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Depression Can Be A Mental Workout

February 26, 2013 Amie Merz, LPC, NCC

Lying in bed, covers pulled up. Look at the clock and know you are late. You need to go. You need to move. You need to get up. You know this. And yet your body feels heavy, stuck. You yell at yourself in your head. Get up! But you don't. Get moving! But you don't. It's as if Depression has paralyzed you. You know what you need to do. You know what the consequences will be if you don't. And yet you still feel like you can't move.
Fighting depression can be a mental workout

Giving In To Depression?

The guilt sets in. The negative thoughts about what a failure you are because you didn't get up. Because you aren't attending to your responsibilities. It feels like no one else has this problem. It feels like you are the only person who isn't functioning. Your therapist says that isn't true but is she just being nice? Why does this keep happening?

Now you are really late and you have disappointed people. Your phone buzzes and rings but you ignore it because you are ashamed. Friends call and ask if you are okay. No, not okay. Not okay at all. But you say, I'm fine. Just not feeling well today. Thanks for asking.

Fighting Back Against Depression

Finally the stubborn part of you speaks up. Talks back to that negative voice. Be Quiet! I have depression but depression is not going to run my life. I am doing the best I can! I will Stand Up and not be ashamed. Depression will not win. Pushing the blankets off, taking a warm relaxing shower. Listing my positive qualities. One late day does not make me a failure. Ten sleepy days does not label me a failure. I can do this one small step at a time. I've done it before, I'll do it again. I can, and I will.

APA Reference
Merz, A. (2013, February 26). Depression Can Be A Mental Workout, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2024, March 19 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/copingwithdepression/2013/02/depression-can-be-a-mental-workout



Author: Amie Merz, LPC, NCC

islandbreeze
April, 22 2013 at 3:46 pm

I couldve wrote this! Thanks for sharing.

Nelda
March, 9 2013 at 8:24 am

I go through this every morning and it is hard but I'm a fighter. So I get up and make it to work and fight through it one moment at a time. Thanks for validating my experience. I'm not alone after all.

Kathy Beardsworth
March, 2 2013 at 9:22 am

your article sounds like i was reading back over something i have written.....ugh!....i am having a bad day for sure!!

Dave
March, 2 2013 at 8:10 am

A great article. Depression not only a personal challenge but a national and economic issue that needs to be openly talked about. The devastating effects of depression can be positively addressed.
Lets hope that Paarity in both Mental Health and Substance abuse will help by giving access to services.

Sandra L. Flaada
February, 27 2013 at 3:39 pm

You read my mind.

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