Depression: What It Actually Is

Ever since figuring out that our lovely Carolyn Jones suffered from depression and almost lost her life to the sickness I've wanted people to be more aware of depression and what's its actually like. I've reached out to very good friends who are like a sisters to me who have also suffered from the sickness that Carolyn, and many others have suffered form, for help on this post. I hope after everyone who reads this can walk away feeling more informed about what its like to go through it. Keep in mind that all statics written are in United States.

Depression is not often thought of as a mental sickness, its seen as severe sadness that is easy to get over and can be cured by medication or therapy, although there are many people who benefit greatly with these treatments. Depression in reality its a lot more than that. It is different for everyone who goes through it, different cause, different severity, different coping ways, different recovery time etc. It is more than just a sadness, its a sadness that physically and mentally hurts you. Its something that can't be controlled. There's no warning, it just happens. An old song, a picture, a person, even certain words can end up causing an attack.

Depression is a feeling of empty and loneliness that ends in physical pain to the point where you will do anything to make it stop. There are many many ways people who suffer cope with these feelings; music, writing, screaming, punching things, and unfortunately in most severe cases self harm and suicide.

The families of people who suffer from this can be very supportive or not at all. My best friend told her parents how shes been feeling once and they told her to stop pretending. Depression isn't something you can pretend or shouldn't anyway and it defiantly should not be thought of something that can be made up. Depression is a very serious disease. The CDC states about 1 out of every 6 adults will have depression in their lives. There are 16 million Americans alone who are affected by depression every year. This disease doesn't just happen to adults, it can happen at anyone at any age. 

Depression unfortunately in many cases leads to suicide. According to the CDC in 2016 45,000 people lost their lives do to suicide and since 1999 suicide rates increased more than 30%. If you know anyone who possibly is thinking of committing suicide look for the signs. Remember everyone is different some people will show all, some, one or even none of the signs.

• Feeling like a burden     
• Being isolated 
• increased anxiety
• Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain 
• Increased substance use 
• Looking for a way to access lethal means 
• Increased anger 
• Extreme mood swings 
• Expressing hopelessness 
• Sleeping to little or too much 
• Talking or posting about wanting to die 
• Making plans for suicide 

If you do suspect that someone is at risk there are 5 steps you can follow to help:

1. Ask
2. Keep them safe
3. Be there
4. Help them connect
5. Follow up 

You can also go to this website and find more ways to help someone who might be at risk: https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/suicide/index.html

If you are going through depression and are thinking of suicide please please get help. You are on this planet for a reason and the reason is not to suffer. You are destined to do great things. I know I may or may not know you but if you are reading this please know that you are loved by many people even though it doesn't feel like it. There are many ways to get help, you can talk to a friend, a family member, a therapist, you can call a suicide prevention center and many other things. Asking for help is never a bad thing, everyone needs help at some point in their lives.

If you are not going though depression and reading this I hope you use this and other information to help others. Everyone is different, please be respectful and understand that not everyone sees everything and experiences things the same way.

In honor of Carolyn Jones who was between 

   the ages of 34-36 when she came close to losing her life

 to depression after almost committing suicide. 

We love you Carolyn ❤

Someday

Any of us who know and love Carolyn all have wish and that wish is that we could meet her. Whether its to compliment her on her acting or the thank her for being an inspiration... what ever it is a moment we all want but unfortunately cant have.

The question of "if you ever got to meet her what would you do?" often runs through my head and then turns into a long daydream. I personally don't know what id do cause every time i think about it i it changes. One thing I know id do and what most of us would do is cry, and cry. Whether its tears of joy, happiness, sadness or any other emotion we would all cry.

This woman has changed my and many other peoples lives immensely. Some people, who have become family to me, wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for Carolyn inspiring them to continue to fight and live. We have found one way or another to connect to her, if its through one of her various characters (movie or show), or through a personal connection. She is a huge inspiration and role model to many of her fans.

Thank you Carolyn Jones, we love you and will never forget you.

You gave joy to the world.