Advice

[Sharon12]

The big problem I also have is that if you met me I look like there is nothing wrong with me but I'm dieing inside are other people like me

[astrogirl7]

Hi Sharon

So sorry that you are feeling very low right now, I have felt this way too. I have felt so totally alone even when surrounded by people/family. Thats because what we suffer cannot be seen, nor infact understood by many. Its not a broken limb with a heavy cast or crutch that is so very obvious, nonetheless its heavy in our mind and in our hearts so we tend to suffer in silence, unless there is just one, yes just one person who is willing to at least try to understand what we suffer. I hope you do have that one someone in your life (no matter who it is).

You're right though lots of people go about their daily lives and don't really see what's wrong with us. This however is not your problem it is theirs, unfortunately.

But when you have experienced anxiety, depression, life experiences like death etc, chronic illnesses and other traumas you become much more in tune with others who are suffering too.

What I mean is, I now look at people or speak to friends and neighbours (sometimes strangers) and get a real sense of how they are feeling because of my experience.

In my book that makes me much more perceptive, as a person and gives me an ability to show empathy and sympathy or understanding. And when I take time to listen to another person and give advice or just simply listen, it helps me to deal with my own problems.

I think we all have this in us but are not all aware of it.

I do hope your days start to get brighter my friend

Take care of you and feel free to chat any time

Kind regards Angie x

[Hidden in reply to astrogirl7]

There are many people who feel like you. Its an empty feeling inside. Love and Hugs

[Sharon12]

Thank you for your kindness it's helps to no I'm not the only one because you feel like you are I look at people and I want to be like them but how do I no they may feel like me inside it doesn't help when you have constant money worrys and are expected to work when you can not its so hard to cope day by day

[Suzie40]

Depression is an awful illness in that, to the untrained eye, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. People don't understand that by being derpressed you can feel as ill as someone with their leg hanging off. If you look ok, then you must be ok? If only life were that simple! I find that the best people to talk to about being depressed are people I know have experienced the same. You get very little sympathy or understanding from anyone else! I often wonder how I might try and explain depression to someone who has never experienced it. I suppose it's like living in a bag with the top tied. Everything's dark and you can't see any point in carrying on with a life that's so pointless and miserable. Every now and again someone unties the top and lets a little light in. You feel happy and you can see stuff you had forgotten was there. Then just when you're not expecting it, the bag closes again.

[Jeffju]

I think we have all felt like that and that there's no light at the end of the tunnel. Then we get a little glimmer and that day is a good one. People say, 'How are you??' and you reply, ' I'm fine' and all the time you really feel like there's a tornado going round in your head and stomach !!! That is why this site is good and it has helped me so much. People on here know exactly how you feel and can support and advise you.I come on here everyday, not necessarily to blog or reply ,but sometimes just to read blogs and know I am not alone. Take care, Julie xx

[ruby4me]

I can really relate to all the above posts, so accurate. I have suffered with depression on and off for most of my adult life and the hardest part was always putting on a brave face. Well after the last episode which lasted from October until April and was the worst ever period in my life and I actually reached the point where I became suicidal I decided that something had to change drastically. So now when folks ask how I am. Instead of the brave face I tell the truth and it's amazing how many people can empathise! The people who don't don't matter anyway! This has been so helpful to me after all the years of hiding my feelings and made me a much stronger person because as all on this site know we depressives are so much stronger than 'normal people' x keep on keeping on everyone big hugs!!

Rubyxxx