Why do people think that I'm depressed to get attention?

Sadly there is a terrible stigma surrounding mental illnesses such as depression. However, the more people who speak out about it, the more this stigma will be combated.

People these days just don't seem to fully understand depression. Most schools ignore depression completely so students are not fully aware of what it is. Some might not even now it existed as badly as it does, and could think you are making it worse than it really is. People are just not as educated on the topic as they should be.

I believe everyone is suffering in their own way. Some people more than others. I think some people don’t want to face the reality of depression and there is a stigma around it that people need to educate themselves more on. I also believe people think they are best helping you by masking it.

Depression requires care for those around the person as well as care inside the person for them to get better. Depression can also be connected with loneliness, so some crave affection and validation. Sadly, there are people who have used depression for mass attention, regardless of whether or not the person truly had depression. A few people sadly ruined it for those who actually struggle and just need love and acceptance. It belittles the internal struggle people face, and so people learned to be wary of those who say they have depression. It's not the way it should be, but sadly it's the way it is. (Besides, attention isn't inherently bad. It's usually the way you get said attention that can be a problem).

Some people just have it a little to good going in their lives. They will never understand and just think it's for attention and that we are overreacting. No, it's a chemical imbalance within the brain caused by a heavy amount of sadness.

Because there is some people out there that do say 'act' depressed to recieve attention so when some people hear of you being depressed, they can make assumptions and assume you're like that too. The most you can do is prove them wrong.

People are ignorant. Most aren't like us so they don't understand. They see us as dramatic but they don't know what it's like to not be able to get happy and to feel worthless. They try to place a rational explanation to something they can't comprehend

Alot of people think this, because they do not understand what youre going through. Its not fair of them to be treating you like this. In today's world there are many people who pretend to be depressed in order to recieve attention, and because of this, even when someone really is depressed, people think everyone is lying. You couls try to jot worry about what they are saying, and try to find someone who cares abiut what youre going through and understands, and does want to help. Ive expreieced the same thing, and it is really bad. But eventually you'll find someone who does want to help you.

People that do not suffer with depression honestly do not understand what it feels like to deal with, they believe that Mental Health is not real or that is not that bad to deal with . They are not educated in Mental Health because they do not want to be or they are scared of learning about it. People say things because they do not know what else to say or they try and believe that their loved one can just get over it really easy. We can not allow what others think of us affect us because when we do it sets us back and we will retreat and not seek the help we need.. Become your own Advocate. Search for all the resources you possibly can and know that you are not seeking attention you are seeking Help and Moral support.

They themselves do not understand what depression is and how it affects a person. It is a new concept to them and so they react by thinking that it’s an attention stunt. People who don’t understand mental illness find it harder to relate to those with it and so often do not take them seriously. They don’t know how to deal with the issue, or actually refuse to acknowledge that there is an issue. Some people can’t wrap their heads around it. Others are cynical and believe that people take advantage of mental health to get ‘perks’ or ‘advantages’ such as attention. If attention isn’t you intention, then you don’t need to worry about what they think.

It is because people who don't struggle with depression don't understand what depression is. No one taught them what depression is, no one was taught about it at schools (unless they studied psychology, psychiatry or psychotherapy or any other science closely connected with mental health (social work for example)). Most other people haven't got a clue about what depression really is. Furthermore, word depression is overused and abused in media. For example, they say that you are depressed if you are stressed due to long work and that some exercises and relaxation help in this case. But it isn't depression, it is stress which, btw, has some of the symptoms of depression but it isn't the same as depression, such as pain in leg muscless after 5 miles run isn't the same as pain in muscles and joints due to arthritis.

People think this because depression is heavily misunderstood. People who have never experienced depression cannot empathize with those who have, and are currently feeling depressed. It is important to be true to your feelings regardless of what others think or say. It is also crucial to protect yourself from others harsh and uneducated thoughts and words. If you feel that someone is creating more issues and making you feel worse about your situation, you need to distance yourself from them. Depression should be met with empathy and support and love. Not judgement and harshness. It is important to always feel safe.