Morning arrives and a new day begins. I wonder if this is a day filled with joy or a day filled with worry and sadness?
I focus on my morning prayers and believe the day will be a good one.
Various things can cause my depression to arise. From worries to painful memories to unknown reasons, depression can arrive at any time.
How I deal with that depression is important. I’ve been taught ways of handling my depression and I know to ask for help when needed.
My doctors have given me coping methods and at times medication is needed. I am thankful for the wisdom of caregivers who understand this medical condition.
My husband has learned ways to help me, too. He often recognizes my symptoms before I recognize them. He notices my breathing patterns, my voice, my actions and more.
He has been taught how to help me when depression sets in.
Years ago, a person who did not know about depression made a hurtful comment to me. “What do you have to be depressed about? You have everything.”
That person was unaware of my depression is a medical condition, not an emotional upset.
I tried to explain how depression is not something I chose.
After a lengthy conversation, I believe the person was more understanding of everyone.
My family members and most of my friends know depression can arrive at any moment. They are aware of the warning signs.
My husband is especially alert to anything that may be different in my mood and body language.
He is caring and supportive. He is ready at any moment to help me or to get me the help I need.
When I am depressed, my husband and family provide understanding and support through their words and actions. If I have to miss an event or am not ready to chat, they understand. This care and understanding has developed over the years and I appreciate their love and support.
Living with someone who has depression means each day can bring something different. Compassion and care are key to helping.
How can you help someone who has depression? Share your thoughts.
Melissa Henderson is a writer of inspirational messages through fiction, non-fiction, devotions, guest blogs, articles and more. Her first children’s book “Licky the Lizard: was released in 2018.
You can follow Melissa on: Facebook, Twitter, and her website.
Defying Shadows 
My husband suffered from depression for decades. The first and hardest lesson I had to learn was that he could not just choose to “snap out of it.”
You are right. Often people say, “Oh, snap out of it. You’re okay.” People who have not experienced depression or don’t know someone with depression have a hard time understanding until they learn the facts.Thank you for sharing with us.
Oh, Melissa, what a beautiful and vulnerable post. Thank you for sharing your experience with depression. So many people are unaware of the reasons and differences like medical conditions surrounding depression. There are various kinds, I guess. But just like the person who made the hurtful comment, we need to stop lumping everyone in the same misunderstood category. Like the adage going around, “Too blessed to be depressed.” That only adds more pain to someone who battles depression. May we ask the Lord to open our eyes and seek understanding to help our loved ones who deal with this. Blessings!
Thank you Karen. I pray each of us will be understanding in all situations. 🙂
Melissa – I admit that depression is hard for me when I see it in someone close to me. I always want to help “fix it.” Obviously, I have learned that my “help” is not always what is needed. What a gift that your family is so aware and sympathetic to your needs.
Thank you Beth. Depression is hard to deal with at times. I am thankful God gives wisdom to doctors and caregivers. 🙂
I’ve walked with depression most of my life. I was afraid to share it with the man I’m considering marrying, but am glad I did. His reaction was/is much like your husband’s. I’m glad he has been supportive.
This is a spot-on post, Melissa. I have a family member who deals with depression, and it can be tough to know how to encourage and help them during those times when it hits. I’ve experienced depression, but it’s not something I deal with on an on-going basis. You are fortunate to have an attentive husband! Thanks for sharing part of your story.
I am thankful for supportive friends and family. There are various degrees of depression. Today is a good day for me. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this with us, Melissa. I know many people who struggle with depression and it’s certainly not a choice for them to “snap out of it.” The past year while trying to come to terms with my mother’s Alzheimer’s and my father’s struggles with caring for her, I’ve experienced periods of hopeless. It can be exhausting. Praying for you, my friend. ❤
Thank you Jill. Today is a very wonderful day. I keep you and your family in my prayers. Hugs! Have a blessed weekend!
Thank you for explaining about depression. They more we know, the more we can help others. Thank you for being so open about your own experience with depression. I pray for others to learn from your example.
Yes, the more we share the more we can help others. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your heart and your struggles here, Melissa. We can learn so much from one another. We all struggle with depression from time to time, but for some it is a daily battle. I appreciate all of your insights and suggestions, so we can stand by, lift and encourage one another when the depression creeps back in. God bless you!
Yes, we can learn so much from one another. We may not know the battles people are facing each day. I am thankful there is help. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this, Melissa. I also struggle with depression during times of great physical illness. My chronic illness has made me sick for twenty years, intensifying these last seven as it revealed itself as several autoimmune diseases. These are worsening, bringing my greatest struggle with depression in decades. We’ve relocated, and I have no friends or support system in place here. I’m alone every day. I pray for you now, that the Lord will uphold you and that joy and light-heartedness will return to you. I’m glad you have many around you to encourage and to gently support you. God bless you, sister!
Melinda, thank you for sharing your heart. Today is a wonderful day. I have enjoyed laughter with friends and family and strangers. I am praying for you dear friend. Have a blessed weekend!
Candice, there are many people who are reluctant to share about their depression. I was one of those people but now I am sharing in hopes of helping others. 🙂
This is excellent. We have SO much depression in my family, so I can definitely relate. Blessings to you. I’ve always heard this said about mental illness of any kind: you can’t just “get over” depression/anxiety/bipolar etc., just like you can’t “get over” diabetes or cancer.
Amen. Depression/anxiety is not something people can just “get over”. There is a difference between having sadness and being depressed. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂
Thank you for your transparency, Melissa.
I’m grateful that people have far more understanding of the various types of depression.
It doesn’t have the stigma it once did.
Thank you Janet. I am thankful more people are sharing their journey. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
Our daughter suffered from depression when she was a teen. I write about her story in my book, “Deep & Wide: Raising Children Deep in Jesus and Wide in Influence.” It was a hard few years learning how to help her through this time. One thing I did learn was to be patient with her, allow her to talk. walk with her, and tell her how much I believe in her no matter how she felt at that time about herself. Lots and lots of prayers went up for her. We sought counseling for her, but she didn’t like the counselor, she only wanted to talk to me; so I asked the Counselor to teach me how to help her. He was a wonderful teacher. Now, she is aware of this challenge that rears its head from time to time; because she is now a clinical therapist, she has also learned tools that help her. Like your husband, hers is a wonderful man who helps her navigate this struggle when it comes. Thank you, Melissa, for being real about this subject. 🙂 You’re amazing!
Thank you so much Marcie. Your words truly touch my heart. I am thankful God provides people we can confide in and trust. Your daughter is blessed to have you. Have a blessed week! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this. So many do not know or understand how to recognize the symptoms of depression or how to help others with depression. Thank you for being so transparent with your story.
Thank you for reading and commenting. I pray we can all feel comfortable in sharing our journey with depression/anxiety. 🙂
Thank you for sharing, Melissa. It sounds like you have a wonderful husband and family to help you as you fight against this depression. I am so thankful we can hope in our God, knowing one day all physical and mental illnesses will be put to rest!
Amen. I am comforted knowing God is with me and one day all depression will be gone forever. He will restore us to healthy minds and bodies. 🙂
What a wonderful, supportive family you have, dear Mimi! You are well cared for and well loved. I appreciate your transparency in hopes of helping and encouraging others. You are such a blessing to me. I will continue to lift you up to God’s throne. May your days be filled with His JOY, dear friend. Much love and hugs ❤️xoxo
Thank you Karen. I am so thankful God connected us. I appreciate you so much. 🙂
Much love and hugs back, Mimi. I’m very thankful for you too, sweet friend. ❤️
I really like this article. I have depression periods where I am really down in the dumps. I do just want to “fix it” but it doesn’t work like that. I never know when it is coming it comes in like a monster, a very stubborn monster that won’t leave. But I have found so things that sometimes calm down my anxiety/depression. May I share some with you?
Hey Mackenzie!
We’re always looking for new writers! If you’d like to apply, you can do that here: https://defyingshadows.com/join-our-team/
Actually, the points I wanted share really isn’t a blog. It just points I have gained here and there. I would prefer just to leave them on the comment on this blog or I can send it by email if you want. Whatever you prefer.