I was diagnosed with depression roughly four years ago.

At first, it was a shock to not only myself, but my friends and family as well. Although it is a bit of an unfortunate diagnosis, I am living, breathing evidence that you can push through it. I have known, and known of, people who have struggled so deeply with their depression or anxiety that they have taken their lives. I am not writing this article to criticize anyone for how they choose to deal with their issues, but instead, I am writing this article to explain how I get through it.

More often than not, I hear people saying, "No I can't today because of my depression/anxiety." People often say you can beat depression, or you can "get over it." However, depression is an illness, and like many illnesses, it takes more than just a 10 day antibiotic to cure it. In most cases, you live with it for the entirety of your life. You live with it every single day, and that's the best way I can begin explaining how you "beat" it.

When you get out of bed, even though your brain doesn't want to, you've accomplished a small victory. When everything seems so gloomy and dark one day, yet you get up and do life anyway? You've won another battle in a long waging war with your own mind.

As someone who lives with mental illness every day, someone that pushes through obstacles, even when I want nothing more than to sleep all day long and be left alone, I'm tired of people using their mental illnesses as an excuse. It sucks. I get it. But, stop using it as a reason to call out of work, skip your classes, or avoid responsibilities altogether.

When you let your illness control you and make decisions for you, it wins.

I've seen depression and anxiety affect my family and friends over the years, not just myself. I have seen depression and anxiety balled into one, and I've watched it cripple some of the people I love and hold dear to my heart. I've seen the darkest sides of it in people, and I've seen how happy people can be when things are going well for them.

The way you choose to deal with it will determine your ultimate fate, this I truly believe. Something I feel people don't understand is that the world isn't going to just stop turning, life isn't going to stop happening one day because you don't want to participate.

Find the things that drive you to roll over and put your feet on the floor every morning, and always hit the ground running. Our illness isn't an excuse, it's motivation to push through and be the best we can be.

Your life is worth living, no matter the circumstances. Whether you believe in a higher power or not, you were put on this earth for a reason; find out what your purpose is. When you feel crippled, like your disease is taking over, don't be afraid to ask for help. I put my pride aside when I was 16-years-old because I knew I needed help, so don't be scared. You don't have to seek professional help, but friends are there for you, and so is your family.

I am not afraid to admit that I am medicated for my depression, and I am aware that many people don't believe in that option. I see a counselor as needed, because sometimes that outside opinion on your life really helps, and so does being able to confide in someone that isn't a friend or family member.

If you, or a person close to you, needs help with anxiety or depression, please use the following:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Families for Depression Awareness

Anxiety and Depression Association of America