What does mental illnesses suppose to look like

On Friday while waiting for my therapist this lady in the waiting room asked me why im here for, i kept my answer short i told her depression and she said i don't look like im depressed. Mental illnesses don't have a face that's why so many people my age shock their parents when they commit suicide, the parents couldn't even tell there was something wrong in the first place just like mine didn't until i made a mistake and they noticed scars on my wrist. If you spend a day with me there's no way you would be able to tell i not only self harm im diagnosed with ptsd depression/anxiety. My life is perfect on the outside

[Agora1]

You are so right SweetSymphony. We look as normal as "apple pie" I believe that's why it's so difficult for others to understand. They only believe in what they see. So we put on our happy face and hope that the therapist and doctors can see the sadness deep under.

Thank you for sharing your experience, you're not alone with that feeling. xx

[Hidden in reply to Agora1]

Thank you Agora1 i couldn't believe her, maybe i wasn't sad enough on the outside for her

[HearYou in reply to Hidden]

That woman is lucky you have a good sense of humor. But, that woman was friggin rude and had no business asking that question.

Maybe I would even advise the therapist that she had a real problem sitting in that waiting room....the problem being a client who didn't even respect confidentiality.

Agora is "apple pie"; today I'm a bit of a very tart lemon meringue pie with a touch of Key Lime, who would have acted shocked, asked her if she was dangerous, and then slowly move to another seat, waited 30 seconds, then slowly moved to two more away from her.

Glad you are here. And yes, you are allowed to do what I just suggested. I know cause I did it once.

[Hidden in reply to HearYou]

I did move away, her assumption didn't even deserve a response from me

[HearYou in reply to Hidden]

Glad you moved away from her....but the trick is not to answer the rude question before you move, other than to ask if she was dangerous

[jessiejakes]

Hi we could all win a Oscar we put on a front to hide how we are really feeling.I was once told you are such a confident person !!!!! I replied I wish ,I was honest and said I have had anxiety for many years and I have some great weeks and some bad ones.so people who have never experienced depression or anxiety don't realise what we go through.

[Hidden in reply to jessiejakes]

Preach. No one but my family,bestfriend and the principal knows. They have no idea what goes on in our heads

[jessiejakes in reply to Hidden]

Hope you are feeling better soon .

[Hidden in reply to jessiejakes]

Not yet but im getting there

[Hidden]

I know what you mean when I go to my doctor he says things like you don't look depressed or you don't look like you have anxiety. That really discourages me makes me feel like I'm not suppose to feel how I feel, just when I'm about to ask him for help I back down

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That is very rude and unprofessional coming from him, you have to switch doctors

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell in reply to Hidden]

Oh my goodness! I would turn him in! That’s not right! I would ask him just what he feels you do look like if he is so concerned about your looks and ask him if he could draw you a picture of what you’re supposed to look like in public. I’m sorry. My mom has heart disease and for the life of me when I look at her I just can’t tell! Tell him that!

[Hidden in reply to Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

She needs to switch doctors asap

[Want2BHappy3]

Ignorant people are the ones who would ask that ? I guess we should wear a sign on ourselves saying what we're suffering from?

I took a leave of absence from work a couple of years ago because of my anxeity. The return to work note from my doctor did not say why I was out?

They would probably find a reason to let me go? I never tell anyone about this, they would be quick to judge me.

[Hidden in reply to Want2BHappy3]

I know right, and even if we did wear a sign some people still wouldn't get it

[Cat33]

I never cease to be amazed by people and the comments they stupidly make You should have laid on the floor sobbed your heart out and then asked do I look depressed enough now ? 😊

Having a son who had depression did self harm and made 2 suicide attempts I wish you all the very best and that you find peace and that your life will be perfect on the inside too Ignore daft people ❤

[Hidden in reply to Cat33]

😀😀 lol laid on the floor ,that was funny. How is your son now

[Cat33 in reply to Hidden]

That would have shaken her up silly woman 😂

He's doing great thank you he's just been able to get off anti depressants and is so positive about life now

Stay strong you will get there I'm sure Sending hugs xx

Are you in England If you are there was an amazing man talking to Jeremy Vine on Radio 2 today about his depression and he's written a book which sounds brilliant You should he able to find the interview online

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

The stigma behind mental health causes us to put on a front. It’s awful. We don’t have a sign we carry saying mental illness. Agora is always “apple pie.” I usually am unless I feel the need to defend someone. So I’m with Hear You on this one. Lemon! I would have said something mean. She had no right to do that. It’s awful! I truly hope you spoke to your therapist about that. It’s not right! Please sweetie, do not cut yourself! I know easy for people not you to say. It’s just awful. This is but a moment in time. Scars are forever. You are way too beautiful to do that! I’m glad you have a counselor. That should be a safe haven for you. I’m very proud of you for taking the high road. I would have said I guess it looks like your face. I’m a stinker. Probably not if it was for me though. Only defending someone else which I am quit to do!

[Hidden in reply to Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

I didn't say anything i just moved away. I am getting helpi haven't cut in days that's a huge progress for me

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell in reply to Hidden]

I know. The high road. That is very good but I wish you could have at least shared with your therapist. That is inappropriate. I’m so glad you are getting help with cutting! It’s so dangerous. You have the world at your fingertips. Keep looking forward!

[AlexCalig]

I’ve had really bad anxiety and depression since I was a kid and the first doctor that my mom took me to told her there was no way I was depressed bc I was smiling..I was in 5th grade and was crying, throwing up, and pacing every single morning before school.... but nothing was wrong bc I was smiling

[ld724-g]

Hi SweetSymphony, unless people know me, they would never know I'm very depressed. I've had it since before the age of 13 and I just turned 56! I also have Fibromyalgia which is also an "invisible " illness! "Normal" people have no idea what life is like for us!! When I was young, people ( like my mom) would say Oh just snap out of it! My mom told her friend (in front of me), that people who talk about suicide will never do it!!! The stigma isn't so bad now.