Here are 15 lies that depression would have you believe:

• That it is bigger than you.
  It’s not. It just makes you think this so that it can keep in control of you.

• That it would be better if you never left your bed/room/house again.
  It wouldn’t. You have so much to offer the world and you would miss out on so much if you never moved again. On days you feel like this practice self-compassion. Be kind but firm with yourself. Set yourself a small achievable goal. Force yourself into action to achieve this goal. Achieving a goal, no matter how small the goal is, will help you to feel better.

• That you’re a failure.
  Firstly you’re no failure. Failure comes by attempting to do or achieve things. Failure is no bad thing – you learn more through failure than you do success. Don’t believe me? watch this TED video where J.K. Rowling talks about the benefits of her failures.
  Depression likes to magnify experiences in your mind. It focuses on only the negative aspects of an experience. Most experiences are a mix of positives and negatives. Try to put experiences into perspective. Examine the positives. Try to practice balanced thinking and self-compassion.

• That you’ll never laugh again.
  You will and often. People can and do recover from depression. Feeling okay doesn’t mean that you’re in recovery, starting to feel good again does. If you’re just feeling okay, go and see your GP.
  In recovery you will start to experience a number of long-lost emotions such as happiness, joy and elation. When you do, greet them as old friends and experience them fully.

• That being physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted is a normal state of being.
  It isn’t. You might be sleeping for 18 hours and wake up still exhausted or you might be suffering with insomnia. But people usually have a stable amount of energy throughout the day and should sleep for a recommended 8 hours.
  Depression is physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting, but if you go to your GP and get the right treatment things will improve.

• That you’re pathetic. That you have no right to feel the way you do. That you are a disappointment to all that know you.
  Shame and guilt are two emotions that depression uses to try and control you. Let go of any shame and guilt you feel. Accept how you feel now and know that it is temporary, almost fleeting compared with your life. Be confident knowing that how you feel now will change with the passage of time.

• That the physical, mental and emotional pain you feel is all that there is.
  There’s more to life pain. There’s care, love, happiness, joy and so much more. Just hold on. You have experienced the more-than-pain emotions before and you will again.

• That you can’t do anything right or well enough.
  My mum has lots of wisdom. She once said that all anyone can ask is that you try your best. Remember these words.
  Remember that depression likes to magnify failures and things that didn’t go as well as you hoped. On days when you feel like this, practice self-compassion, use balanced thinking and try to put things into perspective. What where your intentions? Did you kill anybody? No? Well then, it’s not the end of the world.

• That you are worthless.
  You are unique. There has never been anyone exactly the same as you and there never will be. You are priceless and beyond value measures. Don’t listen to this lie, instead remind yourself that you are special and remind yourself what makes you, you.

• That you’re going mad, mental or losing your mind.
  No you’re not. Your brain is just overwhelmed with cortisol – the stress hormone at the moment. Take a break and stop doing anything that you don’t need to. Practice relaxation techniques and be kind to yourself. Remember that among the great and the good are people who’ve experienced depression. Even at the height of their success.

• That everything is too much effort. That just getting up and out of bed is too exhausting.
  Set yourself a small goal each day and try your best to achieve it. The goal might be as tiny as having a bath, calling someone for a quick chat, changing your bedding or going for a short walk.

• That your soul or higher self is being destroyed.
  Your soul or higher self has survived several lifetimes and the accompanying reincarnation processes. It can and will survive depression. Depression is insignificant in comparison to the challenges your soul or higher self has already experienced.

• That everything is hopeless.
  You may feel this way, but it is not and will never be hopeless. According to The Royal College of Psychiatrists people can and do fully recover from depression.

• That life isn’t worth living.
  Here’s a plea from the heart: darling you might feel this way now, but how you feel will change. If you are feeling suicidal please visit your nearest A&E Department for crisis support immediately.

• That you’ll never be happy again.
  You will. It will just take the right treatment and recovery time.

Antony Simpson
Bio: Antony Simpson is a registered Nurse with over 13 years experience in the fields of mental health and alcohol & substance misuse. He is diagnosed with Cyclothymic disorder (a form of bipolar) and author of Mental Health Wisdom. The blend of professional and personal experience makes Mental Health Wisdom truly unique.