User submission

39.8K

Severely Depressed Woman Misunderstood Her Symptoms, Says She’s Sorry For Not Seeking Treatment Sooner

“People think the only depression symptom is sadness. People think depression is crying. People think depression is dressing in black. But people are wrong. Depression is a constant feeling of being numb. Being numb to emotions, being numb to life. You wake up in the morning just to go to bed again.”

This quote highlights some of the many misunderstandings that many people have about this insidious mental illness. Even those living with depression can take a long time to realize and accept that something might be wrong with their mental health – and that a nagging, permanent state of anxiety and exhaustion, which only alcohol seems to alleviate, is not just a natural consequence of a busy lifestyle.

Severely Depressed Woman Misunderstood Her Symptoms, Says She's Sorry For Not Seeking Treatment Sooner

Imgur user Ekad felt ‘flat’ for quite some time before she, with the help of a supportive husband, decided to seek mental help. With hindsight, Ekad feels like she should have recognized the signs of her mental disorder much earlier, and is now encouraging others not to repeat her mistake.

Severely Depressed Woman Misunderstood Her Symptoms, Says She's Sorry For Not Seeking Treatment Sooner

Because there is no shame in mental problems, and no reason to suffer in silence. Major depressive disorder affects approximately 17.3 million American adults, or about 7.1% of the U.S. population age 18 and older, so you are by no means alone in this.

If you are feeling lost, exhausted, bereft, and simply not yourself, go and see a doctor about your mental issues!

Here’s what people had to say about the helpful post

Severely Depressed Woman Misunderstood Her Symptoms, Says She's Sorry For Not Seeking Treatment Sooner

40Kviews

Denis is a photo editor at Bored Panda. After getting his bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Computer Design, he tried to succeed in digital design, advertising, and branding. Also, Denis really enjoys sports and loves everything related to board sports and water.

Read less »

James is a Bored Panda reporter who graduated with a BA in Peace And Conflict Studies and an MA in African Affairs. Before Bored Panda, he was an English teacher and also travelled a lot, doing odd jobs from beer-slinging to brickie's labourer and freelance journalism along the way. James loves covering stories about social and environmental issues and prefers to highlight the positive things that unite us, rather than petty internet squabbles about fictional characters. James is the grumpy, contradictory one who thinks that Bored Panda, due to its large audience, has a social responsibility to inspire and inform its readers with interesting issues and entertaining, well-researched stories. Let's do our bit to make our little corner of the internet a smarter, more truthful and less angry place!

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

Leo H 5 years ago

I disagree...she is obviously depressed..but the type of depression that gets overlooked is what i call living in the grey zone..where you rarely are happy,where you rarely are sad..people tend to brush it off as just being a dude...but it is as bad as not wanting to get out of bed,etc

14points

NCC~1701 5 years ago

I get this a lot. Pretty much whenever I’m not straight up sad. I don’t ever really feel that happy anymore unless I’m all alone but when I’m around others I just wish I was asleep.

1point

Load More Replies...

Pretty Pangolin 5 years ago

I'm struck by the reply that basically said "I take comfort in knowing I can always kill myself. It puts me in control." That's hardcore! But it's totally true. When I'm doing badly, it helps to know I can always pull the ripcord. That's something I (understandably) don't share with a lot of people.

11points

Monika Soffronow 5 years ago

Suicide Prevention Lifeline https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

3points

Load More Replies...

Cindy Snow 5 years ago

I've totally felt that

1point

NCC~1701 5 years ago

When I told my parents the same thing, they yelled at me and took my phone away. I feel really bad for stressing them out.

0points

Keuthonymos 5 years ago

Do what I do; when you're doing badly, make someone else feel worse than you. But make sure it's someone who plays League of Legends 'cause then they deserve it.

-2points

NoYFB 5 years ago

You need to be tested for several other issues first. Soooo many things can cause depression symptoms but that wouldn't automatically mean you suffer from the illness; depression. Test for example for thyroid issues, levels of vitamine B12, your iron levels including ferritine. Check if you have ADD instead. Or CFS. Depression is the easiest diagnosis but if your symptoms are causes by ADD for example, you'll get a wrong treatment and won't get better.

7points

Marnie 5 years ago

Very low Vitamin D levels is also another culprit.

3points

Load More Replies...

Load More Comments

POST

Leo H 5 years ago

14points

NCC~1701 5 years ago

I get this a lot. Pretty much whenever I’m not straight up sad. I don’t ever really feel that happy anymore unless I’m all alone but when I’m around others I just wish I was asleep.

1point

Load More Replies...

Pretty Pangolin 5 years ago

11points

Monika Soffronow 5 years ago

Suicide Prevention Lifeline https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

3points

Load More Replies...

Cindy Snow 5 years ago

I've totally felt that

1point

NCC~1701 5 years ago

When I told my parents the same thing, they yelled at me and took my phone away. I feel really bad for stressing them out.

0points

Keuthonymos 5 years ago

Do what I do; when you're doing badly, make someone else feel worse than you. But make sure it's someone who plays League of Legends 'cause then they deserve it.

-2points