By: Hannah Wilcox, Journalism I student
Today here I am; after three years ago I was told that I am diagnosed with depression. My initial thought was tell me something I don’t know. I had already fallen into that deep pit of darkness. And was stuck there for an ongoing time. With everything that was going on in my life and in the past couple of years, I fell into the dark pit I thought I would never come out. Everything had already fallen on top of me anyway. I was stuck. And I needed some help.
My mom soon came to realize that I was on the verge of falling even further. So she and a few others grabbed ahold of me. And tried to help me up. Which wasn’t easy and fast. It took three years, but here I am alive and somewhat happy. I still have not fully recovered from that day it all started. But I did make it this far.
Depression is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities according to the National Institute of Mental Health. I have to agree with what the NIMH has to say about depression, because I am still going through those feelings everyday. Which is of course still difficult and exhausting.
But then you have to try and move along even if you feel like you can’t at the moment. You might just be thinking how everything will end. But please just remember you can get through anything if you put the time and effort into the problem. It may seem impossible at the time. But just try and have some faith in yourself.
The point I’m trying to get across is that depression is something serious and cannot be disregarded. Even if you don’t think that it may be something as grim as it is. Any mental illness can really affect a lot of different things in that particular person’s life. But there are many different treatment options for depression. What works for one person might not work for another. In most cases, the best approach involves a combination of social support, lifestyle changes, emotional skill building, and professional help according to HelpGuide.org.
Ultimately, an individual’s willingness to recover is the best remedy. If you are depressed, it is important for you to educate yourself about your illness (National Alliance on Mental Illness). You should take the time to speak with a healthcare provider to come up with the best treatment plan for yourself.
If you know a loved one who is suffering from depression, know that you can make a difference on their road to recovery. To those who are distressed and feel alone, just remember that someone will be there even when you feel hopeless. I know that it is possible to get better over time.
I’m proof.
