Why does it feel so hard to accept depression as an illness that can be treated instead of punishing yourself for not being ok ?

in my experience i think we put too much pressure on ourselves to just get on with it instead of asking for help, we may feel embarrassed or that we don't deserve help. we might think we are being silly and that we don't want to put a burden on anyone else. its a very difficult step to take, accepting that you have an illness and you need help.

You should never punish yourself for something that is difficult to fix. It all begins with mentality, wanting a better life for yourself. Support of others is appreciated but it all starts with you.

Thats human nature, most people feel like "normal" is something you can never achieve. But your true normal is just what you want it to be. Its who you are

This is a very good question. It is hard to accept because sometimes we want to blame ourselves. We have to realize that depression is an illness like asthma or diabetes and it is not anyone's fault at all. This takes some time.

For two reasons. Because depression makes you feel like you deserve to be punished and it makes you feel bad at the same time, so logically you feel like depression is your punishment. Because depression is comforting, like a blanket, and it's hard to let go of. It feels like a friend, the only friend that understands you.

Everyone sees depression differently, and that's because we've all had different experiences with it.. some lucky people have none at all! ;) Depression can be treated and this is scientifically proven, so keep a smile on and don't punish yourself - you've done absolutely nothing wrong for feeling this way, and it's not your fault!

I think it feels this way because depression is not something usually talked about it society. People might walk into your classroom saying, "I sprained my wrist yesterday!" but it is very, very rare for someone to walk into your classroom saying "I had a major panic attack yesterday." In society, it seems like everyone's perfect and happy. Everyone seems to be loving life. But some people don't love life, some people are really insecure and sad. But, the best thing to do it just think "this isn't my fault." Because it's an illness, just like cancer. You don't blame yourself for cancer or the flu, so depression is the same thing:)

Humans have innate ability to be stubborn and prideful. Those attitude hinders us to fully understand what is happening. We tend to overlook that sometime we need someone else's help in order to get through each day.

In my experience, you can feel in denial about depression as you may have been nurtured with idea that depression is a 'first world problem'. The conflict of knowing you are depressed vs being told depression is a 'first world problem' can lead you to confliction and denial. You might be ashamed of being depressed too.

Because you feel that something is wrong with you. That you shouldn't feel this way, act this way or have these thoughts. Depression while an illness is also apart of you. Because it feels apart of you that means you take it personally for not being able to feel okay or to just get over it. It takes time to process it as an illness that you can treat or manage. It is okay that it takes time. :)