Hey, Xin I have had depression for most of life also, and

Hi Klockwood!
Thanks for asking to be friends! I have been depressed even as a child but won't get into all that bad family history. Didn't really realize what was wrong with me until I was in my late teens.

Lived in a rural area on a farm, weren't any resources to access & even if there had been I probably would have been too embarrassed to admit to it. Stigma way worse then!! Read every self-help book that I could discreetly get my hands on & at least discovered that I wasn't the only "weird" person in the world. By then I had made a lot of bad decisions & I realize there weren't that many choices available to me now that I see a good psychiatrist regularly (I have had a few really poor ones). I mostly gave up on the "professionals" for a time.

I married & raised a daughter & son (about the only thing I've done that I feel I can brag about & I feel so blessed in them!!!). They're GOOD, KIND people & so good to there parents; my daughter is a Speech-Language Pathologist & my son is the Production Supervisor in this area for an oil company & has been all over the world. I have 3 granddaughters & 3 grandsons & my husband has put up with me so far although he really doesn't understand depression (it frightens him) but he tries. Without my family & my friends & this doctor I don't think I could have come this far.

AND YET there are those days that nothing is enough!! I believe & my Dr. agrees that when you are a child & you are severely neglected or abused, you remain forever "damaged". She says that there are actual physical changes that take place in the brain. There is no "cure", but there are therapies & medications to overcome the worst of the symptoms. Well there it all is; more than you wanted to know probably but I just couldn't stop typing!!! AND you said you were "willing to listen".

Wow I admire you so much for what you have been through and you have manage to have such a blessing of your family. It's so true that the damaged has no cure but only easing out the pain for a very small scale toward a big step. I can so related. xo

We are not damaged my dear. We didn't cause our illnesses and although there may not be cures for certain illnesses the possibility of recovery is tangeable. We just have to take better care of ourselves as would a person with heart disease, cancer, diabetes etc.
The most important thing we can do is believe in ourselves and never give up hope. If I could obtain a master's degree in my 40's when so many people didn't think I was capable then we are proof that despite having a stigmatizing illness we can still become productive and successful individuals.
I have faith in all of you because we are strong and intellectual despite chemical imbalances or traumatic event's.
Always remember dear, our illnesses don't define our capabilities.
Sincerely,
Your friend Rox. 🙂

Such wise and true words Rox. It is so improtant to belive in ourselves.I always remember a saying that has helped me alot
It goes like this It is never easy reaching for dreams, but those who reach walk in stardust. I obtained my special needs certicate in my late thirties and obtained my certificate 3 aged care in my early fifites.Remeber my dear friends follow those dreams they are just a step away. I have had many a struggle over the years especially the last 12 but never let my depression stop me from reaching for the stars.Rox is right we are not damaged, we are not different we are all individual unique human beings and all special is so many different ways. We can all make a difference by just being ourselves.Learn from the challenges my dear friends and become stronger with each one.Take care Piglit Keep the faith and positivity it doesmake a change to the way we all feel

We are special, genuinely empathetic and we! Give others gainful employment don't we because if we did not exist jobs would be even harder to come by.
I agree with Piglit...learn from our challenges because it only makes us more able and willing to dream and pursue what WE think our lives should be about.
Take care all...
Rox

Yes Piglit! We have to be our biggest fan's 🙂
Rox

Thanks for the motivation and inspiration Roxie and Piglit, glad to be reminded of what is our truth value and not comparing ourselves to anybody else. It's important to remember that we are unique and well worth the fight for and deserve to be here and enjoy life too.

I can't always feel special and would like to learn to get thick skin so my feelings don't hurt. Some people make me feel broken. Wish I could be consistent in not caring about what others thought.

You have a sensitve soul China and that's what makes you the way you are. Many of us aren;t thick skinned me being one of them as many others. We are who we are and sensitive souls are kind caring people at least I would like to think so. Never try to change the way you are that's what makes you special. Take care piglit

If I were thick Skinned I may not have a care in the world. I think that a lot of us have endured so many things that we can empathize with others and show our vulnerability.
It's ok to have feelings and be passionate about social issues. I'm sure even thick skinned folk's have feelings too. I would hope so anyway.
Take care,
Rox