Share your thoughts on depression

[e-2000]

Hi I'm new here and I was wondering if anyone could help me. I'm writing a book that features depression and I want it to be a really accurate portrayal. I know experiences vary from person to person, but if you could share what it's like for you thatwould be really helpful.

Thanks x

[Nedmeid]

Ive been through that a few times. Ive been depressed because of a routine in my life I couldn't get out. Stay in the house because why see people when u can't have a smile on your face? Also in love i can be depressed because the person i love has the 'power' to pull me down or up. (now not as much as before). I think people that can become depressed are very sensitive people.. And we need to learn how to stay positive that nothing will have influence on us. What makes me happy when depressed is animals. They cheer me up. Some people try to 'hide' their depression in playing video games or a sport.. We want to be happy and positive but we dont know how untill one day it does change but it can swift back again. It's almost as if this devil on our shoulder keeps talking negative, complain etc. To keep us from feeling light and live life full with joy.

Further at the moment I feel pretty good. It's better if a person explains how it feels who is in the depression state

[e-2000 in reply to Nedmeid]

Thank you! Really helpful

[oddday]

For me, its a struggle to get motivated to get out of bed in the morning. Only those closest to me will know when i am sliding into depression. Usually, other people i interact with won't know because i appear normal, i plaster a smile on my face or a jovial extrovert personality. To me on the inside, i feel that this 'mask' must almost appear a little bit manic or over the top, but people have never said. Once or twice people have said something like " i find it hard to see you as a depressed person because you are always so bubbly" so it must work! When its really bad i want to curl up in a ball and cry - for no identifiable reason. Anti depressents help if this state has been prolonged, but rather than bringing me up, they even me out. So although i no longer dip as low, i also dont ever feel as high as i should. Thats how i know i am recovering, because i start to miss having a good 'belly laugh'. Things that make you laugh so hard you could cry? - doesnt happen on meds. When i miss that feeling i know its time to wean myself off them.

[Iluvhorses]

For clinical depression (the kind that runs through the family), I think of it like diabetes. It's there, but you can learn to manage it with medication and other means of healthy living. In other words, you can still lead a great life.