Who is at Risk for Depression?

Team Tag List

@Amelia @Dillion @MissZ @RumpleSteeleSkin @Jace @wonderfulpumpkin71 @Eunoia @TheThomas @coolvibes @Anomalia @Moj @sunnytea @oxfordshireGatsby @Ila @ZaraSmiles @YayyySphere @beYOUtywithin @LonelyAngels @beautifuldevil @IceDad @soulsings @Silentserenityy @Abdul92 @Isaac @BatmanAtYourService @Moji @olive @Giaberry @InnocentSoul123 @Belis @beyondtheBlues @Liz1000 @ZizyTheTurtle @LauraB14 @Helena @OceanChild @Nagisa @FruityVision @dancingRainbow45 @Skyisblue @MrArkin @Username2016 @FrozenYoghurt @Kerry11 @Dorin4You @MistyMountainHope @ChloeJay @LovelyKittyCat @Zed786 @batmb @Tellyc @EnchantingMe @Nenz @AbetheOpenhearted @TreeStar @Ushatar @Navylady @intelligentString @BadIdeaFairy @ExpressoPizza @bubblyVoice78 @Puppylove13

1. Were you able to make a connection to this article in any way? If so, how? No sorry as I have bipolar disorder I don't really relate with another depression diagnosis. This article seemed more focus around other types of diagnosis or mood disorders.

2. How do you feel your depression developed? Was this mentioned in my article? My bipolar developed genetically through my dad. His dad had bipolar disorder, my dad had bipolar disorder, I have bipolar disorder.

3. Can you think of anyone in your family who has depression? Are you able to connect the way you feel about the way they feel? Most of my family on my dad's side suffers from major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. Since I am the only one in my family who has bipolar disorder (living) I can't relate to anyone else.

4. How did this article make you feel? Why? I thought it was an interesting read. I read something similar before. Thanks for posting it and sharing it with us all. :)

@PassionatePeyton

1. Were you able to make a connection to this article in any way? If so, how?

My depression developed when I was 19-20. There is a family history of depression.

2. How do you feel your depression developed? Was this mentioned in my article?

I don't see the development mentioned, but maybe I missed it. Mine developed gradually but it was too late when I realised what I was experiencing.

3. Can you think of anyone in your family who has depression? Are you able to connect the way you feel to the way they feel?

My dad has depression and we can relate on some things.

4. How did this article make you feel? Why?

Indifferent. I know a lot of this information already and I've managed to overcome my depression so I usually just put it to the back of my mind.

1. Were you able to make a connection to this article in any way? If so, how?
- Yes. I struggle daily with depression, my doctor is still trying to figure out if it is clinical or major depression, and am only in my 20's. I try to hide it so often and it took years for me to be willing to seek help, but I am so thankful for friends that convinced me to.

2. How do you feel your depression developed? Was this mentioned in my article?
- There is no family history of mental illness for me (except Alzheimer's). I feel my depression and anxiety both developed from life experiences (nurture in the nature v. nurture debate) of being neglected as a child. This was only very briefly mentioned.

3. Can you think of anyone in your family who has depression? Are you able to connect the way you feel to the way they feel?
- Nope. I have friends that do and connect with how they feel.

4. How did this article make you feel? Why?
- It actually made me a bit anxious. I just recently started seeking help and medication, it is all new to me and many around me believe in the stigma that mental illness holds. My doctor, therapist, and I are still trying to find if I was diagnosed correctly and what medication is actually going to help, it's scary. I just want to feel better and not want to be scared that I might do something stupid and hurt myself.

1. Were you able to make a connection to this article in any way? If so, how?

I definitely connected with the parts about women being at risk and the ages at which depression often appears. I also connected with the part about getting help. Frankly, I didn't decide to get help for my depression, I decided to seek help only because I was having panic attacks and those faded out while my depression did not.

2. How do you feel your depression developed? Was this mentioned in my article?

It came mostly due to emotional and verbal bullying that became quite bad when I was 11 and got worse by about 13 and my depression became intense due to those I'd thought of as friends suddenly joining in on the bullying as a way to raise their social status.

3. Can you think of anyone in your family who has depression? Are you able to connect the way you feel to the way they feel?

I'm not sure who has depression in my family. My sister does, my little brother might, I know one of my uncles (dad's brother) was suicidal and so was my grandma (mom's mom) due to postpartum and both made failed attempts, and I wouldn't be surprised if pretty much everyone in my family other than them is hiding depression. It's part of my family's culture to be 'happy' all the time, so it wouldn't shock me if every single one of my aunts has dealt with it at some point as well as most of my female cousins. There are also a number of uncles and male cousins who could be hiding it as well. But the way my family is, we'll never talk about it.

4. How did this article make you feel? Why?

It made me a little sad when I thought about how much it is possible that I'm not alone with it and that if only my family was less 'happy' and was more willing to talk about serious things, I could have been able to be less depressed as a young teenager because at least I would know I wasn't the only person in my family to ever feel less than happy. I didn't hear about my grandma or uncle until I was probably 17 and my depression was a constant background to my life, one that I would never talk to my family about, so I felt very alone. Mainly, it was just nice to read an honest thing like this.

It is a wonderful article. I would ask if any consideration was given to mentioning depression in the context of other health issues? It may or may not be present for those who suffer from chronic pain, a diagnosis resulting from traumatic circumstances (singular or chronic), a disease such as Parkinson's or MS often (not always) includes depression and/or MCI. I mention these only as concrete examples.

It is important that people don't feel excluded when it is such a complex issue resulting from any number of variables. I see so many caretakers who see a single diagnosis. It often leaves the client misunderstood (and untreated) and the caretaker frustrated given a lack of understanding.

I am simply throwing it out there because I see it frequently. It may not be within the scope of your article.

I appreciate the opportunity to have a platform to share. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to bringing attention to the diagnosis.

Wish you the best with your studies!

@PassionatePeyton

1. Were you able to make a connection to this article in any way? If so, how? - the very first line, by unkown (smart dude), very very tired. All the symptoms and the gender/hormonal factor, last dip in the coaster may have been residual menapause. Fit the age brackets with a major episode in my early 20s and trying so hard to just cope and not seek help.

2. How do you feel your depression developed? Was this mentioned in my article? ...remember wanting to die at 12, not sure why or where it came from or how long it'd been brewing, but knew enough to keep it hid. How do children learn this? Think environment, life choices and secrecy reinforced it, perpetually. The article did not mention situaltional influences. For me, more important than 'how' it developed is unchecked growth, the lack of early diagnosis, proper education and tools to chip away at foundations fortified by the brains chemical warfare, social stigma and health care industry discrimination.

3. Can you think of anyone in your family who has depression? Are you able to connect the way you feel to the way they feel? No (heard vague rumors there may have been suicides on both materanl and paternal sides). Mom developed Alzhiemers in her 70s (fear depression may increase my probability of dimentia).

4. How did this article make you feel? Why? Sad! Sad so many people have depression and don't get help. Sad so many older people suffer in their 'golden' years. Disappointed in the lack of acceptance and support the desease demands. Discouraged at the long road still ahead.

Thank you for your determination to help change the tides!

Any medications that regulate hormones in different ways that what you're accustomed to can trigger depression also. Females being the ones taking birth control pills or hormonal patches or hormonal IUDs can all be affected in this way. People on hormone replacement therapies also are highly likely to develope it at some point if they don't have clinical depression already.

I'm not a person who personally suffers from depression, but I've been scared about developing it and have talked to my doctor during a low period in school. There's a big history of depression in my family (my mom, sister and brother all have diagnosed depression) and that's the part that stood out to me the most. I was lucky enough that my mum has been open to talking about mental health and the possibility of devleoping a mood disorder, I think that part of the reason why I was able to talk to my doctor when I was having a low period. This article made me feel thankful that educational efforts like this one exist to help families.

Depression is obviously a huge problem from the numbers cited in the article, I hope other families can get accurate diagnoses and be open about talking with their kids too. That way people can be best informed and prepared to deal with anything that comes up. Best wishes to anyone here dealing with depression/mood disorders, hugs

1. Were you able to make a connection to this article in any way? If so, how?

Yes. I was diagnosed with depression for the first time when I was 15 years old. My father has also been diagnosed with depression. I have an old friend I know who has been diagnosed with depression. I saw a guy a couple of years ago who was taking medication for depression.

2. How do you feel your depression developed? Was this mentioned in my article?

I don't know. I also have a diagnosis of an eating disorder first made around the same time when I was 15 years old. And as I got older, anxiety got to be a big deal too and it still currently is.

3. Can you think of anyone in your family who has depression? Are you able to connect the way you feel to the way they feel?

Yes, my dad. He experiences it differently, I think, though. But I have been able to connect in certain ways.

4. How did this article make you feel? Why?

A little upset, because I worry that being diagnosed with depression means that I can't trust my feelings and that my feelings aren't valid and that life is just kind of blah and boring.