Depression: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Different ways that your feelings can make your life sucks.

Teerasan Rattanaruengkul
odds.team
4 min readJun 12, 2024

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“It’s 3 AM, and you’re overthinking. You wonder if you can make it to work in the morning, but at the same time, youfeel like you just want to end it all. You’re sad, crying your eyes out, and wishing to have someone hug you.”

— That’s what depression felt like to me.

Photo by Mitch on Unsplash

Hello, and welcome my dear reader back to your daily dose of existential crisis. Let’s start with a not-so-fun fact: did you know that almost 800,000 people die by suicide every year, nearly twice the number who die by homicide?

Given the above fact and my own experience with it for years (where I’m still going through it), today I will talk about depression, how you can detect it, help those who have it, and mitigate the damage from it. There’s no way to sugarcoat it, but depression can happen to all kinds of people regardless of age or gender/sexuality. Now let’s dive into this.

The Good

Even though depression may seem like a never-ending nightmare that keeps coming back and makes you feel like there is no way out, remember that there are still people who care about you. If you don’t believe me, pick a friend from your contact list and call them. If you say, “But I don’t have a friend,” then text me. I’ll be your friend. Above all, remember that there will always be a person there for you, whether it’s a good, bad, or even the worst time of your life. If you don’t like human interaction, like me, you can take a walk around the block; it helps clear your mind. If you’ve tried all that and it still doesn’t work, you can visit this link for some useful ways to help mitigate the damage caused by depression. Still, I would say the best way to combat depression is to talk to someone, at least that is what I’m comfortable doing, but everyone has their way of coping.

The Bad

Depression can have a profound effect on various aspects of your life. Here are some common symptoms:

  • Persistent Sadness: Feeling down, empty, or tearful most of the day, nearly every day.
  • Loss of Interest: Losing interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed, including hobbies, social activities, and sex.
  • Sleep Disturbances: Experiencing insomnia (difficulty sleeping) or hypersomnia (sleeping too much).
  • Fatigue: Feeling constantly tired and lacking energy, even after a full night’s sleep.
  • Changes in Appetite: Significant weight loss or gain due to changes in eating habits.
  • Difficulty Concentrating: Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
  • Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt: Harsh self-criticism, blaming yourself for things that aren’t your fault, or feeling guilty about things that wouldn’t normally bother you.
  • Physical Symptoms: Unexplained aches and pains, headaches, or digestive issues without a clear physical cause.
  • Restlessness: Feeling agitated, anxious, or unable to sit still.
  • Thoughts of Death or Suicide: Having recurring thoughts about death, dying, or suicide, or making suicide attempts.

If you recognize these symptoms in yourself, it’s important to seek professional help. Depression is a serious condition, but it is treatable. You can take this test to evaluate yourself or visit a doctor to get a professional diagnosis. Remember, seeking professional help is crucial in managing and treating depression.

The Ugly

The ugly truth about depression is that it can lead to thoughts of self-harm and even suicide. It can make you feel like there’s no hope or way out of the pain you’re experiencing. It’s crucial to understand that these thoughts are a symptom of the illness and not a reflection of reality. If you or someone you know is struggling with these thoughts, it’s imperative to seek professional help and support immediately. Remember that you are not alone, and there are people who care about you and want to help.

Parting Words

In conclusion, depression is a serious illness that can have a profound impact on one’s life. It’s crucial to seek help and support if you or someone you know is struggling with depression. Remember that you are not alone, and there are people who care about you and want to help. If you found this information helpful, share it with others who may benefit from it. Take care of yourself and reach out for help when you need it.

Photo by Minku Kang on Unsplash

Editor’s note

Thank you for reading this blog. It’s the blog that I’ve been wanting to write for some time. I would say it is a way of coping with depression for me, and perhaps for you as well. Maybe you can start by writing a daily journal to help manage your feelings. And remember, if you are going through depression, Here’s my social if you want to contact me: bento

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Teerasan Rattanaruengkul
odds.team

A depressed young adult trying to make sense of life. Part-time Software Developer, Full-time Cat Lover.