I keep thinking this will be the day that I wake up without the darkness invading my mind. I know you can't see it, but it's there.
Why? Because we live in a fallen world with broken bodies. Why me? I don't know. My body is broken. Fibromyalgia robs my body of serotonin. Then Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) robs me of norepinephrine, dopamine & even more serotonin. I've started on meds to help replenish those vital brain chemicals, but it takes time.
The "feelings" caused by the lack of those chemicals are in stark contrast to reality. Loneliness, sadness, despair... It's a constant battle to not give in, to not just go with those feelings or to just stop feeling... to withdraw from everyone & everything... To curl up in a ball and cry... Or to yell & scream at everyone around me... Or to keep myself so busy that I can't think...
On top of these feelings comes the guilt, fear, shame... "You are so blessed, why are you down?" "Just snap out of it!" "Depression is a sin" "Christians don't take anti-depressants" "anti-depressants will hurt you, use herbs/oils/prayer instead" "you're hurting everyone around you" "they'll all think you're crazy if you let them know you're depressed" "pretend everything's okay" .........voices that echo through my head from myself, others & the Internet.
It will ALL drive you to Sanity's Edge!!!
So I fight...
....I told my Hubby I'm struggling. Admitting it is a big step!
....I went to my doctor who is overseeing my meds.
....I journal when I can. Or in this case, blog.
....I get out in the sunshine when I can.
....I talk with those I know who have been/or are going through depression. It's a big help to know I'm not alone in this struggle.
....I'm trying to speak up about my struggle. Bringing it into the light helps loosen its grip. It also may help someone else who is struggling.
....I have a few people praying for me as sometimes I can't pray myself other than "Help me God!"
....I'm trying to eliminate as much stress as I can, which is pretty hard.
Some days I win the fight... Some days I lose it... Most days I'm barely hanging on but fighting for every inch...
...fighting to get out of bed instead of sleeping all day. ...fighting to smile instead of cry. ...fighting to concentrate on what others are saying instead of what my mind is saying. ...fighting to be outgoing instead of hiding. ...fighting to listen to reality instead of the "voices" of guilt & shame. ...fighting to let things roll off my back instead of taking everything to heart. ...fighting to beat this depression instead of slipping over sanity's edge.
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