I'm going to talk about something today that is sometimes very difficult to talk about. Depression. As someone who has suffered from this for many years I can tell you it is very real-and very difficult to live with. I tend to be pretty open about my life-and I would think that most people that know me well have an idea that I suffer from depression; but there are some that would never guess that I have it. Most days I really try and put on my "happy face". I love to be happy and I really do have a positive outlook on life-but there are some days that leaving my house is a huge struggle. I have at times been open with certain people and have confessed how I was doing on some super low days-- but most of the time I really try and push it away.
I remember hearing from one woman when I was younger that she used to go in her bedroom and cry because she didn't want her children to know that she was having a bad day. It really upset me when I heard this because I thought, "oh come on lady... surely it is better to let your kids know that life isn't perfect and that even mommy has tough days," but now as I'm older I can understand why she wanted to hide that side of herself. Depression has a nasty stigma associated with it. Depression is ugly. No one likes to be around depressed people. Hell, when I get really low I don't even want to be around myself-so I get it.
Depression is heavy. There are times when I feel the weight of depression on my soul like a bolder. So what do I do? I've tried many things! I've tried natural, herbal, and medical pills. I don't feel like listing all of them because I am not a doctor and I can't say that I truly recommend anything that I've taken for long term depression assistance. The one and only thing that has worked for me on any kind of consistent basis without losing myself entirely is exercise!
Exercise is the only cure for my depression. I have done some-albeit limited- research on depression and the one thing that most doctors agree on is that exercise can be used to keep depression in check. I'm completely convinced that all of the nasty hormones that end up in our food have totally messed with our bodies and people who would have no other reason to suffer from depression are finding that depression is knocking on their door.
I won't lie-life is tough. The economy sucks, people are dying every day, and Taylor Swift keeps breaking up with her boyfriends-but when you suffer from a chemical imbalance and depression most days getting out of bed is almost impossible and there is nothing that can make you feel happy-not even Disneyland.
So why am I writing this? Well, I want people to know they are not alone. I want to try and shed some light on this issue for those of you that love someone who suffers from depression-you are not alone. It can be very difficult to love someone who is depressed-it takes a kind heart and a lot of patience. Thankfully my husband has both of those or else he probably would've chucked me a while ago. But-the point I'm really trying to make here is that there is help for depression. There are ways to fight it-and you don't have to suffer alone. I know that in the darkness of depression you feel almost like you will be swallowed up in to it-but there is a way out. Talk to your doctor, talk to a trusted friend-if you think you may be suffering from depression get some help.
Lastly, please don't judge those that suffer from depression-sometimes this stuff is really hard to deal with and we make choices and do things that we wouldn't normally do. Sometimes I make plans and have to cancel last minute because I just can't pull myself together enough to leave the house. I have literally gotten myself ready to go out several times only to cancel last minute because the depression has snuck in and held me back. So if you want to know how to help someone with depression I suggest love. Love them, talk to them, check in on them, help them to feel safe in confiding in you, exercise with them-sometimes they just need that friendly push/pull to get out of that hole.
I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about depression and I will always be a safe place if anyone needs to talk. Don't ever feel alone.
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