What's Depression Like?

So, this is my personal experience.

“What’s depression like?” They ask.

It’s everyday wearing a simple mask,

Hiding the way you feel

Behind a smile that’s not real.

But it’s more than that, it’s like being alive,

Without any motivation to strive.

It’s fighting not to cry,

To keep your tear ducts dry.

It’s not being able to tell a friend,

Even though they may help mend.

Because the fear that they will turn away

Is far greater than the hope that they will stay.

It’s like drowning, the air in your chest turning to stone,

But everybody around you is breathing, lost in their own little zone.

Not knowing what to do, no matter what you say,

Because it ends up being wrong anyway.

It’s being put on a “happy pill” that makes you smile,

But it only lasts for a little while.

And once it’s gone, never to return,

It’s something else’s turn.

It’s always feeling alone,

Not liking anybody’s tone.

The sarcastic, snide and scornful.

The mocking, moaning and mournful.

You’d think people would be willing to assist,

But let me tell you, they normally resist.

You say we shouldn’t be afraid, we should have no fear,

But look at what people say at just a single tear.

Author's Note

You can agree or disagree, but this was how I felt during my days of depression. I've gotten better, but I felt like people should understand what it's like.

Reviews

[Lord of mad men]

You hit the nail on the head. This is what depression is. Depression is a fact of my life I have learned to hide some times eve. From my self my mask is not simple though its has grown to a new glass face. But on good blow it is gone yours truely a mad lord

[The Archangel Gabriel]

I agree that people should understand what depression is like. Sorry that you were afflicted. You can try Zoloft as a cure for depression, but you need to find constructive ways to deal with it, I think.

Thanks for being such a peach!

[The Archangel Gabriel]

This was beautiful beyond beautiful. I wonder if all people with depression say that this is all true of their depression? I had a hard time reading every last word, and I think I am a bit misty eyed.

Glad I found you on Online Authors and dropped by. Your words are sheer beauty. Thanks for this work!

[Silent Wolf]

Thank you for checking out my work. :) It's been a while since I've actually posted anything new. Feel free to look at anything you want.

[The Archangel Gabriel]

I will have to check out more of your work. You seem especially talented. It was an extreme pleasure to read this work; so beautiful!

Why has it been some time since you posted? Write'rs block? It seems like in the old days, about 2008, perhaps, we all got writer's block at the same time, the popular and big writer's here, such as a small community can make.

Well met! You were such a fun ride!

[Aman samrat khare (ASK)]

Great way of describing the feeling of depression great works i feel very empathic to it

[JustaManWithaPen]

I enjoyed this read you can feel the emotion here great job!!!!

[Chidoriflower]

This piece summarizes depression pretty well, and I feel like it's very relatable. And another example that's pretty accurate is even when you feel some sparks of happiness, it's more like it's not raining but there are still clouds....anyway I like this and thank you for writing. It hits it right on the head. I wish you the best and thank you again; I've been struggling with depression recently and I wanna say you're never alone. I'm not, no one really is. But sometimes it really feels like it. Aaaah I like your writing so much :) I should spend more time on here X)

[Silent Wolf]

XD Thank you so much. That is a good example, one I never even though of. And you should! There are lots of great writers on here! :)

[Chidoriflower]

Yeah :) you're always welcome :P

[Cody Jeremy Thompson]

Well this earns five gold stars and a free dinner. Now to review it. First thing I liked about the overall song is that it isn't some sort of self pitying or complete despair kind of song about depression. In fact it shows how depression changes persons view on things rather than how a person feels. Also every part of this is pretty clearly and neatly presented. I would try to look for grammar mistakes or some things that could be rearranged but I'll let that to people who are more cynical than myself.

[Silent Wolf]

Lol, thank you for the review. I never actually thought about it as a song, but now that you mention it I can see it being a song. Again, thank you. This might very well be my favorite piece that I composed.

[Cody Jeremy Thompson]

You are welcome heh and yeah got a bit confused while typing this but it can still be done as a song,it does give off that sort of a vibe.

[Sara]

You couldn't have said it better. Thx for sharing :)

[J3ssInJupit3r]

I have suffered through depression my entire life and this was a perfect interpretation of what depression is like. I was reading this going "yep I've done that" "yep that is/was me". So I really like that your poem was relatable to me. I am sorry that you had to suffer or that you are suffering from depression though. I wish I had magic to rid this world of depression. Your words, though sad, were very beautiful. I really liked this. Thank you for sharing.

[Silent Wolf]

Thank you, and I'm glad that I could make this relatable. If I had some magic power, I'd remove depression, as it's a horrible thing. Right now, I'm not quite suffering as much. I do have little relapse bursts of depression, but they normally don't last long.

[J3ssInJupit3r]

Yeah, see I think everyone suffers from depression, some people just suffer worse than others. Unfortunately, it is a strong demon that no one is immune to.

[Silent Wolf]

Perhaps that is true. And sometimes, like in my case, we win the battle against the demon, but it's always a war.

[Malcolm Reynolds]

That is a fantastic poem describing the choking feeling of depression, great piece.

[dan]

SW, I share your feeling of loneliness, of not being able to tell anyone for fear of the stigmas attached to MH disorders. I have bipolar disorder and I've gotten to the point where I don't hide it anymore. It's not like I spray-paint the word bipolar on every aspect of my life, it's just that I quit caring what others think. Have I lost friends, family? Absolutely and it hurt big-time. But it's an easy way to find out who your friends really are. I give you a lot of credit for expressing your feelings about your depression and its ramifications. Just know that there are plenty of us who share your feelings and empathize. take care...dan

[Silent Wolf]

Thank you, dan. I'm sorry about your struggle with bipolar disorder, however it's a good thing that you've managed to get over what other people think about it.