https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 03:20:41 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand/page/2#post-861264 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 10:13:40 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 861264@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. My sister has dealt with depression episodes since we were teenagers. It was always frustrating to me; I didn't understand how she couldn't "get happy" already! As I got older I got more compassion and helped her find a therapist because I knew I couldn't understand what she was going through. </p> <p>Then my husband and I moved to a new state away from my family, friends, and job I loved. I knew I would struggle with the change (it's not my strong suit), so I denied that I had a problem for most of a year. On top of the move, we got a puppy &amp; I was at a job where I was constantly emotionally bullied and abused. I would flip out about the littlest things, have no motivation to do anything, and I always felt like I was suffocating. It was awful &amp; when I realized what it was doing to my husband I went to therapy. That helped a lot (as well as quitting that job), but I still have some depression "behaviors" when I feel overwhelmed. </p> <p>It's so hard to understand it unless you have had it yourself. It's so complex! And I've apologized to my sister for all my unhelpful words when we were younger! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand/page/2#post-861130 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 08:20:42 +0000 artsyfartsy 861130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was a teenager I suffered pretty badly on and off. I was never medicated for it. Since then my life has greatly changed. I view the world differently and I am much happier...the way I think is changed.</p> <p>Even now though I still have days where I'm taken back to that place. Once you go there I don't think you can ever completely get away from it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand/page/2#post-861120 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 08:09:45 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 861120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. I've been treated and medicated for depression since age 15 (along with generalized &amp; social anxiety disorders). I have a feeling my dad also deals with depression, though he wouldn't ever go to a doctor or discuss it. My sister also has depression, combined with borderline personality disorder. Its extremely interesting to see how we're all impacted differently by the same disorder. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand/page/2#post-861021 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 02:20:06 +0000 erinpye 861021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes to both, and then had PPD which was rough, but I got through it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand/page/2#post-861017 Sun, 16 Jun 2013 02:08:01 +0000 SweetMamaM 861017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, both sides - it's a somewhat inherited trait from my mother's side so luckily when I experienced it I already knew that there was no shame in asking for help. What was far more scary for me was experiencing anxiety issues after my mum passed away - it was something that I had no experience (1st or 2ndhand) with whatsoever, which made it hard to acknowledge the extent in which it was impacting my life. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-860544 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:40:58 +0000 loveisstrange 860544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. Ive been diagnosed and medicated and gone through therapy. I have a form of bipolar and anxiety issues. I also had really severe PPD.</p> <p>My brother suffers from it as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-860542 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:37:55 +0000 Katrocap 860542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. Both first and secondhand. I was diagnosed with clinical depression eleven years ago and have been on antidepressants since. I don't like having to take the medicine, but I've accepted it as part of my life. Also I developed postpartum depression almost immediately after DS was born 5 months ago, which completely messed with my mental health because I also experienced major anxiety. Not fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-860494 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:06:09 +0000 DigAPony 860494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I've been dealing with depression and anxiety since I was about 11. I've been in and out of therapy and off and on meds since. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-860131 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 11:31:24 +0000 jhd 860131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I experienced some mild depression in college. I'm fairly certain BC pills caused most of it. It wasn't fun but I'm thankful that the experience can help me understand others. My brother struggles with serious depression &amp; has since he was very young. It is hard! :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859994 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 09:42:28 +0000 prettylizy 859994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a family member who was slipping (IMO) down into depression a few years ago. I'm fairly certain we 'caught' it early enough and by rallying around as a family we were able to support the family member through their sturggle. I firmly believe if I hadn't seen what I saw when I saw it, it could have gotten much worse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859983 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 09:30:09 +0000 .twist. 859983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think everyone deals with depression at some point in their life. How long it lasts and how they deal with it varies though. Obviously some cases are more severe than others. </p> <p>I've dealt with both, but a much more severe case in my FIL. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859899 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 08:15:34 +0000 Anagram 859899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I had situational depression (as opposed to chemical depression) when my dad was sick and dying. At the time, I knew I was sad, but I also just thought I was really really tired and therefore had no motivation to do normal things like take a shower, eat, see my friends. I never knew until then that depression attacks your entire immune system--I got sick with everything under the sun over and over and over in that time period. So strange.</p> <p>It wasn't until my dad finally passed and I could start grieving (because you know, when someone has cancer and is dying, our culture is to pretend to the last second that a miracle could occur and they could survive, even though you know it's not happening) that I started to feel more alive. </p> <p>And THEN I realized I'd been depressed for the last 6 months or so. Before and after the time period--no issues. It doesn't run in my family (thank goodness). I mean, we have schizophrenia instead. =/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859824 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 06:16:48 +0000 Cherrybee 859824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I've experienced both. I have quite the history of depression - but when DH recently went through a rough patch (when he was really ill with his arthritis) I still felt frustrated with him and longed for him to "snap out of it". I think that even if you understand depression, it's still hard to compute when you watch someone else going through it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859814 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 05:26:53 +0000 Dandelion 859814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah...I just spent April and May in some real depression. I was really in denial what it was, though. Since losing S, my hormones, mixed with grief made a pretty bad form of depression. I was pretty much immobile for quite a while.</p> <p>I'm doing much better, now. I feel motivated and genuinely happy again. I probably still have traces of it, but my situation has gotten a lot better (except the part about missing my girl), so they really do help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859801 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 04:49:16 +0000 SugarplumsMom 859801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, both. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859794 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 03:18:10 +0000 Mrs Hedgehog 859794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I suffer from it. I never found a med that worked and had to teach myself how to combat it. It isn't easy and I still have my bad days/weeks but I have support of my family and esp. Mr. Hedgie who has had to deal with me in my low moments. If I didn't have the support and understanding I do I don't know where I would be. I am a lucky one. </p> <p>It isn't easy though. And it never seems to make sense when your write it down on paper. It isn't always weepy, infact, with me, it manifests as pent up anger that turns into balling at its most extreme moments. Otherwise it is a steady stream of un-motivation and a feeling of isolation. It just sucks. Honestly, that is the best way to describe it. </p> <p>I work hard to see what my triggers are and avoid them if possible. It has taken YEARS to get to where I am and it hasn't been easy. I try to stay positive though. Unless you were really close to me, you would never know. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859777 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 02:04:35 +0000 TheSwissWifeStyle 859777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I may have it sometimes, but I'm just not sure :o/ </p> <p>I think my mom went through a little bout of it when I was in high school. My dad lived away from us for much of the time because of his job. (Military/Govt.) I don't think she was too happy, and she had to go through a lot w/out him there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859763 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:55:21 +0000 LovelyPlum 859763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both sides, yes. And I agree, it is hard to describe unless you (unfortunately) have personally felt its effects. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859746 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:31:24 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 859746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, but it was circumstantial because my dad who I was super close to had passed away and it took me to a really really dark, lonely place. I was never on medication and didn't go to therapy for it though. I agree with both your sentiments that it's hard to understand unless you've been through it, and hard to relate to what its like if its been awhile. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859684 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:27:02 +0000 googly-eyes 859684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: I've experienced both. I totally agree, I didn't really understand or get it til I experienced it firsthand. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859676 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:15:41 +0000 Boopers 859676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My niece was recently admitted to a behavioral healthy hospital due to severe depression and feeling suicidal. She experienced years of abuse and the loss of her brother and is in the middle of waiting to go to trial against her abuser. It's incredibly hard to see someone so young experience so much on top of being a teenager. Thankfully she recognized she wasn't doing well and spoke up and asked for help but it's been very hard for our family. She is now on meds and getting therapy. </p> <p>The year before I was born my mom's brother jumped off an overpass on the highway and killed himself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859659 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:59:58 +0000 mrs. bird 859659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>yup, both. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859657 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:56:31 +0000 Running Elley 859657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, both. I've had some pretty serious depression issues that we're fairly certain are hormone related. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859653 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:53:24 +0000 stargal 859653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>yes, firsthand I've dealt with it. after my mom passed away I was severely depressed and also pregnant, honestly if I wasn't pregnant with p, I don't know what would of happened to me, it was that bad. I credit my sweet boy for saving me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859641 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:42:10 +0000 doodlepoodle 859641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep. My mom was hospitalized when I was in 2nd grade. I dealt with some pretty bad issues when I was a freshman in college and was on meds/in therapy for a long time. I've made a lot of life choices and changes since then and won't ever look back! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859637 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:39:04 +0000 Bookish 859637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, depression and anxiety disorder, diagnosed as Borderline when I was 16. Too much to really get into here, but yes, I have struggled with it for the majority of my life, and although it has gotten more manageable, it will be a struggle for years to come. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859599 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:58:41 +0000 MamaMagpie 859599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've gone through blue periods, but I mostly I have experience dealing with it in my mother. Starting at about 13 years old, I had to deal with a single mother (and no siblings) who would be in bed 24/7 for months at a time. She has attempted suicide 4 times in 15 years, and suffers from several other mental illnesses. It's incredibly hard and I'm terrified I'll end up like her some day. I know it's a disease, but I never want to put my child/children through that. I made DH promise to not hesitate to seek help for me if he ever feels like I'm going down that road, especially with PPD which I know is very common. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859571 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:29:21 +0000 runsyellowlites 859571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@citymouse: My mom grew up in a physically &amp; sexually abusive home. I don't have firsthand experience but greatly empathize with it from my moms experience &amp; the girls that come into our home. ((Hugs)) for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859570 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:27:49 +0000 runsyellowlites 859570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both. I spent 5 months in bed in a deep depression when I was a teen &amp; struggled with it &amp; anxiety for years (Dx w/ bipolar &amp; social anxiety disorder). My mother struggled with depression &amp; being suicidal well into her 40's, over 20 years.... My dad also dealt with depression which greatly affected his &amp; my moms marriage, we never knew until after they divorced.</p> <p>ETA: Neither my mom or I have dealt with depression since moving to where we currently live &amp; becoming passionate about following Christ. We've had down days in less than deal circumstances but not being "depressed". We also both work in a ministry now helping girls that have struggled with the same things my mom experienced. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-experienced-depression-either-firsthand-or-secondhand#post-859550 Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:17:50 +0000 FarmWifeGina 859550@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@citymouse: Aw, blessings. An abusive childhood is a huge factor in my struggle as well and between the gluten sensitivity and the rotten voices in my head, it wasn't a good combination. Cutting out gluten was huge for me, but what really put me over the top was therapy and learning to replace the negative voices with the positive ones. </p>