What's Depression Like?

So, this is my personal experience.

“What’s depression like?” They ask.

It’s everyday wearing a simple mask,

Hiding the way you feel

Behind a smile that’s not real.

But it’s more than that, it’s like being alive,

Without any motivation to strive.

It’s fighting not to cry,

To keep your tear ducts dry.

It’s not being able to tell a friend,

Even though they may help mend.

Because the fear that they will turn away

Is far greater than the hope that they will stay.

It’s like drowning, the air in your chest turning to stone,

But everybody around you is breathing, lost in their own little zone.

Not knowing what to do, no matter what you say,

Because it ends up being wrong anyway.

It’s being put on a “happy pill” that makes you smile,

But it only lasts for a little while.

And once it’s gone, never to return,

It’s something else’s turn.

It’s always feeling alone,

Not liking anybody’s tone.

The sarcastic, snide and scornful.

The mocking, moaning and mournful.

You’d think people would be willing to assist,

But let me tell you, they normally resist.

You say we shouldn’t be afraid, we should have no fear,

But look at what people say at just a single tear.

Author's Note

You can agree or disagree, but this was how I felt during my days of depression. I've gotten better, but I felt like people should understand what it's like.

Reviews

[Lord of mad men]

You hit the nail on the head. This is what depression is. Depression is a fact of my life I have learned to hide some times eve. From my self my mask is not simple though its has grown to a new glass face. But on good blow it is gone yours truely a mad lord

[LastMonth]

I hate to repeat what others have said here,
But you pretty much nailed down the experience.
You've done so in a gorgeous way that made me smile with understanding.

I'm very glad to hear that you are better.
Thank you for the wonderful read.

[J.R.H.]

Amazing. Just amazing.

I've seen a lot of poems by people who want to express what it means to suffer from depression but this is by far the first time I've ever felt such a personal connection with one. You hit the nail on the head with this poem. A lot of people are going to be able to relate to this and even, find some comfort in it.

Great job! Thanks for the read silent wolf!

[Jean Carlos]

It can help you relate with what you may be going through, it has a calm but fearful voice, I love it.

[Augustus]

What strikes me most about this write is your clarity of thought and your ability to simplify what is arguably a highly complex set of emotions. The poem is so accessible to the reader, It is so easy to relate to. With subject matter like this, it is easy for the poem to drown itself in heavy cryptic and sometimes grandiose metaphors but your poem is in absolutely no danger of that. And yet, the poem is not simplistic. It puts forward complex notions in a simple way. For instance the line "not being able to tell a friend" says so much. On the face of it, there is nothing that stops you from speaking to a friend. But you say that you are not "able" to. That itself conveys so much longing, anger, frustration, desolation... a formidable invisible barrier created by the mosaic of your emotions. And you convey it in one simple phrase. Perhaps connoisseurs of poetry would desire a little more richness in terms of poetic elements here, a little more sophistication and finesse. But ultimately, poetry is also a means of communication. And this one is a very effective piece of communication. Well done!

[I Am Svetlana]

I'm going to thank you for putting these feelings into words. I always hate being around people when I'm having my dark days, my dark moments. I have depression, anxiety, ADHD and ADD, also a mental disorder called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). I have panic artacks if I get too overwhelmed, but I've learned to control them and how to work through them. When I'm depressed, I feel crazy if I try to talk to people about it, especially my family simply because I never have much of a reason to be sad or depressed and they would say that I sound crazy. A thing to help me get through it is that my dad taught me to just take life one day at a time and try not to worry about too much if it's not important. It's really helped me focus on my job and become successful in life. Depression is a difficult struggle, but there is a way through it.

[Caira day]

That's how I felt to but I think I'm getting better. I still have my days when I don't want to do anything. I still have a lot to think about, but I'll get better.

[Sam Gregory]

Truly a great piece of writing, I can relate on some next level having suffered from depression and anxiety for a long time now. keep up the good work, am gonna share it for those who might relate too. :)

[??????]

I really loved this because I have seen this. You made it beautiful and true:)

[The Archangel Gabriel]

I thought I would mention that I struggle with anxiety that is absurd at times and also sleep disorder, problems going to sleep. Nothing like depression, I guess. At times, I have been a little down.

Glad somebody could help understand depression for people that do not have it. That was helpful for me. Such a great work of art. You are very talented, I think.