Do you consider depression a disability???

Kirby - posted on 08/21/2011

Mild depression is eperienced by everyone at some point, and isnt really a disability, but like Emma said, if its severe, then it is a disability. When you get tested for it, you get put into one of 4 catagories, Normal, Mild, High and Severe. Anything above mild is not good, and can be considered a disability.

Stifler's - posted on 08/21/2011

I've been depressed like after Renae was born. I'm fine now. I wouldn't have considered that a disability. If it's extremely severe I'd say it's a disability.

Teresa - posted on 08/20/2011

Definitely.

Carolee - posted on 08/20/2011

My father and grandfather have the same thing.

Carolee - posted on 08/20/2011

For me, depression is a chemical imbalance in my brain that prevents me from feeling any type of real happiness. All of my good emotions are naturally chemically muted by my body. This leads to MANY problems. Also, because it is a chemical imbalance, it effects me physically, too. There has not been a medicine or diet that I've been on that has helped much. For me, it is definately disabling, hence, a genetic disability.

Shannintipton - posted on 08/20/2011

The neighbor girl calls me everyday. And comes by most days. I get worried if she doesnt call. lol

Lissa - posted on 08/20/2011

I totally agree Laura, when you can't you can't and people need to accept that. They also need to say OK you can't shall I come round with chocolate and make you tea :)

Lissa - posted on 08/20/2011

I think another problem is people even friends will give you that pull yourself together speech and if you don't they drift away. Although I have to say at times this particular friend hates me sometimes, when she feels better she doesn't. For instance I can tell when she is sinking so I'll phone every day, if she doesn't answer three days in a row I will leave a message and e-mail saying pick up the damn phone or we are making the 6 hour round trip to your house to check on you. I am her friend and part of the responsibility of being a friend is to recognise problems and do your damndest to listen if you can't actually help. So the phoning thing is about her admitting it's bad and me listening even if it is to half an hour of incoherent sobbing and to know if it's serious enough that she needs help or will be OK in a week. So maybe it's pushy but it can't be too bad since we have been friends for more than ten years and she hasn't told me where to go!!

Jurnee - posted on 08/20/2011

True Shannin! Not that I am looking for sympathy, but when I tell people I cant go out or whatever, they need to realize that I know what is best for my situation. Or you're right, it is BAD for EVERYONE

Shannintipton - posted on 08/20/2011

I call it the invisible disability. Just because you cant see it doesnt mean it doesnt exist.

Shannintipton - posted on 08/20/2011

Family would tell me it is all in my head and would force me to do things or go places. Most of the time it is fine but if I am not fine and they do that. It is bad for EVERYONE. They no longer push me.

Jurnee - posted on 08/20/2011

I have to add to that Lissa. I know the feeling and how difficult it can be somedays just to get out of bed. What pisses me off is that if you have a noticeable disabiltiy people are more supportive and encouraging, with a mental illness people tend to brush off your difficulties.

Lissa - posted on 08/20/2011

I also have a friend who many think is OK, that's because when she is at her worst she is trapped in her house and they don't see it.

Jurnee - posted on 08/20/2011

It depends on the individual situation, I've been diagnosed by different docs as bi-polar, situational anxiety disorder, and clinical depression. Not sure which diagnosis is right, this had been going on since I was about 10. Working and doing things seems to help me the most, I stopped all meds years ago and feel much better, although I still have terrible moments. I learned what to do to empower myself in those times, reading, writing, certain friends I can rely on, taking a walk, etc. I think some people with depression it is debilitating for them, but I think there are those that truly dont try to help themselves. I know of a few who refuse to take their meds, or go to counseling or try anything to help themselves, and just collect SSI. I never felt that was an option for me beause i have always had such a large family to support.

Shannintipton - posted on 08/20/2011

Well put Lissa.

Lissa - posted on 08/20/2011

Yes depression is a disabilatating medical condition. I think people who have never experienced or had someone close experience it think it's about feeling a bit down.
There is of course different degrees of depression with medicatication, home life etc all factors in how ill you are. Some people manage fine while others are unable to live anything close to a normal life.

Katherine - posted on 08/20/2011

Yes, if you have Bipolar or other mental illness you can get social security. My brother is mentally ill and get's it.
I think if you're depressed enough and can't work it is a disability.

Shaz - posted on 08/20/2011

no. i dont, but i think its different for everyone, i have had ptsd with anxiety especially after my son and Implanon only made it worse. i would have panic attacks and snxiety attacks for no reason. moods would swing from one extreme to the other...it was horrible but the best thing anyone can do who get depression is to get busy doing enjoyable things, get lots of sun, exercise (cos it helps to release endorphins which give happy feelings) and find someone with a good shoulder to cry on or who will listen and will kick u out of bed or out of the house and keep u moving......

Tara - posted on 08/20/2011

Yes, I do. My mother had a major breakdown when I was in my early 20s - I'm 39 now and she has never recovered from that. She is housebound most of the time and her depression is complicated by agoraphobia.

There is a strong family history of depression in my mother's side - I have struggled with it my entire life and, even though I am currently on the winning side of things I know how quickly a bad depression can hit and pull you under.

Kirby - posted on 08/19/2011

I used to doubt it, but now cannot. Sever depression and anziety have left me currently unable to work. Even though I want to work, I have a whole team of experts telling me I cannot work yet, and that what I am living through is similar to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, except that its not from one single horrible event, its from months of horrible events. so yep, I consider it a disability in certain situations.