This is an open letter to anyone who couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel...
Chad Sugg, author of the poetry book Monsters Under Your Head, once said, "If you're reading this.. Congratulations, you're alive. If that's not something to smile about, then I don't know what is."
Until recently, I never understood how someone could be so sad, miserable, frustrated, and isolated. Until recently, I couldn't comprehend how there are so many amazing things to see, smell, eat, experience, and love for someone to be ready to give up. Until recently, I never understood what feeling depressed actually meant. Until recently, I never realized that asking for help makes you stronger than you would ever let yourself believe.
Getting the help you need, and deserve, is the first step to getting better. And in all honesty, I think it is one of the scariest steps there is because you don't want to be labeled or looked at a certain way. You don't want to feel like you're looking for the attention. You don't want people to act different around you. You feel like it's all in your head- that you're the crazy one because everyone is so happy and you aren't, so grasping the idea that it is okay to have the feelings you do seems so far out of reach, its unfathomable.
Being depressed is a lot more common than people think. Nearly 14.8 million people in the United States are affected by depression and yet, there is still a stigma that follows the disease and the people who have it.
I'm here to break the stigma that associates with depression.
This past Thursday, I was diagnosed with moderately-severe depression and anxiety. It felt like such an out of body experience because it just didn't feel like me sitting there talking to the doctor, I had changed without even realizing it until it was brought to my attention by someone I loved.
In the process of being diagnosed, I was prescribed medicine that will hopefully help with the depression and get me back to my "normal" self. I am writing this for anyone who has ever had depression, is going through it now, or knows someone with the disease. People are a lot more open to listening than you might think. People can, and will, surprise you. I know that they did for me.
Going through this process and more importantly talking to people has made me realize how many people I have in my corner, that care, and want to listen or know what is going on in my life. I am lucky to have that support system. I am learning that the feelings I have been having are normal. I'm 21 years old with a one year old, in my last semester of college, have diabetes, and am trying to keep it all together.... Now that I think about it, I wonder how I didn't break down or struggle sooner. Life is hard as it is and some factors can make it even more difficult but it is how we respond to them that is the ultimate test.
Having the disease of depression doesn't mean your life is over as you know it and if you think that then reach out. Having depression doesn't mean you will never be happy again and if you think that then reach out. Having depression doesn't mean you are permanently broken. You scars show your strength from the past and don't define your future.
