Depression with no suicidal thoughts?

[candletea19]

This is probably going to sound silly to some, but it's something that's been on my mind for a while.

A while ago I was diagnosed with Major Depressive, PTSD, and Anxiety and Panic Disorder. Since then, along with my professional treatment, I have been reading and researching as much as possible, as well as talking to people with similarities (such as through this site). While I have appreciated a lot of what I've read, and the people here I've talked to, some people (mostly on Facebook comments, of course), are not so nice.

I have noticed a fair amount of people who basically say if you don't have suicidal thoughts, or attempt suicide, you "don't actually have depression," and basically said if you say you have depression without suicidal thoughts, you're "a faker who's making it harder for those who are actually suffering."

I don't have suicidal thoughts.

I trust my doctor and psychologist, and I trust my diagnosis, but I can't help but feel .. guilty. These comments.. is there any truth to them? Am I really not "as depressed" as another because I don't have suicidal thoughts? I almost feel like I am not entitled to speak up because I don't have these kinds of thoughts, therefore I don't have depression enough for whoever's making these comments. I know it's probably absolutely ridiculous for me to be thinking about this, especially because it's mainly random people I don't know commenting on things on Facebook. I'm sure many of us know how that can go many times.

I just can't help but feeling this way sometimes. It's probably the anxiety getting to me and trying to get me to not think logically, but would love to hear what any of you think about it!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Abigail7]

Id stop reading Facebook comments as they are (misguided) opinions and not medical fact. Would you believe internet comments that said you don't have a heart problem because you've never had a heart attack, even though a cardiologist has diagnosed you with a heart disorder? It's really the same thing. Many people with depression don't have suicidal thoughts.

 

[Deadman]

I have noticed a fair amount of people who basically say if you don't have suicidal thoughts, or attempt suicide, you "don't actually have depression," and basically said if you say you have depression without suicidal thoughts, you're "a faker who's making it harder for those who are actually suffering."

Anyone who says such things is uninformed. Depression takes many forms. Not all include thoughts of suicide.

In fact many people with depression don't have thoughts of suicide until they start to feel better. Thats why there is so much concern about antidepressants especially in regard to teenagers.

 

[KellaKeenley]

This is probably going to sound silly to some, but it's something that's been on my mind for a whil...

Wow, that's so incorrect. I have Clinical Depression and I thank God suicidal thoughts don't automatically come with the illnesses. Depression is difficult to live with and ten times as difficult when suicidal ideation comes into play.

 

[jade53]

Pay no attention to anyone that says a person can't suffer from depression and not be concerend over taking their own life. It might be that way for most conditions involving depression and maybe it is just an anomaly for some with PTSD and similar conditions. Comparing apples to oranges comes to mind.