Depression Assumption

**KMN** · 12-20-2011, 10:30 PM

I often find that people assume I'm depressed, for various reasons, and it leads to general comforting/questioning by the assumers. There's also a class of people who look down on me because they think I'm depressed, and are surprised when I actually have enough self-worth to snap at them for being snobbish.

Does anyone else get this response from strangers or colleagues, or anyone else for that matter?

**benr3600** · 12-20-2011, 10:51 PM

My family knows I'm depressed, but they simply DGAF. Knowing the vapid mindset, they probably think I deserve it, as some kind of IQ tax or something equally ridiculous.

**Johannes** · 12-20-2011, 10:52 PM

Odd, I'm in the opposite scenario: I am probably depressed (though I've never been clinically diagnosed) but no one I know really suspects it.

**Femmebott** · 12-20-2011, 10:53 PM

I am asked often if something is wrong with me, because I look "sad". I really just look detached. I am very schizoid.

**KMN** · 12-20-2011, 11:03 PM


	I am asked often if something is wrong with me, because I look "sad". I really just look detached.

Exactly what I mean. And having to act excessively happy when I'm really not feeling it is just plain exhausting.

**fmr3** · 12-21-2011, 02:42 AM

Originally Posted by KMN
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I often find that people assume I'm depressed, for various reasons, and it leads to general comforting/questioning by the assumers. There's also a class of people who look down on me because they think I'm depressed, and are surprised when I actually have enough self-worth to snap at them for being snobbish.

Does anyone else get this response from strangers or colleagues, or anyone else for that matter?

i hear this from people often.
"why are you so depressed?"
"what's wrong?"
(sarcastically) "try not to look so happy"
"you seem down"

i suspect its a general detachment i have, but i am not clinically diagnosed as depressed.

dealing with people who assume your depression and are surprised when you do stick up for yourself can be frustrating. their assumptions are annoying - god forbid i be in state of mind that is not exactly yours!
pertaining to the surprised reactions we get, i have found some of the fault is mine. usually, it is in my tone of voice and/or the look on my face (to which i reply "this is my face. this is how i look. deal with it").

unfortunately i dont really have a solution for you. but i certainly experience the same thing and have decided to accept it.

**Polymath20** · 12-21-2011, 05:45 AM


	and are surprised when I actually have enough self-worth to snap at them for being snobbish.

This reaction can support their perception that you are, in fact, depressed.

When someone accuses you of being depressed, try to make up some excuse like "Oh I just had a long day" or "I just have a bunch of crap to do" and they will assume that it is just a situational thing and leave it at that. Works wonders.

**Swanee** · 12-21-2011, 06:12 AM

If you are going to stick labels on yourself and behave accordingly, then for goodness sake stick on positive ones - you may enjoy the results. Wallow in misery or in happiness? Your choice...

**Mindfreak** · 12-21-2011, 07:02 AM

I was once depressed for about two years and nobody knew, although I wasn't diagnosed. Keeping up with the facade of normalcy was exhausting. It was like fighting many battles at once and losing them all. After the death of my ex, healing began.

**VagrantChord** · 12-21-2011, 10:32 AM

Yes, it's called, I am smiling, can't you tell?

<<<<<mouse over my avatar

**KMN** · 12-25-2011, 03:17 AM


	This reaction can support their perception that you are, in fact, depressed.

That is so counterintuitive to me I would never have thought of it. But I'll give what you said a try and see what happens.

**Polymath20** · 12-27-2011, 06:53 AM

	Originally Posted by KMN To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	That is so counterintuitive to me I would never have thought of it. But I'll give what you said a try and see what happens.

Short temper is a sign of depression.

**Kuroneko** · 12-27-2011, 07:14 AM

If you don't like socializing you are assumed to be depressed.
If you don't smile much you are assumed to be depressed.
If you overthink you are assumed to be depresses.

Of course it doesn't make much sense (unless you used to be very outgoing in the past).

**pickledoctopus** · 12-27-2011, 08:27 AM

Oddly enough, I was depressive for the past two years, and I am getting better now that I have a firmer grasp on what I want to do with my life. We INTJ's and our myriad mental conditions... always straddling the line between genius/crazy, it seems
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**k2sk8k2** · 12-27-2011, 09:37 PM

Almost every day of my life start like this..

Me: *walks in kitchen*
Mom: whats wrong honey?
me: UGHHH!!! NOTHING IS WRONG!!!! (sick of the question) STOP ASKING ME THAT EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!

Work situations tend to be the same on occasions until weeks pass an people realize what I am.

Amazingly My mind seems reformed enough to get over excessive depression fast and almost instantaneously including anger and other negative vibes just kinda swing back to mute/neutral mode IM A ROBOT at heart.

12-20-2011, 10:30 PM	#1
KMN New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 53	I often find that people assume I'm depressed, for various reasons, and it leads to general comforting/questioning by the assumers. There's also a class of people who look down on me because they think I'm depressed, and are surprised when I actually have enough self-worth to snap at them for being snobbish. Does anyone else get this response from strangers or colleagues, or anyone else for that matter?
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12-20-2011, 10:51 PM	#2
benr3600 Member [28%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,131	My family knows I'm depressed, but they simply DGAF. Knowing the vapid mindset, they probably think I deserve it, as some kind of IQ tax or something equally ridiculous.
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12-20-2011, 10:52 PM	#3
Johannes New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 53	Odd, I'm in the opposite scenario: I am probably depressed (though I've never been clinically diagnosed) but no one I know really suspects it.
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12-20-2011, 10:53 PM	#4
Femmebott Veteran Member [54%] MBTI: INTP Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,188	I am asked often if something is wrong with me, because I look "sad". I really just look detached. I am very schizoid.
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12-21-2011, 06:12 AM	#8
Swanee Member [03%] MBTI: intj Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 130	If you are going to stick labels on yourself and behave accordingly, then for goodness sake stick on positive ones - you may enjoy the results. Wallow in misery or in happiness? Your choice...
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12-21-2011, 07:02 AM	#9
Mindfreak Member [10%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 434	I was once depressed for about two years and nobody knew, although I wasn't diagnosed. Keeping up with the facade of normalcy was exhausting. It was like fighting many battles at once and losing them all. After the death of my ex, healing began.
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12-21-2011, 10:32 AM	#10
VagrantChord Core Member [119%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,775	Yes, it's called, I am smiling, can't you tell? <<<<<mouse over my avatar
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12-27-2011, 07:14 AM	#13
Kuroneko Member [06%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 267	If you don't like socializing you are assumed to be depressed. If you don't smile much you are assumed to be depressed. If you overthink you are assumed to be depresses. Of course it doesn't make much sense (unless you used to be very outgoing in the past).
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12-27-2011, 08:27 AM	#14
pickledoctopus Member [07%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 292	Oddly enough, I was depressive for the past two years, and I am getting better now that I have a firmer grasp on what I want to do with my life. We INTJ's and our myriad mental conditions... always straddling the line between genius/crazy, it seems To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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12-27-2011, 09:37 PM	#15
k2sk8k2 Member [02%] MBTI: INTx Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 103	Almost every day of my life start like this.. Me: walks in kitchen Mom: whats wrong honey? me: UGHHH!!! NOTHING IS WRONG!!!! (sick of the question) STOP ASKING ME THAT EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! Work situations tend to be the same on occasions until weeks pass an people realize what I am. Amazingly My mind seems reformed enough to get over excessive depression fast and almost instantaneously including anger and other negative vibes just kinda swing back to mute/neutral mode IM A ROBOT at heart.
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