I don't know what to do

@Dancinginthegrey

Hey there, lovely. I'm so sorry to hear how much you're struggling at the moment, and it's so so brave of you to open up here and talk about what's on your mind - it's not at all an easy thing to do, and you were brave enough to do it.

The Internet is a funny thing, isn't it - it gives us access to an incredible range of information, but sometimes it's hard to verify that information. Have you been to see a doctor about this, lovely? Only a trained professional can really assess and diagnose us, because they have the training and the experience that an algorithm could never have, and once you've got a true diagnosis, they'll be able to offer treatment options that again, the Internet just can't.

For the people you love, having a label won't change how they feel about you. If you already struggle with low mood, chances are that they've already realised that you're not the happy and satisfied person that you want to be, and this might give you the chance to open up and talk to them about what it is that you're going through, and tell them that sometimes you'll really need their support.

If you feel embarassed about using the word ''depression'', talking about it in terms of feeling sad, or feeling blue, or needing extra love could be a good stopgap, especially if you worry that they'll be upset to hear the word.

And above all, remember that labels are just that: labels. No matter what diagnosis you get or don't get, that doesn't change who you are. You're you, first and foremost, and struggling with low mood doesn't take away from that. If you had an allergy, you would take steps to avoid the allergen and to look after yourself, and so would the people who love you - mental health shouldn't be any different, it just means that you need to take steps to look after yourself that other people might not have to.

Be good to yourself, sweetheart, because you deserve it <3

@Dancinginthegrey everyone has some form of depression at some stage in their life, you should not feel ashamed or embarressed, i found talking to friends and family helped alot, they were able to support me and help on my road to recovery 😀

@Dancinginthegrey

I am sorry you are going through this. Depression is an medical illness so you need not be embarrassed but I certainly understand your feelings.

I have a hunch that because you want to present yourself to people a certain way that perhaps you are at times uncomfortable certain negative feelings and you push them away for purposes of appearing a certain way. This actually I'm the long run can be a contributing factor to depression emerging.

I'd be happy to chat more about this. I have been s licensed psychotherapist for many years and have seen this frequently.

In the meantime, hang in there and know that the 7 Cups community will help.on anyway we can!

@dancinginthegrey

It's lonely being depressed. I don't think that our culture/society is very welcoming of depression. So many of us were socialized to hide our negative feelings from others, even the ones to whom we shoudl feel closest. Hence, there is a sense of shame that gets attached to depression and it carries over into the rest of life.

Perhaps a safe place to start talking about your depression - and getting help - is in professional psychotherapy with someone who has extensive experiencing diagnosing/treating depression. They can decide if you should also see a psychiatrist (for medications).

Hang in there.