Beyond the Blues
Understanding depression is difficult; hear from Psyche's community of peers on their experiences with this mood disorder.
Progression of Depresison
Every morning at 3:30 I reluctantly roll out of bed and take 150 milligrams of Zoloft, a prescribed anti-depressant that I've been on since the age of 12. Originally I had been prescribed it for anger issues. But throughout my physical development as a young man, the anger that derived from the chaotic environment I was surrounded by eventually morphed into depression. That depression has led me down paths in life that a 21-year-old shouldn't have had to go through. Lack of confidence topped with the fear of loss was more then a cloud above my head, but more so a noose around my neck. My anger was unstable. Every encounter with an individual would require an analysis of their character, and a thought on how to break them. Confrontation was comfortable.
By Benjamin Reese8 years ago in Psyche
To Mom
I love you. I know I never tell you that enough but I do. I love you with all of my being. You're the one that carried me inside of you for 9 months. You kept me safe, warm, and loved. You sacrificed your dreams for mine. I wasn't planned and you had to do it alone but you went ahead and brought me into your life anyway and for that I thank you.
By Melinda Lane8 years ago in Psyche
Postpartum Depression
I think about never having another kid after my first, Gabriel—not because of the pain I endured but because I thought I would have so much more help. I thought things would be different and everyday I wake up and things are just the same. I wither away from everything and darkness consumes me. I want my partner Cody to help me more and he agrees to but every morning it’s the same routine. I try to wake him up to get the baby and he threatens me or gets angry. He then proceeds to put me down and say things like, “It’s easy. I could do this with my eyes closed and you act like it’s so hard,” or “stop acting like you never get to sleep.” It is hard though. I’m 19. I am a first time mom and I’m doing this basically alone. Sure, Cody covers the finances and he tries really hard to help; he does everything basically for me and Gabriel. I’m at home dealing with throw up everywhere and a fussy baby fighting sleep with everything he has, shitty diapers that climb up his back and seeps through onto anything he was laying on, trying to nap, and he wakes up for hours instead of laying back down right away. I don’t just sleep and when I do it’s for an hour or two, and when the baby does take a really good long nap, I have to get things done, like clean, call important places, or take care of me because I am still a person who needs to take care of my hygiene and my well being. It all sounds easy, I suppose, but then my depression kicks in and I’m left doing all these things while feeling the way I do. I can’t just take a minute to lay in bed all day and cry. I have to be up and alert taking care of my baby, then I still find myself nodding out because I’m so exhausted. I say “sleep when the baby sleeps,” but I don’t really do that because even when I try to lay down, I sit there awake thinking about everything, thinking about crying again. I guess what I’m feeling is wrong, and it should be easy but for me it isn’t. I keep looking forward though, keep counting down the days until he will start sleeping through the night and things get easier. I love my son to death.
By Journey Sky8 years ago in Psyche
Screaming Into the Void
In this day and age, while depression has most certainly existed throughout all of human existence, albeit under different names and logic, it would appear that, in this era, more people suffer from bouts of depression and suicidal contemplation more so on average. It is not uncommon for someone with depression to have contemplated killing themselves at one time or another. While most people blend in, with varying degrees of success, to mask their true emotions and psychological state, others do not fare as well and will eventually deteriorate into more dangerous territory as they let on.
By Pharaoh Amunet8 years ago in Psyche
Being a Bad Bitch with Mental Health Issues
Depression is something I've struggled with for a long time. I've been to many different therapists since I was 13, and I now take anti-depressants to help me cope. Some days are a real struggle to find joy in anything, to even get up out of bed. Some days are amazing and I feel like the most bitchin' power women out there.
By Izzy Galloway8 years ago in Psyche
Everything in Life Happens for a Reason
Why does life give you so many obstacles to overcome? Sometimes it makes it very hard to see its true beauty. Everyone has their ups and downs and sometimes the struggles keep you from doing what you love and enjoying every moment you have. My grandmother once told me that everything in life happens for a reason. At first I didn’t know what that meant. This past year has been really hard for me. But it made me look at life completely differently. All of my questions have been answered and each moment meant something very special.
By Krista Hawkins8 years ago in Psyche
Interesting Habits of People With Hidden Depression
350 million people suffer from depression in the United States, as one of the leading causing of disability in America. However, there are also people in the world who suffer from depression, while concealing it from the people around them.
By Kelsey Lange8 years ago in Psyche
The Worst Things You Can Tell a Person Suffering From Depression
Hi, you. Yes, you—I see you. Click on this because this is some dumb stuff you should already know but probably still need educated on. Slipping up on what we say to someone with depression, or any mental illness for that matter, can be very damaging, especially seeing as many people with mental illness interpret what is said more harshly. Not only that, but one third of people suffer depression at some point in their lives, a recent study showing that this number is still growing. Now is the time to learn to help those suffering, first by knowing what not to say. I'm glad you're still here. Read on, and you could save lives by your choice of words.
By Elle White 8 years ago in Psyche
