I find that a really loaded question these days. Do I tell the truth? Part of the truth? Do I side step the question or do I lie?<\/p>\n
When a person is depressed, it can be hard to answer the typical\u00a0 how are you<\/em> question with an honest reply.<\/p>\n How am I? Thank you for asking. I have been suicidal for months and fear for my life, but I just keep going on and on and on.<\/p>\n How am I?\u00a0 I’m fine, thanks. How about that basketball game last night!<\/p>\n How am I? I had a manic episode last summer that ruined my marriage. Other than that, things are great!<\/p>\n How am I? I am so anxious I feel I am going to implode, but I have to get out in life to make money so that I can have enough money to buy my meds. My life is a mess.<\/p>\n Hmmmm.\u00a0 I don’t think that is what people want to hear. If you are sitting across a table from a friend and they say, “Julie, how are you really?” then you can say the truth.<\/p>\n Here is how I answer the how are you<\/em> question. If things are going well, I am honest. If things are only mildly bad, I say, “I’m fine thanks!” If things are awful, I say, “It’s not a good day today. Let’s talk about you. We can talk about me later.”<\/p>\n I have worked hard on this so as not to overwhelm people. I know when it’s appropriate to talk about myself and this illness.<\/p>\n Julie Fast<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I find that a really loaded question these days. Do I tell the truth? Part of the truth? Do I side step the question or do I lie?<\/p>\n When a person is depressed, it can be hard to answer the typical how are you question with an honest reply.<\/p>\n How am I? Thank you for asking. I have been suicidal for months and fear for my life, but I just keep going on and on and on.<\/p>\n How am I? I’m fine, thanks. How about that basketball game last night!<\/p>\n How am I? I had a manic episode last summer that ruined my marriage. Other than that, things are great!<\/p>\n How am I? I am so anxious I feel I am going to implode, but I have to get out in life to make money so that I can have enough money to buy my meds. My life is a mess.<\/p>\n