A Depressive’s Guide To Coping With Depression

6) IT MAY TAKE A WHILE, BUT YOU WILL START FEELING BETTER

Even once you’ve agreed on the best course of treatment and cut out any bad habits, it can still take a while before the effects of that treatment start to become apparent. This is the toughest part of any recovery and is what I call The Adjustment Corridor, where you’re slogging away and waiting for the cumulative effects of the meds and therapy to kick in. Some corridors are longer than others, and holy crap they can sometimes be a motherfucker to get through, but here’s the thing: sooner or later, you will come out the other side and start to feel better, little by little, until a little eventually gives way to a lot. This is not some head-patting “it’ll be alright” pep talk. It is a statement of fact.

7) YOU ARE AWESOME AND YOU DESERVE TO BE HAPPY

No-one should be feeling miserable, empty or anxious every minute of the day. Yes, sadness is a part of life and is very often unavoidable but that doesn’t mean we should spend our every waking moment at the mercy of dark thoughts and feelings. Depression can be a tough nut to crack but with patience and a bit of effort it can be cracked, and the rewards can be miraculous and life-changing. You can do it. Here, have a hug.

And to take us out, here’s The Five Stairsteps with my favourite “It’s gonna be okay” anthem. Hit it, guys:

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