I just wanted to introduce myself...

[Sympleesmshn]

and rant for a few lines...

I am 17 and have been through things many people will never understand. It has been only a few months since I faced my problems, I ignored them for more a year (I don't suggest this), and there are only about 3 people at my school who know what I have been through. I dislocated my knee cap playing football and that started the chain. It took 8 months for the doctors to decide to fix it... I gained more then 80 pounds, and in general spilled into depression. It got worse though when I had to give up football, and that triggered my need to get help. It is hard for me to know and understand what I went through all those months, let alone explain it to someone who has no idea what I am talking about. I have found comfort in a good friend who has been through the same mental things as I have. I was so "sick" I was actually sick when I started working it out. I am much better now. My biggest problem was self identity and I have figured that out. But I still feel the scars, and I hope I can use this area as a place to get this things off my chest.

I guess the hardest thing for me after going through this, is fear of judgment. I am rather big, as you might imagine a linemen being, I still have break downs while watching movies and even reading poems. Not many people expect to see me crying and I have done more then my share over the past 18 months.

I am just curious to see how other people deal with this, and hearing any examples of how to explain to others what I have been through.

[Droopy]

1. Welcome, man

You are more than welcome to come here and talk about things. I know what you mean by people not understanding what you've been through. When I try to explain what I've been through to my folks they just get this look on their faces like, "What the fuck are you talking about?"

Unfortunately mental illness is very hard to relate to those who have never been mentally ill. The most common misperception I think is that some people think that the mentally ill are just weak minded. They don't understand how strong you have to be to make it through what is ailing you. They don't understand that many if not most mental illnesses are biological in origin.

I'm a big fella too and I've done my share of crying. Big and tough on the outside does not necessarily translate to insensitive on the inside.

Feel free to come in here and talk about what you want. We'll listen.

[Sympleesmshn]

2. Thanks

[ernstbass]

3. Welcome and thanks for your post

It must be especially hard to show feelings in high school when everyone expects you to be the big strong guy> You have really been through a lot this year and it sounds like the worst is over - I'm glad you have your good friend who is understanding. In regards to explaining to others, you don't owe anyone an explanation if you don't feel comfortable sharing with them.

[TrogL]

4. Welcome to the world of situational depression

Join the club.

Did you want the T-shirt or the coffee mug?

[Sympleesmshn]

5. We have T-shirts and mugs?

no right now the scar is enough for me...

[jdots]

6. welcome things will get re arranged

Not easy to face because you go " why Me ? " and then theres the people saying " Look on the bright side " when you wish they would shut up.
I managed to zap my most important bass playing finger off in about 1/2 a second and thought life was over.You will allways miss playing football but atleast you did.Crying sucks but it makes the pain go away. welcome.

[EFerrari]

7. Hey, I'm new here, too.

But not knew to dealing with mental health stuff.

To answer your questions, first I listen. Some people get it, some don't, some may after a while. Mostly, I surround our family with people who do or who don't but are on our side no matter what. I used do a lot of explaining without really thinking about who I was talking to, let alone what I could expect from them.

Cats are good :hi:

[Sympleesmshn]

9. I have two small dogs

they do the trick...

[EFerrari]

10. I used to call my dog my 10 mg Valium

because she's yeller.

Ever pet your guys and feel your face relaxing? Hairy angels.

[Sympleesmshn]

12. yeah...

i have two daschund... A mini and a long hair. They are true lap dogs. They look you in the eye sometimes and seem to say "what is wrong with you? Take it easy! be more like me, don't have a care in the world."

[steve2470]

8. Welcome to the group, Symple :-) nt

[DemExpat]

11. Welcome, Sympleesmshn....

Hope there is good stuff here for you too.

BTW - I've kicked many an addiction, but one thing I cannot live without is a dog.

Last February my 15 year old Jack Russell died while having his teeth cleaned - I took the risk because he suffered from bad teeth - but the shock to me was to the core.

Within a week I had adopted a new, young Jack Russell, Bonnie, who I strongly feel that Mikey sent to us. O8)

Love, companionship, total connection, and just plain fun and pleasure!
Can't live without this at this time in my life.

:hug:

DemEx

[Sympleesmshn]

13. A little more...

I can't stand high school... I feel like I am "not the right age" to be going through this, if that makes any since... I feel like I am too old for it. I can't stand some of the stuff my friends go through and put other through... it seems very childish. I want to ask a girl to the next dance but it is a tradition that the girls ask the guys to the dance. Let me tell you they aren't very supportive... My friends have found they like to push me near the edge, I guess for kicks or maybe it is just stuff that wouldn't have bothered me before everything. I just can't stand that I am "uncool" for feeling the way I do. Sometimes I find it hard to feel at all after what I have been through a lot of stuff seems different.

Well any advise is welcome... I am working up the nerves to ask the girl next week, I am trying to not care what my friends think, but it is really hard.