The most apt description of depression and loneliness I've ever read.

[Guest Beardless Viking]

I stumbled upon this description of depression and loneliness on a thread on reddit, and it really spoke to me. It's such a simple way of summarizing it, and I think many of y'all can relate, so I wanted to share it.


''Loneliness is the worst. By far.

Depression is a lot of things. Lack of motivation is the biggest of them, and it is a killer by itself. But it also does so much worse. You never want to go out and do things or meet people. Or... you want to, but cant muster any of the motivation to do it.

So you're depressed, sitting at home, alone. Every thought you have has nowhere to go but your own head. Every paranoid thought echoes and grows. There is nobody to give you any perspective, nobody who cares about you enough to put some light into those dark places.

Youll eventually find someone to talk to, but you've been so anxious and desparate to find a friend that you talk too much, try too hard, and you scare them off with your neediness. Probably, because they don't know what you are going through and just think you are weird.

So they leave, and now you're lonely again. And it adds to your depression, making it even worse because you can't handle one of the most basic of human experiences and needs - making/keeping friends.

You'll cry yourself to sleep. A lot at the start, but then less and less because you become used to the loneliness, you convince yourself that its okay and you prefer it that way. Because you don't even have the motivation to convince yourself something it wrong, because admitting something is wrong would mean you would have to go and fix it.

So what will fix it?

...

I wish I could tell you.

Diagnosed 6 years ago, but struggling with it longer than that. Still struggling.''

[Guest Ignea]

It kinda summs it all up.

From my own experience i can relate to it plus the fact its a slow working poison that destroys you.

 

its hard to try and see the glass is half full.

 

Take small steps, each step is progress i told that a person earlier and i know it works not always as fast as you want but it does

Edited November 15, 2017 by Ignea

[Guest aphroditelaughs]

Yikes, this is really relatable. But important to read.

[Guest Urthurs]

Partly. The self destructive spiral is very relatable. I had understanding people around me but refused help from friends and family, because it made me feel even more like a worthless burden. Therapy was easier because atleast I payed for it. Gave something back in return. (Although it did take a medical emergency to kick me in the ass to finally get help...)

[BabyLindaIsTeething]

*giggles at the fact that you said "ya'll" like an American southerner. But yep. I've hit those depressive lows before and I can relate to it.

[Guest PrincessPuppyPaws]

Whoa, very accurate and relatable. I think it's important for someone who knows another with depression to read this and they'll understand them a little better, perhaps. It's very easy to feel defeated with depression like 'what's the point in trying that?' kind of thing. And the trying too hard thing - people can often take full advantage of that. You give and they are all too happy to take and ask for more, then throw you aside when you have nothing left. I have seen how the need for affection can make people do things they later regret, or is completely out of character. Can often get them in trouble, which is sad. And sometimes crying yourself to sleep is the only way you can get any rest. Lack of sleep and depression are not a good mix. Thanks for sharing this

Edited February 3, 2018 by PrincessPuppyPaws