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One of the unfortunate things about “coming out” as a depressive is that any enemy in your past can rightfully say, “Aha! See? I knew she was crazy.”
I was not well liked at my first job out of school. I admit that I was as annoying as Tom Cruise minus the Oprah-couch-jumping: loud but inexperienced, ambitious yet impatient, and much too competitive for teamwork. Still, a group of my colleagues didn’t have to make fun of me like a clique of popular seventh grade girls.
Recently I’ve reconnected with an editor there, who, like me, suffers from depression. Our communication has unearthed some of those old feelings of insecurity. There are moments when I feel like I’m back in that little gray cubicle eavesdropping on a conversation about my mistake du jour.
But I know I’m making progress. Because I don’t care as much that a few people (and many more that I don’t know about) don’t like me. One truth that the psych ward taught me is this: trying to do everything perfectly and make everyone like you will guarantee you a permanent bed there. Shoot for half. If you get more, you’re ahead of George Bush. If it’s less, you’ve got God on your side as a cheerleader and loyal fan. Even if you’re annoying.
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Previous Posts
Therapy Thursday: Sweat
posted 6:01:57am Feb. 09, 2012 | read full post »
Scrupulosity: What It Is and Why It's Dangerous
posted 6:17:35am Feb. 07, 2012 | read full post »
The Treasures of Darkness
posted 6:06:40am Feb. 06, 2012 | read full post »
On Groundhog Day: 12 Winter Depression Busters
posted 6:30:47am Feb. 02, 2012 | read full post »
6 Ways to Stay Resilient in Stress
posted 6:00:24am Jan. 31, 2012 | read full post » |
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Therese J. Borchard writes the daily blog, Beyond Blue, on Beliefnet and is a regular contributor to the award-winning blog, World of Psychology, on Psych Central. Therese is the author of Beyond Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes and The Pocket Therapist: An Emotional Survival Kit. Subscribe to Beyond Blue, visit her website, or follow her on Twitter @thereseborchard.
Meet others on the journey in
Therese’s community group
Ask Therese to be your friend
Therese J. Borchard writes the daily blog, Beyond Blue, on Beliefnet and is a regular contributor to the award-winning blog, World of Psychology, on Psych Central. Therese is the author of Beyond Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes and The Pocket Therapist: An Emotional Survival Kit. Subscribe to Beyond Blue, visit her website, or follow her on Twitter @thereseborchard.
posted February 4, 2007 at 11:21 am
I’ve learned in having depression/Bi-polar that if others are not pointing out “Ah you’re crazy!” we are selfs are saying it so much louder in our heads anyway? I did understand what you meant though. We sure do need to be kinder to one another and especially ourselves. I agree to focus on the steps forward into any kind of progress. I admit my steps are much smaller than yours but I can’t afford in standing still or back tracking with depression, its dangerous. Thank you for letting me share…
posted February 4, 2007 at 4:51 pm
“In this life God gives us what we can handle, no more and no less.” A belief that keeps me going during the tough times. Keep the Faith, charlie
posted February 5, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Your insights are so great! When will you put these into a book?
posted February 7, 2007 at 1:49 am
It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ [Jesus]. Philippians 4:12 The Catholic Bible personal study edition
posted February 9, 2007 at 9:14 pm
I put it down to insercurity. When a person is happy with themselves, there is no need to be nasty. If you can withstand what anyone throws at you, they soon get bored. And gain their respect {secretly}.
posted September 17, 2007 at 11:36 pm
I read this quote somewhere and it is appropriate for this: ONLY HURT PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE. The people who tear you down at work or socially have their own issues…insecurity, control, power, etc. By beating you up they make themselves feel better. I teach Special Ed. and learned the only people I am worried about are the kids in my class. If I make friends at work, GREAT… but it is only a job……I have friends elsewhere who support me. God Bless