Class on dealing with depression

[rjdecker]

Tonight the women in our church are getting together and a special speaker is coming to talk about dealing with depression. I really feel like I need to go, but am hesitant. The last time I went to one of these the speaker was a pyschiatric nurse that was a specialist with depression. And a lady there piped up that when she has depressive thoughts all she does is think something happy and then she is okay and she could not understand how someone could let themself get depressed. I was a newly diagnosed PPD at that point, and what she said made me so mad! Of course, I countered it and told her it isn't something we choose to do, that it is out of our control and it is not fair to judge others based on them not having happy thoughts. It shut her up, and people were quiet for a few minutes. But it hurt so much, that I am afraid something like that will happen again tonight. Very nervous.

Jenny

[BrandiJK]

i think you should go. some people are pretty clueless as to what true depression is. it isn't just feeling 'down', and you did good setting them strait.
you should not let those people who don't understand hold you back from helping yourself.

[rjdecker]

Thanks, Brandi. Another reason I want to go is because so many people that are depressed and don't know it, don't understand what is happening need support and I want to show them that it can be dealt with. I have a friend who often asks me questions because she sometimes feels depressed and she has actually gone to get treatment because I suggested it to her and the change in her is incredible. It makes me feel good to know I helped her even if it was just a little bit!

Jenny

[BrandiJK]

That's awesome! See, you've already decided, you want to go!

[dwtegli]

I agree with Brandi, you already said you want to go. Don't let what one stupid person said keep you from doing what you want. I know what she said hurt, I would have been hurt also, but you know better. You know it doesn't work that way. What if you hadn't been there and the people who need help had heard her say that and thought that was all they had to do? This way, you were there to set her straight and everyone heard that. They need to know that it can be dealt with and you that, you can help. Go and enjoy it.

Love ya,

[Jenny]

I agree that you should go. Think of that one lady sitting there in a deep depression finally able to make this one small step, hearing what you heard last time with no one there to put that person in her place! Can you imagine the blow of hearing that when you are too weak to stand up for yourself? I am sure she will be there, sitting in the corner perhaps, wishing that someone will notice how lost and alone she feels.

[Gracie]

Jenny,

You should really go... don't let that one lady ruin this for you. Nobody "lets" themselves get depressed! Especially PPD which is hormonally mediated in a lot (most/all) cases...

(((hugs)))