Hi all
After 2 years of being on the forums I have noticed several major things-
1) depression can affect anyone
2) however more often than not there is a trigger preceding it ie family, financial, work, health & other indicators
3) many people struggle with the diagnosis initially
4) some have a predisposition to depression
5) some have depression due to external factors, others may be genetically disposed, others may suffer seemingly "out of nowhere".
From my own humble understanding & making generalisations, it would appear most often that preceding events contribute greatly to depression. This includes grief, low confidence, high self expectations which cause us to feel badly about ourselves if we don't meet our expectations, life events & situations that distress us. Poor confidence, a tendency to isolate ourselves & guilt about accepting we have an illness all contribute to our poor self esteem. We are our own worst critics. We internalise our negative sense of self. We struggle with accepting our diagnosis-often thinking it is a negative reflection of our selves.
Thats just a few observations. In understanding & accepting ourselves others may have ideas.
After all we each battle to understand & live with our illness.
please add your thoughts.
Mares X
