To my friends in /r/depression and /r/SW:

I wrote a list of thoughts that used to torment me when I was in my lowest of lows, and what I wish I could tell my past self. I don't know if it helps anyone, but I'd like to put it out there just in case.

1. What I'm going through is nothing; people have gone through the Holocaust and I'm struggling with work/school/etc.

You're going through your own personal hell and other people have no idea to what extent you're suffering. You are fighting demons that others can only begin to imagine and it's absolutely something that is going to tax your energies, make you tired, drag you down. Looking back on this time in your life, you will be amazed at the strength you had.

People have different skills. You never see a triathlon athlete who is also a world-class chess player and a rockstar. People all have their strengths. As someone who is going through a hard time, your efforts are devoted to taking care of yourself, putting on a brave face, and making it through the day; the fact that you're still here, reading this, means that you're doing well at it. Your strength right now is surviving, and it's no less a struggle than the athlete's or rockstar's, or even someone who survived a war.

Do you think Holocaust victims or Poles in WWII planned to be heroes and survivors? No, but they found the strength to make it through, day by day. You have clearly found that strength, and you must keep making it through, day by day by day.

2. I'm blowing everything out of proportion.

You are absolutely not blowing things out of proportion. You are going through a very, very difficult time in your life. Back to the athlete/chess player/rockstar example, some people make their living with their heads, some with their bodies, and all those are valid. Mental struggles are just as important and valid as physical struggles.

You are going through mental hell. If you were going through physical hell, your wounds would be more visible, you'd probably get more sympathy, people wouldn't be as quick to judge.. and yet you're going through a mental struggle now, which is just as much of a struggle and just as difficult to bear.

Some of you are going through both mental and physical struggles, and others too (spiritual, etc). You have it so tough but think of how brave you are that you've made it so far, alive.

3. I'm the worst piece of shit who has ever lived. I should just do the world a favor and take myself out of the world.

Do you blame a person with a cleft lip for their disability? Should you deny the handicapped disability access to buildings? No, because we recognize that some people have problems which are beyond their control and which we shouldn't fault or blame them for.

You have something which is affecting the way you function and the way you view the world, as you know by the sheer fact that you're here, and your priorities now shouldn't be on comparing yourself to other people, or overanalyzing how you treat them, but on getting through. People are very forgiving. I'm sure you forgive people all the time for things that are outside their control. So why are you so hard on yourself? There are things happening in your head which are outside your control and trust me, friends, family, even acquaintances and strangers can be more forgiving and understanding than we often give them credit for.

Besides, when you do end up making it through, you are going to be so much of a stronger person for having had survived this.

4. Everyone else is doing so well; look how happy they are.

Everyone is fighting their own battles, to greater or lesser extents. Often we don't even know until someone really lets us inside, but the most well-adjusted people I've met have sometimes confessed to me stories of depression, desperation, abuse, and despair.

Which does not mean that they all understand what you're going through. You're not just depressed, you can't just get over it with some chocolate and a movie. But many of them at least understand what it's like to feel so low you think you'll never get out, and many are putting on a brave face just the same way you are.

An estimated 10% of Americans have some kind of diagnosable mental illness. Often it's hard to find other people who feel like you do, but support groups and even online groups like this one can really help to make you feel like you're not the only person suffering in a world of cheerful, happy people who are "somehow" doing better.

5. It'll never get better.

It can. I promise. You're going to have to trust me.

I made it through with the help of friends, family, therapy, and meds. It was never easy but I'm here now, graduating from a good school and doing okay on most days. The most important thing is, I'm still here. There were times when the only thing keeping me going was luck, and if that's all you got, then cultivate it.

Do any of you have anything to add? Did I offend someone? Is anything up there very wrong? Please let me know if so.