You may not be able to tell someone has depression from a quick glance, but a lack of physical evidence doesn't make the condition any less real.
Recently, Twitter users illuminated the invisible illness -- which affects approximately 350 million people worldwide -- using the the hashtag #MyDepressionLooksLike. The testimonies are candid accounts of the daily realities of the mental illness.
Many of the users also discussed how they feel like they have to hide the condition. A hallmark symptom of depression is the feeling of helplessness or isolation, which can be exacerbated by a lack of understanding from others.
Social movements like #MyDepressionLooksLike are crucial to mental health awareness, particularly when it comes to breaking down stigma. Research shows negative perceptions surrounding mental disorders may prevent people from seeking medical treatment. The more people openly discuss mental health, the easier it is to break down the barrier when it comes to conversation.
Take a look at some of the spot-on #MyDepressionLooksLike tweets below. They may make you think twice about what it's really like to deal with a mental illness:
#MyDepressionLooksLike trying to make everyone around me happy while feeling like I don't deserve to be.
— Wine Daddy. (@TRYVNS) May 23, 2016
#MyDepressionLooksLike smiles, cookies, tears in the bathroom, running, laughter, screaming into a pillow, kindness to others but not myself
— Caitlin McCormack (@Caitlin_Writes) May 24, 2016
#mydepressionlookslike being told "why are u sad? ur so pretty!" "but u have ppl who love u!" & feeling guilty for something I can't help
— cake face p (@palomaxcordova) May 22, 2016
#MyDepressionLooksLike wishing everyone would leave me alone and at the same time, wishing someone would see me struggling.
— Shady McQUEEN (@thvgshxt__) May 22, 2016
#mydepressionlookslike i'm just being "lazy" or "dramatic" or "sensitive"; but this is something real, something i struggle with daily.
— meg (@brattygoth) May 22, 2016
#MyDepressionLooksLike
— SummerBeard2016 (@OddKSM) May 22, 2016
Cancelling/not having energy to make plans, not spending time with the people I love, and guilt-hating myself for it.
#mydepressionlookslike being so exhausted mentally and physically that I can't get out of bed.
— Mortemer (@Mort3mer) May 22, 2016
#Mydepressionlookslike feeling unloveable. Getting stuck in the past. Using people & things to distract myself & confusing it for happiness.
— Sal Brian (@salbrian25) May 23, 2016
#mydepressionlookslike wanting people to care enough to ask me "what's wrong" but not feeling secure enough to talk about it
— black history heaux (@localblactivist) May 22, 2016
#MyDepressionLooksLike isolation and procrastination. I'm not lazy, I'm struggling.
— Small Screen Girl (@KiraJW) May 22, 2016
#mydepressionlookslike keeping hopelessness a secret, encouraging others while doubting myself.
— Sheryl Edelen (@sophiiblu) May 22, 2016
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