LETTER TO MY LOVED ONE: Dealing With My Depression

Do you ever feel like no one knows how to "deal" with your "condition"? The condition being depression. In this article I am going to tell you what those loved ones need to do; and if you are the loved one reading this, please don't stop reading. This is for you.

Dear loved one,

I have been suffering with depression for quite some time and I have been contemplating suicide. The last thing I need for you to say is, it's all in my head. I need you to know how I feel.

Every day it's a struggle getting out of bed, every day I cry for no reason, sometimes there is a reason but I don't really want to validate that reason, sometimes it's difficult for me to do the simple tasks that life requires me to do such as; going to work or showering. I am feeling like the weight of the world is on my shoulders and sometimes I myself, don't know what to do. I have this voice that tells me; I'm ugly. I'm hopeless. I'm crazy. Nobody wants me. I have no interest in any of the things I use to love to do. I even obsess (in the back of my mind) about the past. This thing just snuck up on me. This thing, without warning suddenly became apart of my life. One day I was the happy -daughter, son, wife, husband, sister, brother and friend- and the next day, I was gone. I wasn't me anymore.

Please don't blame yourself. Please don't justify any reasoning; I am the only one that can figure out why I am this way. I need to let you know what you can do to help me.

Be honest with me when you say you are going to be there for me. When you say you are going to be there for me; mean it. If you say you will talk to me; mean it. Don't leave me hanging. There's a reason I am coming to you. I'm needing to confide in you.

Don't talk at me; talk with me. Make me believe it's a conversation. Give me advice and sharing your experience with me. Show me I can trust you.

Don't be quick to judge. Please don't call me crazy. Please don't say it's all in my head. Don't immediately assume someone else is the issue. Please don't assume there's no reason. Please understand I'm needing you to listen. Don't just listen, hear me out.

Most importantly; reassure me everything is okay. I am going to make it. Tell me I'm not alone. Be patient.

All in all; I'm confiding in you. Give me a chance to open up. Help. I need help. Please take this seriously.

Sincerely,

Your Brother, sister, wife, husband, daughter, son & friend

If you have come to the end of this letter, someone has killed themselves somewhere in the world. Please take depression and suicide seriously. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide please call (800)-273-TALK (8255).