Beyond the Blues
Understanding depression is difficult; hear from Psyche's community of peers on their experiences with this mood disorder.
Happiness after Depression?
Is it even possible to be happy in the same way you once were after battling depression? I'm still trying to find the answer after dealing with it myself. I have had depression since I was a child due to my life circumstances. I have been in therapy for years, and have gone through trial and error with medication until I found the one that seems to help. Occasionally, I laugh, I smile, and I seem happy. What I actually feel though is not much different from when I was going through a depressive phase. I do not get a spark of joy or a sense of satisfaction out of anything. That could be my perfectionistic standards, but I believe that since I have been clinically depressed for such a long time, my brain is in a permanent state of neutral. I know I should be happy and excited, but it's as if I can't feel pleasure unless it is physical. Which begs the question, can you even BE happy in the same way after dealing with depression? Science says yes, but how long afterwards is inconclusive and depends on the person.
By Cosmo Carr5 years ago in Psyche
Self-Love not Harm
I think the first time I self-harmed was in fifth grade. I told my parents it was because I wanted to be blood sisters with the other girl who had raked both her wrists against the school building with me during recess one day. We had of course performed the whole “blood sisters” ritual, but it was about more than that. She was in deep pain, having recently lost her mother to suicide and I was dealing with things that were way above my age level to process. We were both crying out for help without even realizing it. When it became clear that I was in trouble for my actions, I lied instead of telling the truth, because that’s what I did back then. Rather than admit that I needed help, I told a partial truth in order to escape the real trouble of dealing with the real problem.
By Tabitha White5 years ago in Psyche
How to Manage During a Depressive Episode
Depression has a way of taking over your daily life without you noticing it until it has managed to consume everything. Figuring out how to take control of your depression so you can still focus on the day to day mundane tasks without wanting to crawl back into bed and never return is a real skill.
By Shiloh Madison5 years ago in Psyche
Depression Explained Using the MCU
Before we start, I'd like to make two side notes. First, this article is based entirely on my personal experience with depression. Second, my personal experience with depression goes back about 6 years when I was first diagnosed with depression after leaving the military. That being said, let's get to the subject, shall we?
By Anthony Hall5 years ago in Psyche
Fighting Depression with Gratitude
I'm so happy to be living a privileged life with so many opportunities. And no. I'm not rich. I do not have a net worth of up to a million pounds. But... I'm alive, I have a job, I live in a house, and I have food and clean water.
By Amby O Asonye5 years ago in Psyche
Depression isn't just "sad"
Yes, I know you hear it all the time. You read all the facts and figures on depression. You see the commercials for depression medication, but if you haven’t felt it, really felt it, then it just looks on the outside like a person who is unreasonably sad. For those who have had others confide in depression, they end up confused when the person confiding in them has no real circumstances for sorrow. It could be someone who on the outside has everything any person would want to be happy, and we can’t understand why they don’t just focus on that and thank God for the wonderful things in their life so they can move forward and smile.
By #notashamed;5 years ago in Psyche
Overcoming Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is an extremely difficult illness to navigate. It is also an unspoken enemy of sorts. Everyone is always so excited to hear of the new baby that no one wants to dare even whisper the term "baby blues." It is both a very real and very painful experience. If you're lucky, your doctor will mention it a few times and maybe as about it briefly towards the end of your pregnancy. Anyone who has experienced it can testify that it is beyond hard.
By Morgan Elizabeth5 years ago in Psyche
So You're Clinically Depressed
We’ve all seen the memes. Clinical depression is good for a laugh nowadays. I love jokes, and at times, I especially appreciate dark humor. At the right time, with the right delivery, dark topics can be taken lightly, and it’s healthy to have a laugh at yourself sometimes.
By David Leeson5 years ago in Psyche
5 Common Triggers for Seasonal Depression
Image Source: Envato Depression, as all too many know all too well, is a persistent lowering of mood and energy. Seasonal affective disorder or seasonal depression, as the name suggests, is a particular form of depression that is related closely to changes in the seasons, which in turn accompany changes in weather and social patterns, among other things. Due to a variety of reasons, for example, the cold winter months near the end of the year in many parts of the world and long periods with relative lack of sunlight in remote arctic climates in certain parts of the year tend to bring about higher levels of depression and isolation and, unfortunately, suicide among many members of the population. With this information in mind, the following are 5 very common triggers of seasonal affective disorder, which also has the unfortunately fitting acronym of SAD, and some ways to keep an eye out for them.
By McKenzie Jones5 years ago in Psyche
Depression
For years, I've been dealing with this invisible illness. I kept it to myself because I didn't want to be judged. I don't think anyone would've believed me. Where I'm from, if people can't tell you're hurt by looking at you, your problem doesn't exist. I even hid it from my doctor. What's even more crazy, I've kept it hidden from the man I've been with almost half of my life and I'm 38 years old.
By Lanique Ruffin5 years ago in Psyche
