Is depression always a bad thing?

[Wintersmorning]

Recently, I have overcome the biggest obstacle in my life - depression. Does depression mean the end of happiness? Of course not! It may feel like it, but it's not. You may still smile and laugh, but on the inside you feel like dying. But that's how it works. It kills uiy slowly from the inside out.

During this difficult time, I have realised that we all have our good days and our bad days, but sometimes they're not to an equal amount. Sure, you'll seem happy to others, but you're not.

Depression has made me stronger as a person. I've taught myself how to make myself happy and mean it. I've learnt how to control my emotions and to appreciate the little things life has to offer. I've taken a lot from the experience.

If anyone has a problem similar to this, you should always feel free to message me on kik - itss_kimberleyy and I promise to respond as soon I can. Stay strong, beautiful.

[spuitkaas]

I've been depressed a few times and I think I didn't got a lot stronger from it. I can see depression as some kind of virus. Once you had it, it will stay with you your whole life and if things get down, it shows itself and makes you sick on the inside. Anyways, now everytime things get really down, I can get in depression again, but before I was depressed, I wouldn't be depressed of the things that would go down. I hope you know what I'm saying. It easier to fall back into depression if you've experienced it once basically and in that way, it makes you weaker.

[koko124]

Interesting

[Nicetouchguy]

Everyone gets depressed now and then due to traumatic events or periods of feelings of despair. Such is the normal cycle of life. It's CHRONIC depression that is a serious, debilitating illness and is not easily overcome. In many cases is caused by a hormonal imbalance.

[Wintersmorning]

Yes, and by all means, if it is that bad, I would advise seeking professional help as I am merely a teenage girl on the internet. I would also advise people to remove all the stress from their lives so that they have a clearer trail of thought.

[R3d_Anonymous]

Well, I went through a period if (teenage angst) recently which often resulted in periods of depression-like symptoms and landed me in therapy. In a way, I am glad I went through that phase, because it taught me quite a bit too - how to manage feelings of insecurity, to appreciate the quirks of life, how to approach life in general, and how to deal with societal pressures on our self-esteem.

I still have a lot to learn about the ways of life. My life has only really begun. But I definitely feel like I have a better grip on things and as you say, feel a bit stronger now that I have learned how to deal with the above.

So yes, I think phases of times in which you feel uneasy, depressed, miserable, and/or angsty are quite beneficial and something everyone goes through and should. It builds you, and of course life would be boring if we were always at ease and never had to feel negative emotions.

[R3d_Anonymous]

So yes, PHASES of times in which you feel like that every now and then, I think are healthy.

[R3d_Anonymous]

Upon rereading your take, seems like we learned learned similar things.

[R3d_Anonymous]

I felt this way (angsty) for 10.75 months between February and December 2014. Since around Christmas time, I have been handling myself a lot better.

[Wintersmorning]

I'm happy that you got out of this, I have experienced it and I would never want anyone else to feel that way, its horrible. The only good thing is the freedom you feel once you get out of it. Sadly, not all do. I want to do something to help.

[R3d_Anonymous]

You know, for me, surely the aid of therapy helped, but also in December I questioned myself cognitively (Socratic Method) and came to the conclusion that I was wasting my life worrying about things I can't control and that I have one life so I can choose to life it miserably, or accept what I can't control, stay present as possible, and enjoy life. And also, it's the same for everyone. We all have insecurities and are subject to getting hurt. There are people who you'd think have it much worse making it work for them.

That's why I subscribe to the idea of, "Wear your heart on your sleeve." There's a saying about how once you let go of fear, the possibilities become endless.

I think a lot of people get over it similarly. One day you just realize that you have spent enough time feeling stressed and miserable and that you can choose to continue to feel this way or accept what cannot be controlled and let go, and thus liberate yourself.

[R3d_Anonymous]

Of course, you never really get to a perfect point. Those feelings never really go away completely. You just learn how to manage them.

[Wintersmorning]

Yes, and it is very eye-opening when you come to this moment. It is a great feeling.

[Anonymous]

I won't say it's a good thing but there can be silver linings. One of them is that it can make you a more empathetic person - i. e. you better understand what others are going through who are going through similar, and you understand better how to help them. This can also help you later if you, say, become a parent or teacher - as you can have a better understanding, and be able to empathize and have a better idea how to help, children going through such problems.

These don't per se make depression a 'good thing', but they can help you make some sense out of what can sometimes just seem senseless.

[Wintersmorning]

Yes, I'm hoping to study in the field of psychology so I think I took something good away from it in the sense that I can safely say I can understand what people are going through and can help them now, whereas I wouldn't have been able to previously.

[FatherKnowsBest]

First and foremost I am glad that you have taken control of your life and are able to manage your highs and lows. You sound like a very mature young woman who recognized these obstacles and went about taking care of the issue.

A note of caution to everyone: depression in some individuals can get out of control and it may take medication to bring hormone levels back to normal levels. If you or someone else finds themselves struggling with their daily life because of uncontrollable emotional instability, please consult a doctor to get help. Not doing so will prolong the discomfort and may lead to more serious matters.

[FatherKnowsBest]

Forgot to mention that depression is normal for all of us at times. I have experienced it and it is miserable feeling. But with friends, family and a positive outlook the future will get brighter.

[ItalianDarkStallion]

Well depression is something many people has to deal with. I have first hand experience and one has to be realistic: there are many levels of depression (from light to severe) and the good news - it is reversible and there are various ways of controlling it!

Many many teenagers experience it up to some degree. It can be handled and overcome. My advice for you - once you can afford - move to a place that is really sunny! Sun has amazing effect on the mood.

[Wintersmorning]

Yes, the sun is counted as an antidepressant. This has been tested and it is true indeed. Being in England, we don't get a lot of sun, that could have been one cause of it for me, personally.

[DamanMannn]

Girls should look up to you for emotional advice, this is a great read.
not just girls, I shouldn't be sexist, men should too!
Once you learn to control how you want to feel, you really do appreciate MOST of the little things in life, and not just the big things life offers that gets EVERYONE revolving around.

good head on you love, you rock !

[Wintersmorning]

Thanks aha, but we still need to do more to support depressed people and help them realise they're not alone. That's one thing that I didn't see very often. Humans are materialistic and we only tend to care for others when we get something in return. I think we need to develop more of a base so that people can come and speak to people to feel better, because many people refuse to go to therapy, as people assume you're crazy or you have a mental illness. I want to take a stand and help them.

[kairon156]

This is the whole saying "one must suffer to experience life" sure I've been depressed before about work and money, but as someone who's already learned about my own limits and smaller details of what makes me me than I personally don't think it was needed. (I know myself pretty well)

The only thing I gained from being depressed is knowing how dark my mind can get when pushed too far. I felt more intense hate about one thing than I've felt up to that point.
I'm just glad I'm not a smoker or drinker as I would have been hurting myself through drugs, and most likely even more stressed out based on how I see people who do drugs react in those situations.

hum... with that said I suppose people who don't know their self as well as I know myself where depression might help but I think there are better ways.

[Wintersmorning]

Of course, and everyone feels and behaves differently, you've just got to look on the bright side of life.

[kairon156]

that's very true. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlBiLNN1NhQ

[LuvFrmOneSide]

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.. thank you.. :)

[Anonymous]

Yeah... I nearly wanted to kill myself too see iff anyone would care. What stopped me was my little sister that came to my crying about her broken doll... It was then when i saw her tears that i realised that i would live. A six year old stopped a suicide attempt. Since that day i vowed i would fight till my death, iff not for myself. FOR HER. So yeah depression made me stronger. But the idea that i could've been dead that day. Is never gone.

[Arianna16]

im so happy for u that your sister changed that! im sure she would care if u died!!!

[Wintersmorning]

I'm really proud of you! I'm glad you've thought of your family before you gave away the most precious thing you own - your life. Please continue to do this, I care and so does your sister :)

[palomajoa]

Once you overcome it, of course it teachs you a lot of things. I suffered from depression for a long time, and it was hard, but still, seeing the silver lining on it is a learn ability. I would never want to pass trough it again, but now I appreciate things more, and learned how to to deal with things that beforre seemed like mountains. It did make me a stronger person, but I would rather to become stronger in other way. And I don't wish it to anybody.

[DancingWithDragons]

The term "depression" is WAY overused. Unless you've been diagnosed with clinical depression, you're probably not depressed and shouldn't use the term to be omelodramatic. Even when you are diagnosed you should take it with a grain of salt cuz overdiagnosis is a real thing that's happening a lot just so the world can be given as many pills as possible to pay to help relieve some of the deficit. And no I'm not some insane conspiracy theorist and I'm not saying these drugs don't work for the people who really need them. But if you have it, it's not something that just goes away :P if it dissapear a and comes back then you're just sad, not depressed -_-

[RalphBlack]

It is natural to get depressed about the past or anxious about the future from time to time.
But just remind yourself that life is short and there is still a lot to be thankful for in the present.
Your mistakes should not hinder you to focus on the now to move forward on your your goals to pursue great success but to use it as a tool to what you can avoid in the now so that you will now be anxious about the future

[Anonymous]

the thing is, looking back at things, there is always something to learn from everything! once you overcome it, you will see the good things that came with it, if there were any. but when you actually are depressed, you really dont care lol. when you are depressed, you won't think 'this will still help me in the long run' when you are depressed you just think of depressing stuff

[Wintersmorning]

Well yes, that's why we need to make depressed people know that we care and will be prepared to help them if they need it. A lot of them feel like they're alone in this world.

[JustinCaseUDontKnow]

I've had depression since age 6-7 and yes you do learn
from experiences i can remember going school in
second grade and all us kids would sing and the songs
made me cry.. That age i just said, i missed my mother
I've faced people don't understand me cause i do have
mild learning disability ( such as grammar, knowing words)
yes i appreciate the things in life, I been sacrificing for years
we all learn to deal with depression and having depression
teaches us.

[MariellaRo]

Is cancer always a bad thing? Now that I've beat it (who knows, I might get it again in two years), I've learned how to be happy and healthy!
I know where you're trying to go with this, but no. You don't need to be sick to find out something's wrong.

[Wintersmorning]

Well, no. But there are benefits of depression once you get out of it. You begin to appreciat ethe little things in life more often.

[ymanuelblize]

this write up is so emotional, noo its not the end of happiness. with time everything will be fine, happiness will surely find you again... always put this in your heart, though problems never last, but though people do

[Wintersmorning]

Yes, you can find a way out. It may be difficult but it is definitely achievable without killing yourself. When you commit suicide, you don't get rid of your pain, you just pass it on to someone else.

[Anonymous]

I don't know if it's depression but sometimes I let negative things in my life get in the way of stuff. For example, I could have a lot of things going for me but I'd let failure in relationships keep me from truly being happy as well as losing friends. It can be tough at times but I guess good and bad things will happen all the time and you gotta keep your chin up.

One of the songs that's helped me get through this is the sparrow by Mastodon. The lyrics are pursue happiness with diligence and I think it's inspiring and a good motto to live by.

[Wintersmorning]

I think its great that you've found a way to cope! I'm really proud of you!

[JoshyJames]

Life is so much better when you smile than when you put a sad face on even when you are sad it's good to find o
Something that cheers you up a little, e. g upbeat dance music.

[Wintersmorning]

And sometimes all you need is to hang about with positive people ebcause their happiness will reflect upon you.

[JoshyJames]

True, sometimes you just need people who don't take life too seriously. the people let go and loosen up a little bit.

[26ukdude]

im currently being treated for it with medication and CBT

[Wintersmorning]

I hope you overcome it! :)

[suicidalove]

There are tons of different outcomes when you have battled depression. You may feel a lot more free or you may be haunted by the memories. I, for one definitely learnt from my depression.

[LuvFrmOneSide]

i don't know i am in depression or what.. i am in Indias one of the top MBA college IIM indore.. but i got admitted to this college with least score.. now i don't want to study at all... i am scared of reality.. my room is mess.. i dont want to attend lectures... i didn't bath for a week... i dont know what to do... i just don't want to face the reality..

[Wintersmorning]

I think you are feeling a bit bad for your score. I wouldn't worry about it too much, as it has as much of an influence in choosing your future as rolling a dice does. Take a deep breath and think about your options.

[LuvFrmOneSide]

there is no option other than study..

[Wintersmorning]

What about taking a day off to relax?

[LuvFrmOneSide]

i relax all the time..

[WhaChaChaKing]

Depression is always bad. Just because something good came out of it doesn't mean it's not horrible.

[Wintersmorning]

I know it's horrible, but through the bad, you can receive the good.

[WhaChaChaKing]

Well I'll update when I'm through the bad.