Say it loud and say it proud

[trishkit]

From laceymcbain via emrinalexander and suzvoy

I suffer from depression. I am a strong, intelligent, capable person. I am neither weak nor stupid nor lazy. Depression is an illness that millions of people suffer from and there is nothing wrong with admitting you need help sometimes.

If you've ever felt this way, copy this and paste it into your LJ. Maybe if we start talking about how we survive depression, we'll realize we aren't alone.

Add me to the list. I've been depression-free for about 6 years, after being depressed for 12 years or so.

This is not something that I discuss with people. The few people that I do/did tell outside of my family seem to find to hard to believe. Part of the reason for this was because I was a very high-functioning depressed person. During that period of my life, I held a series of exciting jobs that relied heavily on my personality and charisma for success. And I was a success. At work at least. I, of course, spent all of my off-work time hiding under my bed and hitting rock bottom.

We all need help sometimes. It was both terrifying and comforting when I learned that I could put a name to my feelings and that other people felt the same way. The worst thing about depression is the way that it makes you feel isolated and alone.

Well folks, I'm here to tell you that you are not alone and there is hope.

Comments

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Part of the reason for this was because I was a very high-functioning depressed person. During that period of my life, I held a series of exciting jobs that relied heavily on my personality and charisma for success. And I was a success.

I can totally relate to that. People see me a particular way, and I feel like I'm barely hanging on sometimes. Keeping up appearances is so draining, and it's not even conscious. You just switch into public mode. My father was exactly the same way - I never knew how charming and well-respected he was at work until after he passed away because we saw the depressed struggling side at home.

Depression has so many faces. Thanks for posting, hon. *hugs*

[trishkit.livejournal.com]

Thanks for inspiring me!

You sound so much like me (poor you). :)

Keeping up appearances is so draining, but I think that I really needed the validation (and applause) that my former jobs gave me. Once I was feeling better, I didn't need it at all (well, a little applause would be nice sometimes). I live a much more low key life now, but I am waaaaay happier.

Once I viewed my job as a tool to build self-esteem, I got a lot more out of it. Instead of thinking that everyone who complimented me was completely deluded, I tried to stop rebutting them in my head.

Positive reinforcement and creative visualization sound so hokey and Stuart Smalley-esque, but they really do work.

But yes, seriously hokey.