I understand you.

Jean Pham
Jean Pham
Jul 22, 2017 · 1 min read

“I cannot sleep. I feel heavy in my chest too often. I cry for no reason. I avoid social interaction. I taste nothing in my food. I have no motivation at work. Nothing excites me. I struggle to wake up. I forget washing my hair and taking shower. I feel dizzy whenever I stand up. I cannot pay attention or listen. I am tired all the time. It has been a few months now. What is wrong with me, Thao?”

I waited for my best friend to tell me to stop whining. I didn’t deserve to complain about my already-better-than-millions-of-people life.

I understand you. I had minor depression after my divorce. I will help you.

Thao wasn’t trying to be a hero. She didn’t realize how powerful her words were. Finally someone, who made me feel that I wasn’t alone with these emotions, that I had the right to be helped. Someone who proved that there was a way to recover, and I could do it too.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade