Last June I was diagnosed with severe depression. The kick? I had absolutely no idea. It seems rather foolish now, but I never knew what depression was really like, so I couldn't even see the signs that I had it. So whether you know someone who is depressed, wondering if you have depression, or are just wanting to enlighten yourself on the mental illness that is becoming more talked about in our society, there are five things I want you to know:
1. Depression is not "one size fits all."
By this I mean, no case of depression is the same. Not all people have a hard time getting out of bed, cry all the time, or are suicidal. After finally coming out with this, I have talked to many other people about their depression. What I have found is that I can have totally different symptoms than someone else. Basically what it all comes down to is a prolonged sense of sadness. Now that I can reflect back on this past year, I realize that six months of intense sadness and mental discomfort is not normal, my brain just told me it was.
2. Every person reacts differently to it.
I hate talking to people about my depression. I have a small group of friends and that's all I need.I don't tell them much, but they love me and let me know that they care and that means more to me than anything else. Other people however really like having a large support group. They tell everyone, and that is totally ok. Sometimes people find that talking about and through their problems really eases the weight that is put on them.
3. Depression isn't necessarily consistent.
This ties in with the "no one size fits all" aspect. Depression isn't necessarily always like how the anti-depression commercials depict it. Some days are great. You go to parties, laugh a lot, and enjoy life. Other days are exhausting. You cry and wonder how anyone can like you. Because of this system, many people would never know something is wrong because they see you when you're happy. I'm always told that I was the last person in the world that everyone suspected of being depressed, but that's only because I didn't let them see my average day.
5. We're still people.
I have depression. My depression doesn't have me. I still like playing in the rain, and dancing crazily. I love pizza, kittens, and my friends. I don't like to be defined by my mental illness. I know you may mean well, but never address someone as "that depressed girl/guy." That's just not cool.
The stigma on depression is slowly disappearing. It is time that we all discuss this terrible condition with confidence and acceptance, it's nothing to be ashamed of.
