Few would ever suspect that I have been diagnosed with depression. It began back in highschool after a horrible summer when my parents split up. I hid my pain for some time but pretty soon it was starting to show. I thought that my feelings were weakness and therefore something I could overcome but I was unable to cope. Depression ran in our family so my mom knew the signs to look for. We worked with our family doctor to get my chemical balances back in line and I started counseling. I still take my meds and I still have ups and downs. Why do I share this with you? Because I want others to know there is hope. This group wants the same...
Excerpt from their site - TWLOHA
It is estimated that 15% or roughly 17 million Americans suffer from depression.
It affects rich and poor, young and old, black and white.
2/3 are never treated.
They do not recognize the illness, and see it as a weakness or personality flaw.
Untreated depression is the most common cause of suicide.
In Australia, New Zealand and Japan, there are more suicides than murders.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people.
Depression is treatable.
Cutting was very much a mystery until 1996 when Princess Diana admitted that she had struggled with it.
Self Injurers use physical pain as an attempt to calm or numb the psychological pain or stress. They injure the outside in an attempt to release the pain on the inside.
Self Injury is an attempt to stop the hurting, an attempt to be clean.
Self injurers and addicts seek the familiar, even if its pain. This is completely foreign to most people.
Self injurers believe pain is their only option, using greater external pain as a relief from the pain inside.
There is hope.
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