What Depression Feels Like

Mike Veny

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the article below may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use and believe will add value to our readers. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

There are some things in life that are so easy to describe, things as the directions to your work, a historical event, and the color of the sky. Some things are just black and white. They are a certain way and while the details may vary a little, the basic description is the same no matter who is doing the describing. Then, there are those things that are incredibly difficult to put into words. The things that everyone feels slightly different about. The things that you have a hard time putting into words because you don’t quite understand it yourself all the time. That’s what depression feels like when you try to describe it.

What depression feels like

Depression can feel the same and different for each person. You’re probably wondering how that can be true. How can something be the same and different? Well, the truth is—depression doesn’t always feel the same. Sometimes it feels one way and other times it feels different. So, sometimes two people struggling with depression may be able to relate, and other days they may feel completely different.

Depression is painful. It brings a feeling of hopelessness. It causes you to doubt yourself and doubt those that are in your life. You start to doubt that the things you are doing to help yourself are working at all. Sometimes, it is easy to sink into this feeling instead of fighting it. But, there are also other times when you can trick yourself into thinking that your depression is protecting you. It’s keeping you safe from all those people in your life that are going to let you down.

Depression feels different for everyone

Maybe you can’t quite identify with how depression feels to me, and that’s okay. It feels different to everyone. OC87 Recovery Diaries is a website that is full of other people’s stories of depression. Check out the stories there to find the ones that you do identify with. There is valuable advice about how different people are dealing with their depression. Unfortunately, there is no “one size fits all” type answer to depression. But, there are a lot of people over at OC87 Recovery Diaries who are willing to keep the conversation around depression going so you know that you are not alone.

Getting help for depression

Depression isn’t definable as one particular feeling for most people, but there are therapies that can help to get through it. Whether it’s talk therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), those with depression usually require some help to get through the darkest days as much as they need support on the lighter ones. It’s important that if you are dealing with depression, you seek help. Working to overcome depression is important and having the right support to get to the root of the depression can be key to helping you get there.

Mike Veny

Mike Veny won Corporate LiveWire’s 2022 & 2023 Innovation & Excellence Awards for his work as a Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist®. He also won NAMI New York State’s 2023 Leader Of Mental Health Awareness award. As a PM360 ELITE Award Winner, he was recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the healthcare industry for his work with patient advocacy. Determined to overcome a lifetime of serious mental health challenges, Mike’s career began as a professional drummer and evolved into becoming a change maker in the workplace wellness industry. Mike is the author of several books, including the best-selling book, Transforming Stigma: How to Become a Mental Wellness Superhero. He is currently furthering his knowledge at Maharishi International University, pursuing a Consciousness and Human Potential degree.
A Quick Start Guide for Mental Wellness in 2022

A Quick Start Guide for Mental Wellness in 2022

There was a massive shift in the messaging that took place at the start of 2022 around New Year’s resolutions—people didn’t want to set them. It makes sense. Over the last two years, we’ve experienced constant change and uncertain...