Telling my friend about my depression and Self injury?

[Foxywolf]

Hey guys, well I don't know if I ever said anything about this on the non anonymous boards. But anyways, I have been struggling with self harm and what may be depression for about threeish years. I've always kept it to myself, but after seeing a counselor for a while I've plucked up the courage and now feel brave enough to open up to a friend... almost.

I want to and I don't at the same time... :/

I'm just super afraid that she will tell my parents or freak out or something. Or think I'm crazy.

I am seeing a counselor, so maybe that will deter her from telling them but I'm not sure.

I dunno I guess I am asking for some advice or some encouragement...

[Lexington]

I've told my friends about my battles with depression. And they've always been supportive. If anything, they found me "strong" for being willing to discuss it.

What helped me was treating it matter-of-factly. I didn't tell them like it was a horrible secret, with trembling voice and shaking hands. I said, "I'm going through depression right now. It sucks rocks, but the medication is helping quite a bit." As it ends up, I didn't care if others knew, but had I wanted to keep it quiet, I would've said "I'm not sure I want everyone else to know this just yet, so I'd prefer if you didn't tell anyone else."

Lex

[pinklov3ly]

As long as you can trust your friend then I'll say tell her. I actually invited my friend to come with me to the doctor's and then that's when the questions started. It was pretty unnerving trying to summon up courage to tell her. I think I actually helped her because she started seeing the same doctor (psychiatrist). She had been having emotional problems and by us being open with one another, we helped each other out.

Just tell her that you would appreciate it if she does not tell anyone, including your parents. You're doing the right thing by seeing a counselor and I commend you for doing so. I've suffered from depression since I was 13 and now, I'm 26. I used to self harm during my teenage years, it was during the same time I started to confront my feelings about women. So, I know how you feel, good luck telling your friend. I'm sure she will be supportive of you.

[ems]

I think u should tell some one , u will feel better getting it out their and not having to hide it from everyone but only tell this friend if u ar close and / or u know u can trust her . I have been in ur shoes where I was depressed and self harming , one of my friends found out and help ed me when I let her . I told a few other s and most where supportive and tryed to help , some didn't understand and while they kept it to them selves they couldn't help or understand . So i would say to be aware of the different ways it could go but trust ur instincts. And why would ur friend tell ur parents ? What would ur freind gain by doing it apart from breaking ur trust , I kept mine a secret for years and my parents still don't know. If u want to tell her and u trust her I say go for it, it might make it easyer having a close Freind who understands and can help when ur get an urge and put to help u put a smile back on ur face .

[Foxywolf]

Yeah I guess I should tell her, I just am so used to keeping everything to myself so it's hard for me to open up and tell people things.
Thanks though everyone!

[ems]

Any time x