Drinking Your DepressionStep 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, and that our lives had become unmanageable. For many of us, depression has a deadly consort: substance abuse. There's no use...reactions
I Think We're Alone Now: Isolating With DepressionMy friends and family often ask me why I don't go out more often. They know, after many years of knowing my mental health struggles, that I feel uplifted and...reactions
Recognizing Signs of a Downward Spiral (and Tips for Not Falling Into It)When you have had major depressive disorder for as long as I have, it becomes easier to recognize the signs when things are going in the wrong direction. I like...reactions
4 Methods for Managing Housework with DepressionIt is raining outside, which means my body physically hurts. So, I am sitting on the couch with my dogs. Unfortunately, I feel completely overwhelmed. The phrase "when it rains...reactions
A Depression Diagnosis: It's Not "All In Your Head"Depression chooses its victims. The condition will rob them of their joy and steal every moment of their happiness. As a young teenager, I could not understand why I could...reactions
The Challenges of Finding the Right PsychiatristBetween my diagnoses of major depressive disorder with psychotic features, the anorexia, and the borderline personality disorder, I've worked with a lot of psychiatrists. Not to mention the multiple admissions...reactions
Beautiful MonsterMy mother is a Tibetan Buddhist and has been studying meditation and mindfulness for about 50 years. Nowadays, she tunes into online workshops with "Dharma teachers" – usually Tibetan monks...reactions
Suicidal Attempts: A ReflectionContent Note: This article describes suicide. If you or a loved one are struggling, consider reading our mental health resources page. Much like a UFC fight, I have gone more...reactions
Closer to Fine: A Diagnosis That Never DisappearsI knew I had severe mental health issues before I knew that major depressive disorder (MDD) existed. When I was a newly minted teenager in 2014, I started noticing some...reactions
5 Ways I Prioritize My Well-being With Major Depressive DisorderI have battled major depressive disorder, known as MDD, for years. It is a daily challenge affecting everything, from relationships to sleep to productivity. With this diagnosis, I have learned...reactions
6 Things Not to Say to Someone with DepressionLike with any illness, it is difficult for people to always know the "right" thing to say. So how about we flip things around and focus on the not-so-helpful words...reactions
The 2024 Social Health Awards ProgramEditorial Note: Nominations for 2024 are now closed. We are very excited to announce the launch of the 2024 Social Health Awards program! The Social Health Awards is an awards...reactions
Living With Treatment-Resistant DepressionWhen I was first diagnosed with depression almost 20 years ago, I thought it was no big deal. Of course, I was 20 years old and in college, so what...reactions
Depression and Identifying as AsexualThe first time I thought about my sexuality was during my first year in high school. I was pitching on the softball team and about half the girls on the...reactions
Unraveling the Layers of Mental Health StigmaWhile several health conditions face problems related to stigma, the stigma around individuals with mental health conditions is some of the most prominent. Those of us living with depression have...reactions
A Guy With Depression…In my work as an independent consultant, I have a love-hate relationship to LinkedIn. On the one hand, it feels like a giant exercise in futility, with millions of frantic...reactions
How Anorexia Feeds DepressionContent Note: This article describes eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and symptoms. It also mentions sexual abuse. If you or a loved one are struggling, consider reading our mental health resources...reactions
Major Depression's Cousin: High-Functioning DepressionThe majority of my depressive episodes have been severe major depressive episodes, in which I'm barely able to function, if at all. Almost all of them are accompanied by suicidal...reactions
World Behind Locked Doors: My First HospitalizationI awoke as the sun was rising, groggy and confused. In the next moment, I recalled what I had done just hours ago. I'd swallowed an entire bottle of pills...reactions
Like Mother, Like Daughter: My Depression DiagnosisI have not always felt like Eeyore, Winnie-the-Pooh's depressed friend. But 2023 was a rough year for me and I’m glad to see it in the rear-view mirror. That is...reactions