depression
It is not just a matter of feeling sad; discover an honest view of the mental, emotional and physical toll of clinical depression.
A Letter to Anyone Who Told Me to Open Up to Them About my Depression
I'm sorry I haven't told you about it. I'm sorry that I've kept an important part of my life hidden from you. And I'm sorry if it offends you that I don't talk to you about it, but just know I have my reasons. Ones that I hope you’ll understand, but I'll get it if you don't.
By Natasha Anne8 years ago in Psyche
Change
From fetus to geriatric we are constantly changing. We learn to walk, talk, climb, run, and so on. Although we are changing all the time, many of us don’t want it. We get accustomed to our typical, everyday life. We sometimes don’t understand why things happen but starting over new isn’t always a dreadful thing. My brother once told me “Sis, if something isn’t going right, you can only start back over. Don’t let yourself for once think it’s a horrible thing. You can only go positive from here on out.” After that day, I caught myself stumbling through my thoughts. Questions, thoughts, comments, anything and everything was flowing through my brain now and forward. It was if I never heard anything so amazing or uplifting. As I continued thinking, I realized and understood clearly what he was trying to embed in my head. Proceeding from a clean slate would only allow me to remove all negativity. So, if positivity is solely what I’m in search of I’m typically just creating space for it right? As I continued, I also found my self tumbling over thoughts that were hard to swallow. Thoughts that were filled with the darkness of the depression from the negative energy was eating me alive. Demons filling my head with feelings of only uneased pain. The scars as I view my temple only make me aware of the demons I’m fighting. Life must go on though… Looking to the sky, tears in my eyes, praying to the God I claim and the universe that surrounds me. I prayed asking for strength, courage, wisdom, and independence from them. Feelings of loneliness, terrified of the emotions overflowing my body as if I’m an erupting volcano stationed in my hometown. The changes must be made voluntarily or by force, they must be met. My standards have fallen off, but it’s time for the criteria of the people in my life to be raised. The changes I must make can be difficult. Although, with the question in mind “Can I make it, or will it break me?” I didn’t know where to begin… Coming to a which I thought was an understanding of life I broke. Broke completely into pieces. My heart was shattered, and I was no longer praying for the strength I need. I was instead now praying for God to end it all. My life was a mess and the change I needed was now M.I.A. The more I thought of what to do, the more I felt lost. I knew deep down what was necessary. I just couldn’t do it. In the belief that I had already reached my breaking point in life at such a youthful age, I was ready to have it end. I attempt what most call suicide, but what I called a cry for help. I was in search of happiness and with the change that needed filling, I was almost sure it could happen. Post attending all the help I was so-called offered, I decided that it was ME I needed to take care of. Now, most people who, if any, read this, I’m not trying to give the sob story but what I am trying to do is make you all aware that suicidal thoughts creep up on the most unexpected people. You’d never guess I am. I help those in need and brighten those days that have rain. In fact, many people call me for advice, which I love because I been through things and want to help. Acknowledging that I need to step my game up, I started following a few rules. I soon began taking care of me. Step one is PUT YOURSELF ABOVE ALL. Number two is POSITIVE ENERGY RATHER THAN NEGATIVITY. Three will be HAPPINESS COMES WITHIN (except you for you). After coming through with a few rules, I knew it was time to start cutting ties. Eliminate the negative energy in life, whether the people that need to be let go of were blood or not, it was time. If you can cut out the energy draining yours, you will be fine. I lost many friends and I even have family that are done. So, from here on out we must put ourselves above all others. No, this doesn’t me I am better than anyone, it simply means I love, respect, and cherish myself enough to know you are not fit for my life specifically. Some people just come to you to teach you a lesson or show you some things. On the other hand, people come and stay through life. Everything and anything you do in life must be you. Don’t worry about what anyone says. It’s up to you to change your old ways for a better you.
By Story Of A Stranger8 years ago in Psyche
The Darker Days
Depression... For me, it all started about six years ago. On a summer day my brother attempted to commit suicide. Only my mother and I were home, so it was my responsibility to call 9-1-1 while she tried to get details out of him. With my voice shaking and hands trembling, I tried to pull myself together enough to get the words out. The ambulance came and took him to the hospital. He was put into a medically induced coma. Thankfully he survived and doesn’t have any long term effects.
By Kaitlynn Pownall8 years ago in Psyche
How I Beat Depression
Depression is clinically described as: "Persistently low, depressed mood, consistent for at least two weeks." But for over 300 million people worldwide, depression can last for years, or even one's entire life. Thankfully, our understanding of psychology and medical practices has grown to the point where we have some effective treatments for the condition, but many of us still have to deal with it every day.
By J. P. Frattini8 years ago in Psyche
Ask Me How I Am
We all know someone who suffers with depression, even if we don’t really know they are suffering. The world can become a dark and lonely place for that person, but it’s so easy to make a difference to them. Ask them how they are. From personal experience that one simple question can make all the difference and here is why.
By Grace O'Neill8 years ago in Psyche
The Reality of Living with Mental Illnesses
Mental illness can be classified as many things from anxiety all the way to serious psychological issues, and believe it or not most of the people you know probably suffer from mental health issues. It can affect their mood, how they work, and even their physical health. And guess what? There isn't a magic cure-all for it. In fact, it can only be maintained using proper methods or in serious cases, medication. I, myself, suffer from anxiety and depression and it is a constant war. The bad days are often triggered by life-changing events or devastating news. Ranting helps, herbal tea and music do too, but I will never be magically cured. That's the reality of it.
By Katelynn Marie 8 years ago in Psyche
Shine a Little Light
Depression is a topic that is typically avoided for many reasons. Some people feel they need to be strong for those around them. Sometimes it’s just simply frowned upon to discuss. More often than not, people want to be understood and felt like nobody around them can relate to their issues. I was officially diagnosed with mild to moderate depression and mild anxiety about a year ago. Though, looking back, I can tell I’ve had it much longer; this was the first time I addressed it.
By Jazmyne Smith8 years ago in Psyche
The Girl with the Many Tattoos
The greatest thing about depression is that it makes you feel that things can never be any other way. The hopelessness is so profound, no amount of external coercion can reason it away. I used to feel such a lack of control during my depressive state that I turned to the only thing I felt like gave me some control. I started self-harming. This is a story about how I managed to fight that impulse and did not allow my depression to overwhelm me.
By Ayesha Javed8 years ago in Psyche
I Am Depressed, Please Stop Telling Me to 'Cheer Up'
I am depressed. Please stop telling me to "cheer up." I remember the first time I heard the word "depression." I was 11 and in my first year at secondary school. My best friend at the time had obviously just learnt that this word meant "upset" or "sad" or any adjective that similarly describes a slightly disappointed or uneasy emotion or feeling. She used it to describe anything from there not being the dessert she liked in the lunch hall to having to do P.E. class (to be fair, a pretty depressing experience). I didn’t realise how serious it was to claim you were "depressed." At that age it’s very easy to throw around words without knowing the meaning. Unfortunately, we seem to continue to do so as adults. I actually just did, by claiming that P/E claim was depressing.
By Samantha Bentley8 years ago in Psyche
