Chloe

My name is Chlo?. I am 22 and I have suffered depression and dysthymia for a long time.

When I was first diagnosed in 2001 I found that despite the support of my family and my partner I was very isolated by my condition as they didn?t really understand my feelings and behaviours. Initially we had a lot of trouble getting help from the local hospital, and I was misdiagnosed and put on medications that did not help me because the side effects were so bad, but I didn?t know enough to ask for them to be changed and I suffered on these medications until a family friend rang my GP and told him how bad it was.

In August 2002 I was desperately looking for options, as the local Community Mental Health centre offered very little and I had been forced to start seeing a psychiatrist in Brisbane once a week to get any help with my medications and treatment. I stumbled across depressioNet and discovered a world of support, information and help.

Since joining depressioNet I have been able to rely less on my family for support, I have been encouraged to try different treatment options and I have had better access to information allowing me to make more informed decisions about my treatment. Through Lou the resource manager I have found a psychiatrist I trust and can work with very well, and my fianc? is also seeing someone recommended by her. The information provided on the main pages and by members on the message boards has helped me truly understand my condition, various treatment options and the reactions of family and friends to my situation. The kind support and constructive criticism of members has allowed me to move forward in some areas, to the point where I have not been hospitalised for over a year and I am working part time. If I?m having a bad day I can let it all out in a safe place and be assured of some responses helping me to stay strong. If something good happens I can post it here without the fear that people will think I am overreacting, as the members here know that in a world so full of darkness the tiniest amount of light can make it bearable. I have made some very good friends both on the Internet and in person through this service. depressioNet is somewhere where I will not be judged by my actions, thoughts or condition.

Living with a mental illness can be complicated by the stigma attached to it, and it's good to have somewhere you can go knowing that you won?t be derided for things beyond your control, won?t be told to stop taking medication, won't be thought of as weak or ?crazy?. I have an illness that affects my life profoundly, and I have a support network diverse enough to keep me safe in almost any situation.

depressioNet doesn?t replace my family, my partner, my doctors or my psychologist - it supports us all.