The Reality of Depression

You’re not alone.

For a long time my depression controlled my life. But more recently it’s gotten MUCH better. But I really have learned to navigate:

1) I’m on a few different meds. My medication has changed my life and there’s no shame around it. Depression is a chemical imbalance and medication is a tool meant for exactly that.

2) For me, my depression is co occurring which means I have some other mental illnesses like severe anxiety and OCD. This is one of the reasons I struggle to clean my dishes bc of contamination OCD.

3) I am honest with my practitioners. I got to therapy every week. I am aware this is a luxury that most people cannot afford, but once again it has changed my life.

4) I try to fact check my negative thoughts and feelings about myself. I call my sister or my mom and ask them if the things I’m saying in my head are true. Another thing is affirmations. It seems silly but the goal is to rewire my brain and create new neural connections.

I know this isn’t my usual type of post and tbh I hope I don’t lose my community here bc of that. But I want to help spread information and normalize talking about what mental illness is like.

You are not alone. I am here with you.

#mentalillness #depression