the depression project
Jen
Just because I’m quiet doesn’t mean life’s easy
It’s been nearly a year since I wrote something in this blog. It’s not because depression (mine or my dad’s, which I wrote about last time) has gone away. In fact, it’s been a hard time in that year. Last fall my dad ended up in the hospital, and the doctors found he had a … Continue reading
Suffering in silence isn’t always your own depression
I’ve written here a number of times how depression runs in my family, proving to me that it can be a genetic issue. My dad has been suffering from depression since I was 16 years old, and many of my issues are similar to his. I’ve had issues for 10 years. My sister has her … Continue reading
When a friend takes his life, you wonder: Could I have helped?
Originally posted on The Buttry Diary:
When a friend takes his life, you wonder whether you could have helped him find some hope, whether you missed a sign or ignored a cry for help. In this case, I wasn’t that close a friend, more like a friendly colleague. And I did help. But I didn’t…
When it’s your parent who is suffering
My dad has had depression issues since I was a teenager. My memories of my 16th birthday and the milestones that come with it are clouded with thoughts of my dad staying in the bedroom with the shades drawn. It was a tough time for him and it was a tough time for all of … Continue reading
Panic attack brings about an epiphany
Would you believe I had an epiphany because of a panic attack? Everyone has insecurities. I still have ones that have existed since I was a teenager. But you learn as you get older how to compensate in healthy ways for your insecurities. I’ve grown to be a confident person who knows who she is, … Continue reading
Grateful for where I am today
My friend Michele is always worth a read when she writes about depression and mental health, as she did again today. She’s been talking about her issues far longer than I’ve had the strength to do so publicly. She actually was part of my inspiration to talk publicly about my issues. Her article today, though, … Continue reading
The delicate balance of pills
“I don’t want to feel like this any more.” That thought pops through my head at least once a day, usually a lot more. It’s not that I’ve slid back into depression and down the hole. It’s that we’re still trying to figure out the delicate balance of drugs. I was having massive mood swings … Continue reading
Focusing on the light plus an update
Two years ago I discovered there’s a such thing as “the most depressing day of the year,” aka “Blue Monday.” It even has a Wikipedia entry, which shows the formula in how this day is determined every year. Two years ago I suffered from some terrible seasonal depression. I wasn’t the only one suffering as … Continue reading
We need to end the stigma of mental illness
During the summer of 2008 I was having something of a mental breakdown. I had a new job that required me to be at work in New York City at 6:30 a.m. I wasn’t sleeping much if at all, and it led to anxiety and other depression-related issues. I had a hard time really understanding … Continue reading
Only happy when it rains? Not so much
I despise days like today. It’s rainy and gray, though thankfully it’s not cold (as it was yesterday). And all I want to do is crawl back into bed and escape the world. Yes, the weather affects my mood and my depression. The more rain and gray the day is, the more likely I’m going … Continue reading
