“Just Like the Body, the Mind Can Get Sick Too”

When I was diagnosed with depression and had just quit my job, I was in a rough place.

My friends my age were working hard, but I couldn’t work because of depression. I felt pathetic relying on others to get by, overwhelmed with pain every day.

I thought I was useless, no good to society, and had no reason to live. Then my mom said something that changed everything.

“Just like your body can get sick, your mind can lose its health too if you’re alive.”

Back then, I thought getting depression was something “special.” Deep down, I felt I was weak, that my mind wasn’t strong enough, and that’s why I got sick.

My mom’s words made me realize a simple truth: “Just like the body, the mind can get sick too.”

Living means you might catch a virus or bacteria, and your body’s health can take a hit. You get colds, the flu, or ear infections—life comes with risks of all kinds of illnesses.

I understood that “depression” is just one of those things, thanks to her words.

When your body gets sick, you go to the hospital or take meds until you’re better. I realized it’s the same with “depression.”

Once I let go of the guilt about having depression, I could think, “It’ll take time, but this is a treatable illness, like any chronic condition.” That helped me face treatment with a positive mindset.

Thanks to that, I was able to reduce my meds in less than a year, and about a year and a half after starting treatment, I was in remission.

Without my mom’s words, I’d probably still be stuck in a negative mindset, dragging out treatment, and wouldn’t have reached remission so soon.

I’m filled with gratitude for the amazing words my mom gave me.

※This article is a personal depression story. The content is solely based on personal experience and is not medical advice. Consult a doctor for professional advice.