This blog post has been authored by Teresa Sanderson, Positively Teresa
When I was first diagnosed with major depression in 2010 I knew it would be difficult for my family to believe, but I never dreamed it would be so hard for me to understand that mental illness is as real as physical illness. Let me explain.
If I had a bad cold, I might check my temperature to see if I have a fever. I would expect a runny nose, body aches and maybe a scratchy throat. I might even choose to take a sick day to allow my body to rest. And I would probably drink soups, juices, and plenty of fluids. Does that sound about right?
When depression hits, though, I can’t see it. People who know me and love me can’t see it. It’s just something that exists behind my eyes and between my ears. So, because I can’t see it – I mean, there’s no real evidence of being sick – in the past I would keep on doing all of my normal activities. I would …