For those of you who struggle with a mental health issue, you know how frustrating, confusing, and exhausting it can be, especially when you have other stressful things to worry about in your life. We know the struggle all too well, so this blog isn’t necessarily for us. This blog is for those who aren’t as familiar with it and don’t fully understand what it’s like. I want you all to get the inside scoop on what it feels like when I go through a spell of depression and anxiety. This will probably be one of the hardest posts I’ve ever written because I’m usually not this open about myself, but I guess that’s the point of Let’s Flourish Together. I want to grow with my readers as we become better educated on topics of importance and become the best versions of ourselves, and that requires vulnerability and honesty. My hope is that after you’ve read this blog, you’ll know a little more about me and have a much better understanding of what it’s like to suffer from depression and anxiety. Understand that what I’ll be sharing in my blog is specific to me — not everyone who deals with this feels the same way I feel or has the same experiences.
For starters, let’s define the two terms. Depression is “a condition of general emotional dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason” (Dictionary.com). Anxiety is “distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune” (Dictionary.com). It’s a very common misconception that depression must be caused by something, but that’s not always the case. Most of the time, when I get depressed, usually I have no clue what triggered it or why I’m feeling that way. It’s like going out for the day expecting sun, but out of nowhere it starts pouring down raining, and you’re stuck outside without an umbrella. It’s completely unexpected, and I usually don’t have a clue that it’s coming until it’s already staring me in the face.
Most people who don’t fully understand depression will say, “Well, why don’t you just go do something that you enjoy so that you’ll feel better?” Honestly, it’s not that simple. For me, it’s a struggle to even get out of bed, so to get up and go out feels impossible. Lacking the energy to get out of bed can sometimes mean that you won’t eat, shower, or brush your hair until you gather up the strength to swing your legs off of the bed, push your weight onto the ground, and get up. Yes, it’s literally a struggle.
For those of us who go through this pretty regularly, talking about it with our loved ones can be pretty challenging. Don’t get me wrong, I want to talk to my mom and my fiance’ about how I’m feeling, but it’s not easy. It’s like trying to explain something you learned in an anatomy class that you barely passed ten years ago. Explaining my feelings is difficult because it’s hard to talk about something that I don’t fully understand myself. The best thing that you can do as a loved one if you know someone that struggles with depression and anxiety is to be a listening ear and make yourself available to talk. However, understand that just because you make yourself available to talk, that doesn’t mean that the person will want to talk. Just let it be known that you are here when they need you, and keep that promise if they ever eventually need to talk to you.
Anxiety is quite challenging to deal with as well. I tell my family all the time that it feels like my mind is trying to poison me, and it sounds all dramatic, but that’s the best way to describe what it feels like for me when I’m experiencing this. I’ll give you an example. I know in my heart that my fiance’ loves me 10,000% and will stick with me through whatever happens, but my brain will try to challenge that even after being together for almost six years. It’s as if there’s a voice in my head that constantly tries to poison my mind with bad thoughts. It’ll say, “He loves you now, but he’s not going to deal with this forever. All of the spells of depression are going to be too much, and he’s going to leave.” Now, my fiance’ truly is the most amazing, supportive, and caring man that I’ve ever met, but my brain doesn’t care. It doesn’t acknowledge what my heart knows. It just takes my fear of being a burden on others and makes me think the worse.
I’m not using these things as an excuse — I just want to inform you all of what it feels like to be in this position. It’s hard, but I do understand that it can be just as hard for our loved ones who don’t understand but want to do whatever they can to help. For me, personally, I ask for patience and guidance. Be patient with me because it’s an internal battle, and there are consecutive days where I feel like I’m always getting armored up for war. Guide me because feeling alone can be the worst part of it; I’m open to advice, random messages of positivity, and acts of kindness.
If you know someone who struggles with depression and anxiety, please reach out to them more than just one time. I know life gets hectic sometimes and we tend to forget, but keep those people in your thoughts and prayers. Let them know that you’re thinking of them so that when the anxiety hits and their heart begins to go to war with their brain, the heart will have a better chance of winning because of all of the love and affection you’ve consistently shown. Not saying it will work every time because, as we all know, anxiety doesn’t work like that, but every effort helps. Also, don’t be afraid to ask what they need or want from you to make things easier on them. Just as I need patience and guidance, your loved one might need something much simpler or even something a little more complex.
Now, before I send you off to go about the rest of your day, please understand these final two points that I want to emphasize:
- Depression can come when someone dies, you lose your job, or you go through a bad breakup, but depression can also come when everything in life is going really well too.
- Not everyone who is depressed is suicidal, so don’t assume that your loved one is thinking of committing suicide. However, understand that suicide is a thought for some people. If you ask your loved one if they have suicidal thoughts and they say no, the only thing you can do is believe them and let them know you’re there for them regardless. If they say yes, let them know how loved they are and be there for them.
Thank you all for reading this blog; I know that this one was a bit heavier than normal, but I feel like it needed to be said. Feel free to leave me any comments or questions you have, and I’ll be sure to answer them as best I can.
“That’s the thing about depression: A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it’s impossible to ever see the end. The fog is like a cage without a key.” — Elizabeth Wurtzel
Thanks for the insight into this disease. So many are quick to judge without learning about the full extent of depression. Keep sharing!
Depression and anxiety are always important to catch early. Process your feelings and ask yourself why you feel this way, and always take active steps to combat it! You deserve a healthy mindset!
I am glad you shared your story. It’s not easy being vulnerable. I feel the more it is talked about more people could be stopped from harming themselves. I know when I was deep in depression I felt like a burden to everyone. Although they didn’t think that. It was hard to make me think differently.
Exactly. That support from outside people who can constantly reassure us how loved we are and how important we are can be so crucial. You never know who is going through something and what kind words that you can say to them that will help them. Thank you for reading!
Unfortunately depression and anxiety are very hard to understand by people who have never experienced them. That is why they say “just snap out of it and be happy”. Unfortunately it is not that easy
Exactly. If snapping out of it and being happy were that easy, no one would ever feel ANY negative emotions. That’s why I wanted to put this blog out… so that people can understand that it’s not an easy thing to do. Thank you for reading!
THank you for sharing this! None of my closer friends are family openly struggle with depression or anxiety, so it’s nice to learn what it can look like!
I’m glad I can help shed light on it! Depression looks different for everyone, but knowing a little more about it can be helpful. Thanks for reading!
Wow. This was so brave of you. I feel like I’ve been watching you evolve from the day we met and this is one of your biggest leaps yet. I am proud of you and I love pass the moon.
Thank you so much for your undying support. I love you more. Best fiance’ ever. 🙂
I used to date someone who was struggling with depression. I wish I knew then how to spot the signs early, maybe I could have helped him more than I did.
Not knowing how to help is okay. Sometimes, we don’t know the best way that you can help. As long as you made sure that you were there for him in whatever way you knew how, I’m sure he appreciated it.
Depression is a serious case which we shouldn’t ignore. It could affect every one of us regardless of our status.
Exactly, and so many people ignore it because they don’t understand it. Thanks for reading.
I sometimes get situational depression and know that its live decisions that have made me feel that way. In my case, it does help to change my thinking and set goals for myself.
Definitely — setting goals is a great way to help. Thanks for sharing!
Hello fellow warrior dropping by to show some love and support. You have some interesting points 💕 thank you so much for sharing!!
With love,
JenRa
Thank you so much for reading — I really appreciate it.
Please know that you are loved beyond words, I love you, please call whenever you just need to talk,I will always listen without judgment.
Thank you so much, Mrs. Gertrude. That really touched my heart. I appreciate your love and continued support — I love you so so much!
Depression sucks. Understanding it means defeating it. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading!
So many people suffer from depression every day. But there are only a few people who understand it and its signs. I will share this article with everyone. Thanks
Thank you so much for reading and sharing my story. I appreciate that.
Having overcome depression myself, I know how difficult it is to have it. You don’t have the drive to do anything and you loose interest on what used to find enjoyable. It’s sad though that some thinks you’re just acting and was told to “snap out of it” it’s as though it’s that easy.
Exactly. I am glad that you’ve overcome it, and I hope to do that as well. Thank you so much for reading.
Thank you very much! It means a lot. <3
There are many victims of depression. Fortunately, some of them overcome the disease. Thanks for sharing this!
Knowing that many people do overcome it helps a lot. Thank you for sharing!
in our country, awareness on depression and anxiety is not that much. but there are some advocates working to educate the public about how important to understand these things.
I definitely do wish that this topic was talked about more, but I still have hope that we as a people will become more informed about mental health issues in our society. Thank you for reading!
this is so wonderful and so brave! as someone who deals with anxiety it’s nice to read about other people too. Makes you feel less alone!
Thank you so much. It’s always more helpful knowing that other people are talking about their experiences too. Thanks for reading!
as someone who suffers with anxiety, I totally agree with this blog. You have done nice research.
Thank you for reading!
Understanding depression and the reasons for depression and taking necessary care is very important. Your post definitely helps the needy ones.
Thank you very much for reading.