When you’re battling severe depression, it can be a long road towards recovering.
You feel so alone and that nobody can possibly understand what you’re going through. It’s like walking down a long, dark road by yourself. And the obstacles that you must face on this journey can be overwhelming.
It’s not just the depression. There’s also shame and guilt, and even substance abuse issues, as you try to numb the pain caused by your severe depression through drugs or alcohol. Plus, the relationships you once treasured may now lie in ruins.
Is there any hope at all? Is it possible to triumph over depression and the darkness it has brought into your life?
The answer is a resounding “yes!”
Realize You Don’t Have to Be Defined by Depression
First, understand and realize that you don’t have to be defined by your depression. When you are depressed, it can feel like an incredible burden that’s difficult to bear. And you may believe that your depression is who you are completely and entirely.
Yet, that doesn’t have to be true. There are many different things that make you who you are.
For example:
- Your work
- Hobbies
- Family
- Friends
Yes, you have depression. However, that doesn’t mean that depression completely defines who you are as a human being. Of course, depression does influence many facets of your life. But in the end, it is only one part of who you are as a person.
Understand You Are Not Alone in This Fight
When you are battling severe depression, it may feel as if you are in this fight all by yourself. You may think nobody understands or even knows what you’re dealing with. Perhaps, you’re even too ashamed to ask for help. After all, it’s a sign that your weak, right? Wrong!
Depression is a very common mental health issue that many people struggle with. In fact, at any particular time, over 7% of people are battling depression.
Unfortunately, those with depression tend to isolate themselves. But you don’t have to. There are many resources available for those looking for support. The U.S. Government’s National Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is a good place to start. Plus, you might already know someone in your life who has struggled with depression and found their way out of the hole.
Avoid Blaming Yourself for Your Depression
It’s not uncommon for people to blame themselves for having depression. They believe that something must be “wrong” with them. Or they think that they are somehow broken and incapable of getting better. That’s not true!
It’s not your fault that you have depression. The reasons why you struggle with feeling depressed are most likely due to a combination of factors. These include life experiences and biological traits that affect your brain.
Lamentably, as a society, we still struggle with mental health education. And thus, maybe you have tried to get by in the best way you knew, but your efforts have met with little success or even made things worse. None of this means that depression is your fault. In order to triumph over depression, it helps to acknowledge this and find acceptance.
Seek Treatment for Severe Depression
In the end, treatment can help you combat severe depression and find healing. This involves working with a therapist who understands depression and how to treat it. A treatment plan can include traditional talk therapy as well as more modern tools, such as neurofeedback and EMDR therapy.
Now, it may be hard to go to treatment sessions at first. You might feel like you don’t deserve help or that it’s impossible to solve your depression. But give it a chance.
Treatment aims to accomplish three things:
- Give you the space and attention you deserve, having someone who will listen and hear you
- Help you understand why you have depression
- Provide you with tools to counter the depression and change your outlook on life
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Battling severe depression isn’t easy. It often means peeling back layers upon layers of pain, sadness, and memories. Yet, it is possible to triumph and recover from the darkness depression shrouds you in by participating in therapy. If you would like to know more about my approach to therapy for depression, please contact me or click on the link.