What parents don't understand
For the most part, our parents try to do their best raising us, and look out for us as best they know how. However, their best may not be enough in understanding the mental illness of their child.
From my mother I often hear implications that my depression is just sadness that stems from school that everyone deals with in their life. Without experiencing it, it's hard for her to fully grasp that it's a genuine medical issue, and not a "phase of life".
While it's good to know their point of view, it's completely okay to be frustrated when you're not being heard. Their lack of understanding can result in you not getting the help you need when you need it.
I'm sorry if you have to live with parents or guardians who don't realize the full extent of mental illnesses and how hard they can be. Getting help may be a challenge, but I believe in you and I want you to focus on what you can do for yourself. Take care of yourself, and stay alive!
@LyssSky03 you are so right! Not everyone understands. When working with families (I'm a therapist here on 7 cups) I find it helpful to look into NAMI (National Alliance for Mental illness) whihc has great resources for family. Depression, and anxiety can be because of situtaions but ALSO is a medical condition so its good to know the facts. I had a clients once tell her mom "If I had diabetes you'd learn all about it. So please learn about my depression". I thought that was a powerful way to explain to her mom the importance of her supporting her through this illness. But if your parents don't ever get it please keep reaching out to communities like this who can support you and help you through these challenging times with your family. Thanks for posting! I'm sure many others can relate.
@LyssSky03 I've been here when I was graduated in college. My mom won't understand when I quit my first job. In the first place, she put me there. She forced me to take the scholarship and take a course I don't like so she can live conveniently and don't spend a penny in my college. My depression started during my first year in college but I was able to hang on until I got my first job. I don't really like it and I feel like I was put in the cage by my mom the whole time. I am the eldest so she expect me to be the breadwinner but I can't be happy with my job. She said that I'm just being overlydramatic and exaggerating my disappointment. I took anti-depressant meds without telling my parents because I know my mom will just say "Instead of you going to the doctor and buying these meds, give the money to me". I decided to runaway from home and live with my boyfriend (now my husband) coz I really can't stand her anymore.
@Jeshika Hey this is just a side note but I actually did research about being in college and having a parent with depression. I wrote a small post on this forum if you're interested. You can also message me. :)
No matter what their age or relationship to you, people who aren't depressed will find it really hard to relate to you. That is why it is important to reach out to people who do. I have a grandmother who is always saying "just snap out of it". I have a mother who is depressed but won't deal with it - she's done a very little counseling. I often wish she had done her work so she could have helped me. I have a foster daughter who is extremely depressed but refuses to do counseling or anti-depressants. Instead she is destroying her family - husband and 3 kids. But I keep doing what I know I need to do, and at the least I'm trying to set a good example.
Take care of you, so that you can help others. Wishing you the best.
My mum also lacks understanding.