depression

hi, i was wondering if anyone could offer me some advice. i have been struggling with depression since i was 18 but last November it came that bad i couldn't face work and i have been off since. i have a child who has just been registered as a young career as she helps me get through each day. the problem is the rest of the family. they think i am being a hypochondriac and i should get back to work. i want to go to work but its been nearly 6 months and i cant face them. i don't know what to say to my family as every time i talk to them i feel worse and my child hates going over there because of this. i don't know what to do for the best anymore

Daniel, Welcome. I appreciate your faith. However, the rules of forum state that we can not talk about religion outright here. Please reframe from doing so.

Chrissy, are you seeing a therapist, pychiatrist? Are you on medication?

Since you have been dealing with this for so long, I imagine you have some coping skills. Have you learned any new ones recently?

These are skills I use to get me through dark times and help keep me emotionally balanced.

Journaling
Art, drawing painting, [you don't have to be good to get the emotions out]
meditation
mindfulness [www.mindful.org]
self-compassion
walking
being outside 10 min a day at least, even if it is sitting on the back step.

As for the family, well. All I can say is you can only control your reaction to someone. The way some one else reacts to your truth is out of your control. Standing for your truth is half the battle.

Depression is an illness, like any other chronic condition.

I hope this helped you in someway. Keep posting, we listen and support the best we can here.

Peace
Trina

chrissy, welcome to the forum. As you can see from my signature, I have a lot going on. My siblings are all aware of this, but cannot understand why I am unable to work, in spite of all of it!

Don't stress yourself out over it. Those that do not even want to try to understand never will. It is self defeating to try to explain it. Contact with them will only make the condition worse.

I've made it a point to not look to my 'family' for any help. I live within my means, and when an unexpected expense comes up, I find other ways to deal with it.

Meanwhile, they are all diabetic while I am not. They cannot seem to understand that while I don't have the same malady as they do, I am sympathetic to their plight. It is unfortunate that they don't seem to want to learn about my condition. Our grandmother was 'a hypochondriac', so was our father. I now believe it is their own fear of 'becoming one' themselves that keeps them in ignorance. Their denial has nothing to do with me.

Keep coming here and posting. You are among people that totally understand. We care.

Chrissy,

Try Hard to get some skills going. They are a life saver when the dark thoughts come.

Peace
Trina

small steps. then bigger ones. I went and bugged the guys at the pharmacy today. you can find support in different ways. I use music. phone services are good too. I use these when required. keep strong.