Quote:
Originally posted by White_Chocolate
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. If they took the time to look in their neighborhoods at mentally challenged people who can't think for themselves or at people who are on their death beds from cancers eatting away at their flesh until it is rotting and smells and yet, they still manage a weak smile or joke about the pain. . .then, they would see that a problem such as weight, bullies, and a gangly appearance all fades with time and effort.
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ok....i am extremely angered with this statement. first of all, there are several differences between teenage- angst and depression. everyone suffers from teen angst. they hate their
parents, clothes, school, etc. etc. most of us deal with that for a year or two (or more) and come out ok at the end. people with depression have a chemical imbalance that THEY CAN NOT CONTROL!!! would you tell a person who was diagnosed with cancer that they were conceited.....i think not! mental illnesses are REAL and they affect more people than you probably know!!! statements like this are why people HIDE their mental illnesses bc they are treated like they are doing something wrong or that they should be ashamed of themselves. would you tell a person in a wheel chair that they should get a grip on things and get over it!!! physical disabilities are viewed so differently than mental disabilities.
people can live with clinical depression for many years without treatment and then an incident (like a break up or a job loss, etc.) occur and they fall completely apart. unfortunately, their brain does not give them the amount of chemicals it needs so that
they know things will be ok!
now, on to looking at other people who have problems (like the people who are mentally challenged) well, honestly, i work with children and adults with severe autism, mental retardation and behavior disorders. most of them also have many medical problems to top it all off....but they don't know what they are missing. they have no concept of what other 20somethings are doing bc they still can't control their own bladders. (note: i am
not saying this is the same for every person with mental retardation/ autism, just the group of students that i work with/ have worked with). the adolescents i worked with
didn't know they were too fat or not pretty enough to get the captain of the football team to ask them out bc they were too busy watching the little mermaid and mulan. now, i love these guys and they have given me so much more than i can ever explain, but they have an abnormal brain function.....hmmmm, just like people with depression.....just in a different degree.
so before you open your mouth and say things like that, think for a second about whether or not it is an appropriate thing to say to someone who just said they wanted to commit suicide!! instead of criticizing someone in need, take a look around your neighborhood and find someone to help!
oh, and i just have to say as the special educator.....always think people first....a person who is mentally challenged...a person with autism. first and foremost, they are people....then they have a disability.