hi

[peeka_boo]

earlier this year I was diagnosed with a chronic illness I was super sick depressed and malnourished and I recently got better but the problem now lies in the fact that I can slowly start to feel myself slipping back into depression my family when they thought it was only a mental illness going on with me treated me quite bad I would get yelled at for it and it would be my fault my sister would even bully me over it some days I couldn't eat or shower but I was just being lazy and when I told my therapist something I didn't want my parents to know they made me stop seeing her 'for the best' and if it happens again I don't know how to help myself I've signed up to this website and others to try and ask other people for help I only just got out of hospital and I don't want to go back they treat me the same as my family. 

[Bob_22]

Hi peeka_boo,

Welcome to the forums and sorry it's taken a while for a response. Thanks you so much for sharing your story here and I hope you are finding the forums supportive. I'm sorry to hear that you feel you are slipping back into your depression and that you are feeling unsupported by your family. It sounds like you are incredibly strong having just come out of hospital.

As you may know, if you ever are in crisis again or need to talk to someone please contact anyone of the following services (you can follow the link). They each provide immediate support counselling 24/7 over the phone and through online chat. 

Beyond blue

Lifeline 

I'm also sorry to hear that you were made to stop seeing your current therapist. Was your family being made aware of what you discussed with the therapist during sessions? If so, this might not be ideal if you want to discuss private matters and it may be worth getting your own personal support. If you are under 25, headspace is a great option and provides a walk in service where you are assessed by a professional mental health worker and then referred to someone for up to 12 sessions per year. You can find your closest headspace here: https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/ or you can access eheadspace over the phone or online here: https://headspace.org.au/online-and-phone-support/. You can also always speak to a doctor/GP about seeing your own mental health professional as well. They can provide you with a referral. If you don't mind my asking, what was it that helped lift you out of the depression last time? Perhaps making a list might be a useful tool as well?Please keep us updated and welcome again to the forums. 💙

[jaz28]

Hi peeka_boo,

I am sorry you are going through this. I also have a chronic illness, it is in remission, but I know how hard it can be when you have symptoms and flares. I am sorry! It can be really isolating and yes can make you feel depressed. It is hard for people to understand chronic illness AND mental illness when they do not have it themselves, and unfortunately, they tend to go hand in hand. It is unfair that your sister would bully you, it is clear she is immature and does not understand what you are going through very well. Also, it is not ethical for your therapist to be telling your parents what is discussed in therapy, that is confidential information even if you are a minor. As Bob_22 suggested, headspace is an awesome option, I volunteer for them and they are really supportive and understanding of young people. I would encourage you to follow the links Bob_22 supplied, or see your own GP and get a referral to a psychologist.

I hope things improve soon,

Jaz xx