Meet Emily
Emily doesn't feel she has a right to label herself as depressed, despite the persistently self-critical thoughts arising from childhood experiences of being left out of groups at school and a growing sense of being a 'black sheep' in her family... more >>
"If I ask for help it means I'm weak/dependent/a failure."
"Only crazy people have mental health problems - no way is that me!"
"Big boys (or girls) don't cry. I just have to tough this one out."
"I'm a grown up. I have to do this on my own, not look for crutches."
"No one else has any idea what I'm feeling, so how could they help?"
"This touchy-feely, navel-gazing counselling stuff is for wimps or loonies..."
Thinking in these ways is part of the depressed thinking habit which helps sustain and reinforce the depression habit spiral. They include unrealistic all-or-nothing and perfectionist elements, or reflect stereotypical cultural attitudes.
Asking for help can feel very scary. You might fear rejection or ridicule, or you might fear losing control. You may be concerned about dependence - on medication or on people. You may have been let down in the past and fear it happening again. You might fear not getting enough help. If you are actively suicidal, you may fear losing your freedom.
You will find these fears addressed in various ways throughout this site. All actions are risky, but so is inaction - doing nothing about the depression affecting you is likely to allow it to intensify. You may put yourself at serious risk.
