Let's work on depression

The thing that sucks the most about depression is that it prevents you from doing the things that you need to do to get better. I started feeling really hopeless near the end of my PhD. On the outside, I was doing just fine: going to class, getting good grades, cracking jokes. However, outside of school, my life was standing still.  I wasn’t socializing, wasn’t making new friends, wasn’t taking care of myself.  A part of me knew that if went for a walk, or called a friend, it would probably help at least a bit – but I just couldn’t bring myself to do that. 

During the summer holidays, I went to see my doctor who diagnosed me with depression. On one hand I was relieved to be taken seriously. On the other hand, I was also ashamed and mad at myself for letting it get so bad.

I started medication and counselling the same week. My counsellor helped me to let go of the shame and guilt I felt about the depression, to start small and build on what I’ve done. I’m sure the medication helped quite a bit, too. Finally, my counsellor helped me to reconnect with my values and remember what I loved about life..