I wanted to write about depression from a personal perspective, because I believe I was struggling with it as a child.
Seeing anyone deal with depression takes me back to my own childhood. I wasn’t motivated, or interested in anyone or anything, and became withdrawn very early on. I don’t remember a time when I was happy.
Struggling with bad thoughts, particularly at night time, meant it took me forever to get to sleep. Mum would often sit by my bed. When I found sleep, my bad thoughts would disappear, but like a faithful friend they were always there when I woke the next morning.
There was no release, I was exhausted. There is a difference between feeling down and feeling isolated and withdrawn. I used to internalise everything. But slowly, I began look at things in the whole, so that I would come to understand how I felt.
If you are feeling depressed, it is important to discuss it with family or friends, or with your doctor, whoever you feel you can confide in. Always ask for help if you think you may be struggling with depression.
From time to time I have suffered from depression. At one point to the point of suicide. Luckily I was able to get myself out of that very dark place. Suicide is a cowards way out.
I thought of what it would do to the people I left behind and luckily decided I could not do that to them. I never want to revisit that place ever again.
You are right to say seek help. I did not and it took me a long time to get back to where I should be.
I am pleased you managed to bring yourself out of your depression Randy. It can be a very lonely and isolating experience.
There is so much help out there now for anyone suffering with depression and as you have said in your response it's the right thing to do to seek help.
I hope many people reading this will be encouraged to do that.
I've been dealing with depression for a very long time and I'm glad that I have gotten help for it.
I was a very depressed child,s o I too remember never really feeling happy at all. I'm just trying to get beyond it now, so that I can move on with my life.
I'm hoping one day to at least be comfortable in my own skin!
I believe that with the help you're getting you will begin to feel comfortable in your own skin. I've seen you make strides already, you just need to recognise that you are.
As you and I know someone with depression manages very little including contributing to forums. You're coping with your life and that matters. In time I believe you will move on further.
I think my depression also goes back to my childhood. I had no one to talk to and things just weren't discussed like they are today.
If you were depressed it was kept quiet. Of course back then you hardly ever heard of children being depressed but that's probably what was wrong with most of the kids I knew.
Ditto on all of your points Lisa. You're absolutely right.