Really depressed, just want to talk to someone who understands

[pasoapaso]

I don't really understand how this site works. I'm just trying to connect with people who could understand what I'm going through. I'm dealing with some really bad depression, having thoughts of ending my life. I've looked at some of the posts on here and I have to say, I am not at all interested in advice, I see a lot of that and I remember one of the main rules we had when I was going to a support group in college was to not give advice. I guess it's been helpful to some people here but it's really unhelpful for me. I just need to know that someone understands and can accept where I am, and that's been really really hard to find. I'm having a lot of trouble leaving the house so I haven't made it to the local support group, but I don't have high expectations of it anyway. When I had more energy and was able to really try to help myself, I put a lot of energy into trying to find a support group and it was surprisingly hard. I just want somewhere where I can tell the truth and be accepted. The suicide hotline also surprisingly really struggles with this. I can't believe how hard it is to find someone who will just listen and be there for you, without telling you how you need to be and what you need to do. I don't know if this is even worth anything... I'm really at the bottom of my resources, my ability to reach out, and my ability to hope for anything.

[LovelySnow]

Hi pasoapaso. I like your name.

I hear you - advice right now would stink. I've been depressed before and I felt like you - I had lower energy & advice did NOT help.

[pasoapaso]

I just want to know that I can be understood.

[LovelySnow in reply to pasoapaso]

Yeah, I can relate. I joined this site last August and, of course it isn't perfect, but one thing I have found is that there really are people out there who just get it - who have been through depression & know how it feels. And there are some really compassionate, non-judgemental people who will just be there with you.

[pasoapaso in reply to LovelySnow]

Thank you, LovelySnow. I appreciate it.

[Bubbles4you]

Hi pasoapaso . I just joined this online support group so I'm not too sure what to expect from this either but I've also been in a very dark place these past few months. I have a hard time opening up to people about my depression because honestly most people don't understand and I'm often told things that really don't help me during that time. So I totally get where you're coming from and I won't offer you any advice unless you ask for it. I want you to know you're not alone and I can listen.

[pasoapaso in reply to Bubbles4you]

Thank you, Bubbles4you. I'm sorry to hear you've been in a really dark place too. Thank you for your understanding and solidarity.

[optimuscoolbeans]

Listening. Listing is a really hard skill to learn. At least it is for me. It is easier to give advice. But thank you for your post. I for one will try to listen with no advice. I think that many people on here have been through so much. Myself included and just want to share what has helped then in hopes that it helps someone else. I would dare to think that there are those on this forum who can understand you. Who do understand you. So. Here I am listening.

[pasoapaso in reply to optimuscoolbeans]

I really appreciate that. Thank you. I may get to the point where I can hear about what has helped other people. I think I just needed to start with knowing people could understand and accept my experience, because that seems so hard to find. I really appreciate your response.

[AnIslandOfPeace]

I felt pain as I read those words. Not because I feel sorry for you (of course I do feel sorry but that's not it). I feel pain because all you wrote is how I feel and for as long as this feeling has been, there has been no way to explain. I'm glad too that there's someone I can relate to. It not much but it feels okay knowing I'm not alone, I hope you feel okay too because you're not alone either.