We asked persons in Trinidad and Tobago: “If you were to explain what depression feels like to someone who considers depression to be “weakness” or “laziness” or something you “can snap out of”, how would you describe it?” Here is what they had to say:
My depression feels like nothing. It makes me indifferent to all the people, things and places I love. It steals my joy and my love for life. It makes me unable to get out of bed; it makes me not want to. It makes me push people away because I don’t think they should have to put up with me; it makes me feel unworthy of love. Depression is real and it feels different for everyone. – Radeyah H. Ali, Attorney at Law
Depression for me was/is, more than anything else. a feeling of utter hopelessness – it is the deepest level of feeling so hopeless that you cannot see any sliver of light in the depths of darkness at which you are mentally. It is debilitating, and with that is a feeling of helplessness – that there is no way out, and you are ready to give up and you just don’t have any fight in you anymore.
The more compassionate, kind and understanding we can be of people with depression, the more likely we are to help them.
If you or someone you know needs help, please visit our directory of free and reduced cost resources: here. Please ask for help if you need it. You matter.