The op-ed below does not necessarily reflect the views of the University Daily Kansan and its members.
Nearly 60 million adults in the U.S. currently deal with depression, according to a Gallup poll. A quarter of those are between the ages of 18 and 29, with trends showing that depression among the demographic is only becoming more common as the percentage has almost doubled since 2017.
I began to have symptoms of depression in high school but was not diagnosed clinically until college. I was prescribed escitalopram (Lexapro), an antidepressant, which immediately made a difference. The effects made me no longer spend every minute of the day on edge, I stopped being constantly drained of energy without any physical stress and I felt — and still feel like —starting escitalopram has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I still struggle, as anyone does, but the difference has been night and day since starting treatment.
As I’ve gone through my mental health battles, I’ve noticed that there are often misconceptions about depression.
I’ve had many exchanges explaining my depression where I was asked what I’m sad about, told to try to focus on the positives or simply asked how I can be cheered up. While the sentiment of concern is almost always present, many people seem to follow this idea that depression is just a feeling of sadness. I don’t think people with this way of thinking should be blamed, because in entertainment and general discussion this is how depression is often portrayed, so why would they think otherwise?
The reality of the toll depression takes goes far beyond simple unhappiness, and I feel a need to shed light on my experience.
Depression disrupts every aspect of your life, and that’s especially amplified in college. Your grades slip because you can’t bring yourself to pay attention in class or even show up, and the smallest assignments feel monumental. There are countless days where what most people consider to be standard daily routines like showering, brushing your teeth and even eating are daunting tasks to you. Getting out of bed is often a chore that you have to force yourself to do because staying in bed feels like the safest option where nothing bad can happen since there’s an overwhelming sense of discomfort in any other setting.
The thoughts that come to you are more than sadness. Any negative thought can enter your mind. You’re filled with anxiety, feeling that the worst possible outcome is brewing or has already happened without you knowing. You feel regret about past mistakes, even if they’re things you thought you were moved on from or things you thought were insignificant. You wonder about your value to others, questioning your overall impact on the most important people in your life, regardless of what you’ve been told or previously thought. Hopelessness is one of the most commonly discussed feelings, and in my opinion one of the most long lasting. A saying often told to those feeling a lack of hope is that there’s “so much to look forward to,” but in my experience, the negative feelings heavily outweigh anything you are excited about or waiting for. All of these feelings and more can come at once or cycle through your head depending on the second.
A common piece of advice given to those struggling is that they should find a professional or even just a loved one to talk with, and I fully agree. However, finding that person and feeling a level of trust without feeling like a burden by putting that pressure on them was one of the hardest parts of my battle. Talking to a mental health professional seems like the easy workaround to avoid dumping one’s feelings onto close friends and family, but the logistical process of finding a therapist or psychiatrist in the first place, then seeing if it’s a good fit and building that trust can feel unnerving.
This is not to say anyone is obligated to listen, though. Boundaries are important, and it’s crucial that whichever person you end up talking to is fully confident and comfortable with you sharing your thoughts and experience with them and that they signed up for it, as opposed to being bombarded with things you unpack in front of them without warning.
Depression is a debilitating illness and should be treated and talked about as such. There’s much more nuance to it than a singular feeling of sorrow, and society needs to be aware of that.
To those struggling, you’re not alone. You’re loved, cared about and important to those around you. Things can always get better. If you’re struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please try to reach out to a loved one, a professional or call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Erik Overgaard is the Head Copy Chief for the Kansan and a senior at KU. Erik started with the Kansan as a staff photographer before moving to the copy desk. In his spare time he enjoys disc golf, playing darts and watching the Minnesota Vikings.
This article was edited by Opinion Editor Arien Roman-Rojas. If the information in this article needs to be corrected, please contact arienroman@ku.edu. We want to hear from you!
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