"There is nothing worse than knowing you have it all - and being depressed"
I am not a professional, but I have lived with this disease for over 2 decades, studied psychology in school and I've spent a long time educating myself on Mental Illness.
I have spent many years feeling ashamed, and I'm on a mission to end that! It seems to be a lot easier to talk about anxiety vs depression. Which makes sense, no one likes to talk about the dark, tough shit. Hell, I know I don't!
The reason I'm so passionate about spreading awareness about this illness is that it can lead to death. The final symptom is suicide. That's it, Flame out.
People die from depression Every. Single. Day.
So why can't we openly talk about depression? Don't wait until its too late and say, I wish I had known.
Prevention of suicide STARTS with people talking about depression; Have the conversations, educate yourself, share your story, be vulnerable and PLEASE Check in on your people!
Be an advocate and a change maker!
I wanted to write a post to try and shed some light on this illness.
See, its not just feeling "sad" - its so much more than that, which is why I think its still widely misunderstood.
By definition: Depression is a mood disorder that is marked by varying degrees of sadness, despair, and loneliness and that is typically accompanied by inactivity, guilt, loss of concentration, social withdrawal, sleep disturbances, and sometimes suicidal tendencies.
(taken from Depression Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster)
So what causes depression?
well, there are a number of different factors that can cause depression:
Genetics - family history can increase your chances
Gender - females are twice as likely to suffer from depression
Trauma or Abuse
Substance abuse
Chemical imbalance in the brain
major life events - marriage, kids, death/loss, career changes etc
pregnancy (post partum)
A couple of months ago I reached out to my network, asking those that have experienced depression to describe it to me....here's what we came up with.
Depression is...
Depression is consuming, it kind of creeps in like a dark cloud and swallows you into a darkness you can't seem to escape.
Its scary and incredibly lonely - and unfortunately there is still SO MUCH shame associated to depression that most of us don't even talk about it.
Some people can experience only one depressive episode in their lives, while others battle with it most of their lives. I am one of those that has been trying to manage my depression since the age of 15.
I learned over the last year, to see it like a common cold or flu: when you get a cold you rest, take vitamins and do the things you know will make you recover asap.
A depressive episode can be seen the same way; when you feel it coming you do the things you need to in order to help recover.
This can be different for everyone, finding what works for you is key!
I've found that the knowing that this is just for a time - not forever is HUGE in a quicker recovery.
It’s the Catch-22 of depression recovery: all of the things that help the most are the things that are the most difficult to do. Go figure!
Recovering from depression isn’t always quick or easy, this helps me during the "normal" episodes, sometimes Alice is stubborn! She wants to settle in and take over.
During these times I've found it helps to reach out to someone, a support person, someone you trust and that understands your situation.
This person isn't there to fix you, but rather to be there in whatever capacity you need.
Whether its checking in, making sure you eat, coming and sitting with you, emptying your dishwasher.
If you don't have one of these people - FIND ONE, or reach out to me!
There is a big difference between something difficult and something impossible!
Recovery from depression can be difficult BUT its absolutely possible.
Here are some things that can help with battling depression...
know that its temporary and can be recovered from!
Daily Checklist - 3-5 simple tasks you can commit to complete ex: shower, eat something, meditation.
Get outside! a walk or just sitting outside with your coffee
Reach out to a friend (text, call etc)
Wash your face/have a shower
Caring for a pet or plant
gratitude journaling - even if its one sentence
keeping track of positive moments, no matter how small
Listen to music/watch a favorite show or movie
Hobbies - painting, coloring, writing - do something you love to do
Deep breath. you are not alone!
Lastly, I obviously have to share these resources!
This number offers trauma-informed and culturally affirming support to anyone who is thinking of suicide, or who is worried about someone they know.
Thanks for reading!
You Matter
xo
Danielle
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