Tw// depression
Dear all authors, when describing a character with depression please don’t just write something like, “someone ignored me at school, I’m so depressed, let me grab a blade and slit my wrist” please try to truly grasp the concept.

As some with depression, when I see a character who has had no internal struggle through the entire story suddenly say that they have depression because one person ignored them, it makes me feel like I’m being mocked.

Often I see it used as a trend, depression is not fun and it’s not a trend. It’s an your aesthetic either. It’s real and it takes many lives.

I believe that once scars heal, they tell a story. It’s another battle you’ve survived. Your scars are beautiful and they make you who you are. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re weak because those scars are proof that you’re tougher than stone.

For me, I don’t just look at a blade and decide I’m going to cut myself. I resort to it when my emotional pain is to much and I need to forget about it. Please don’t confuse regular sadness as depression. It’s much more than just feeling down

A big DON’T if you’re character is going through depression, (this applies for real life as well) don’t say, “everyone feels down sometimes, your perfectly fine” you’re basically invalidating the persons feelings.

Take time to talk with them and acknowledge what they’re going though. Let them know that you’re listening to them and you’re there to help them with what they need. Not what you think is best for them.

Here are some tips for people who cut, pull on their eyebrows, or have the urge to chew on something like your nails

1, rub ice on the area you have the urge to cut. Usually it’s not enough for me so I grab index finger and middle finger, then I very roughly smack it across my wrist. I rub the ice and then smack I do this over and over again. It mimics the stinging.

2, If you have a habit of pulling your hair, (eyebrows, eyelashes, etc) place a rubber band around your wrist and pull anytime you have the urge to pull on your hair.

3, If you have the urge to chew on things like your nails for example. I always have a pack of gum and some lollipops on me. Ice works as well.

If anyone ever needs to vent or talk to anyone I’m always here to help. I’m not true best at giving advice or comfort but I’ll try.
Fun fact, I began this thread because of a book I read and I felt like I was being mocked the entire time I read it.