderful family.....but no-one knew, no-one had the faintest idea that he was suffering from this terrible, destructive disease.

My heart truly goes out to you all. Sally xx

I'm so sorry about your brother in law . My condolences.

[lynzy420]

EMR is a great tool when presented within the right setting with the right person. It is especially good if you suffer from any PTSD symptoms.