My therapist gave me a helpful analogy. She said Depression can be felt on a spectrum. Everyone at some point has felt depressed, in that way it’s like the common cold. Usually though we get out of it and it passes just like a cold would BUT sometimes that cold turns into..
a sinus infection and you will probably need medication for that. The good news is sinus infections, just like moderate depression is treatable. It’s usually brought on by a situation & after some therapy or brief medication you can get through it.
In fact most people...
respond positively to meds & can get off of them in about 6 months or so.

But what if your sinus infection turns into pneumonia?

Most likely you will need strong antibiotics and some people may need to be hospitalized.
It’s such a dangerous illness that if left untreated you could possibly die.

Severe bio-chemical Depression is similar. If left untreated the results could be fatal. The needs of those w this severe illness are much greater than those with a cold.
Would it be right to tell someone with pneumonia “I had a cold once and got over it w elderberry tea why couldn’t you?”

If you’ve had mild to moderate depression & have gotten through it that’s really great!
But please hear me - severe depression can’t be cured w the same protocols.

It’s a completely different beast, it’s not like a cold or sinus infection. It’s something much more serious and can be deadly.
There is hope so I don’t want to say that there isn’t. My depression will probably be life-long and it has gotten better with various protocols some of which has required partial-hospitalization.
I guess I’d like to see a deeper understanding of this illness & let people know that it can be felt on a spectrum.

Mental Illness is just like any other illness, one that needs to be taken seriously. ✌🏼
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