Posted by Daisym on February 28, 2008, at 0:06:42
In reply to You know the question I dislike......, posted by rskontos on February 27, 2008, at 20:06:38
I can't tell you how many times I've heard - "You? You have depression? Why?" So what do you say? The easiest answer for me is to say, "after many years things kind of imploded all at the same time and I found myself unable to get back up." That is usually convoluted enough that no one asks very many questions. The other thing I hate is, "you never looked depressed!" Yeah - cause I'm not gonna sit around and cry my eyes out at work. But boy do I want to say, "did you not notice how often I wasn't here or my office door was closed?"
And then you also discover people who have noticed and are sensitive enough to not say much but instead offer quiet support and kindness. Just a few weeks ago my (very young) secretary was instructing our new receptionist (a guy) on office protocols. She said, "OH, and if X calls - don't ask questions, put him through or find her and then keep people away from her door." X is my therapist. But I never knew she'd put all that together - it was an important call, shut my door and don't interrupt. When I mentioned it to her, she said, "X calls when you are having a hard time. I figured it out a long time ago. No big deal. Except once in awhile I want to say, "make her feel better - please." She made me cry. :)
People don't mean to be insensitive, like you said. They just watch too much TV.
poster:Daisym
thread:815048
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20080226/msgs/815104.html