Mom doesn't believe in depression?

Question

i've been going to the phycologist for awhile now and i finnally decided to tell her about my feelings of depression because it has really been affecting my life

we are talking about medication and my mom seems alright with it when we are there

but as soon as we get home she doesn't talk to me and gives me the cold shoulder, telling me that i have the power to control my moods and depression is a lie

that if i wanted to be happy i could be and i am purposly hurting the families pocketbooks because i supposedtly hate all of them

so i am really confused now

and don't know who to believe

me or her

because i don't want to be depressed any more and get help

but at the same time i am going through more h**l in order to get this help

what should i do

Answer 1

I am so sorry! I am on meds for depression and they changed my life. You can get generic prozac for super cheap, like 14 bucks a month so that shouldn't be an issue. If the psychologist diagnoses you with depression and you go to your regular dr. he or she will prescribe meds for you. At that time your mother should listen to the dr and what he or she says. I guess if you can get the help you need, if it doesn't cost too much, then you can let the fact that your mom won't support go. Maybe in time when she sees how much the meds help she will understand. Be honest with the psychologist about everything, that's why you go to one!

Answer 2

You should believe yourself and not her.  She's not in your head, you are.  I'm sorry you feel this way and I can imagine your moms reactions make it worse.  You need some time to yourself.  I think you should go out for a nice long walk.  Hang in there.  You'll be O,K,  Talk to your psychologist about this.

Answer 3

I can see one of the reasons you're depressed!

Answer 4

Listen to your Psychologist who is probably more inclined to be honest with you than your Mother - based on what your Mother sounds like.  But, if your Psychologist wants you in therapy for 200 years so she can take money from your Mother, just be aware that your Psychologist wants money, money, money.  Depression, if you have clinical or real depression, is real, and can be treated, and can be helped, but if you are in a negative environment, and it sounds like you might be, just do your best to survive with your sanity by using friends, music, the Internet, distractions, etc., like setting up barriers between you and the things that make you depressed or have a depressed mood. Trust me - the depression will end, give it time.  It may take years though.  Just remember, these are the roughest years of your life, it will get easier and better when you get older.

Answer 5

Sweetie Depression is real and your mom is wrong.  You need to discuss this issue with your therapist so he/she can help you deal with your mom's resentment.  

It's a proven fact that depression causes an imbalance of chemicals in the brain.  Medication can help the brain chemistry be more balanced.

Answer 6

OK, I don't believe in your mom...

Answer 7

Depression is NOT a lie - it is a genuine condition

I suffer from it  *Hugs*

Just because someone, even if it's your Mom doesn't believe in depression, doesn't mean you have to agree, surrender and take her word for things.

Depression has been clinically studied for many, many years and seriously affects a great deal of the population.

Chat to a school counsellor or a friend, or even find a depression sufferers webpage / forum to talk more about the subject and how you're feeling.

There is obviously a difference between feeling sad and depression, but please educate yourself on how you are feeling, don't discount it.

Please take good care of yourself and remember to trust yourself and listen to your needs - you are important

:-)

All the best

Answer 8

Don't worry, depression is definitely real. I had the same thing with my family. I think they just try to deny you could be so depressed because it makes them unhappy to know you feel that way, simple as that. But your mother should be supportive in getting you the help you need.

Maybe you could point her to some websites about it. There are plenty of them that explain that depression is a deep rooted problem and not something you can just snap yourself out of. Or maybe your psychologist could give her more information? I'm sure once she sees that it's an actual illness that's affecting you, not just a case of feeling down, then she'll help you find ways to recover.

Or you could just try talking to her and explaining how you feel, and that you really don't want to feel this way. No one wants to be depressed. When I had a similar situation everyone thought it was just for attention at first, but they gradually came to see it was a real problem.

I wish you good luck and hope you get better soon! :)

Answer 9

Wow, your mom is def. wrong. I do know that.

Answer 10

You should ask your therapist to sit with you & your mom and explain what depression is to her...honestly, your mom simply doesn't know what she's talking about and when someone is that far removed from educated opinions and logic, it will be impossible for you to explain to them.  Therefore, that is why you need a professional to break this down for her.  You have enough to deal with regarding yourself, but for you to have to spend time first explaining to your mom the definition of words, you will have even more problems.  Ask your therapist for help with this.

Answer 11

so ask her how she explains all of the people who commit suicide

Answer 12

Don't listen to your Mom.  Depression is a serious problem and could have drastic consequences if not treated seriously.  It also has a big impact on your daily life.  You should not feel like you have to face it on your own.

Answer 13

Let me tell you something... Many people look at depression the way your mom does. And I will be the first to tell you that it is wrong. Depression is a disease which is caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain. Sure genetics and other contributing factors play a role in that. However, it is a disease the same as Addiction. Most people do not look at depression, bipolar disorder, Addiction, etc as a disease but trust me. It is. It is actually called "Abnormal Psychology" and I think your mom should research it before she passes judgement.

I think you should continue to see your psychologist and maybe even a psychiatrist. I think too many people rely on medication to get them through this. But if you have tried other things that have yet to work then I think maybe you should try medication.

Depression is nothing to be ashamed of. Many MANY people have it. Most people conceal it from the world for fear of being judged. So do what you think is best for you.

I hope this helps. :-)

Answer 14

Believe yourself, depression is real.

It is real, the chemicals in your brain do not function as a person without depressions does.  It is a chemical imbalance.

Answer 15

YOUR MOM NEED TO READ ABOUT DEPRESSION DEPRESSION IS UNEVITABLE YOU CANT HELP IT

Answer 16

First of all, I didn't find your age listed in your question.  That is a fairly important detail.  I have been fighting depression while continuing to deal with huge problems for the last four years.  I am on medication but would give anything to be able to throw it away.  If counseling will help, I would advise letting someone help get to the root of the problem.  However, I watched a loved one go into major depression about a year ago and sleep most of the time to avoid life.  His body was shutting itself down to the pain.  It ended in a suicide attempt that nearly took his life.  Depression is as real as a heart attack!  However, many doctors like a quick fix with medication which only covers up the problem most times.  Make sure you have a good psychiatrist who uses other techniques rather than medicine alone.

Answer 17

I sympathize with your mother - no parent wants to have a child who's depressed and taking brain-affecting drugs. And when times are tough you definitely don't wanna be cutting checks to psychologists.

You should just take her attitude as a well-meaning admonition to really try to get better.

Stay active all the time, with exercise, art, music, gardening, etc. That would cure 75% of teen depression cases.

Answer 18

what does your psychologist say? does your psychologist think you need the medication or that you can manage ok without it?

Answer 19

This is a serious situation and while I don't want to be too negative towards your mother, I will ask this: if your mother didn't believe in Heart disease, would you stop taking your medication?

Your mother is not all-knowing and omnipotent, in fact it sounds like she can be very close-minded, ignorant and uneducated. Depression is as real as any other ailment. It can and does ruin lives and kill people.

Trust yourself, trust your own instincts. You know better than anyone else - even your Mom - whether or not there is a problem and whether or not you can heal on your own without any outside help.

It may be very hard to look past what your mother is doing and how she is behaving and what she is saying, but your own sanity is far more important. And, if she suffered from mental illness, I can guarantee she'd believe in medication and getting professional help. Just because she doesn't know what it is or what it feels like, it doesn't make it real.

Sweetheart, take care of yourself. It's hard that this is happening to you, but you can get through this c**p. Try to stay strong even in this weird hellish situation. Your mom does love you but she just doesn't understand what's going on.

Sorry this is so long :)

Answer 20

I totally know what you are going through...I've been there too..I think you should talk phycologist about this problem and how to deal with it. Try talking to your mom calmly too. it worked for me...

good luck and take care.

Answer 21

pray

Answer 22

Your parent should focus on your well-beingg a bit more. If your therapy is helping you, then she should be happy. I'm almost in the same situation...I suffer from depression but I never did therapy. In a way, I'm scared that it would "shame" my family. My dad is a counselor and he tries to tell me to focus on the positive but it is so hard to cope with everyday. I say to stand by what you believe would make you better. Tell your mom how you feel. I hope you feel better!

Answer 23

Your mom is in denial and maybe has even suffered with depression herself but is unable to see it.  Don't let her get you down and share with your therapist what is going on with her.  She may need some counseling on her own or some more information that the therapist can provide.

You may also be able to tell her that many common drugs are now available for little cost.  My husbands antidepressants cost only $4 a month to fill-- that is not a strain on the family budget.  It sounds like your mom has some other fears that she is not voicing and maybe some guilt that her child is depressed ??   She needs to understand that is is about your body reacting to a chemical imbalance-- it is nothing either of you can do or undo.  You will need therapy and maybe some meds to help you get back to yourself.  

Something to understand, and I say this not to be mean-- sometimes families just suck.  They don't fill their roles as the care providers they are supposed to be and they don't stand next to you.  Sometimes they are selfish and tear down and fake lovingness to the world-- that is their issue.  There is nothing you can do about your moms terrible attitude.  What you can do is get yourself better-- so you never turn out like her!

Answer 24

Well, for starters, you can ask the psychologist to help you by telling him/her what your mother is doing.

You could also research Clinical Depression at your local library. There exists tons of research supporting the idea is very real. In other words, you can use this research as evidence to your mother. (You could start with Wikipedia, in my source.)

This will likely not work because if your mother is the type to outright deny the existence of Clinical Depression, she may also not be open to the idea of learning about it.

That’s why I say talk to the psychologist about your mother’s behavior first. He/she may have advice that goes well beyond mine.

PS - Your mom is laying a guilt trip on you by saying you somehow hate your family if you want to buy medication for your depression. I'm NOT an expert, but I think I may have found one major source of depression for you: Your mother.

Answer 25

I used to suffer from depression and they have medications for depression. Go see your family Dr. Some depression is chemical and you need to be on meds. for it. Don't suffer any longer. Good luck to you.

Answer 26

Get help with how to handle her attitude. If she is belittling your feelings or making you guilty and responsible for them, then she is feeding the depression.

Don't believe her... we cannot just cheer up cause we are told we should.

Tell your psychologist this is happening, maybe your mother needs a support group for parents or something. But don't give up on yourself just cause she is in denial about it.

Chances are she is denying it in fear that she will be to blame... so try to make clear this is about you, today, not how she raised you or what she did or failed to do.

Answer 27

Sounds to me like your mother has her own issues.  If you have emotional issues, you have emotional issues.  If you can deal with them without medication (through yoga, meditation, etc) then do that.  If you can't, you need to do what you think is best.  You have to live your life, not your mom.  If at all possible, find others who are supportive of you, as your mother obviously isn't.

Answer 28

i'm with you. i've been thru depression before and know what it feels like. i suggest to not take any medications for it, because they will just make you feel worse. Also, it's another way for doctors to make money out of their patients. here's a 24 hour hotline crisis center #: they are available 24 hours and can further guide you into getting help: 240 777 4000.

also, some things you might want to try to help ease your depression are:

taking hot bubble baths with lavender bath salts (it calms your nerves)

listening to techno or trance music (the beats help to soothe you)

writing out your feelings perhaps in a poem or just general to see what it is that may be triggering your depression.  

Answer 29

Wow, this is a very hard situation you are in. Depression is real, one of the hardest things about having it is having others not understand, especially family and friends.

They want you to "get over it" or "suck it up". They don't understand that you would love to but something in your head won't let you.

I have a great husband, son, home, everything I could want and I have been chronically depressed my whole life. It's genetic in my family and that's probably why. Medication has really helped me at times. You may have to take a few or even more different types before you find one that works for you but hang in there.

Get the help.

Hopefully in time, your mother will come around. Remember, you are not alone, there are many people who understand what you are going through.