I’ve been asked questions about my depression. Questions which I asked myself:
When did you get over it?
I cannot pinpoint the exact day or time that I was no longer depressed. I think it’s not a one-time, one-day thing. Rather, it is a journey towards the light – slowly but steadily moving from a very dark place through a less dark trail – under a stormy sky to a cloudy one, and before I know it, the sun is out!
How did you get over it?
By God’s grace and grace alone. Yes, I did something about it. I forced myself to go out with friends even when I did not feel like it. I struggled to overcome the guilt, the shame, the stigma that comes with the big D – perhaps more difficult than my journey with the big C.
I sought the help of my mentor-friend. Upon her advise, I went to see a counsellor. She listened. She asked questions. She listened some more. She heard what I said. She made sure she heard me right. She made me think with more questions. More than just giving me the answers – she helped me find the answers to the questions. Along the way, I moved from the dark dreary place to a brighter cheery spot. Again all by God’s grace.
Do’s and don’ts:
1) Admit it. I was aware that I was depressed… that I was anxious… that something was not right with me.
2) Seek help. Never do it alone. The more I hide, the more depressed I got.
3) Overcome the negative – the guilt, the shame. Remember that God loves me for who I am – weak and needy.
4) Be brave to face it – do not run away from it or hide from it.
5) Be determined – persist even when it is hard.
Is depression one time deal? Not for me – I have been through it at different stages of my life. With each stage, I learned something: that all sufferings end; that God is there with me even when I do not see him, feel him or hear him; that with each depression, I remember how God saw me through the hard times before. Most of all, depression serves many good causes:
1) I get to depend on God more.
2) I get to experience his amazing presence, peace beyond understanding, provision beyond I can ask.
3) I get to write about it more. My writing becomes deeper, more authentic, more inspiring.
4) Finally, I get to comfort others with the same comfort that I receive from the Father of all comforts and compassion. I learn to listen as I was heard. I learn to be compassionate as I was shown kindness. I seek to understand as I was understood. I became more accepting because I was not judged.
