Despite the far from new dialogue surrounding depression, many people still seem woefully uninformed on how it works and how it is treated. One of the most common uneducated ideas about depression is that it is something that can be willed away if you just try hard enough, and thanks to the internet those who have actually struggled with the disease have a platform to dispel this myth.
I have been followed by an ever-present amorphous sadness for almost my entire life. I am 58 years old. I will still reach the end of my life having walked through most of it with an emotional limp. I do not wallow in self-pity.
For those who don’t grapple with the burden:
If you are unburdened by depression, real true depression, count yourself lucky. Keep your quick fixes to yourself. This is the kind of bullshit that kills people. Educate yourself or simply be lucky and quiet.
Depression is not a choice! Who would ever chose to be unhappy, overwhelmed, disconnected from friends and family. It is a clinical diagnosis.
Despite its prevalence, people with depression are constantly having to defend and define their depression under a mountain of stigma attached to mental health disorders.
Unfortunately, it’s not so uncommon for people to imply that “depression is a choice.” It can be especially damaging for people with depression who already think their depression is their fault.
Because it’s an invisible illness, people who silently live with depression tend to self-stigmatize. Why can’t I just get over this? It’s been weeks. Why am I not strong enough to pull myself out of this? What’s wrong with me?! Thoughts like these circle my mind seemingly endlessly, and the negative thinking keeps the wheel of depression spinning.
Today we know better, but ignorance is still abundant.
There are an exhaustive amount of misconceptions surrounding depression, one of them being that it’s a “choice.” This notion in particular is typically brought forth by people who have never experienced what it’s like to be depressed - so, probably not the most reliable sources to make that kind of call.
Make sure to take good care of yourself today. You are worth it!
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Artandcolour4me1
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I agree. Depression is not a choice. Some are more depressed than others. Sometimes if the depression is not as severe, people do have the ability to choose the things that actually help them feel better. But no, we can’t just snap out of it. Sometimes if prodded enough, I’ve been able to do what I was sure I couldn’t do and was better for it. And some depressed people who haven’t experienced the crippling part of depression can’t empathize with those who have. I’ve stopped getting frustrated with those who can’t. It’s part of life that everyone has an opinion and a right to express it.
I agree. Depression is not a choice. It's a serious illness. I have done every treatment available and nothing cured my Depression. I spent $7000 on Ketamine treatments and the relief was only temporary. I have done TMS. Didn't work. $15,000. All this talk about helping people with Mental Illness is mostly lies by Politicians. I go to NAMI online peer support groups. It helps to talk to peers.
Dear Toddzen, a lot of us have been told that we could make a few choices or change our perspective and everything would be better.
Where my mental health is concerned, I’ve been told to “just choose joy,” to “pull myself up by my bootstraps,” to “stop being so selfish and focus on other people,” and “if I can’t say anything nice, I shouldn’t say anything at all.”
Well-meaning people thought they were telling me the truth I needed to hear. But without compassion and understanding, it just sounded like shame and blame.
I walked through hell right alongside you. I know how hard it is.
This isn’t about you doing anything wrong. Most of us are doing the best we know how with the resources we have.
There’s a lot in life that we don’t have control over.
We all get hit by things that change our lives forever. And there are some things that may never go back to the way they were originally supposed to be, in our bodies or our lives.
The more you focus on something the more that becomes your reality. Simply focusing or meditating on positive thoughts consistently can change our brains.
As we contemplate on positive thoughts we also begin to see ourselves in a different light. The good news is there’s a simple way to practice this stuff, and it literally takes just minutes a day. It can be done in bed on the days when you don’t think you can get up, on the commute, or even at your desk at work...
All that matters is that you find one that works for you.
One important thing to recognize: your mind will wander. That’s normal and okay - you’re not trying to stop thinking other thoughts. There’s no reason to beat yourself up over it.
Instead, each time you notice your thoughts wandering, just gently turn your focus back to the positive ones. It helps me to picture distracting thoughts like a rock thrown into a still lake. It makes a splash and a ripple, but the ripple soon fades and the water becomes smooth as glass again.
We call meditation and contemplation a practice because it’s something best done over and over, every day.
Just take a few minutes - even just five to start. I love to find spare moments throughout my day to close my eyes, breathe deep, and turn my attention to the positive thoughts.
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