Quote:
Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
I'm sorry, but this comment really angered me. Depression IS A MENTAL ILLNESS. It is a disease. Yeah, there are some people who have a bad day, or a bad couple of days. But there is a difference between being upset and suffering from depression.
DO NOT call me self absorbed because I suffer from depression. You don't know anything about me. And it has nothing to do with my issues. I suffer from a chemical imbalance. So DO NOT call AlphaSigLana selfish and self absobred when you have no idea what her disease and her problems are.
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Amen, Lady Pi Phi. I had to read that post several times to make sure I read right.
My mother was bi-polar (formerly known as manic-depressive). When I was 7, she attempted suicide, but fortunately, she was unsuccessful. This was before the "miracle" of lithium was widely known-fortunately, before she died of other causes, she did discover lithium, and led a relatively normal-happy life. I will tell you my mom was devoted to my siblings & I, and she was a wonderful teacher. BUT she had a chemical imbalance that had absolutely nothing to do with her being self absorbed.
Bi-polar Disorder has been shown to be hereditary. My husband is aware of my family history & I have asked him to help me recognize it if I ever develop symptoms, and we are also on the lookout for our children's behavior. So far, so good.
Attitudes and comments like that
"First of all, the only reason people become depressed is because they become self-absorbed in their own problems. They only think about themselves. A form of conceit." are just a reflection of how far we have to go in educating the general public about mental illness as an ILLNESS. People suffering from them should seek help. But they should not be ridiculed/stigmatized/berated/discriminated against for having a disease that they have absolutely no control over.
Lana-I won't repeat what everyone else has said. Of course I hope you get the help you need, but maybe this thread will help to educate some people who have no idea what you & others are going through.