There has been alot of talk about depression over the last few days..

One of the most depressing things about have disfigurements (next to
having NF at all) is that very often some people equate 'looking
different' to being stupid. The number of times I have had people
treating me as if I am mentally impaired when infact the reverse is
probably true. I am studying professional accountancy exams and am
due to sit finals very soon. I keep having to tell myself that many
so called normal people couldn't manage these.

Something else depressing. I also see people looking at the lumps
and bumps on my face neck and hands as if I am some kind of freak.
How a person looks should not matter to any decent intelligent
person. Unfortunately people like this are thin on the ground.

Another depressing thing is the lack of nice cover up clothes
available. I am having problems finding nice high neck pretty
jumpers. All I can find are 'granny tops' and nothing pretty and
feminine. I feel terrible going into shops at this time of year
desperately looking for high neck tops and blouses and T Shirts with
slightly longer sleeves. (I have bumps and scars on the top of my
arms). I hate going out to places where most other people are
dressed in pretty skimpy clothes and I am all covered up. I am also
fairly tall so I stand out in a crowd. I cant hide so easily. I am
sick of wearing cotton polo neck jumpers and high neck blouses. I
scour the shops for these and buy several at a time when I manage to
find them. I often find myself in tears in clothes shops.

I am 40 and single and feel lonely and unwanted. I have no brothers
and sisters and my NF was not inherited, it was sporadic. There are
many people who think there is something the matter with people who
are still single at my age. I sometimes feel embarrassed about it.
People usually think you are either weird or gay. When infact you
have absolutely no self confidence due to the horrible ugly lumps and
bumps and would love to be happily married with a husband and
children.

More depressing things. The fact that I get no check ups and the
lumps and bumps could be growing uncontrolled everywhere and anywhere
inside me. I would rather something was spotted before the damage
was done rather than when the symptoms appear and it is possibly too
late.

There are many other things other than the horrible ugly condition I
have which make me depressed. If there was something that could be
done about all the things I have mentioned than I would probably be
alot less depressed and more relaxed.