I think that depression can be kinda like having kids... it's hard to understand unless you've experienced it up close. And even then, it can still be hard to relate to if it's been a while...
Have you had experience with depression - either firsthand or through a loved one (close friend, family or loved one)?
hostess / papaya / 10540 posts
Yes, a grandparent and parent. It makes me afraid that I have or will suffer with it, but will be unable to recognize it. It always worries me because DH has never experienced it in his life firsthand or secondhand, so I worry that he wouldn't know how to handle it either.
pear / 1571 posts
Yep. It always hovers nearby, just waiting for a bad day or a bit of gluten to come bug me again for a week or so.
ETA: I have experienced pretty severe, longterm depression too, without realizing what it was. It wasn't until I made some changes in my diet (for other reasons) that I stumbled upon "normal" and now recognize all my symptoms for what they were/are.
pomelo / 5257 posts
Yes, unfortunately. Depression is a terrible problem on my dad's side of the family -- almost everyone has it in some form, and my uncle sadly committed suicide last July. I think you're right that it can be tough to understand without having experienced it. People especially don't understand that it's an illness, same as cancer or any other physical illness. You can't just will it away,
cantaloupe / 6791 posts
Yes, after my miscarriage I was very depressed for awhile. I started on some medication and found healthy ways to remember my baby, but honestly it didn't really go away until I got pregnant again.
hostess / eggplant / 11068 posts
Yes, absolutely. I've had long episodes in every stage of my life: middle school, high school, university, (not in marriage), but again with PPD. It's awful. But I've learned to recognize my emotions and manage.
nectarine / 2886 posts
I had PPD and it was really terrible. I agree that you can't really understand it until you've experienced it. I had heard so much about PPD but still didn't recognize I was going through it until a friend who also had PPD heard about my feelings and told me I should see a doc ASAP.
pomegranate / 3105 posts
both - I have control of it right now, but there have been times I didn't.
persimmon / 1116 posts
Both. Its runs on my moms side of the family and Ive gone through a few bouts throughout my life due to an abusive childhood. Therapy is super helpful for me and my faith is as well.
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
One of my best friends suffers from depression.
pear / 1571 posts
@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.
coconut / 8305 posts
Both. I spent 5 months in bed in a deep depression when I was a teen & struggled with it & anxiety for years (Dx w/ bipolar & social anxiety disorder). My mother struggled with depression & being suicidal well into her 40's, over 20 years.... My dad also dealt with depression which greatly affected his & my moms marriage, we never knew until after they divorced.
ETA: Neither my mom or I have dealt with depression since moving to where we currently live & 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.
coconut / 8305 posts
@citymouse: My mom grew up in a physically & sexually abusive home. I don't have firsthand experience but greatly empathize with it from my moms experience & the girls that come into our home. ((Hugs)) for you!
persimmon / 1436 posts
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.
GOLD / cantaloupe / 6581 posts
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.
grapefruit / 4136 posts
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! 
pomegranate / 3890 posts
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.
coconut / 8681 posts
Yes, both. I've had some pretty serious depression issues that we're fairly certain are hormone related.
pear / 1548 posts
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.
The year before I was born my mom's brother jumped off an overpass on the highway and killed himself.
GOLD / pomelo / 5737 posts
@mrbee: I've experienced both. I totally agree, I didn't really understand or get it til I experienced it firsthand.
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
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.
eggplant / 11408 posts
Both sides, yes. And I agree, it is hard to describe unless you (unfortunately) have personally felt its effects.
nectarine / 2600 posts
I think I may have it sometimes, but I'm just not sure :o/
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.
pear / 1812 posts
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.
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.
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.
watermelon / 14206 posts
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.
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.
papaya / 10570 posts
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.
eggplant / 11716 posts
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.
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.
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. =/
pineapple / 12802 posts
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.
I've dealt with both, but a much more severe case in my FIL.
GOLD / papaya / 10206 posts
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.
coconut / 8079 posts
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 & has since he was very young. It is hard! 
pear / 1787 posts
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.
persimmon / 1230 posts
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.
pineapple / 12526 posts
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.
My brother suffers from it as well.
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