Depression!

Depression, that one word we throw around so easily nowadays. That one word is used to describe anything from a bad day to an overwhelming inability to live life. But it’s much more than that. It slowly takes over a person’s life to the point where they forget the good things in life. It is insidious, building up over time and eats the person from within. It starts with a few little things, leading to bigger changes in one’s behavior. Then in a sudden, that famous black cloud is overhead.

Depression is when everything feels too hard. You find it harder to get out of the bed in the morning. The things you enjoyed earlier doesn’t hold the same joy. The pressure to do the small things is even bigger. People always say you should talk to someone, but how do you put it in words, which are getting difficult for you to even understand. How do you explain that this no longer feels like a choice, that it controls you not the other way round. Depression is a reaction to a life that you never imagined would be yours. A reaction to stress and a seeming inability to change your situation. It is an in-acceptance of how things are or were. It is lack of self-care and giving too much of yourself to others. It is a deep sadness and regret. We are not always aware of why it happens because of how slowly and quietly it sneaks up on us.

 Yes, at the early stages of depression things like getting out for a walk, or talking to a friend can help. But with a longer lasting, deeper depression all of these things can feel too hard. This is also what makes it so hard to come out of it alone.

Firstly, acceptance is the key. Own it up to yourself. Allow depression to be a part of your life.

Secondly, allow yourself the time needed to get out of this, it does take time. There is no magic, it slowly gets better. Don’t allow not being able to imagine a better future put you off making changes now.

Thirdly, get help from somewhere. They will support you, and you need to allow that to happen. There is always resistance, and sometimes the biggest battle can be making that choice to allow others to help.

Hope is one the things that disappear with depression, so for now lets find that hope again for ourselves.