I have been dealing with depression since I was a kid, and it has always been difficult. While each person’s experience of depression is unique, there are some shared commonalities: overwhelming sadness that won’t go away, feeling unmotivated or lethargic, irritability and difficulty concentrating. Even in the best of times these show up and affect my life in different ways.
Dealing with depression is not something that you get over quickly, but something that needs to be worked on for the long haul. For example for me this has meant making changes to my diet, exercise routine and spending more time with friends and family who can be a source of support. It also means spending more time doing activities that bring me joy like cooking or painting which can help make the bad spell pass faster.
The most important thing I have learned from dealing with depression is to give yourself permission to feel whatever emotion comes up , understanding that no emotion will last forever even if it seems like it will. Being able to come out of those dark moments takes practice and patience along the way but knowing that eventually things will get better is why I keep fighting every day.