The depression monster

I hope this post is OK, Mom. If not, feel free to remove it. Having worked with/counseled many people who suffer from depression, as well as having episodes here and there myself, I've found it difficult to explain what depression is like. Everyone gets "depressed" or "down" sometimes, but don't always seem to get what it's like to have "depression". It takes over you sometimes. I explain it as a disease, which it is, that you have to manage, like any other chronic illness. If you have diabetes, you should be faithful in managing your diet and exercise and take necessary medications to control the effects of the disease and your overall health. The same is true of depression...you have to manage it, sometimes with medication, and all the time with other tools and techniques to keep it at bay. For me, it's exercise, eating right, and making sure to not isolate myself from friends and family. But, sometimes it still hits when I'm doing all the "right" things. The great thing is, the depression monster can be conquered, or at least kept under control if we do our best. One of the greatest things I learned in school is....if something's not working (i.e. you get more depressed when you do it), do less of it. And conversely, if you notice you're less depressed when you do certain things, do more of it. Sounds simple, and it is, if you're able to have some awareness about those things.

I loved this post from a friend of a friend who has a gift with words. She described depression in a way that I would never have been able to. She gave me permission to use her words here (it's just a portion of the post):

i have been in that place where it hurt to stay awake. where even the
days seemed dark. and i could sleep right through them if somebody would let me.
the depression monster is a powerful one. it could swallow a person whole
without a second thought. i've stared at myself in the mirror before and not
recognized the person looking back at me. i've driven through rainstorms and
felt like never hitting the brakes. i've been in a room full of smiling/laughing
people and felt like no one knew who i was or that i was even there. felt like i
couldn't breathe. i'm not sure what exactly sent me madly spinning. a
combination of alot of things. probably my severely tender heart. one day back
then, i couldn't stop crying. the depression monster is real to the people that
are living with him. he's powerful. he can talk you into unimaginable
things. -by Lindsay