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Depression is Debilitating
Mental Illness is No Joke
I suffer from depression. It has been a dark cloud over my head ever since my mother’s passing. In the past two years, I was forced to resign from a position in part because I was suffering from anxiety and stress, two components of depression. In the past year, my sister died from brain cancer. In November, my dog, 14 years old, crossed the rainbow bridge.
I was powerless to do anything to save them.
In addition, I am a survivor of breast cancer. In 2025, I celebrate ten years cancer-free. For most, that would be a reason to celebrate, and while I certainly don’t want the cancer to return, the scars from years of biopsies, surgeries, and medications have taken a toll on my psyche. My body is still in pain from the procedures.
In short, I’m a mess.
My home reflects as much. I’ve become a hoarder. Every room has piles of clothing, boxes, bags, and everything. When my mother was alive, she would help me keep the house in order. With her gone, the desire to maintain my home has been pushed to the back burner; I only want to come home and crash on the couch. Sleeping is the only thing I seem to do well nowadays.
Of course, I don’t want to live this way. But every time I try to move forward something in life comes along to upend my progress. And I’m…
