Ever since I found out I have this stupid illness of mine, my life has never been the same. It's very easy to trigger, and if I ever go to bed stressed, it fires off automatically anyway. Symptoms include panic attacks, acute brain fog, inability to hold a conversation, painful inflammation (like your brain is on fire); and last about one to two weeks. It'd happened before, whence I'd thought it was normal for everyone, but realizing I had an incurable disease marked the start of an awful depression that lasted just under seven months.
See, the thing about depression is that there isn't any easy way out. In my case, I found a forum of people who suffer from the same illness, and I tried all sorts of different temporary remedies to no avail. (I should note, while there is research going on, there is no treatment for what I've got.) I shunned antidepressants as they'd only provide temporary relief, and because I was already addicted to sleep meds. Eventually though, after many miserable weeks, I figured out that it only triggered in my sleep if I went to bed really stressed or it got really hot. It's inconvenient at times, but after therapy and tailoring my sleep schedule around it I've finally gotten a chance to be my normal self.
I think that's the major factor in overcoming depression: The feeling of regaining control. It doesn't come easy - I was in group therapy for months - but once you realize how much you have to live for, how beautiful the world can be, and just how much your friends really care about you (a lot), you've taken the first step towards healing.
Link related. It's a glass sculpture my mom picked up for me when I was feeling down. Bears are kind of a mutual obsession between us, so it really meant something.
Having meaningful conversations with people also really helps. You have my gratitude for that.
