Riti

Every time I take my prescribed antidepressants, I am reminded of how far I have come. Five years ago I would have justified taking my own life since I had no self-worth. A month of hospitalisation and regular therapy sessions made me realise that even with the support I had, I had to work on myself. I had to work on my insecurities, my fears, my irrational thinking and I had to build my self-esteem no matter how badly I was wounded by the thoughts in my head. I survived.

Since the time I was diagnosed, I have managed to get a degree in Applied Psychology and I work as a research assistant focusing on problems faced by Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in India.

Depression has not necessarily left me but it has become more manageable. Now if I feel low, it is a reminder to rest and eat better and breathe. I still have people in my life who wonder why have I not been completely cured of my depression, but the fact of the matter is that it doesn’t work like a scraped knee. The struggle continues but the frequency of the depression cycles decrease.

Personally managing my depression made me understand myself better because I had to step out of my comfort zone and learn to accept myself for who I am.