Depression is a devastating illness, causing great suffering in the afflicted and anxiety to their nearest and dearest: it can hit at any age.

If you trade your authenticity for safety, you may experience the following: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addiction, rage, blame, resentment, and inexplicable grief.

[W]e need not become fixated upon our own suffering, whatever its origin. We offer it up, thus participating in the well-being of the universe. When we experience an illness or depression not as our own but as the universe’s, we are one with all beings who experience this kind of suffering. (78)

I just want to be free. I feel like i’m stuck in a prison with no escape. I just wanna get in a car and drive to god knows where. Leave all the things I love behind and just go out on the open road. I want to find myself. I want to escape from this war that I have going on in my mind. I just want to be happy.

A lot of people don't realize that depression is an illness. I don't wish it on anyone, but if they would know how it feels, I swear they would think twice before they just shrug it.

Okay, I’ll just jump right out and say it. I have anxiety issues.