This is a guest post written by Charu Mathur Dev. Charu is a freelancer in Hindi writing, editing and translating. Her congenital orthopedic condition did not deter her from continuous upskilling and she did her MPhil and cleared SET and NET while working at the school. She also writes poetry and blogs about library science. In this inspiring post she shares her experience of tackling depression and coming out of it.
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Unexpected challenges are something that life frequently throws at us, and for me, that obstacle was a severe, incapacitating depression, brought on by my congenital condition (read about it here). Friends, today I’m going to tell you how I went from living in the dark and hopeless shadows of depression to discovering healing and hope.
Until recently, Depression and Arthritis were just words that I would use in my articles during the course of my freelancing journey. But soon-after the 2011, within two years of my marriage, these two words became the laughing demons on my medical prescription and led to frequent hospitalisations too.
During one such hospital stay, a doctor advised me to reduce the level of my stress and depression which I outrightly rejected. Not because I did not trusted the doctor, but because I was not ready to admit that I may have been depressed at any time. But soon enough, I realised that he was correct, I was indeed in the grip of depression. I was losing interest in life and all other activities which otherwise used to give me much happiness. Not only this, my body pain and arthritis pain was also increasing day by day. So much so that last year Deepawali and this year Holi, my knees were completely locked. It was totally debilitating and I was completely bedridden. Even going to the bathroom was an agony. These instances were the final warning signals for me – flashing red.
Being conscious of my depressive state of mind
We all know that recognizing the issue is the first step toward recovery from any type of illness. Same fact was proven in my case when I discovered myself in shadows, shrouded in hopelessness. It was not only important to realize that I was depressed, but it wasn’t a simple realization. It took me some time to realize how much my feelings mattered and how much they were affecting my general wellbeing. I realised later, that this was the time when all of my ten fingers were pointed outwards, blaming my near and dear ones for my depressive state of mind. But with the help of meditation, I realised that although blaming others is a typical coping strategy, it traps us in a vicious loop of negativity. I finally faced the fact that I had to be accountable for my own happiness and that real healing starts on the inside.
In order to heal myself, I started deep-breathing regularly and intentionally, even some times, not willingly, but had to do, because I did not want to become a bed-ridden patient at this early age. This technique started turning the wheel in opposite direction.
Taking responsibility for my emotional well-being was a slow journey. It entailed getting expert assistance, being honest with friends and family, and making healthier lifestyle decisions. I was able to unravel the emotional web that had ensnared me for so long by exploring the core causes of my sadness in a safe space that was offered by therapy. Having supportive relationships became essential to my recovery since they provided solace and comprehension in the worst of times.
Now I am Depression-Free
It took me some time, patience, and constant work to get out of the dark side of depression. Although there were obstacles and detours along the road, and the path wasn’t linear, I learned to appreciate little accomplishments. I was able to reclaim joy, purpose, and a refreshed sense of self after escaping the grip of despair.
Able to cure my triggered Arthritis pain
In addition to the difficulties of dealing with melancholy, I also had to deal with induced arthritic pain. My experience was evidence of the robust relationship between mental health and physical well-being that has been suggested by research. The moment I dealt with the underlying source of my despair, my arthritic symptoms significantly subsided.
Conclusion
My path from depression to a life free of depression has taught me the value of being self-aware, accepting accountability for my mental health, and asking for help when I need it. Healing is a process that calls for bravery, tolerance, and a readiness to face one’s inner demons. Should you discover yourself in a comparable circumstance, be aware that assistance and hope are accessible. Keep in mind that the stars shine brightest on the darkest nights, and you possess the inner strength to rise into the light.
This post is a part of “International Day of Persons with Disability” blog hop hosted by Sakshi Varma – Tripleamommy. #IDPD2023Bloghop. Access all posts of this bloghop at Championing Diversity, Uniting Voices: Commemorating IDPD Together
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Regards, Sakshi aka tripleamommy
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It is posts like this that encourage people to shed the veil of secrecy when they are fighting a daily battle against depression. Why hide the pain and suffer in silence?
Very courageous and very inspiring
[…] Day 14, 14th December. Blogger Charu shares her experience of tackling depression and coming out of it in this inspiring post. Her depression, partly caused by her congenital condition, threatened to consume her, when she finally decided to take it head on and overcome it. Read her experience here Oh—I was Depressed […]
Charu, I can only imagine your pain. I had a major accident in 1994, when I was 23. It rendered me incapable for almost 3 years. The doctor said I would lose the use of my right arm. It seemed such a scary proposition at that time. I was never diagnosed with depression, but my reactions did stem from anxiety and lack of confidence. I read about your condition on the previous post, and I must say you are truly brave. Coming out of darkness into light and seeing the brighter side and sharing it with others. Hats off to you! and may the coming years be more delightful.
You are very courageous to write about depression and your battles with it. Truly inspiring to see your determination to overcome challenges. If you are writing more on this subject please let us know where to find the links. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this deeply personal journey on something we as women especially ignore the red flags for. Having dealt with depression myself for some part of my life -i completely empathise with you
Having the awareness to correct an emotionally difficult situation is itself a big first step. Following it up with proper treatment and support is a big victory. Thankyou for showing us how its achievable
Thanks for such a candid and brave post. It is not easy to share such experiences but they give hope to those reading. I feel so happy that you were able to overcome your depression by working on yourself. Wishing you all the best.
Charu, your journey from the depths of depression to a life free of its grip is truly inspiring. Your honesty about recognizing the issue, taking responsibility for your emotional well-being, and seeking help reflects great strength. The way you intertwined mental and physical well-being resonates deeply. Your story is a testament to the power of self-awareness, resilience, and the importance of supportive relationships. Thank you for sharing your journey; it will undoubtedly provide hope and encouragement to others facing similar challenges.
I’m grateful you’re able to face and hopefully, fully defeat depression. It’s always very difficult to admit to ourselves when something is wrong. Its normal, its natural. We all want to be in a good state, especially when it comes to our mind. But with the way of living we have nowadays, facing things like having depression can be painful but a need as well.
Thanks, Charu for sharing your account. You are a brave woman!
Thank you Charu for sharing your personal story. Depression is something that I am sure most special Mom’s go through at some point in life. It is just that they do not have the time or the luxury of admitting it. Especially INDIAN moms who tend to put everyone else first. But it is so essential to really look in the mirror and do something about it as it will not only help them lead a better life, but will go a long way in helping the special child.
Fantastic post and from the heart. Depression is all-too common nowadays. The saddest part is that of all mental illnesses, it is fully curable and reversible. Not only that, depression causes real inflammation and pain in various parts of the body, for which we go to one doctor and the next. No one realizes that the root cause for these myriad problems is depression — which is a mental health issue. We would go to cardiologist when our BP is high or an endocrinologist when we have diabetes. But we feel ashamed to go to a psychiatrist when we are feeling low. We are ashamed to go for psychotherapy because our colleagues may just tell us — get over it, you have no problems, see how many things you have etc. I am so glad that you brought this out into the open. Kudos!
Battling depression is a very courageous thing and your journey will be truly inspiring to many..good luck
Such an Inspiration Charu. Hats off. Awareness is the first step….acceptance also opens up opportunities we never knew existed. Beautifully written.
It takes a lot of courage to accept and talk about it. So proud you. This gives us all, the strength to not be burdened with hiding it.