Why is it that people can be so hostile to those who suffer from a mental health condition?
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I too suffer with depression, and have done for many years. For a lot of them I didn't realise what was the matter with me, and as I have learned more about it I have understood that the causes can be related to other medical conditions, your body chemistry, trauma and other events or environmental.
Another factor in the way others treat you (or avoid you) is that; with mental illness they/you don't know what caused it, when it happened, what the treatment is and how long it is going take to recover!
This leaves people in the dark, they can be so unsure of what to say or how to behave with you that it becomes easier to avoid you. Actually they also may have some baggage that is affecting them, and causing some mental health problems, but they may be afraid to discuss it with you.
Some people with mental illness are, or appear paranoid and have 'psychosis'. Psychotic episodes especially can really alienate those who love you. You can appear to be unnecessarily blaming others for things and/or think that everyone is out to get you!
You have to be aware of these factors and consider the way you behave in company so that you do not alienate them or just bore them. The other answers suggesting this is ignorance I believe are correct, but that is not really their fault. As I have said they can be confused and possibly scared of what to say or how to behave with you. For your own peace of mind try to find a way of being with them, joining in and enjoying the discussions and humour.
You say you don't get invitations anymore: You will have to be proactive in seeing and getting in touch with people, maybe even apologising for upsetting them in the past if indeed you have. But always keep explanations and apologies to a bare minimum.
Finally though you will need to have people to talk to about it, maybe there is a yahoo group? But find someone.
Personally I do not take medicine for depression, but doing things makes me feel better. Even to the point that before starting this message I felt a bit down and now I feel a little up!
Good luck
one word - ignorance
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