Seeing Light in a Dark Place

Cate Mitchell, Ranger-Review Reporter

Clinical depression and anxiety disorders are commonly considered to be mental illnesses that people may develop in their lifetime. The definition of depression is the prolonged feeling of hopelessness, according to Dictionary.com. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America states that both conditions are treatable; however, eighty percent of those diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and sixty percent of those diagnosed with depression disorder go untreated.

Freshman Nicky Selitsch has done her research on depression related disorders and has informally diagnosed some of her symptoms. She has been battling these symptoms for a while.

“Depression is like a dark cloud always following you. It’s like you can’t get rid of it,” Selitsch said. “The cloud sometimes lessens, but you can always know it is there.”

A person who suffers from depression copes with it in different ways, some of which may be harmful to himself or others. Self-mutilation, better known as self-harm, includes cutting, bruising, burning and scratching the skin. Eating disorders may be a gateway or a result of depression, and they can be considered a form of self-harm.

“You just tend to hate yourself even more, and you lose all your self-esteem,” an anonymous LP student said. “It is like there are two parts of your brain, the positive and negative side. But the negative side always wins.”

Coping mechanisms vary according to the person and the situation he experiences. Focusing on something else such as hobbies, sports or academics can offer distractions for those suffering from these harmful actions. Activities that stimulate creativity, such as drawing and sculpting, allow the person to channel emotion and redirect his focus to something different.

According to Dictionary.com, anxiety is the distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America states that only one third of those with treatable anxiety get treated. People with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.

“Anxiety affects me on a daily basis, and even simple tasks are a challenge, like making coffee in the morning,” the anonymous source said.  

There are different projects and programs that are designed to help those with anxiety, one of which is called the Semicolon Project. The group was founded in the spring of 2013 by its founder Amy Bleuel. Many victims of depression and anxiety disorders tattoo a semicolon on their bodies to symbolism their progression throughout their hardships. A semicolon represents a short pause in a sentence with a preceding thought. In relation to depression, a victim may experience a pause in life, but he will eventually continue on.

“Despite the wounds of a dark past, I was able to rise from the ashes, proving that the best is yet to come. When my life was filled with the pain of rejection, bullying, suicide, self-injury, addiction, abuse and even rape, I kept on fighting. I didn’t have a lot of people in my corner, but the ones I did have kept me going,” said Amy Bleuel, in an excerpt on the Project Semicolon website. “In my 20 years of personally struggling with mental health I experienced many stigmas associated with it. Through the pain came inspiration and a deeper love for others. God wants us to love one another despite the label we wear. I do pray my story inspires others. Please remember there is hope for a better tomorrow.”

In terms of mental illnesses, a person struggling could have ended his life, but he saw the light and kept going.

“I had no motivation to do anything,” the anonymous source said. “If you or someone close to you is struggling, always know that there is always light in a dark place.”

There are many resources available to those who suffer from mental illnesses like depression and anxiety disorders. Lewis-Palmer High School offers an anonymous help line called Safe 2 Tell so that students or friends of students suffering from these tragic incidents can reach out for help. National support lines include The National Suicide Prevention hotline 1-800-273-8255 and the Depression Hotline 1-630-482-969. Both are available 24/7.