Truths People Living With Depression Can Relate to
It’s estimated that 16.2 million adults in the United States, or 6.7 percent of American adults, have had at least one major depressive episode in a given year
May is Mental Health Month
Since 1949, Mental Health America and our affiliates across the country have led the observance of May is Mental Health Month by reaching millions of people through social media platforms. This blog post is my contribution to participate in Mental Health Month by speaking openly and honestly about Depression.
It’s time for people to stop stigmatizing mental health issues and start sharing openly and honestly about their mental health condition. I have suffered with Major Depression since the age of 16 and know how hard it is to live with this illness. I found a list of 7 truths people living with depression can relate to on www.paintedteacup.com,and it spoke to me. If I can share with my readers how I think when I’m depressed, maybe they will understand and have empathy for those who battle this illness everyday.
- There is nothing worse than feeling depressed when by all accounts things are going well and you “should” be happy.
- You start thinking more and more negatively and while you know what you are doing, you just can’t stop.
- You know what it is like to sleep for a full 8 (or more) hours and yet feel like you could sleep for days.
- There are days when all the money, chocolate or love in the world cannot make you get out of bed.
- You know what it feels like to walk around with a smile on your face while on the inside, you can barely keep it together.
- There is nothing more isolating than opening up to someone about how you are feeling and hearing things like, “It will pass”, “you are just having a bad day” and the best of them all…”Have you tried exercising”.
- You know what it’s like to feel completely hallow and numb even when doing the things you love the most.
Maybe the next time someone cancels plans with you because they are depressed, you can understand that they are not lazy or unreliable but are at home suffering. As long as people suffering from mental illness feel they have to hide in shame, change surrounding the stigmatization of mental illness will not take place.
I would be honored if anyone who reads this shares their story, or shows it to a loved one or a friend who is living with mental illness to let them know that they have nothing to be ashamed of and they are certainly not alone.
Functional Randi
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years working in Community mental Health. I currently Supervise the Behavioral Health Benefit for an insurance company. I speak publicly on issues that affect mental health in the workplace.
You May Also Like
7 Comments
Michael
Thank you for sharing your story and the seven truths. I’ve lived with major depression since high school as well, so your story resonates with me on several levels. The compounding impact of the stigma and the lack of awareness about depression are real and serious. I see signs of progress in certain areas, but we have such a long way to go.
Functional Randi
Thank you for your reply. Depression is a debilitating disease that can really wear you down. But we keep on fighting, don’t we?
Rebecca
All of these are very true! Especially #6… For me, a particularly annoying one is “Just push through it!” Um, I am. I always do. That’s NOT helpful. 🙁
Functional Randi
No, responses like that just make you feel worse!
Functional Randi
Not helpful at all!
Cherie
Love your blog. My mother was mentally ill so I’ve lived with it for my whole life. The stigma surrounding mental illness is astounding and heartbreaking. While I haven’t seen her in well over twenty years I know the struggle first hand having dealt with depression myself. Some days it’s so hard to keep going and no one gets it. Even bosses. Every number in here is perfectly on point. Ty for sharing.
Functional Randi
Thank you so much for your comment. I struggle with depression and anxiety and even though it’s an illness, the shame surrounding it stops people from talking about it. I know it’s been really difficult for my children to see my struggles, so thank you again for responding. I wish the best for you and your mother!