Depression is NOT a sign of weakness

Just had to share this, and comment on such an insightful definition of depression. Reading this really smacked me in the face, all too true for me. My Mother's car accident was the end of my innocence and the beginning of being strong. Staying strong is pretty much the only option in the face of traumatic brain injury and advanced cancer, especially for a 16 year old.

It was almost ten years of staying strong until I literally fell apart and was finally diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder. What a relief to know that it was NOT a sign of weakness to fall apart, ask for help and accept the diagnosis of depression. For so many years I held it all inside, at times allowing cracks to appear and letting out a little of the inner turmoil along with the tears.

It is now my mission to let others know that it is OK to let go, fall apart, cry, shout, ask for help and generally just admit that not everything is OK. It is possible to put the pieces of your broken self, broken soul and broken heart back together. It takes times and it takes different things for different people. From my own experience I can say that the longer you try to be strong, keeping it all inside, the longer it takes to rebuild. 

Remember, depression is not a sign of weakness.