The key is to be mindful of whom you ask support

[GreyWolf001]

In this world, so often we meet people who choose to be right, instead to be compassionate. I do not judge them, because, at times, I myself might have wanted to offer my advice so much that forgot to connect on a deeper level, and forgot just to be there for the one who needs it.

I just rolled out from my latest depression episode, and once again I feel that I have enough strength to keep going. I do not have close friends or a caring family. So, yeah, it is just me alone facing my life struggles. The times those struggles grow overwhelming, it is important to know whom to ask for support. If you try to connect with the wrong group of people, they may drag you deeper, they may drown you actually, they may victim blame you or ridicule you.... the ironic detail here is that such effect may result from very regular responses from people who do not mean any harm. They just do not get it.

It is strange how we know it all when in fact, we know nothing. And we can understand only when we have faced it before. And we never know it all, because if it seems similar, it may not feel the same.

(just wrote down my thoughts after realizing what caused my depression episode this time, turning to people who understood me and receiving so needed emotional help support, and clarification. Whilst, received an email from a religious group that could make me a non-believer if I did not know better myself)

[Alpakka123]

Well said! Thanks for sharing!

[blackcat64013]

Hi GreyWolf001,I agree 100%.

My minimum requirements for finding my people are:-

1. Safe mental space

2. Community of lived experience

3. Guidance from health professionals

4. Support from family & friends

5. Doing things together rather than to me

[So_It_Goes]

this post 💯 percent resonated with me. I’m bipolar also with not the best support network and have come across well meaning individuals whose actions or words inadvertently make the situation I’m experiencing harder. Like you said, people can relate but everyone experience is different—- I’m always here if you need to chat!

[AlwaysaSurvivor]

I very much appreciated your post and it is so relevant to what I have experienced from reaching out for help, sadly on this forum. I had 2 encounters with members who found it appropriate to lash out at me instead of just listening and offering understanding and compassion. It set me back a few steps, but I have since recovered. I am also alone with no family or close friends, so I depend on myself to get out of the recurring episodes of depression I feel. Especially lately, since I am facing many life threatening challenges. As you likely know, there are good days and really bad days. From now on, I will chose my support system with caution. I always try to treat people as I would like to be treated, but not everyone has the same heart. Thank you again for your insights.