Couldn’t sleep a few nights ago
so I read a bunch of random posts
and the majority of the ones I came across
were from some very sad, deeply depressed and lonely people.

The comments included a wide variety of advice and comfort
from both ends of the spectrum.
Some recommended simple things, like try brushing your teeth and washing your face
  or simply going outside for some fresh air.

Others believed perhaps if the author tried to do some volunteering
they might get their mind off their problems and the focus away from themselves.

Another crowd, felt a bond with the depressed person
because they too are feeling extremely low,
and they offered sympathy, empathy and understanding.

They shared that they know how much the particular guy or girl is hurting
because they are currently feeling exactly the same way.

Some even seemed angry at the good Samaritans who gave the poor guy or girl
an idea of what they might do in order to get moving in the right direction.

The other depressed people who shared their feelings,
seemed to resent the suggestions 
and stated that

“those people just don’t understand
how devastating depression is
no one can possibly know how horrible and debilitating it is,
unless they have experienced it themselves.”

Reading between the lines it sounded like they were saying,
“How dare they tell us, what to do,
do they think we want to be this way?
No one can just snap out of it!
I wish people would just leave us alone!”

I agree with them as far as the severity of the problem
and that no amount of will power is able to fight this beast.

Yet, it is a fact that
many people have dealt with depression in their lives
at one time or another.
Some were clinically diagnosed themselves
and others might have experienced a loss of some sort
that triggered a downward spiral
and robbed them of their joy.

So many lives have been touched by this horrible disease,
after just a couple of bouts a person may live in constant fear of the evil demon returning.

Medication helps to regulate the chemical imbalance
but not everyone follows doctor’s orders and there are many complications and side effects.

Although, the good news is,
many people have been successfully treated
in a variety of ways,
but that does not discount the amount of suffering that they endured
before they were able to get it under control.

I could type all night long discussing depression

but that’s not why I am writing this post.


That’s another story.


My purpose is to let anyone who is currently suffering know,
that there are answers
help is out there!

and perhaps when someone is trying to reach out to you,

maybe they really do understand,

because at one time or another,

they have been there
or loved someone who was tortured by the disease.

Depression has impacted so many lives.

That second group of people who believe
they are the only ones who know
how it feels
should take into consideration
that quite a few people know only too well.


We should never attempt to compare pain.
Pain cannot be measured.
Pain is pain and it’s not pretty!

Not a single person on the planet has had a perfect life,

even though it certainly may appear that way.

Have you ever watched a movie where the actor or actress on the big screen
seems to have it all,
good looks, money, romance, fortune and fame?

However, what you might not know,

maybe
the larger than life character with the perfect smile

might not have been able to get out of bed for a year,
was unable to do the simple things most people take for granted,
isolated themselves for months and months
or lost or gained 50 pounds
even struggled with an addiction.


Owen Wilson, one of the stars of the Marley and Me movie
is a perfect example.

I think his suicide attempt shocked quite a few fans
He sure looked like he had it all.

However, as we all know, looks are deceiving.


A beautifully wrapped package
coveted by many
might be totally empty
 
I know there are some know it alls out there

but you have to love them for trying to help.
They did not have to reach out to a total stranger
but they took the time to leave some words of encouragement.

On the other hand,
there are just as many others
who stopped to help

who really do know what they are talking about
when they try to offer words of encouragement
and share some insight that might have been a turning point for them

Perhaps they know a thing or two from their own experiences

and they want to try
to make that person aware of an activity, a book, or a song, or an idea
that just might act as a catalyst for a positive change.

Good old Jana Standfield sings about bars made out of ribbons
that prevented the soul from soaring.
(self imposed isolation…the worst kind)

I understand many depressed people truly believe that no one knows how they feel,
but I think they might be shocked to discover,
just how many people
can truly relate

because they, themselves or someone they know,
has grappled with the ugly beast.

I also noticed by the comments,
how depressed souls,
suffering at the same time
gravitate toward each other

and it seems like they put up some kind of united front
in order to protect one another from all the intensive boobs
walking around believing they have all the answers.

I can’t get some of the people whose posts I read
out of my thoughts today

and can’t help but wonder

how any of those sad, depressed and lonely bloggers

who were pouring their hearts out on the screen

were feeling  today?


Were they able to listen to any the suggestions offered
and actually implement one idea?


Did someone’s wise words strike a chord with another,
resonate in their subconscious and initiate some sort of change for the better,

or did just hearing that they were not alone prove helpful in some way.

I hope so!

Some days, just lifting their head off the pillow is all they can accomplish.

I pray for every one of these unfortunate people

who are fighting daily to do the things most people take for granted

and hope they are able to get some sort of help soon,

so they do not have to suffer much longer.

You have to be proactive,

even if you can’t help yourself,
you must find someone who is willing to help

or at least lead you in the right direction.

You cannot stay in that state all by yourself….

remember that beautifully wrapped package
that was empty inside,
if you do not do something to improve your condition,
you might just rot away.

and it just does not have to happen
you can be helped,

never
ever
lose hope

many productive,
successful people
have fought the battle
and won

depression can be defeated

don't let it defeat you!
thats another story!