Saying “I’m depressed” or “I feel depressed” gets overused these days that sometimes those who are actually suffering from depression and feel like they’re being swallowed by unwanted emotions gets invalidated and are sometimes told to just “brush it off” or that it will soon pass.
But the truth is, depression can present itself differently in every person. You’ll see some people with depression slowly being sucked the life out of them. Or you might be interacting with someone right now who looks perfectly fine on the outside but are silently drowning from all the voices that keep saying they are not enough and everything is far from “okay”. Next thing you know, you’ll hear another breaking news saying how depression claimed another victim again.
On Facebook, Brittany Ernsperger showed what depression looks like through a simple photo of several clean dishes she just washed.
https://www.facebook.com/brittanyernsperger/posts/10156288235523503
Looking at the picture, it may seem like an ordinary photo of cleaned dishes—nothing really special. But as Ernsperger shares the meaning behind the dishes, it shows how depression took over her life and held her back from doing basic household chores, taking care of herself, and her family.
Ernsperger wrote:
This is what depression looks like.
No. Not the clean dishes.
But that there were that many dishes in the first place; that I’ve gone 2 weeks without doing them.3 days ago I sat on the kitchen floor and stared at them while I cried. I knew they needed to be done. I wanted to do them so bad.
But depression pulled me under. It sucked me in. Like a black hole. Rapidly, sinking quick-sand.I walked by them morning and night and all day long. And just looked at them. Telling myself that I could do them. Telling myself that I would. And feeling defeated everyday that I didn’t. Making the depression only that much worse because not accomplishing something that needs to be done is failure.
Worthless. Failure. Piece of shit. Incompetent. Stupid. Lazy.
All things that roll through the mind of someone with depression. All. Day. Long.
She also shared how depression, along with anxiety, made her feel scared of how her family and other people would view her—how some of the little things she used to do became “a very daunting task” for her.
Throw anxiety on top of it, and you’ve got yourself a real treat.
Being scared your husband will leave because he thinks you’re lazy. Being scared to let people into your home because they’ll think you’re nasty. Feeling like you’re failing your kids because for the 3rd night in a row you don’t have any clean dishes to cook dinner on.. so pizza it is. Again.And the worst part of it all, it’s not just with the dishes. The laundry, cleaning, dressing yourself, taking a shower, dressing your kids, brushing your and their teeth, normal everyday tasks. It all becomes a nightmare. A very daunting task. Somedays it doesn’t get done at all.
Depression and anxiety are common mental health disorders that could disrupt anyone’s daily routine. Those who suffer from it may feel persistent feeling of sadness, nervousness, fear, and loss of interest as it affects our emotions, thinking, behavior, and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.
According to the World Heath Organization (WHO), more than 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression while 260 million are living with anxiety disorders—many of these who are living with both and could be undiagnosed. Every October 10, the world observes World Mental Heath Day, and last 2017, Mental health in the workplace was the theme in order to raise “awareness [on] mental health issues and [mobilize] efforts in support of better mental health.” A recent study led by WHO estimates that “depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year in lost productivity.”
Brittany Ernsperger isn’t the only one out there who is struggling to accomplish their day-to-day activities because of their mental health disorder. Up until today, many who are suffering from mental health disorders don’t come forward and speak about it because of the stigma that comes with it and the fear of being misjudged. This is why apart from awareness, having empathy towards those who have mental illness, is important.
Depression is something that “strong” people don’t talk about because they don’t want people to think they’re “weak”.
You’re not weak. You’ve been strong for so long and through so many things, that your body needs a break.
Through her post, Ernsperger offered support to those who may be struggling the same way she is.
I don’t even care if the only thing you did today, was put deodorant on. I’m proud of you for it. Good job. I’m in your corner. I’m on your side.
I’m not looking for sympathy, not in the slightest.
But I am letting everyone know that I’m here for you. I get it. If you need someone to talk to, I’m always here to help.
These people—no matter how difficult it might be for them—are trying real hard. One of the best things we can do for them is to acknowledge that what they are suffering from is real, and that sometimes, it’s something they can’t control. There’s nothing more comforting than knowing that you have someone to fall back on when you have no one else left, even yourself, to rely on.
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Read more from InqPOP!:
13 Reasons why you should #KeepGoing
7 simple, concrete steps you can take towards improving your mental health
Depressed people talk and express themselves differently, study finds
Apparently, “Henyo Master” Joey De Leon thinks depression is just “made up by people”
Kate Spade’s husband speaks out about his wife’s depression and anxiety
