It's been too many times when the term depression has been used incorrectly, and to some people, that could really hurt because in a way, when it is being used lightly, you are devaluing their experience and their struggle with it, which is never okay. So here is a poem I wrote to help clear the air and bring about awareness.

Depression Does Not Equal Sad

Depression is not when your favorite restaurant is closed

Depression is not when you have to stay home to work on stuff instead of going out

Depression is not when that show got discontinued

Depression is not when your friend says so

It isn't any one of these things,

because depression is not often a result

Depression is a catalyst

Depression is the smaller person inside of your chest

You carry it around like Linus and his blanket

Depression demands a lot of attention

Depression won't let you go out without its permission

Depression will keep you in bed if it isn't fully rested yet

Depression will keep you from joining in the laughs if it doesn't think it's funny enough

Depression requires a lot of check-ins

Take a lot of breaks

Stop going to practice, stop going to class

Stop doing anything that doesn't have to do with Depression

Because Depression needs you to check in

And if you were to try to leave?

Depression will be butt hurt

But it will let you leave,

As long as you agree to a few small things

First, depression will leave but take with it

your energy

It will take your motivation and drive

It will take your laughter

It will take your happy

But Depression is generous

For it will leave you Numb

So that you don't have to feel the hurt

Of having lost what you lost

So that you don't feel the need to do anything really

So you can just lay in your Numbness

And be Numb and simply Numb

Depression will also leave Memory

So you can remember what it was like

Before you let depression in

Remember what it was like

When Depression ruled

And now truly feel what it is when depression has left

So now you have Numb and you have Memory

And you start to wonder

Should you invite depression back in?

Because Depression sucked

But depression at least gave you back your feelings

Depression knows you are weak

So it invites itself back in

This time more comfortably

Wreaking more havoc in your brain

Because you were nothing without Depression

And this knowledge hurts

Are you anything but Depression?

Can you be?

Are you real?

Is any of It?

So this game goes on

Months at first

Then possibly years

Depression coming and leaving in waves

Whenever it wants, for however long

And every time

The core of you gets eroded

Like a shell in sand

Until you don't remember your original form

And you're not sure why or how

But now you are a prisoner to your own mind

Depression is a bully

Depression doesn't care

Depression just got comfy

And is coming in for the long haul

You become so isolated

And you don't even realize you are alone half the time

You even forget how Depression is

How does it change you?

How did it come in?

You are at the point where you just don't know

If Depression is really there

Or if you are simply making it up

Because now Depression became your twisted friend

And you are lonely and would give anything to a friend

For a real connection

This is Depression

But understand this,

you are not your Depression

And when you understand this,

Understand that everything you have survived through

Has shaped you, and built you up and put you down

But has never become you, or you it

So don't let it win

Breathe in one more day and out one more night

Depression simply hasn't met the world outside

Depression is shy and Depression is afraid

So open the door and let the fresh air in

Depression could use a new breath