For anyone who struggles with depression, I want you to know that I understand. I understand the feelings of emptiness, the loneliness, the sadness, the anger, and the hopelessness. I also understand the physical sensations, like extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, sluggishness, and insomnia. Finally, I understand the pain in your spirit that is caused by depression. You are not alone – believe me. I have suffered from depression for years. As a disclaimer, I am not a mental health professional. All I can do is speak from personal experience and hope that I can offer some helpful advice.
First, please note that you cannot just snap out of depression. Yes, I believed that at many times in my life. I had loved ones tell me to “be more positive” and I would feel better. You can’t just decide you are not going to feel depressed anymore. You can’t just pretend the beast isn’t there haunting you every day and night. Depression is actually a result of brain chemistry, and this is why you can’t snap out of it. Unfortunately, those who do not suffer from depression may have trouble understanding this.
Now that you know you cannot just “snap out” of depression (which you probably already knew), I want to give you some advice on how I personally tackled my depression. First, your number one weapon is to reach out for help from a mental health professional. I avoided this for years because the thought of opening up terrified me. However, therapy is not as scary as it seems, I promise. Also, it can feel refreshing to vent to someone about your struggles. Therapists are there to help and understand you, not to judge you. Personally, it took some time for therapy to start working for me. That being said, it did work. It was a game-changer for me and gave me power over my depression and negative thoughts. It made my depression feel smaller.
Other advice I have is to do things that you love. I don’t mean lay in bed and watch Netflix all day, but I mean pursuing your hobbies and interests. Do the things that you have always wanted to do but were too afraid to do. Spend time with people who make you feel amazing about yourself. Get some physical activity – if you hate doing workouts, simply go for a brisk walk, dance, or do yoga. Get excited about your life again! I know it seems impossible right now, but with therapy and the desire to recover, it will be possible.
Please just know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I never thought that I would love my life again, but I have proved myself wrong. I have power over my depression, and so do you. You are worth it, and I believe in you.
If you like this article, check out: https://stories.harnessmagazine.com/forever-gone/
