Let’s Talk about Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.

So most people will read this and think that this describes themselves. However, it is to what degree the sadness is affecting the daily functioning of a person’s life. I could stay in bed all day and night sleeping only getting out of the bed to go to the bathroom, I didn’t shower for days, brush my teeth or eat. I only drank water to take my medicine which is wrong because taking medicine on an empty stomach can cause lots of physical problems.

It also can fell like falling into an abyss or down a rabbit whole, these are just images easily seen for the feelings of sadness. It is dark and empty, never wanting anyone to see or talk with you. I try hard to make sense of the feelings that are experienced by us crazies so that “normal” so called people can understand.

May is supposed to be “Mental Health Awareness Month” well knowing that I live with mental illness everyday, one month sucks. There are so many “Issues” that need to be addressed as it concerns mental health, domestic violence, sexual assault and world peace. I digress, it is frustration because I see how being crazy has been truly one of those things that has made my life more interesting, good and bad.

Awareness, well this is what my motivation is, I am trying to make everyone aware that there are crazy people in this world. We crazies, (some of us) are trying to become healthy and maintain a balance to our lives, then there are those just now starting the journey of sadness, mania, anxiety, or any other variety of disorders which can lead to depression. Wow, did you see what I did there!

How does it feel to go round and round! Guess how “we” feel. Expectations are that if the crazies take their medications, go to therapy and see the doctor we are cured. NO, this is not an exact science. It’s trial and error, it’s chemistry, we get to try several different drugs or therapies to find the “cure” that will work. Which also comes with any combination of possible side effects- depression, anxiety, nausea, sleepiness, allergic reactions, and don’t handle any heavy machinery!

Yes I use humor to discuss the issue only because this is such a “depressing” subject. Humans usually can not handle the hard topics without lightening the subject. Talking mental health in general is a topic that most will avoid. When I have had even a small melt down, it is truly hard to find a loved one that can be there. That is not to say that I am alone, I’m saying that loved ones hurt to see me hurting and they are unable to “fix” what is wrong. It is not an easy fix, a lot of times it’s a matter of time. For me, it’s me going to the skills I learned in therapy to solve the issue I am facing.

Each person’s journey is unique, so solutions are different for each individual. Realize that depression can be one of the hardest disorders to watch. Typically, humans want happiness, that is not always an emotion easily obtained for a depressed person. I can’t even give any good advice to aid because it is relative for each case. In my case, I usually want someone to tell me that it will be OK, and that the “thing” will pass. Patience, keep your own issues out of it. Sometimes it’s not about you when it comes to a depressed person.

Any time feeling sad turns into several days, sleeping a lot, losing interest in things that were loved or checking out of life- Get help, talk to someone, before these feelings turn to a statement as “it would be better if I was not here” get off the damn couch or out of the bed and let someone know you are thinking this or scream whatever it takes. There is light at the per-verbal tunnel! (I hope that is right?)

Send ME a message

Lunatic-Fringe Forever