. Depression is for a lifetime, usually, if it a chemical imbalance of sorts, as mine is. I have been on and off of medication since I was 16..that's coming up on 8 years now. I can say I have made progress. Not without many setbacks when I was still younger (not even 20 yet), but I got through those. I can happily say I am on the least amount of medication I ever was, so that's progress to me. I am a recovering and former self injurer as well. Most who know me well understand and may have dealt with similar issues. I have anxiety which manifests itself in the form of certain OCD behaviors. I've learned to deal with it. I'm still young. I still struggle with bi polar type depression to this day, but I know how to handle it better. I learned when I got out of school that life is only going to get harder and that I need to focus on bettering myself to strengthen up for that. I believe we all have a time in our lives where we wonder if we can go on. I have had them, I have gotten through them, fortunately, but not always smoothly. I have had my share of depression induced behaviors and moments I am not proud of. I came to the conclusion that it would never be worth it to end my life, no matter what. I bare scars that I am not proud of, but at the same time, I am not ashamed. It shaped me into the person I am today. 6 years later, I can say I have made enough progress to actually start to enjoy life with minimal extra help. I don't want it to seem like I am glorifying mental illness, but there are a lot of people in this world who I honestly believe, to their dying day, that they have nothing wrong with them. The truth is, so many people experience depression, anxiety, suicidal thought, etc etc, and are ashamed. So many people are bullied in high school and as children, and that can bring anyone down. That's just the tip of the iceberg. Then, there are times that people truly feel that it's the only way out. It isn't I don't feel anyone should be ashamed to want to ask for help if they are feeling depressed. It happens to the best of us, and it doesn't make you or I or anyone else a lesser person for having to experience and cope with such disorders.
You realize that the one person you have to deal with for the rest of your life is none other than...YOURSELF. Boyfriends, friends they come and go...unless you're one of the lucky ones. But keeping the people around that you cherish isn't only luck. treat them with kindness and let them know how much care. The good ones will stick around. Even 6 years later
I love her entry, it is so true. Don't look down on those who are suffering from mental illness, would you look down on someone who was suffering from a physical illness?
I hate the stigma put onto people who are depressed, have anxiety and so on...do you think that makes them feel better? Nope, just more and more alone.
Check out Staci's blog:www.sscatteredthoughtss.blogspot.com
Thanks awesome that you cross posted. thanks!!! <3
ReplyDeleteThis made me think a lot. I really wish I didn't have to hide my depression and anxiety...have to fake being okay. Thanks so much for talking to me today. I'm glad facebook got us talking!
ReplyDeleteFaking it is an interesting point, its something I find very hard to cope with, and I don't know if its talked about enough. Its exhausting (using up precious energy you feel you don't have) and more isolating, yet you know no-one around you could cope with whats under the mask. Its a girl (or guy) suppressing a scream, holding back tears, or just pure unquantifiable misery/ anxiety. But you smile and answer 'fine, thank you'.
ReplyDeleteI agree, metal illness is real and needs to be talked about more - do away with ignorance and stigma. More and more young people are living with depression or some form or mental illness. Its truly great that it can be talked about here and supported by people in the same boat.
xo