Anyone can suffer from depression. It is not just introverts who struggle with the mental illness, and not all depressed people are introverted. For the ones who have to deal with both introversion and depression, it can be extremely difficult. Trust me, I know.

What is it like to be introverted? This is the basic nature of introverts that is plastered on every informational source imaginable: we are very reserved, we love spending time alone, and we take longer to open up to people. Underneath our quiet exterior, our minds are very loud and can be very obnoxious.

What does this have to do with depression? For starters, let's go back to discussing our loud minds. We're over thinkers. We think about literally everything, from a scenario that could've gone better to the tone of someone's voice that may have sounded annoyed. Try combining this with social seclusion. What do you get? Possible low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, and despair.

Speaking of socialization, let's move on. We feel uncomfortable in social situations, especially unfamiliar ones. We get overwhelmed and emotionally drained. When we leave an event, we replay the awkward moments in our heads, leading to discouragement.

Oh, and you may believe we are always happy in solitude. Wrong. Social isolation isn't any better. Sure, we like being alone, but we also crave personal relationships. Without someone to talk to, we are left to suppress our thoughts and problems. We feel so so alone. We force ourselves to suffer in silence.

It's very hard for an introvert with depression to ask for help. As stated above, it is not easy to open up to others. In my experience, I hate sharing my problems with anyone. My mind will tell me that my problems are stupid or it will tell me not to burden other people. So I tend to keep quiet.

However, I know my mind is just feeding me lies. My problems aren't stupid. I am not burdening anyone by opening up. I'm helping myself and allowing my loved ones to help me. This is a truth that's sometimes very hard for me to remember.

For those struggling with depression, introverted or not, you are not alone.