I have been very open and honest about my struggles with anxiety and depression. They are awful mental illnesses that no one should have to endure. Unfortunately there are a lot of people who are affected by this awful thing, and I would like to point out some things about depression.

So I always hear people say, “Oh this makes me so depressed,” or things like, “Oh no, don’t get depressed about this.” I hate to break it to you, but depression is a very complex thing. You can be depressed, but still smile to the world. Depression is not something to joke about just because you think it is cute. You know what depression is? It is not wanting to do your favorite things, and you just can’t explain why. It is staying in bed all day because you just don’t have the energy to get up. Depression is when you just can’t help but feel sad, with no real explanation behind it. It sucks, to put it simply. It isn’t fun to have, nor is it funny.

I have struggled with depression for a while now, and I can honestly say that it is not easy. There have been several days where I just don’t feel like doing anything. I know I need to do what I need to do, but I just can’t bring myself to do it.

Personally, I never understand people who make fun of others who take medicine to help with their depression. My medicine helps me so much. Depression makes it to where your brain can’t properly produce the hormones that you need. It is a chemical imbalance of the brain. Medicine was made to help your brain produce the things that you need. I can’t wait for the day that I don’t need medicine to feel something again. Having depression just makes me feel so numb to everything around me. This has been a constant battle, but I refuse to let it get to me.

Depression is real, and many people have to deal with this struggle. I may be all smiles and happy when I am around people, but on the inside it is different. I personally just don’t like it when people are constantly asking me what is wrong with me, only because I really don’t have a real reason to be. Besides, telling a bunch of people that I struggle with depression just doesn’t sound fun. However, depression is not something to be ashamed of.

So with this, I hope people think carefully next time they make an ill-planned joke, because it might be hurtful to someone around them. Depression is an everyday battle for some people, and it really causes a fuss in people’s lives. It is most definitely not a joke.