Writing About Depression
I created my blog was to raise mental health awareness by writing about depression. In this blog, I share my personal experiences with mental health and offer my thoughts on various issues through a mental health lens. Despite all my posts and writing about depression, I haven’t really posted as much as I’d would like to on my blog. The reasons for this is (1) I have pretty busy (with life and the LSAT!) and (2) the difficulty in writing about a complex topic like mental health.
I don’t think depression ever leaves a person. You overcome depression by learning how to manage it. However, that doesn’t mean that depression will never affect you again. In my case, my depression remains a little voice in the back of my head that occasionally comes out to haunt me *dundundunnn* and makes me question my overall recovery from depression. When this happens, the voice questions my ‘credentials’ to write about the subject and my attempt to empower others.
It’s a voice that tells me that it’s silly to try to break away from my depression, convincing me that I will always be shackled down by its chains. “Hey lil mama“, it whispers in my ears, “I’ve been around for years, don’t think that you’re done with me“. It sometimes mocks me for trying to help and empower others. It likes to point out the irony in writing about depression to inspire others while its shadow looms over me.
And yet… here I am thriving.
Depression thrives on self-doubt and it will always try to come back from the dead. It will do what it can to convince you that you are your mental illness. While our mental health illness may be something we deal with forever, we can minimize its power and influence. We have the power to make it so small, that on most days, our illness is nothing but an afterthought.
What I have realized these past few months is that I must take this voice for what it is: a voice. A voice’s power is limited by the amount of power you chose to give it. Likewise, a voice has absolutely no power to do anything, unless it successfully convinces you to act out on its behalf. We must treat depression and our mental illnesses as a voice. Nothing more and nothing less.
And so I throw a peace sign and say, “watch me do my thing” to the little voice that so desperately tries to retain the power that it once had over me. Writing about depression reminds me of who I once was and how much I have grown. With these lessons and experiences I have come out on top.
Your’s truly,
November 8, 2017 @ 12:07 am
Great post, you have pointed out some wonderful points, I too think this s a very great website.
December 5, 2019 @ 9:13 pm
Excellent article. I will be going through
a few of these issues as well..
May 12, 2020 @ 10:56 am
I know it’s not always easy, but I am so glad when people do it. It can help so many others!
May 12, 2020 @ 11:36 am
Depression is a topic so many avoid. Thank you for nailing many good points and thoughts on a hard subject.
May 15, 2020 @ 5:54 am
Thank you!
May 12, 2020 @ 11:37 am
Thank you so much for being so open and honest! I love it! I also love the look of your website.
Keep going <3
May 15, 2020 @ 5:55 am
Thank you! Love your blog as well!
May 12, 2020 @ 12:27 pm
I completely agree with your post, I have seen so many occasions where people do voice out their opinions but when it comes to action them, it falls flat. Words without action hold no meaning at all whereas actions without words can also go a long way.
May 12, 2020 @ 1:22 pm
What a wonderful way to squash that depression. Getting things off your chest is great. This is a great post to bring awareness to people that depression is different for everyone. Keep up the amazing work!!
May 12, 2020 @ 1:30 pm
Depression affects so many and feeling isolated and alone in those feelings only adds to the difficulty in managing it. Sharing your experience is so powerful to help others who are experiencing depression and also to educate those who know and care about someone who has depression. Thank you for doing what you do!
May 12, 2020 @ 2:44 pm
This blog post really meant alot to me. I have always struggled with anxiety and depression and peaople always say to me “you seem fine” like it just goes away.
May 12, 2020 @ 3:22 pm
I suffered from major depression when I was a teen. I know that writing is a good thing to do
May 12, 2020 @ 9:01 pm
You are one strong and brave person! I don’t have depression, but I do know the feeling of being down and out. And it’s hard to cope at times, how much more if it’s a daily lingering feeling or thought? Just keep inspiring every one with your fight and wins.
May 12, 2020 @ 9:03 pm
Great post. Depression is a bad thing , i know a lot of people are dealing with it everyday and I should agree that we need to be more powerful than our depression to overcome it.
May 12, 2020 @ 10:11 pm
So true. I’ve gone years managing it just well. 2019 was hellish for my family and I still coped well. Then COVID-19, laid off, kids schooling from home, it really did just hit me like a ton of bricks. Doing better than I did a month ago but every day has its challenges.
May 13, 2020 @ 11:00 am
This one is a sensitive topic. Thanks for pouring your heart into this post. A lovely read… *virtual hugs*
May 13, 2020 @ 12:21 pm
Temporary depression cannot be avoided especially in a pandemic crisis like we are having now, but focusing in a creative manner like writing helps us to vent out positively at least.
May 15, 2020 @ 5:54 am
I agree! Whether we realize it or not, our brain is experiencing some sort of trauma due to these events – it’s helpful to chew out these emotions through writing.
May 13, 2020 @ 10:12 pm
Depression is very difficult to navigate. Any tips and suggestions are helpful, so thank you.
May 15, 2020 @ 12:01 am
As someone who suffers from depression this post hits home. Great points there!
May 15, 2020 @ 5:52 am
Thank you for your kind words!