Beyond the Blues
Understanding depression is difficult; hear from Psyche's community of peers on their experiences with this mood disorder.
Being Honest about Mental Health
October 10 marked World Mental Health Day. As someone who suffers from depression and anxiety, mental health is something which plays a large role in my life on a day to day basis. There are many ways in which I could write this post — from my experiences of depression to how to handle a panic attack — but I would like to talk about something which I found helped me to understand, accept and ultimately combat my depression: honesty.
Emily WhitePublished 7 years ago in PsycheDrowning
A sailor set out one dark night to journey across the ocean. She didn’t know a single thing about sailing, on what lay ahead, but that was the exciting part, the journey, the unknown, and the purpose. She felt determined find more of herself, and as she looked beyond, she took one deep breath, pushed her foot off the sand; her last touch of solid ground for a while. There was no way for her to know what lay ahead, but she felt ready. The ocean offered more than she was ready for, the waves tossed, the stars moved, navigating became tricky. She came across islands, and different people, in whom she learned many lessons. She felt full of hope when leaving each island, but soon found despair with weeks and weeks on the ocean alone. The winds blew when she needed it calm, and it was calm when she needed the wind. The ocean roared when she needed peace, and there were no one around when she felt alone, but she journeyed on. She had a purpose; she was on a search for herself; she wanted to become more than she was. Her purpose pushed her on, and the ocean pushed her back.
Emily GreenPublished 7 years ago in PsycheSo, It's World Mental Health Day
So, it's world mental health day today, and I've been seeing a lot of people opening up about their struggles. While I don't exactly hide my experiences, I wouldn't say I'm completely open either. It's hard to tell people when you're struggling with any illness, but mental health is surrounded by a stigma that makes it more difficult to be open about than most physical illnesses.
Mason BassettPublished 7 years ago in PsycheLiving with Burnout Based-Depression?
As a woman in my 40s, the pile of pressures continue to add up; a pile of self-imposed pressures stemming from subconscious ideas implanted by books, movies, decades of what a woman should be, can be, and most importantly, wants to be.
Courtney Ramsey-Coleman, MS, RD, LDNPublished 7 years ago in PsycheIt's Real
As someone who has depression, and major anxiety from stress, I believe that no one can actually show or prove that they're depressed. Depression comes in all forms and sizes; everyone, even animals, can have it. It's like this invisible grey cloud with continuous rain (maybe even showers when the feelings of depression/anxiety/stress are getting too much) that constantly hovers over a person who can just smile through it. It can be in that beautiful popular model on Instagram who receives thousands of likes and comments full of praise, love, and compliments everyday. It's in that girl who's always smiling and joking around with her friends. It's in that guy who's really good at school, sports, and always surrounded with people who love him.
Tala GallanoPublished 7 years ago in PsycheDrifting
Mental illness is months of being confined to half of your bed, because the other half is piled with clothes. It's when your first thought upon waking each day is: "I can't wait to go back to sleep." Your alarm goes off for the ninth time; you snooze it.
Lissa JadePublished 7 years ago in PsycheOn These Black Feelings
Generally, the black feelings are described by a single, solitary word. They are described by the word depression. I don’t want to use that word for them. We’ve taken the word depression and warped it until even someone who has been diagnosed barely recognises the word anymore.
Emma KitschPublished 7 years ago in PsychePhysical Symptoms of Depression
There are numerous people across the world who suffer deeply with depression. And it's not a joking matter. There are individuals that got the mental condition through a really stressful situation, a cause, or the depression randomly appeared without a reason — it happens. And it's also frustrating, because depression literally controls your life. It's tough to handle, but with certain medications, focusing on clearing your mind, and doing activities that help, it's possible to overcome it.
Jacqueline HanikehPublished 7 years ago in PsycheSymptoms of Depression in Teens
Back when I was a 7th grader, I had transferred schools. Of my (extremely small) group of friends from my old school, there were a couple of girls I used to talk to. One we'll call Jessie, the other we'll call Callie.
Ossiana TepfenhartPublished 7 years ago in PsycheLosing Yourself
I should begin this story by saying that I am no stranger to mental illness of many kinds; people in my family have been diagnosed with everything from anxiety disorders to chronic depression.
Ava HanrahanPublished 7 years ago in PsycheDepression for Dummies
Depression — a fucked up way of realizing reality isn't so perfect. Rule #1: (Just for those of you who are really that idiotic) If someone says: "I'm fine"...Yeah. They're not fine.
Mysterious ThoughtsPublished 7 years ago in PsycheListen
Is anyone ever listening? How do I know that you're listening? How do I know that you care? Will you listen to me and help me find an answer or solution? Can you understand me? Are you willing to try to understand me? How in the hell can I get you to understand?
Morgan BinniePublished 7 years ago in Psyche