How to manage depression when you live in a dysfunctional household?

@Snapdragon Hello Snapdragon, thank you for starting this discussion. I'm sorry to hear you're in a difficult living situation. Let me tag some other members who may not have seen this yet.

Hi everyone, how have you been?
Often times our homes are our "safe place" of refuge from everything that's bothering us, so when you're in a difficult or dysfunctional living situation, it can be hard to cope. Have you ever been in a tough situation like Snapdragon? How did you manage your depression? Do you have any advice to share? 
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Feel free to share your thoughts and stories here!

Take care,
Courtney

I, too, I’ve had depression my whole life. I have been on medication for depression and anxiety for most of my grown life, yet they really don’t help. I also was in a horrible living situation, and I finally sat down with the people I was living with, and had an honest, heart to heart conversation with them, as I was going through cancer, as well, and the husband had no respect for me or my needs. It changed nothing. I finally found a low income apartment complex, the problem is, it is low income, so the people that live here, are also low income and low class. There’s drugs, fighting, thievery, anything in the low class arena is here. I try to mind my own business, I don’t talk to anybody, and I am hoping to move out after the first of the year. I tried to be away from the house as much as I could, going to the library, the park, sitting in a coffee house, and reading my phone, any way to not be at that house. Each state has housing programs, you might want to research those. I’m sure you’ve heard of Section  8, and low income housing, which is what I’m in, not the best situation, but at least I live by myself and don’t have to put up with anybody else’s crap. Please let me know if I can help you in any other way, and I wish you all the best. 

i have been diagnosed major depression since 7th grade and i live in a dysfuntinal household, and i can relate but what you have to do is stay strong,

Before I met my fiance and moved to live near him, I was stuck in a horribly dysfunctional household. I was tasked with caring for a family member with a gambling addiction, except the family member was not in recovery. They saw fit to use me to further their gambling problem by manipulating and forcing me into providing them with money or covering for them. I also suspect Munchaussen by Proxy, or at least a subclinical form, as they tried to convince me and everyone else in town that I had disabilities I don't have. I suspect this was done both as a cover for the gambling, and as an attention and sympathy play on its own. I know I'm supposed to say "Turn your community" at this point, but after all this, there was no community out there for me. Most of the town bought the lies and treated me accordingly. Those that didn't wound up being people who saw my vulnerabilities and used them for their own gain. The people I thought were going to be my best friends in the world turned on me so horribly, I wanted to die. One of them stole a business I was trying to build with the help of the other.The "helper" ghosted me, made me think Id done wrong, came back like nothing was odd, then told me never to speak to him again...followed by him stalking me all over town. After I finally got rid of these two (and learned how to slip the stalker guy), I found what I thought was a boyfriend, but turned out to be a guy planning to traffick me. My best advice is to go online for support...but be careful there too. In the middle of all this, I was catfished by somebody I met online. My life from ages 16 to 40 was a nightmare. 

Suggestions for Snapdragon: go for daily walks, visit the library, read books, find an interest and try to develop a weekly routine--people who are at the park same time you are/library reading group, etc, neighborhood walkers,etc.Try to find one interest that you could share with a friend or new friend; I've heard people going to coffee shops and meeting new people there. It is harder in this covid time but some times it just helps to have a friendly face with no attachmnet other than a smile which is free and a great way to start.

Hey All,

THANK YOU! It's so kind of you to share and offer suggestions and share your similar issues.

I've been volunteering at a local animal shelter (no kill) which has helped me get out of my house a bit. I live in a hot climate and have a thyroid problem - which limits me from being able to take walks for most of the year as I overheat and pass out. 

I've tried talking to them and it did no good....I completely understand about low income housing and the issues that come with it. 

Just knowing that there are people out there that understand is at least validating....

I can't afford to get into see a therapist, so I guess you're stuck with me here....

Again thanks,

Snapdragon

Well I'm actually in that boat now. I feel so hopeless at home and that's supposed to be my place of security. I want my man to protect me but he is the one causing the pain so I'm just lost.

I lived with my husband for 10 year,I had to leave because people are telling me I didn't have to leave and I was wrong to leave this head started me with major depression. And feeling I'm loneliness

I can't believe my husband left 10 years because he molested my granddaughter and people are telling me I'm wrong because I left

I am I've been going through breast cancer and very bad depression and I cannot find housing