I Hate My Depression Symptoms - Ergo, I Hate Me

My depression symptoms are a big part of me and I hate them (What Are the Symptoms of Depression?). Ergo, I hate a big part of me. Wait! That can't be right, can it?

Depression doesn't define me. The symptoms of depression don't own me. Still, these symptoms, often times, control how I live my life and I hate that. They can make or break the quality of my life and there isn't much I can do about that.

Let me start by saying that my self-esteem took a big hit today. Today was "try on your spring wardrobe" day and nothing fit! I've been dreading this day all winter but knew I had to face the inevitable. This just added to the burden of keeping myself from drowning in the depression pool. Picture a hippo with only it's eyes and ears showing above the water line. That's me.

I Hate My Depression Symptoms: They Affect My Quality of Life

The weight thing obviously affects my self-esteem, which is really only a part of the depression symptoms package. While chastising myself for letting myself get this way, I realized the symptoms of my depression play a huge part in it overall. I have no energy and I sleep a lot. I have low motivation, have a hard time concentrating and get frequent headaches.

UCK!

Okay. So here I am, writing about all of this and wondering what the heck I'm going to do about it?

I Hate My Depression Symptoms: They Make Coping Tough

Coping with depression makes coping with life difficult. But there are things I can do, like creating attainable goals, that help me combat depression symptoms.

• First, I need to remember that when depression looms, I need to go easy on myself.
• Next, I will need to practice some positivity to get me in the right frame of mind.
• Finally, I will set three attainable goals (pertaining to my weight) for the coming week: get out and walk, ease up on late-night snacks, and tell myself how beautiful I am at least once a day.

I feel a little better already.

Depression is an illness with a plethora of symptoms. I have depression and my symptoms are with me every hour of every day. I hate my depression symptoms, but I do not hate myself.

Photo by David Castillo Dominic; courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

You can also find Liana Scott on Google+ and Twitter.