by Weasley » Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:57 pm
Hi there,
Really and truly - it's completely up to you. I went through a very difficult time in my life around 4 years ago when I was with an abusive boyfriend (mentally and phsycially) which resulted in me becoming depressed. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety around 18 months ago and have been taking pills ever since. To start with, I was dead against telling my parents - I mean, it's my life, why should they know that I'm on meds? Plus, like you, I felt embarrassed - when I was much younger I always thought people on anti depressants were attention seekers (yeah I know, how bad of me!) and thought people would think the same of me, plus I held a LOT of detail about what happened to me during the time with my ex that my parents would have probably questioned why I was taking these meds. In the end, after speaking to a good friend who's mom and brother BOTH suffer from depression, I decided to tell them. He made me realise that depression is NOTHING to do with you - when you are depressed and don't feel like getting out of bed, or don't feel like talking or are ripping peoples heads off if they say just the slightest little thing- that's not the normal you, that's the depression. People do understand and it's nothing to be ashamed of, and people that care for you only want the best, and I'm sure that's how your dad will feel too. I told my parents and although they were a bit like "whoa, where did that come from", they completely understood, so now if I do ever "get a bit angry" or tell them I don't feel like going out tonight etc, they understand, and that's easier than having to come up with excuses.
Sorry for the essay, but depression is something I unfortunately only know too well. But at the end of the day, whether you tell your dad is your call - I just wanted to tell you about how I handled it and how it turned out.
Good luck either way x
xxx
