Diagnosed... What now?
I was just recently (yesterday) diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder by a counselor I've been seeing here on my college campus. I have been dealing with the disorder for over 7 years and it's nice to have a diagnosis, finally. I don't want to tell my parents because they're not really used to the idea of depression and mental illness (and neither is my boyfriend). Where do I go from here? I feel relieved and alone and stressed out all at the same time. Any thoughts or tips?
I know many people out there might not understand mental illness but I'm sure many people out there can understand suffering and struggling. It's important to be honest with everyone and yourself. I think you have a lot of options and choices to make but my recommendation would be too educate yourself. Get in tune with your body and figure out what you need. Best of luck and there are many people here that care about you and you can talk to me anytime.
Hey @SmileToBrightenYourDay,
I'm really happy to hear you've got the diagnosis you've needed for 7 years, that sounds like a great milestone in working towards feeling better. It may sound like a silly question but have you spoken to your councillor or doctor about ways in which you can introduce the idea to your parents and boyfriend? You may be surprised to find that the people around you will be very support and will want to help you in anyway you can.
If you find yourself still struggling why not connect to a listener today or get involved in a group discussion?
I wish you well.
