Why We Need To Seriously Talk About Depression | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Why We Need To Seriously Talk About Depression

We should not have to hide pain because of fear or doubt.

756
Why We Need To Seriously Talk About Depression
Shuttershock

“You aren't really depressed. Other people have it much worse than you. You're fine.”

That can be almost a commonplace thing you'll hear if you've confided in someone about your mental health before. And when you think about it, the comment itself is pretty irritating. When people say something like that, they're talking about a physical experience, something like fighting in war, nearly dying, starving in a foreign country, etc. But here's the thing: depression is a mental illness. You cannot see what is going on in someone's head (if you can, let me know, that's pretty cool actually). The psychological torture that depression puts you through isn't something to be written off just because someone has had a normal life, or a less “horrible” life. We all have nightmares, no matter who or where we are. We all experience pain. And suffering. And doubt. And shame. We are all filled with a complex galaxy of emotions and thoughts that nobody else can see or hear.

So why do we constantly write off depression? Why don't we talk more about it? I spent years of my life never getting help for very serious depression because I kept seeing people saying that “everyone is just depressed nowadays.” It silences you. It closes any discussion. I would lie awake on so many nights thinking, “this is just how it is.” And it isn't.

Depression causes you to doubt yourself. It causes you to hate yourself. It causes you to separate yourself. Your mind is constantly swimming with thoughts of loathing. Or sadness. Or anger. It's not normal. I used to think being numb to the world was normal. Why do we let people think that that’s normal? Or not serious?

Lately, I’ve decided to start opening up more. I've become oddly blunt and sarcastic about the subject of depression, but at least I'm not alone any longer in my thoughts. The loneliness that depression causes in your head is unbearable. Finally talking about depression was a weight lifted off my shoulders. I used to think my friends and my family wouldn't be supportive if I talked with them. In all honesty, that was probably caused by my depressed mind saying they all hated me, but I digress. I was met with more support and understanding once I started becoming more open, because while depression isn't normal, everyone experiences it. The state of depression isn't normal, but the experience is.

“You never seemed depressed.”

That was the main thing I heard when I would tell my friends about the years I spent hating life (and I mean it, I hated life). Hearing that comment always made me laugh though, because who wants to be the mopey zoo lion around their friends? I'd picture it going like this:

The setting: random living room. The characters: random group of friends. The time: whenever.

Them: “Hey guys, how's life been going for you lately?”

You: “Well, actually I really want to die, and I think you all hate me.”

Mopey. Zoo. Lion.

I never wanted to make my friends feel awkward. I never wanted to burden people, or bring down the mood. But you know what? Friends are the ones who are supposed to be there for you, through thick and thin. And if they don't accept you, or try to support you, then are they really your friends? Or is it just a superficial cordiality? I'm starting to sound like a mom from a teenage drama.

We need to talk more about mental health. How many times a day do we get asked how we are, but we lie? I'm not saying that when a random stranger asks “hey, how are you?” that you should reply with an honest answer of “constantly battling the depression that ravages through my head and has left me in a state of almost obsessive self doubt and loathing.” That would obviously be weird (and yet somehow my sarcastic nature is now begging me to say that to a stranger). But seriously, when a real friend asks you how you are, next time… Be honest if you're not okay.

No matter who you are, where you live, what you've been through… You deserve to feel happy (unless you get happy from killing people, or stuff like that, I guess). You deserve to have your mental health addressed in seriousness. You deserve to not be written off as not depressed just because someone might have it worse. We need to start honestly opening discussion to the seriousness of depression.

You never know what anyone could be going through. Next time you're in a crowd, look at the people around you. Any single one of them could be fighting an internal battle too harsh for words to describe. Suffering in silence. Don't let your friends suffer in silence.

“You are depressed. I hear you. You're not fine. Do you want to talk about it with me?”

That's how it should go.

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

It's finally flu season! It's around that time in the school year where everyone on campus is getting sick, especially if they live in the dorms. It's hard to take care of yourself while being sick at school, but here are some coping mechanisms to get you on the path to feeling better!

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

The Battle Between College And My Mental Health

College isn't easy, and I'm afraid I'm not going to make it at the rate my mental health is going.

209
woman sitting on black chair in front of glass-panel window with white curtains
Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

Everyone tells you that college is hard, but they fail to explain why. Sure, classes are hard. Math sucks, and political science can be so boring. But that's not even what's killing me about college. What's killing me about college is my deterioating mental health.

As a college student, I feel as if people don't understand just how exhausted I, and fellow college students are. We have so many things going on, all the time, and sometimes it's hard to explain to people how we feel. Personally...I'm tired. I'm sad. And I'm struggling every single day with my emotions. But the thing is, it hasn't always been this way. I haven't always hated school, so why am I feeling like this now?

Keep Reading...Show less
manager

For the average 20-something, life moves pretty fast. You’ve got classes, friends, relationships, jobs, family, and whatever else we overcommit ourselves with. I probably should have learned to say no to adding more to my schedule a long time ago, but instead here are 11 things that can be more helpful than coffee.

Keep Reading...Show less
Parks And Rec
NBC

Your professor mentions there's a test in a few days and you didn't know about it.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf

Resting b***h face. Defined as a person, usually a girl, who naturally looks mean when her face is expressionless, without meaning to. Many of you suffer from this "condition." You are commonly asked what's wrong, when nothing is. What people don't know is that is just your facial expression. Here are some things they wish you knew.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments