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Do You Have Compassion for Those With Depression?.......by Susan
Posted by ozzieblackcat at 4/5/2008 10:05 AM and is filed under Relationships,depression,life,Mental Health,Family 
Recently, my brother wrote a couple of articles in which he has praised me for my compassion and empathy regarding his problems with depression. I've heard the same praise from others who I am in close contact with. However, I have also been criticized by some family members and friends for this quality. Some say it is enabling.
Do you have compassion for those with depression? Is it a good thing? I recently read a very interesting article on the subject and want to share it with you. Here is the article, Learn to Be Compassionate. I hope you will read this article and then make comments here on my blog as to your thoughts about having compassion for those suffering with depression.
Depression is a monster who attacks most people at least during some period of time in their lives. It can be a temporary thing such as the loss felt after losing a loved one, or losing a job. Even if your depression is a temporary, one time event, you will need others who can empathize and be compassionate toward you and what you are experiencing.
Please try to understand those who are suffering from depression. They are fighting a battle for their very lives. We can enable them to win that battle with our understanding and compassion.
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Do you have compassion for those with depression? Is it a good thing? I recently read a very interesting article on the subject and want to share it with you. Here is the article, Learn to Be Compassionate. I hope you will read this article and then make comments here on my blog as to your thoughts about having compassion for those suffering with depression.
Depression is a monster who attacks most people at least during some period of time in their lives. It can be a temporary thing such as the loss felt after losing a loved one, or losing a job. Even if your depression is a temporary, one time event, you will need others who can empathize and be compassionate toward you and what you are experiencing.
Please try to understand those who are suffering from depression. They are fighting a battle for their very lives. We can enable them to win that battle with our understanding and compassion.
Ozzieblackcat Homepage
My Avon Website
Ozzie Reviews Avon
Compassion to me is a negative word. I'd rather use understanding, and support (if I can). But yes, I have been depressed for a long time in my life, and I recovered since I made up my own job. I know how bad it feels when you're down and out...
Alex
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Hi Alex and thank you for your reply. I'm not sure I understand why compassion seems like a negative word to you and would like to hear more. Do you associate compassion with someone feeling sorry for a person? I'm so glad you have recovered and yet you understand how depression feels and support those who are still suffering.
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Can you give me an example where a person might be viewed as enabling someone with depression?
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I was once told that if you listen to a person talk about the same problem over and over without that person making any changes you could be enabling them to continue with their problem. I have no way of knowing for sure if that is true or not, but some view it to be enabling.
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Hmm, I don't know about enabling but it would certainly be quite boring
Seriously, when you are depressed you need a sympathetic friend - and I mean sympathetic in the real sense of the word, understanding and compassionate, without the connotation of pity or indulgence the word has picked up.
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I agree with you 100%. No one wants pity or indulgence but rather compassion and understanding. Most of all they want true friendship. Thank you so much for your replies.
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