Please Stop Sending Solutions Saying That I Can JUST Stop Having Depression

It’s often a video where someone explains how being more positive can “cure” (yes cure is a keyword in this case) depression and anxiety, or one proclaiming that really Soy, Dairy, over-the-counter Tylenol, Gluten is the main problem. The solution is always so simple. Don’t you want to “live without Depression”?

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Biographical, Depression Marie Shanley Biographical, Depression Marie Shanley

15 Things I Was Told I HAD To Accomplish Before 30 ... And 15 I Actually Did

Life is full of expectations. And I think, for the longest time, I didn’t realize that many of them were not mine. As I am turning 30, I reflect on what I have accomplished so far, and naturally, beat myself up for what I haven’t. That is, until I realized that the expectations that were lacking were not things I ever wanted for myself to begin with.

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Depression Marie Shanley Depression Marie Shanley

List of Warning Signs that You Might Be Falling Back Into Depression

During an episode after another celebrity passing from suicide, the community of Mxiety On Twitch wanted to put together their symptoms (or red flags) that let them know something might be wrong. Here is that list, it is by no means conclusive but might be a good start for those who want to know what to look for in their loved ones who live with depression.

At the end of the day, please confer with your doctor and do not diagnose yourself based on this list alone.

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Biographical, Depression, Anxiety, Self-Help Marie Shanley Biographical, Depression, Anxiety, Self-Help Marie Shanley

Why Does Social Media Upset Us And What Can We Do?

If I am feeling ok, I don’t mind seeing prettier-than-life things, in fact, I often feel they inspire me. However, if I am a bit down on myself, the fire gets worse from the added coal of upward comparison. Is that anyone else’s fault? Not exactly. I compare myself enough to people in real life, that confronting more things I am bad at online becomes downright exhausting.

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Self-Help, Depression Marie Shanley Self-Help, Depression Marie Shanley

6 Ways I Get Through Depression Low Points

Depression: the exact symptoms vary from person to person, but the isolation comes standard. There are plenty of good articles out there about finding solutions for the excessive lows that accompany this mental illness, but this one will be a bit different. I will not tell you what you’re doing wrong, and I will not tell you that you HAVE to do XYZ to feel better.

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Depression, Self-Help Marie Shanley Depression, Self-Help Marie Shanley

How Comparing Yourself To Others Is Worse Than Being Depressed

I think we can all agree that continuously pushing up against an invisible, always stronger foe is probably not the greatest for our mental health. I know we can all agree that no one wins the comparison game. Not even the person who feels briefly better because they explained how their plight is worse than whatever it is you have to deal with.
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Cover Photo by Nicolas Thomas on Unsplash

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Depression, Biographical Marie Shanley Depression, Biographical Marie Shanley

What I Learned About Forgiveness Through My Abusive Parents

As a child, you are usually unaware of the notion that your parents might not know what’s best. Usually, we are much older when we find that they are fallible people, like everyone else. But my parents weren’t just imperfect. They induced isolation and pain into my life. Pain which planted seeds of distrust.
Cover photo: Photo by Designecologist from Pexels

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Depression, Biographical Marie Shanley Depression, Biographical Marie Shanley

What My Childhood Diary Taught Me About Having A Mental Illness

What I found as a result of my search was another dose of perspective, similar to that which came from writing the aforementioned letter. I don’t know if handwriting is still a live form of journaling, I am sure all the cool kids keep theirs digitally. Writing, journaling, etc. offer a unique form of perspective that doctors have long confirmed to be incredibly helpful for mental health because it keeps you letting things out, helps in organizing thoughts, and provides a place to put emotions which may not be welcome. Writing is a powerful defense which took me about twenty years too long to pick up again.

Cover image by: Photo by Olia Gozha on Unsplash

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Depression, Anxiety, Self-Help Marie Shanley Depression, Anxiety, Self-Help Marie Shanley

Being A Good Friend To Someone With Depression and Anxiety

While I do not define myself by my diagnoses, I have found that I do better when the people surrounding me are understanding, forgiving and generally those who assume the best in others. I hope to reflect such kind traits in my own behavior too. It took a lot of thinking before I was able to identify what truly matters when it comes to building friendships.

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Depression Marie Shanley Depression Marie Shanley

How to Finally 'Take The Leap' In Three Steps

Before I broke up my goals, I was facing a roaring river, attempting to run across without drowning or getting hurt. With each goal, it was as if I set a stone. Once I jumped onto that stone, I placed another one before stepping forward. And so on, until I was on a path, with so much determination, that there was no way I was returning to the same shore. Even if I am not sure what is on the other shore, I knew I wanted to start moving towards it.

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Depression Marie Shanley Depression Marie Shanley

A Letter To My Depression

You won last night. I would say I hope you’re happy, but of course, I already know you’re not. Even though you left in a huff, satisfied with how you escalated things, I know you’ll be back. This morning I got the fight back in me and I’m mad about how you behaved. It seems silly to be communicating like this, but I wanted to get this letter out to you before you came back, so that you know where we stand going forward.

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