1. The Pair is Crippling.
Together, depression has you sleepy, sad, and wanting to simply stay in bed all day. Anxiety has you worried about what people are thinking, maybe has your heart racing, and that shaky feeling that makes you unable to sit still. When you have both of these, it almost feels like you can't breathe. All you can do is try to smile through it.
2. Daily Activities Seem Almost Impossible
Anxiety, especially of the social flavor, can really hinder the ability to function in daily life. Even making a phone call can seem like the hardest thing you can think of. What will you say? What if your voice cracks? What if...? Depression is known for making you lose all of your will to do anything and lose interest in things that you may have loved before. It is an empty feeling you get while spending time with family, friends, or alone. It is the nothing that comes when you play your favorite game or make your favorite craft.
3. It Takes Everything You Can Not To Get Raging Mad When People Make Fun of These Illnesses
You know those kids snickering in the background joking about the geeky kid stuttering in class as he answers a question the teacher asks, or maybe the girls who laugh at the girl in gym with the scars on her stomach? It takes everything you can to not vent out in a rant at these people. A lot of people do not understand anxiety and depression and even fewer understand the impact of having both. Ending the stigma is very important to you.
4. Sometimes It Feels Like No One Understands You
Hey, we have all been there. Believe me when I say that! However, if you have anxiety, depression, or even both, the feelings can be overwhelming. Sometimes it really does feel like no one cares or that no one is willing to listen. Please know that people are there for you, even if it might not seem like it. Counselors, teachers, peers, family, and even you doctors are there for you. It may be really hard to reach out, but it does help.
5. Reaching Out is HARD
Like I noted previous, talking it out can be hard when you feel alone and scared. It can feel like the most impossible and daunting thing in the universe. However, those of you who have reach out know that it is worth it. Talk therapy, medication, and the like have all been proven to help in most accounts, especially with depression and anxiety. You are not alone and people are here to help you fight and move past this!
