Why can't my parents understand that I am not choosing to be depressed?

Some people just do not understand things they haven't experienced. Depression is not a choice, and if it was then why on earth would anyone choose it? It's a complex issue and many struggle to come to terms with it. All you can do is educate your parents about it - it's a slow and long process, hopefully one day they'll see the truth.

Many people hold a lot of misconceptions about depression and think that it can be controlled, the fact is depression is not a choice and if were no one would be depressed. Making others, especially your parents understand this is extremely important because as humans we crave social acceptance. It would be great idea for you to sit them down and read up on depression on various websites or better yet take them to a Psychologist who can convince them. :)

Sometimes other people feel upset seeing you so hurting. So there coping method may seem like they don't care, but really they may be not wanting to believe that you are hurting, So they're trying to convince themselves you're fine.

Sometimes it has to do with cultural or generational differences. In many of cultures, mental health isn't a priority or a topic taken as seriously. Sadly, the stigma of mental health is still prevalent today. Regardless, it's really a lack of full understanding of what depression is on there part. Sometimes it takes an outside resource (like a psychiatrist) to inform parents on what it is. In my experience, my parents saw symptoms of depression before I was diagnosed but brushed it off as 'something I would grow out of.' However, after learning more about the seriousness of those behaviors, they became more understanding at the very least.

They just don't like to see you sad and cannot understand what you have to be depressed about. They may not remember what it's like to be your age or maybe they don't know what it's like to struggle with depression.

Depression and other mental illnesses can be very difficult to understand for someone who has not gone through it. Be open with your parents and tell them if they say something that upsets you.

It's really hard for people, not just parents, to understand what it feels like to be different than their own personal experience. While it's not your choice, they cant see that because it's not something that's happened to them.

Some people don't understand mental illnesses and how they're not a choice. I believe a step that you could take to have them understand is educate them. Education is your best friend. If they're educated on what depression is and how it works etc. their reaction to it may be different.

Depression is difficult to comprehend when you've never experienced it. Your parents aren't really sure how to deal with it and often, people's way of coping is by blaming the person.

Mental health is unfortunately not a widely discussed issue and a lot of people believe in stereotypes and what they see on TV, and unfortunately those long-held beliefs take time and effort to change (reeducation, perhaps). Maybe you can show them this as a start: https://www.7cups.com/depression-help-online/