Sometimes people ask why it's so difficult for me to reveal my struggle with depression and anxiety. It's assumed that society is much more welcoming to this condition than it really is. In fact, little progress has been made to fight the stigma associated with mental illness.
I've done some reading lately about former presidents John Adams and Abraham Lincoln. Both suffered bouts of "melancholia". Although Lincoln's were far more intense and frequent, they both enjoyed a level of acceptance not seen today. In the last 200+ years, we've actually regressed. A melancholy personality was met with understanding and empathy, if not outright sympathy, in Lincoln's day. Today, depression is regarded as a weakness to be avoided at all costs in a world where only the strong survive - or at least deserve to survive. It's an imaginary ailment dreamed up by people who just want to be lazy.
Nothing could be further from the truth. For 18 years, I gave my all (and then some) to a job and a company which proceeded to abandon me during my darkest hour. In fact, my job was in large part responsible for the breakdown which led to my dismissal. The irony is somewhat tragic.
I'm trying desperately to get back into "working shape" again, but it's taking time. It takes time to recover from any illness and depression is no different. You have to learn how to live your life all over again and that's no small feat.
So the next time you meet someone with a mental illness, please try to be understanding. You don't need to pity them, just don't judge.
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