Myth: “Depression means you’re sad all the time.”
Fact: I’m not always sad. Sometimes I feel nothing at all. And somehow, that emptiness can be harder to explain than sadness.
Myth: “But I saw you laughing yesterday.”
Fact: I laughed. I meant it too. Depression doesn’t take away every good moment; it just makes some days much harder to carry.
Myth: “You just need to get out of bed and do something.”
Fact: I know. I tell myself the same thing. But on some mornings, brushing my teeth feels like I’ve already used up the little energy I had.
Myth: “You have a good life. What do you have to be depressed about?”
Fact: That question makes me feel guilty because I know I have things to be grateful for. Depression doesn’t always need a reason.
Myth: “You’ve stopped replying to everyone. You clearly don’t care.”
Fact: Sometimes I read your message ten times and still don’t know what to say. I haven’t stopped caring. I just don’t have the energy to be present.
Myth: “You’re being lazy.”
Fact: I’m tired before the day even begins. Things that used to happen without thinking now feel like tasks I have to negotiate with myself to do.
Myth: “I know exactly how you feel. Everyone gets depressed sometimes.”
Fact: Everyone has difficult days. But this isn’t just a difficult day. Sometimes the hardest part is not knowing when I will feel like myself again.
Sakshi Yadav
Bhopal, M.P.
