Beyond the Blues
Understanding depression is difficult; hear from Psyche's community of peers on their experiences with this mood disorder.
Waiting for the Rain Clouds
Winter is coming... it's a simple fact. We can't avoid it unless we move to a warm country to escape the harsh reality of it, but most of us don't have that luxury. So we stay. But it's not all about the snow and the cold, or the warm clothing that keep us from freezing. It's also about the sun. More specifically, the sunlight. If you're like me and live in the upper northern hemisphere of the world, you know what I mean. Long nights; short days. Now, if you're also like me, you know the consequences of the lack of sunlight, not just on your physical health, but mental as well. Depression. This is about that little grey cloud that happens to take over your life, and waiting for it to come to pass.
Katharin CrewsonPublished 6 years ago in PsycheFacing Depression
Without altering one’s perceptions of god, or their idea of a higher power, I propose the idea of applying the Buddhist practices of yoga, meditation, and fasting into one’s weekly routine. The results of these acts vary some; however, hold their ground in the positive effects they have within the mind and body. I, too, support this thesis, given scientific and philosophical evidence that these acts can not only change the body but develop the mind enough to fight depression and “grow our ability to feel happiness.” (page 23, Cooney)
Samantha KristinePublished 6 years ago in PsycheChallenges
To say everything has been a struggle until now would be putting it lightly. But that’s how it is when you have a brain injury. I just call it “me"; being this way, the way I’ve always known myself to be, is the only thing I’ve ever truly understood.
Jakob RussellPublished 6 years ago in PsycheDepression and Why So Many People Experience It
Depression is more than feeling sad or upset. Depression is smiling and feeling the weight of your world crashing in on you. It’s the feeling of not wanting to do anything or go anywhere. Everything you once loved to do becomes dull, boring, and not worth the time or effort. You know people care, but you still wonder if it’s worth continuing. Depression is an enormous, black hole, sucking everything you once cared about into its dark, cold void, and it’s almost impossible to escape. I know, I feel it almost every day. It’s easy for people to say you’re fine, you’ll get through this, or my personal favorite, “there is no excuse for you to be depressed.” Those with depression know this and believe me if we had the option to “turn it off,” we would. The truth is we’re not okay, we’re hurting, and we’re fighting every day to keep on living.
Crystal WardPublished 6 years ago in PsycheTen Lessons from Ten Years After My Suicide Attempt
Some time this month, ten years ago, my mum burst into my bedroom and found me on my bed surrounded by pill packets. I had been hoarding them to take them all at once and some sort of motherly instinct must have made alarm bells ring because she intervened just in time. I hadn't taken them all yet and she swiped them away from me. I had taken enough to be sick but not enough to do serious harm. This came after months of me self harming, burning myself, giving myself bruises, making myself sick and writing horrible things about myself all the time.
Jaz JohnstonePublished 6 years ago in PsycheReintegrating After a Long Depressive Episode
If you suffer from severe anxiety and/or depression, the term "isolation" may have a different connotation for you than most. If you understand what I'm talking about, then this is the article may interest you.
Eva BerryhillPublished 6 years ago in PsycheThe Diary of a Broke, Anxious Woman Living with Depression
As a kid, I never knew. Sadly, mental health does not get covered in schools nearly enough, or at least it didn't when I was there. That's why I never even knew I was plagued with mental illness at such a young age. I just assumed what everyone assumed. I was a weird kid. There was no way I could've known any better.
Waverleigh Rose GarlingtonPublished 6 years ago in PsycheDepression...
Depression. What can be done to help it or mask its pain? Take medication? Go to therapy? We are advised to do these things to numb the pain, to bury the demons we try so hard to get rid of. We are advised that the professionals know how we feel, how we function, and how we live. But in fact, we are the only ones who know how it is to live with demons that eat us from the inside out!
Courtney ReganPublished 6 years ago in PsycheThe Reality of Being the Wife of a Depressed Man
As trained counsellor (who practiced privately for five years) it's almost expected that I have myself completely "together." You wouldn't believe the amount of times I've been told that I "must have my Mental Health really sussed!" and even more so that my relationships are happy, healthy and have absolutely NO Problems! Ha-ha! What a pile of crap!!
Write What You KnowPublished 6 years ago in PsycheA Day in the Life of Depression
What does depression look like? Does it look like 3 aM nights crying because you just want the hurting to stop? Sometimes. Does it look like lashing out on your friends and family because the pain inside you hurts so much you don't even know what to do anymore? Again, sometimes. Here's what it looks like in a day.
How To Tell Your Parents You Are Depressed & Seek Help
The reality is simple. Depression is a silent killer. You're worried all the time, and it makes some of the easiest choices seem impossible. When you're dealing with depression, talking to your parents may be the last thing on your mind. However, they want to know so they can help. When considering whether or not to tell your parents you are depressed, you should remember that they have your best interest in mind. Talking about your feelings will prove helpful in the battle against your negative feelings.
Brian McCannPublished 6 years ago in PsycheCombatting a Day with Depression
We all get them, low points—some worse than others. With depression, a particular low point could be paralysing...crippling. The hardest part? Not feeling like there is a way back out of it—feeling like there is no escape from how much you are hurting. But, please hold on—because there is, you just have to keep going. This is how.
Elle WhitePublished 6 years ago in Psyche