I never really got the above statement. I mean yeah everyone should appreciate what they have, but it doesn’t make our problems any less real or influential to our lives. Like today I told a friend that my PTSD and Depression was really getting to me and their response was “There’s people way worse off. Like think of the people in third world countries, they are starving.” Yes it is sad that they are starving and don’t get the same opportunities as others, but hearing that line did not and never does make my psychological issues go away or seem any less damaging than they are. It’s things like that that make me not want to talk about any of my past or issues because I just feel like I’m going to be judged left, right and center and the ones who won’t are the ones I don’t want to bother. I just wish their was someone in my area that I could tell who understands what I’m going through rather than thinking they do (like how I use to when others told me). I mean don’t get me wrong, I have an amazing support base both on here and off the internet, but they will never truly understand my pain, and in a way I’m glad for that because I don’t want anyone to ever feel this bad, but at the same time, I need someone who does. I just feel so alone and alienated because I live in a first world country and my past (roots of my psychological issues) isn’t one that happens often, especially for a seventeen year old, and if it does, it’s not spoken about or understood. I just wish I could talk to someone who truly understands how it feels to go through the events I have. Maybe then I would start to heal and get better….
CPC
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hi CPC lol I feel bad now sometimes I tell myself that when I start to get depressed that it could be worse I could have been this or that. I don’t usually say it to other people though. Hey have you met restrictingheart or read any of her posts? she is kind of new here, she is totally awesome and she is the same age as you, and I think she might be dealing with fairly similar issues.
I also try to tell myself that, but it pesters me when I hear it from other people when I know that their issues go as far as “My television show got cancelled!” (I know I shouldn’t assume, but most of them are pretty close to me and would tell me if there was a bigger issue).
No, I haven’t met restrictingheart, but I’m very tempted to go read her posts now. Thank-you for telling me about her 🙂
ha yea I see what you mean about hearing it from someone else it is kind of like…thanks for telling me something so completely obvious! As if you hadn’t heard that or thought it yourself a million times before. Yea you should see if there is anything in her posts you can relate to, she is fairly new hasn’t been on here a week even, but is a very active commenter.
I hate this regurgitated nonsense about people being worse off! There are people better off too ! For some reason we dont mention them do we?
As if we (depressives/PTSD people) choose to feel like we do.
Of course not!
I would rather be afflicted with some other “sympathetic” disorder than a mental one if I had the choice.
I struggle every day to accept happiness. I KNOW “happiness is the way” but for me it doesnt come naturally.
Anyway you can talk here.
Why not tell us how you feel. Here there are many who understand.
I second your recommendation of Restrictingheart, WhatamIDoing. Ash, I hope you read this! We love and appreciate your compassionate posts! Hope you enjoy reading her CrazyPandaChick. I’m now gonna go and read your post properly, but I just had to say that!
Zoe x
Ha, I’ve read it now and totally agree with the sentiments you express CrazyPandaChick. Can I also suggest that you read the very recent post of White Raven. She covers the fact that success, wealth, good support systems and various forms of privilege are no proof against the desire to die.
Zx
sensitiveskin, I completely agree with what said.
Talking about what happened here does make it a lot simpler, but unfortunately for me, it does not help as much as talking to someone face to face. I also worry that talking about details and how I feel about it may be a bit much for anyone who has not been in those situations, as even I can admit, they are gorey and terrible
louise50, I just want to start by saying I’ve seen your comments around and I think it that you are doing such a great job helping people, especially the teens. I mean I know a lot of adults here do, but I feel like you go that extra step (not to say the others don’t, I’ve just noticed your efforts more often), and I for one really appreciate that.
I’m really glad you agree with me and I will be sure to read White Raven’s post 🙂
Yeah, this is annoying. Start by trying to explain that you can’t (or shouldn’t) quantify pain, and comparing your pain to some starving kid’s pain isn’t going to help either of you, it’s just going to make you feel like a whiner and the starving kid feel like a lost cause.
If they still don’t get it, turn the tables. Every time you friend complains about anything, (not getting a parking spot, out of their favourite beer at the store) preach to them repeatedly “There’s always people worse off.” Hopefully they will see how irritating and unhelpful this is, and stop preaching to you.
one_day, thank-you for the advice, I’ll be sure to use it next time 🙂
@CPC: The worst part is when one is telling oneself that there are others worse off. I found myself saying this to try and find perspective. Sometimes, it works. Other times, it just feeds my depression as I feel I have no right to feel the way I do.
sansespérer, that’s the same here, that’s why I’d rather think about the good things in my life (I know it’s easier said than done) and keep others out of it.
Someone recently said the same thing to me. Couldn’t even describe how pissed off I was. They just clearly don’t understand, at all. What are you even getting at? Is that supposed to mean we’re ‘complaining’ about irrelevant things since it’s ‘not so dramatic’? Or is it supposed to make us feel better? Okay, since some people starve and I don’t, my depression will disappear. Doesn’t work like that. You cannot compare people’s problems. I can’t stress that enough. I understand how you feel (the wanting someone to understand)
If you haven’t heard, we made an SP chat room to talk instead of on the posts. You should come 🙂
http://us5.******.com/46986429532639#
I’m so glad people here understand 🙂
No I hadn’t heard about the chat room, but now I’ll be sure to check it out sometime soon 🙂
Its the worse thing to say to somone that’s depressed. When someone says it to me it sinks me further down cause I start thinking what a ***** I am etc… For not being able to sort my shit out.