Unfortunately, depression is a common issue that needs to be addressed properly at once, as it has become an epidemic worldwide.

People suffering from depression face numerous battles every single day, but mostly due to the stigma surrounding mental illness, many of them do not seek help.

In reality, depression is highly treatable, and a 2013 study showed that depression therapy had a lower rate of relapse than medications. Yet, many patients might need both types of treatments and even need to incorporate other lifestyle changes like a healthy diet, a healthy sleep routine, exercise, and socializing with friends.

Jim Carrey is one of the millions of people suffering from depression and managed to make it through to the other side.  This legendary actor and comedian suffered from bouts of depression throughout his career and even took Prozac at some point to suppress his symptoms.

Yet, he later admitted that the medicine made him feel like he lived in a “low level of despair,” and he even stopped drinking coffee and alcohol, to avoid their effects on the brain. 

Being in the same situation as all other depressed individuals, his words have helped many, so here is one of his most inspiring quotes:

“People talk about depression all the time. The difference between depression and sadness is just from happenstance—whatever happened or didn’t happen for you, or grief, or whatever it is. Depression is your body saying f*ck you, I don’t want to be this character anymore, I don’t want to hold up this avatar that you’ve created in the world. It’s too much for me. You should think of the word ‘depressed’ as ‘deep rest.’ Your body needs to be depressed. It needs a deep rest from the character that you’ve been trying to play.”

As soon as he realized that money and fame do not bring true happiness in life, he went through a huge spiritual awakening and concluded that the search for an identity fuels the ego, which leads to despair and disconnectedness from the universe.

He claims that we need to abandon the image of “me” in order to feel whole. Viewing life as an experience will help one live a much calmer and happier life.

People fighting with depression feel detached from life, helpless and worthless, and lose interest in everything that brought joy previously. Carrey believes that one cannot fight depression by releasing all expectations in life, but a rather carefree approach would be of great help.

Depressed people often see the world in black and white, and Carrey claims that detaching a bit from the depressing thoughts, being just a “silent observer” can often help bridge the gap.

Almost all of have been brought with the idea that we need something outside of ourselves to achieve happiness, so we keep struggling in order to achieve more and finally feel successful and complete.

Yet, Carrey witnesses that he became incredibly famous and got everything he wanted, but all the material things did not make him happy, as we forget that we already have everything we need within us.

Also, Jim Carrey points out the importance of not limiting your potential but seeing yourself as an infinite being. He believes that our individuality might just be at the root of this mental health epidemic, so we need to remain connected to one another, and remember our wholeness.

Let’s remember how similar we are, and stop emphasizing our differences. 

If you are fighting with depression, remember that you need to get back to your world and start enjoying life once again. You might feel ashamed, or exhausted to talk about it and seek help, but it is the first step towards healing. Even if you do not feel like it, remain connected to your friends and family, and do not completely leave the outside world.

It does not mean that you are weak if you reach out, and you won’t become a burden to others. People who love you and care for you would like to help.

Make sure you spend time with people who support you, and who make you feel safe and cared for. If they cannot fix the problem, they can at least listen to what you have to say, without judging you.

Also, find time to meet people in person, and have in-person quality time, to finally admit your problem while talking to someone face to face.

You should also be around other people to feel less isolated and sad. Some activities can make you feel better and boost your mood, so try taking care of a pet to feel needed, start volunteering, listen to someone else’s problems, help the elderly, or simply do something nice for someone you love.

Sources:
www.helpguide.org
www.powerofpositivity.com