What Does Depression Feel Like?

I apologise in advance for the negativity contained in this post.

If you have never suffered from depression, you may well wonder what it feels like, whether to understand others better or maybe simple curiosity. Whatever the reason, the following is a brief excersise you can perform for a small glimpse at what faces a depressed person day in and day out, hour by the hour, minute by the minute..

Understand you likely won't be able to sink yourself quite as deep as a truly depressed person, but this will help you gain an idea.

Find yourself a nice, quite area where you won't be disturbed, for as long as you can concentrate.

Think about every single one of your perceived flaws.. You're too fat.. Too wrinkly.. Ugly.. Stupid.. and go on to blame yourself for every single one of your faults and for everything wrong in your life. Try your best to convince yourself it's all your fault. Go against all reason and logic.

Think about some terrible events in your life. Some truly terrible moments. Or imagine them. Imagine your marriage ending.. Your loved ones dead.. And blame yourself for all of it and reinforce that judgement of yourself.

Feel every single thought of joy, excitement, pride and self worth being sucked out of you, and being left as nothing like you were. Just a depressed wreck. Unable to think or act. Imagine that feeling being eternal.

Hold that feeling for as long as you can.

If you feel absolute sorrow and dread or similar emotions, you've succeeded to glimpse such a life.

Move on from that feeling, but never forget it. Especially when dealing with sufferers you know. Give them every ounce of care and patience you can spare, because you now know what it feels like there and how important it is you don't let people stay there if you can help it.