Depression, in plain, simple term, sucks.
I might not know all there is to know about this topic, but I do know how it feels. As near as I can figure, I've dealt with it for 25 years.
I've never really talked about it with others (only my fiance, best friend, and maybe a couple of other friends are aware of my depression). I don't even think that anyone in my family knows or knew I suffer with this illness. I'm one of those people who never liked to talk about it because of the fear of being judged, or told I was crazy, etc. I remember one particular time when I was feeling this way and being told be a few co-worker/friends to "snap out of it" or "get over it." That certainly made me realize that this was something I had to learn to suppress around others (or make up some excuse like I wasn't feeling good or I had a headache) or avoid them when I felt this way.
In the late 90s I was on medication for about a year, maybe less, but I stopped taking it because I couldn't afford it at the time (I had no drug plan through my job). For the most part, I haven't been on any medications for my depression.
There have been long stretches of time where I haven't felt the effects of depression, where it lay dormant, and I've felt fine - happy, even. But it always let me know it was still around. Sometimes it would rear its ugly head for a short while, other times it stretched on for long periods of time.
Since February of last year, I have been taking an anti-depressant. It has helped me greatly. However, with all that has been going on in my life over the last year, and more specifically in the last few months, I haven't been taking my medication. In fact, I have to get a prescription renewed because I let it run out. With the financial strain I'm under now (and for the past several months), I figured I wouldn't be able to afford the cost (again, no drug plan due to being unemployed) for the medication each month. I'm finding out, though, that I need to get this refilled. We will have to make sure that this is something I get.
I'm so very thankful that my fiance is understanding and knows what I'm going through. He's very supportive and knows how important it is for me to be on this medication. He says we will make this a priority and that I get my anti-depressant each month.
Like others who deal with depression and anxiety (though to be honest, I don't know if I have anxiety), I am tired of the stigma. I'm tired of the judging. I'm tired of having to pretend that I'm OK when I'm not. I'm tired of all the negativity people with mental illness receive from those who have no flippin' idea what it's like to go through any of this!
Depression sucks, and those who suffer from it need the support of others. If you don't have this mental illness, learn what you can about it and be there for your friends and family who do have it. It makes all the difference in the world to have support and encouragement from others.
Depression is not something that we can "shake off" or "get over." It's a mental health issue and it needs to be brought out into the open, safely, and not stigmatized. It's real, and it sucks.
