What Medication Do You Take For Your Depression?

Depression adores me. For years we have had a love-and-hate relationship. I refused to take medications because the side effects were dangerous. They fix one problem and create several more. Amazingly, I write some of my best stories under duress. Maybe I give depression a reason to stay nearby because it never leaves. I swear, I can feel its presence no matter how happy I am.

Lately, I want to be left alone and not talk to anyone. All I want to do is write.

“That is not healthy,” my instincts alert.

I know that, but that’s just how I feel.

I must find ways to heal myself. Some families and others were wondering

how come I am depressed, yet, am functioning, writing, and posting on Medium and several social media sites.

A few read my stories and said, “She is lying. Nothing is wrong with her. How can she be depressed and produce that kind of work? Also, the type of art she makes too?”

Another said, “If she is so good and artistic under depression, I wonder what she can do when she isn’t depressed?”

Someone who knew and had tasted depression informs, “Maybe that’s how she cured herself.”

“Depression has no cure!” someone fired at her.

“Then maybe that’s how she manages it or treats herself. I don’t know, but I do believe that she is depressed,” she defends me.

“She avoids everyone all of her life,” a voice said.

“Maybe she had been depressed all those years then,” someone else wondered out loudly.

“She has always been like that, hardly talking to anyone, so how can she say she is depressed and still doing the same thing?”

“Yeah,” others agreed. “She always stays in and minds her own business and she is still doing it now!”

“Now she isn’t talking to anyone at all,” someone reminds them. “She stays in and hardly goes on her walks.”

“Damn!” they said in unison. “You are right. She hardly leaves her house.”

“Depression is that bad?” someone asked.

“I bet if she had talked more, socialized with everyone, and gone out more, she wouldn’t be depressed,” someone else suggested.

“I don’t think she avoids us intentionally. She is probably just shy.”

“I think she is crazy.”

“Crazy or not, give me her life.”

“Me too,” someone adds.

They all laughed as my brain absorbed what they said.

I don’t mind being called crazy. I know I will be left alone. Life showed me, that the less of certain humans in my life, the longer I will live and the better my life, health, and sanity will be. My pockets too.

I know who and what to avoid.

Depression sends my body, mind, and soul into dark places that force me to seek light. Anti-depressants add to the darkness, so I found my own medications. — Annelise Lords

My writing and my ability to be creative became my medication. For everyone out there battling depression, find your own natural medicines to heal and help yourself.

When creating art or writing, I am lost in a beautiful world free of hatred, cruelty, negativity, and all things bad. I can use my imagination to build the world I want to live in. I am smart enough to know that balance must have a say and I must return to the real world.

One where Depression awaits.

Writing is my medication and its side effects are positive, healing, and helping, not only me but you too.

Image by Annelise Lords

If your heart could speak, what would it say?

Whatever obstacles life sends our way, life lessons are in it. Depression taught me that happiness is my choice. Mine only! Only I can decide who or what makes me happy. — Annelise Lords.

Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjyed it.

Tha