How Holistic Healing Helped My MDD

It affects 70% of America and hits you like a nuclear bomb in the chest. It's a black hole. An unlit swimming pool in the darkest night you can imagine. The glass isn't half-empty. You're drowning in it. It's Major Depressive Disorder. And it can kill you.

Enter me. I've been going to therapy since I was thirteen. I'm now twenty-six. Some days are better than others. Some days I can't get out of bed. Others I work out for three hours in the morning before work just so I don't crash in the middle of the day. You can't control it. But you can manage it. So this is for all of you people out there like me. Five things that have helped when it's too dark to see: 1. Get outside. You feel sluggish, empty, and tired. All you want is to lie down. And that's okay. But getting outside for at least an hour gives your body Vitamin D and increases your mood. Walk to a park. Walk down the block. Walk your dog. Or cat. Or horse. See some nature. Don't ask me why, but watching the birds in the sunshine seems to help me the most. 2. Never skip a meal. I tend to go on hunger strikes when I'm depressed. It's not voluntary. My brain tricks me for a day or two. This isn't a great idea. It leaves you more lethargic and your body starts to fail itself. Eating foods high in Omega-3s is a close second to taking a handful of Prozac, so try eating fish, spinach, and avocados to boost your mood. 3. Run like hell. Maybe you don't like to run. Then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl. Do anything you can to get moving. Seratonin starts pumping through your body when you do. And if you can find a way to enjoy it, all the better. 4. Pet a pet. Even if it's not your own. Animal therapy is gaining popularity in the realm of mental health. Dogs, cats, lizards, it doesn't matter what you pet, but animals have a naturally comforting ability to tell you "Hey it's all okay look how cute I am." Try going to an animal shelter, or volunteer at a rescue center if there's one near you. I've heard equine therapy is the newest craze, so if you like horses, all the better. 5. Remember it's temporary. This is the hard part. I recommend a good therapist you can talk to any time of day. If they offer medication, take it. If they offer help, take it. And for the love of God, remember to take it one day at a time. It's all one day at a time. Do things you love, even if you don't feel like it. Talk to your friends, even if your friend is the bartender. Laugh at something stupid. And eventually it's going to get a tiny bit better. And a tiny bit better. And a tiny bit better. It's method over madness when it comes to MDD, and you CAN do it. I made it this far. You can too.