Dysthymia Bree’s well written and intriguing post entitled ” Do you think there’s an upside to depression?” which can be found here: http://dysthymiabree.com/2013/11/09/do-you-think-theres-an-upside-to-depression/, inspired some thinking this morning. Has there been any benefit to my tenure with depression? If so, what in world could these benefits be?



Depression is life altering, mind changing, emotionally draining, physically derailing, and nothing anyone who understands would wish on another human being. There is no joke in which depression would be an appropriate punch line. This illness is often misunderstood by society as just a “bad day”. Depression is no bad day. It is a bad everything. One post or a host of posts would never fully describe this thing that is depression.

Hopefully you don’t understand depression. Maybe you and your loved ones have never been burned by her flames. I hope and pray this is true. Life offers a mass of illnesses, pains, struggles, heart aches, diseases, and ugliness. No one leaves this world unscathed by at least one, and usually more, of these delights. No one individual can understand everyone on a personal level, but we can all do our best to be understanding of each other as we inhabit this world together.

Depression is ugly. My mother taught us girls that every situation offers good. She has lived her preaching as the difficulties of life have washed over her repeatedly. Mom also suffers from depression. This wonderful woman has pushed through many days, escaping for only a moment to shed tears or scream into that pillow before charging the world in spite of how she was feeling. She is an amazing role model. Maybe her example is what allows me to say that for me, Dearest Depression does have her good sides.

1. Depression has allowed an acceptance and patience for others. For the first time, there exists an understanding for the pain other individuals are experiencing. Depression has removed the “rose colored glasses” that were so easy to slip on. She has awakened the soul to the pain of this world. Why would anyone ever want to understand pain? Empathy reaches far and works hard. Certainly one can never fully comprehend all situations, but depression alters basically every aspect of life. This allows for a unique understanding for many different kinds of pain.

2. Depression has made life into a new experience. Everyday we are alive, but do we live everyday? The good days have become works of art. Each sunrise is one to be appreciated. Every conversation with a loved one should be enjoyed. Depression has made that warm cup of tea in the morning such a comfort. She has even made the cold more enjoyable. Anything that says, “Hey, you are alive!” has a new value.

3. Depression has forged a previously unknown strength. Some believe that one will never know how strong he is until he understands how weak he is. Depression will make one weak. Depression will zap every ounce of power a person possesses. In those moments, new strength is created. These times produce a time of decision. Do we keep going, or do we give up? Many who fight through depression do just this; they literally fight. They fight to get out of bed. They fight to get dressed and make it to work, or to the store, or to coffee with a friend. Life is work. Work makes one strong.

4. Depression has aided in understanding what is actually important in life. Mom would say ” Don’t sweat the small things.” The small things are here today and gone tomorrow. The small things are the burned casserole for dinner, or the slow driver in the fast lane, or the overly critical coworker. Some parts of life are not pleasant,but they are also just not terribly important. Friends are important. Family is important. Taking care of my health is important. My faith is important. Depression has helped me to focus on the important things in life.

5. Depression has removed some of the selfishness that seems to be so difficult to repress. I don’t feel good. I don’t want to talk to anyone. I don’t want to listen to other people complain and whine all day long. I WANT to hide from everything and everyone! Depression has generated an understanding that depressed people are not the only ones who feel this way. They are not the only ones who hurt. Everyone hurts and feels. Everyone has desires and dreams. Depression has made it possible to push off some of the inward thinking, and to look at other people and their lives.

Depression is an illness of many faces. With depression, one never knows how he will feel or how often these feelings will change. One may awaken in the morning ready to charge the world and before breakfast is over, that same person may be seriously considering jumping through the emergency exit. Life is difficult. Depression never makes it any easier.

Am I thankful for depression? No sir. No mam. Not all. I am thankful that depression is my difficulty. Many individuals deal with much more severe and intense problems. I am so thankful for medication. Before the medicine, life was pointless. Friends were ignored. Family often found themselves frustrated and angered because of something I had done. I am also thankful for the opportunity to blog, and for the others who blog their journeys. The encouragement that comes from reading your thoughts and feelings has been great therapy for this girl. My faith and my family have also been keys to surviving.

Is depression good? No! Mom would say we can find some good in anything. I hope and pray that you are able to find some good even through whatever ugliness life has thrown your way.

Thank you Dysthymia Bree for the inspiring post. Thank you for reading. Cheers!