- [Instructor] Welcome back, Psych2Goers.
(soft piano music)
Thank you so much for all the love
and support you've given us,
enabling us to make yet another exploration
into everyday psychology.
So let's begin.
Despite being relatively common,
depression is a mental illness
still poorly understood by many.
We want to build a community for those of you
suffering from depression and acknowledge
the way you may feel.
Even as life continues to get busier,
it is important to remember how important it is
to prioritize your wellbeing and engage in self-care.
Psych2Go's mission is not only to educate
about mental health,
but also support those with mental illnesses who feel alone.
But please remember,
this should not be used to self-diagnose.
If you resonate with any of the following signs,
it's important to seek professional help.
It can help you feel seen and supported.
With that said,
here are six things people with depression can relate to.
One, can you see me?
The pain of depression is large and looming.
At times it can feel insurmountable.
Then, why is it so hard for others to see your pain?
It's so clearly laid out in your head
that it seems impossible for others to miss.
On the flip side, others with depression
wonder if they themselves are hidden.
You may feel like others can only see your pain
and not everything else about you.
To those of you who relate, I see you.
I see your pain and I know you're much more.
Depression is a heavy burden,
but know that it doesn't diminish all the other qualities
that make you who you are.
Two, am I enough?
Yes, you are. You are more than enough.
You are valuable and amazing the way you are
despite what the voices in your head might be telling you.
As heartbreaking as this is
some people suffering from depression
find this question circling in their minds quite often.
The symptoms you experience
may leave you in a pit of despair and that's okay.
Acknowledging these feelings and reminding yourself
that they are a story in your mind.
You don't need to be productive to be worthy.
You don't need to be social to be important.
Even if all you did was get out of bed, you are still enough
and you matter more than you know.
Three, I wish I were nicer to myself.
Every setback feels debilitating,
every disappointment, catastrophic.
Depression can do this to you.
It distorts your sense of self,
which can deplete your self image.
As a result,
each mistake you make seems to only confirm the negative way
in which some of you have grown to view yourselves,
but it is important to give yourself grace.
No mistake or setback defines you. You're human.
And by that definition, you are not perfect
and that's more than okay.
Despite what your mind is telling you,
remember that you were strong, important and loved.
Four, it's more than just being sad.
Do people around you think
that depression only encompasses sadness?
Those of you who suffer from depression
can understand not only how narrow that mindset is,
but also how dismissive it can sound.
Sure, one of the most common symptoms of depression
is extreme, prolonged sadness, but it's more than that.
Some people may experience a wide range of symptoms
from social withdrawal to apathy, to insomnia and more.
And others may experience a whole other mental illness
comorbid with their depression.
Examples of these include anxiety,
post traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and more.
If you can relate to hearing this,
know that your feelings and emotions are totally valid
and acceptable.
Five, is it just me?
Despite knowing the statistics
of how common depression seems to be,
some individuals suffering from depression
can't help but feel alone sometimes.
Maybe it's because no one else around you is depressed.
Maybe your combination of symptoms is unique.
Even maybe it's because depression
is still stigmatized in your community.
Whatever the case,
feeling alone is unfortunately more common
than you may think, but you are not alone.
Suffering from depression can be debilitating
and no one should feel the way they are
going at it by themselves.
Six, will it be like this forever?
There was a time when happiness felt so far out of reach
and it seemed like life was stuck in a cycle of sadness
and despair, but it can get better.
There is no shame in having this disorder
and there was absolutely no shame in getting help.
It took me a long time to learn this,
but once I did my world truly changed.
I kept a gratitude journal
and spent time reflecting on the great things about my life.
Nature became my sanctuary.
During the day I was more present in each moment
and mindful of all my emotions, good and bad.
And slowly, I started to see the world opening up
in ways I never thought possible.
It wasn't easy and it's still not perfect,
but it gave me hope and energy to create a brighter future.
Always do what's best for you.
Take as much time as you need.
If something doesn't work, don't give up
and remember that you are worthy, you're loved
and you're not alone.
Are you struggling with depression?
How has your outlook changed?
Do let us know in the comments below.
We hope this video provides you with encouragement, support
and comfort and help you feel seen and understood.
If you find this video helpful,
be sure to hit like
and share it with someone searching for answers
to these experiences of depression.
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Thanks for watching.