I Battle Depression
I have struggled with depression since around 2005. Before I experienced depression first hand, I wasn't sure it truly existed. That it not to say I didn't believe it; just that it seemed to be a relatively easy way for people to withdraw from general life and escape for a while. Now I know better I feel very guilty for even considering the possibility that depression might not be real.
For me, depression started as a gradual inability to find enjoyment in anything, and then withdrawal, as far as possible, from the world around me. I got to the point where I couldn't cope with busy environments and then didn't want to be around people at all. Leaving the house became a real chore so I hibernated completely for a while. Sleeping patterns became erratic and I had a tendency to want to fall asleep during the day and to feel more awake at night. My doctor prescribed anti-depressants, which helped a little, and I also tried counselling which really didn't help at all.
After trying various medications I found one which seemed to work quite well, at least in terms of relaxing me and making my day-to-day experience easier. I never did get back to where I was before depression struck. Some days are worse than others and I still have minimal contact with people and prefer to be indoors. Depression is a debilitating illness that I have learned to live with, but I suspect will be an ongoing part of my life.
For me, depression started as a gradual inability to find enjoyment in anything, and then withdrawal, as far as possible, from the world around me. I got to the point where I couldn't cope with busy environments and then didn't want to be around people at all. Leaving the house became a real chore so I hibernated completely for a while. Sleeping patterns became erratic and I had a tendency to want to fall asleep during the day and to feel more awake at night. My doctor prescribed anti-depressants, which helped a little, and I also tried counselling which really didn't help at all.
After trying various medications I found one which seemed to work quite well, at least in terms of relaxing me and making my day-to-day experience easier. I never did get back to where I was before depression struck. Some days are worse than others and I still have minimal contact with people and prefer to be indoors. Depression is a debilitating illness that I have learned to live with, but I suspect will be an ongoing part of my life.
