Depression quotes explain mental illness sometimes better than anything else. After all, we need a voice in order to heal.

For those who live with depression, making others understand seems impossible, doesn’t it? I know it seems pretty daunting to me. I was diagnosed with severe depression, along with a few other mental illnesses, when I was 18 years old, and I am used to the stigma.

But like everyone else, I hate the stigma, and the only thing that I can seem to relate to is depression quotes. I have found several of these in various places.

One statement can say so much

It doesn’t take a book or even a paragraph to really convey the raw feelings of depression. Mind you, it’s difficult to voice certain things if you don’t know how. However, there are a few depression quotes that reach deep places within me. Here are a couple of them, and yes, I will elaborate. What do you think?

 “You are not your illness. You have an individual story to tell. You have a name, a history, a personality. Staying yourself is part of the battle.”

-Julian Seifter

Your first impression of the mentally ill may not be a good one. Let’s just be honest, most of the time those who suffer from depression may seem like the embodiment of their disorder. But take some time to get to know them.

We who suffer from depression are not our illness. We are mothers, daughters, wives, and sisters. We are scholars, doctors, and lawyers. We are so much more than what you see on the surface. When we are strong enough to go head to head with our sickness, we are retaining our true identity.

“You are so brave and quiet. I forget you’re suffering.”

-Ernest Hemingway

It’s hard to get beyond the walls that people build. We sometimes forget that the quiet ones, the ones who seem aloof, or even some of the introverted need our help.

Many people suffer, and just because they look all put together, doesn’t mean a thing. They may seem strong, but it’s possible that they are dying inside and really need consideration from others.

“The bravest thing I ever did was continue my life when I wanted to die.”

-Juliet Lewis

People really don’t understand the strength it takes to stay alive. When we hear of suicide or attempted suicide, we sometimes make negative assumptions about the victim. We wonder why they weren’t strong enough to resist the urge to end it all.

The truth is, everyone has a different story, but one thing is for certain, for the depressed, staying alive is sometimes extremely hard. It truly is a remarkably brave action.

“Nobody recognizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.”

-Albert Camus

Never make fun of those who are different from you. You have no idea what it takes for some people to wear a mask. You also have no idea how much of their true personality is sacrificed by doing this either. I hate labels, but what’s seen as “normal” is not easy to attain.

If someone is trying to fit in, give them credit for that effort.

“The mentally ill frighten and embarrass us. And so we marginalize the people who most need our acceptance. What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, more unashamed conversation.”

-Glenn Close

We should stop being ashamed of those who suffer from mental illness. We do nothing to help them by hiding them away. If we are scared of those who suffer, or if we are embarrassed by them, then we also have a serious problem as well. It’s called a personality disorder, honestly.

“It’s so common, it could be anyone. The trouble is, nobody wants to talk about it. And that makes everything worse.”

-Ruby Wax

Mental illness could be anybody. We shouldn’t assume that only certain people will be depressed and we need to communicate about this misconception as well. Things get worse when we make assumptions and appoint stigmas, especially about mental illness.

Having an open mind is the best way to tackle the demons of depression. This and other depression quotes remind us of just that.

“I never believed in mental illness until it happened to me”

-Lithium Lollipop

I guess long ago, I looked at someone with mental illness as a frightening person. But to be honest, I was diagnosed pretty early and had the opportunity to be that frightening person that everyone avoided.

Knowing this, I surmise that there are many people who don’t believe in mental disorders. In fact, I have heard statements that proved there was little sympathy for depression. When this illness affected those same people, they started to believe and understand. Unfortunately, this is how advocates are created.

“I’m not lazy. I’m just exhausted from fighting my way through every single day.”

-Mimi Love

One thing I hate about my illness is that it makes me look lazy. I sleep a lot, I watch television and lay around quite a bit. I work and do things that I should, but I am easily exhausted and overwhelmed. The “laziness” that I have comes from keeping myself sane. I need a bit more downtime that some do, and this downtime helps me do better when things need to be accomplished.

No, I’m really not lazy, and neither are others who suffer from depression.

“Sad hurts but it’s a healthy feeling. It is a necessary thing to feel. Depression is very different.”

-J. K. Rowling

There’s a huge reason why depression isn’t being treated as effectively as it could be. This is because so many people think depression is just being sad, which it is not.

Sadness, as Rowling describes above, is a natural emotion. A little bit of sadness never hurt anyone for long. Depression, on the other hand, is an illness that not only affects the mind but also the body. You can actually have physical symptoms of depression.

Let’s keep improving!

I hope these depression quotes shed light on the illness for you. Although they are deep and somber, they are also quite therapeutic for those who cannot find understanding anywhere else.

The best part is, these depression quotes are truths which may help get rid of the stigma and lead us to a better place. Let’s hope so!


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This Post Has 8 Comments

  1. Zahid

    Such a great and wonderful collection, thank you for sharing them with us.

    1. Sherrie

      You are welcome, Zahid. Thank you for reading.

  2. Bea

    Great collection of mental health quotes! Keep spreading the awareness 💚

    1. Sherrie

      Thank you for reading, Bea 🙂

  3. Diwakar

    Really excellent post and are motivating too

  4. Diane Sharp

    Needed this today. The numbness has returned, even back on my meds. I’m pregnant right now too, so that may be part of it. Forcing myself to eat, and realized this morning that I haven’t showered in two days. Going to call my therapist now.

  5. Coco

    This was really good. Made my day better😄

  6. sad boy

    its crazy how fast people walk out ur life.

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