Depression is technically not the scariest mental illness out there, but it is still among the most incurable ones. Many people have wasted their lives due to this disorder, albeit involuntarily. A lot more of them have taken their lives as well, thinking that that’s their only salvation.
In truth, it is not possible to invalidate what depressed folks have experienced. I was diagnosed with depression a few years ago as well; I know what it feels like to live without feeling like that’s what you are doing. The day passes you by because you tend to sit in your house without opening the curtains or even moving from your bed. There is no one you want to talk to, no matter how much your friends and family try to reach out to you. You lose the motivation to live meaningfully altogether because the disorder can suck the life out of you. “Some individuals experience a decline in mood with a sense of loss, others experience a loss of interest or pleasure in activities they previously enjoyed,” said Robert D. Kerns, Ph.D, National Program Director for Pain Management for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
Despite all that, you may be like me who woke up one morning and realized that what’s happening is not healthy at all. It may have pushed you to seek mental help from therapists or psychiatrists. You may have also tried different self-help techniques in hopes of getting rid of the illness.
If you want to know if you have finally overcome depression, here are a few signs to watch out for.
You Like Well-Lit Rooms
Being in that depressive state tends to push you to keep your curtains and windows closed, and lights turned off everywhere. However, when you get over it, you try to bring light to every room. Even at night, you may keep the lamp on. It is as if you cannot stand the darkness at all times. This, I believe, is the first indication that you may no longer feel depressed.
You Show Interest In Socializing
Depression may have caused you to become aloof. You do not want to see anyone, not even your parents, spouse, and other relatives. If your friends manage to call you successfully, you come up with a lot of alibis to avoid chatting with them.
Once depression leaves you, you can get rid of that phase. You may start texting and calling your loved ones more. You may even host parties for them and do other meaningful things with them. It is not difficult for you to socialize at all.
You Can Smile And Laugh For Real
Being depressed does not mean that you are oblivious of how “normal” people should act. It is the opposite of that because you may always be overthinking about how others feel. That’s when you possibly decide to hide your illness by laughing and smiling along with everyone when you meet them.
When you are free from depression, though, you don’t have to school yourself to smile and laugh. Your facial muscles merely work together to form a smile, and real laughter comes from the pit of your stomach. There’s no need to put on a happy act anymore. “The point is: stop continually telling yourself nothing good will ever again happen—you’ve been there, seen that, done that,” said Sherry Amatenstein, LCSW.
Final Thoughts
Getting where you are now mentally must have been a rocky journey. If we are honest, you may not even believe that you have reached this far, to the extent that you want to make sure that your ordeal is over. However, when you notice the signs mentioned above within yourself, you should feel incredibly proud of yourself. You have, indeed overcome your depression. As what licensed counselor Donna M. White, LMHC, CACP said, “Remember every change you make matters.”
Cheers!