You’re Not Alone

Even though mental health is being taken more seriously today than it was fifteen to twenty years ago, there are still a lot of things that are being misunderstood when it comes to understanding depression.  The other issue is that among the millions of people that deal with it, it effects everyone differently.  So even if you pick up a book and read all about it, congratulations, you’ve graduated from the basics.  The basics may tell you how to deal with or how to understand one person, but there may be another who doesn’t fit under that criteria and has a completely different way they are being affected by and dealing with depression.  You can’t read about depression and expect to think that what you read applies to everyone because it doesn’t.  Just like people deal with and show happiness and anger in a million and one different ways.  As someone who has dealt with it for most of my life, I can only speak for myself when it comes to the experience with it and how it’s affected me in life.  Some may be able to relate, some may not be able to.  Doesn’t make my bouts with depression any worse or any better, we just all deal with things in different ways. I know for myself, it would cloud my mind and keep me from feeling like I can be happy.  It would cripple my ability to do normal things and especially things I love. I know for some, It can create a “lonely” feeling that people who don’t deal with depression wouldn’t understand. You could be at a party with all of your friends around you, but when that depression hits and sets in, you feel like you’re all alone.  You could be at home with your family and loved ones and have that same feeling as well. I’ve been there before. Some people who don’t understand it will take it and make someone feel like they are just looking for attention when that’s not the case at all. The mental battle it creates is so tough to deal with and so draining. The feelings are real and they are difficult to deal with especially when you are dealing with it alone.  There are plenty of options to get help, but sometimes, it’s not as easy as just picking up the phone and calling out for it.  Plus, it can be really embarrassing for some to admit they are depressed or are really struggling with their feelings and mental health.  I tend to make these posts because I want people out there to know that they aren’t alone.  I’ve battled it and sometimes still do and it really is ok to not be “ok”.  The struggle is real, but it doesn’t always have to be. You only have one life to live and after that, there are no do overs or respawning. So you have to take care of yourself.  If you can’t, it’s ok to go get help.