Posted by jealibeanz on April 28, 2007, at 20:40:11
In reply to Re: Family in denial of depression » Bonnie_CA, posted by JerryPharmStudent on April 27, 2007, at 22:12:50
> > I think people need to stop throwing the D word around so much (depressed/depression). When someone is having a bad day, instead of saying "I'm sad" they say "I'm depressed". I think that line of thinking is what leads us to the people who think it's something that can be fixed with "going out" or "snapping out of it" or whatever. Because people can't make the distinction between depressed mood and the illness of depression, I think they need to find a new word for the depressed mood.
> >
> > My other favorite is when you're having a panic attack or are in a highly anxious state, and people tell me to "relax". Oh sure, I'm doing this all on purpose, because I enjoy being anxious and panicky. *sigh*
> >
> > -Bonnie
>
> Excellent post. You're soooo right on. The problem is that people CAN be "depressed" for a day or so regarding a relationship, bills, etc - and since it's used so much in that fashion - as you pointed out - it makes people think that kinda of depression is the same as clinical depression.
>
> It just goes along with the invisibility of mental illness.I agree. The word "depressed" is now used like a pop-culture word. A few years ago it was barely mentioned. Now its use is so casual.
I've seen depression screenings that ask, "Do you feel depressed?" Huh?! I thought the point of the survey was to determine that.
Most non-depressed people don't understand clinical depression... especially the recurrent type that seems to be genetically based. Sure, people who aren't genetocally prone can have clinical depression due to a life circumstance, but it may not feel quite the same. Plus, they have the idea that all people really can "snap out of it" or "wait it out". It's hard to understand, especially when you think you do, but don't.
poster:jealibeanz
thread:753563
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070426/msgs/754271.html