Thread by @slack2thefuture

I’ve had depression all my life. I’ve gotten pretty good at dealing with it, and I’m using those skills to stay mentally healthy right now.

But I’m sure there are a lot of people facing depression for the first time. So if it helps, here’s what I’ve learned over the years.

Depression isn’t just “feeling sad.” Every sane person in the world is sad right now. Depression is something different and darker. It’s existential outrage turned inward. It’s a biological process, a vicious cycle can get worse and worse unless you do something to stop it.

So what can you do? As with so many things, the first step is admitting that the problem exists. All of my recoveries have started with the admission that I’m struggling with depression. Why is this important? Because it separates you from the disease.

Once you admit you have depression, you can start to see it as a disease like cancer. Something that’s in your body that doesn’t belong there. Something you can fight against and defeat. This can help you start to sort out your healthy thoughts from depression’s lies.

I think of it like having a venomous snake inside my head. If I don’t know it’s there, it can coil around my mind and sink its fangs into anything and everything that could bring me joy or peace or help me find a way out.

Once you’ve acknowledged depression as a disease rather than a personal failing, you can being to treat it. How?
There are lots of ways to get help. If you have health insurance, contact your provider about finding a therapist. Most are doing phone/video sessions now.

If you don’t have insurance, this link can help you find low-cost options: adaa.org/finding-help/t…

If you’re in an acute crisis (i.e. thinking about hurting yourself), please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Talking to mental health professionals about what you’re going through is a crucial first step. But it’s not all you can do to fight depression. Here are some other things that can help:

- Exercise. Even a low-intensity workout can make a huge difference. Anything that gets your body moving.

- Set small, very reasonable goals you can acheive. They can be a simple as making a cup of coffee or getting dressed. Each accomplishment is stair step out of the darkness.

- Pay attention to your surroundings. Feel the air as you breathe it. Notice the colors you see. Think about the flavors when you eat. Take time to be in the moment instead of in your head. Meditation apps can help with this.

- Focus on feelings instead of thoughts. Depression is very good at constructing elaborate fantasies of how bad things are. If you refuse to play that game and focus on your emotions, it’s harder for depression to win. (Full disclosure: I still *struggle* with this one.)

- Sunlight. It sounds crazy but it works. Lying in a sunbeam coming through a window for 30 mins can really help. Before I was on meds, I used to sleep under a grow-light. Which brings us to...

- Medication. There are some amazing medicines for depression. Ask a doctor.

- Be kind to yourself. Give your mind and body the attention, compassion, and patience you need to heal. Do things that make you feel safe and cared for. Depression will tell you that you don’t deserve this. Bullshit. If you don’t take care of you, someone else will have to.

If I think of anything else, I’ll add it later. And if you’re struggling right now, please know that you’re not alone. We are all going through this together. I hope this helps. Take care.