It may sound odd hearing that there are amazing sides of depression, and it is not to mislead you, but let’s be honest, depression has its ugly side, and that’s the side that comes to mind when depression is mentioned.
Everyone may have at some point in their lives experienced depression, or know someone that had experienced it.
Depression is a common and serious mental illness that can be triggered by a variety of reasons. Because of this, depression has always been seen as nothing but a problem. In Africa, it is often triggered by poverty, unemployment, loss of a loved one, family pressure and the crushing weight of unmet expectations, things deeply woven into the African experience.
Generally, it has always been believed that illnesses could only cause harm to us, and nothing good can come from them. Yes, they may be a burden on us, and we are often quick to get rid of them. But illnesses like depression have some shocking benefits.
When understanding depression, it is wise to look at it from all angles. Let’s discuss 5 amazing sides of depression that no one talks about.
Self-Isolation Creates Opportunity for Self-Reflection
One of the symptoms of depression is self-isolation. Although self-isolation during depression may worsen the struggle with depression. But it often gives people the time to reflect more deeply on their lives. This provides an opportunity to make some positive changes in their lives.
In a typical African home, there is no culture of sitting with your thoughts. You wake up, you hustle, you survive. There is rarely space to ask yourself if the life you are living is actually the life you want. Depression, as painful as it is, sometimes forces that conversation with yourself.
Self-reflection is something most people don’t do. They go about their daily lives without taking time to think about what is working in their lives and what isn’t. Depression, however, gives people an opportunity to focus on themselves and have serious thoughts about their behaviours, attitudes, and desires.
Self–isolation can be meditative and rejuvenating, which is good for our overall well-being as humans. Hopefully, during the period of self-isolation when depressed, you can find a way to make important changes in your life.
Makes You Mentally Stronger
Let’s face the fact that it is from our struggles, challenges and pain that we learn and grow.
Depression is a struggle with yourself and your mind. You may experience negative emotions like feelings of dejection, hopelessness or self-doubt. Being able to go through this struggle and getting your life back together again, makes you mentally stronger and fosters personal growth.
If you have defeated the deepest form of depression, you won’t fear anything else. This also gives you the courage to face other challenges that may occur in your life.
Makes You a Mental Health Advocate
Although not everyone may be willing to share their struggles with depression. But many people who are going through or may have gone through depression tend to advocate and create awareness for depression. They may share their stories and educate others on what depression is and how to cope with it.
This is particularly powerful in Africa, where mental health is still heavily stigmatised and where one personal story shared openly can shift the perspective of an entire community. In Nigeria, for example, the growing number of mental health advocates on social media today are largely people who have lived through their own struggles and decided to speak up.
They try to make a difference and improve the lives of people living with depression and other mental illnesses. This could be amongst family and friends, or even as far as educating people on mental health at school, work, or in the community.
Advocating for mental health after experiencing a mental illness, makes it easier for the person to relate and connect with those they are advocating for. This creates a form of hope and empowerment for others.
Open Doors to New Experiences
Depression gives people an opportunity to experience new things. Here’s how. When you’re looking for ways to cope with depression, you tend to try out different things. It could be getting new hobbies, creating a new routine, making new friends, or perhaps caring for one’s physical and mental health.
For many young Africans, the journey of recovering from depression has led them to discover art, writing, music, fitness and entrepreneurship as coping tools, things they would never have explored otherwise. Some of the most creative people on the continent found their purpose through their pain.
These are things some people may not have considered doing if they weren’t depressed.
Usually, when depressed, people often lost interest in things they used to enjoy. So, if in the process of recovering from depression, you discover a new side of yourself, it isn’t a bad thing after all.
Makes You Pay More Attention to Your Mental Health
Your experience with depression helps you to pay more attention to your mental health. Because, if you’ve experienced depression before and recovered from it, you would do whatever you can to avoid it.
Treatment, self-care, and coping techniques may help lower your chances of recurrence. And these strategies can make it easier to manage any symptom that may return.
This could help prevent depression and other mental health issues like anxiety and improve your overall well-being.
Conclusion
These are the amazing sides of depression that nobody talks about. Many people suffering from depression find a level of relief from their symptoms. And people who experience depression usually recover fully. So, there is hope, and there is life after depression. It may not be rosy, but at the end of the day, it’s all worth it.
Stay positive and focus on the bright side.
Author: Chinasa Lovlyn Nwachukwu holds an MSc in Psychology and is a mental health coach and writer dedicated to making mental health knowledge accessible across Africa.
DISCLAIMER:
The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is provided for general information only.
If you need help or know someone struggling with their mental health, please visit our resource page.
