What Depression Takes From You
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

What Depression Takes From You

Life is better when you learn to enjoy it, but first you have to learn to take care of yourself.

68
What Depression Takes From You

An estimated 121 million people around the world suffer from some form of depression, myself included.

From the outside looking in people wonder why people with depression act the way they do... Why they can't snap out of it, why they can't get out of bed, why they distance themselves further and further from their loved ones.

Depression isn't a simple, "I don't feel like it" or "I'm just having a bad day". It isn't just being sad, angry, or lazy... there's a lot more to it than that.

Being upset is completely normal, but when the feeling doesn't go away and things that once made you feel happy and accomplished don't satisfy you anymore, there might be something wrong.

Depression is never anyone's fault. Someone cannot make you depressed and it's not your own fault if you are depressed. The chemicals in your brain are not at the right level particularly serotonin (joy). Your lacking in it. That's why Anti-depressants like Prozac and Zoloft are prescribed to increase these levels.


Depression can come on gradually or it can be triggered by a traumatic life event. It can range from minor to major. If someone suffers from any form of depression, anything in their life could set them off into a major depressive episode.

Battling depression is a daily struggle; the only way to make progress is to take it one day at a time. You cannot change the past and you cannot control the future, but you can live in the present moment and learn to take care of yourself and cope with what is going on around you at that moment in life. You have to take depression and any mental illness one step at a time, because your biggest enemy is yourself.

You will not want to ask anyone for help, but there will be a day you realize you need to. It's a constant battle: do I need more help, am I ok, no I'm fine, am I though?

If you are struggling at all, ask for help, life is a lot better when you are enjoying it, and when you are living it.

I have already hurt a lot of people and lost a lot in my life because of depression. I have seen too many family members and friends lose their battles with mental illness.


There was one day I was lying in my bed googling, "ways to kill myself" (if you know me you might be shocked or maybe you might not be, that's just another thing about depression—it's really easy to try to hide) but today I am on track to becoming a psychologist to help people get through similar experiences that I went through. Learning to manage depression has made me want to help other people because there are moments I have went through that I wouldn't wish on anyone. I'm not saying that I will never be in that place again because I very well know what to expect, but what I am saying is that living the life you want with depression is possible if you learn to take care of yourself and ask for help when you need it.


For everyone who struggles with a mental illness: your not alone, take it one step at a time, and eventually your good days will be almost all of them

For everyone who has never struggled with a mental illness: I hope you have a little more insight to other people's minds and thank you for reading

For everyone: appreciate the little things and love yourself

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

54987
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35398
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957533
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

184545
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments