Posted by quilter on September 1, 2000, at 23:58:28
In reply to Re: keeping taking antidepressants a secret.., posted by noa on August 31, 2000, at 19:01:35
I realized, when reading this thread, that I did not remember when my family had learned about my depression. They must have paid my dr. bills when I was still in college, so I guess it must have been more than 25 years ago. My family lives half-way across the US from me but is one of my support systems anyway.
In the years since I (oldest of 6 kids) was first diagnosed, my sisters Susan, Beth, and Diane have also faced the beast. None of us has found good, lasting relief through any of the treatments available at this time, and I think it will just be a matter of time before one of us succeeds with the only permanent end to our illness. Our children are also suffering from a surprising munber of mental illnesses. If we were not aware of each others' suffering, not told about the genetic component of our problems, our pain and the Guilt depression carries would be much worse.
I know that being able, at least some of the time, to recognize my weaknesses and failures as having a biological component makes them a little easier to accept. I do not believe that keeping my illness a secret from my friends would do either of us any good. People who have no idea what this does to your life will not be able to support you or other sufferers in their lives if we continue to act as if the betrayal of our biochemical makeup is a shameful thing. Work relationships are more difficult, for all the reasons mentioned above. You must trust your instincts there. I have been unemployed for more years than I really want to think about. I am fortunate to have a loving husband who supports me in so many ways... sigh... Quilter
poster:quilter
thread:43990
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000822/msgs/44267.html