Use Positive Language to Describe Your Depression Diagnosis

I love language. I believe the words we choose shape our minds and our world. This is why I choose to say, "I have depression" instead of saying, "I'm depressed." My depression diagnosis is a part of me, but it isn't all of me. Using positive language to describe my illness helps me manage my illness.

At times, I definitely feel like I am a walking pit of doom and gloom. I feel so depressed that I literally can't believe I'll ever feel anything good ever again. I wonder, why live when I feel like dying? No feeling ever lasts forever, though. If I wait it out, usually a friend will text me or I'll see a new recipe I want to try. The world reminds me that there is more to me than my depression.

Depressed Feelings Aren't Your Only Feelings

Maybe you sometimes feel that depression keeps you stuck in negative feelings all the time. Fortunately, feelings always change. Feelings aren't permanent facts.

When I choose to think that I have depression instead of simply being depressed, it creates a little space between me and my illness. It gives me power, which helps me calm down and get perspective. If I try that and still feel overwhelmed, I play a little word game.

I list all the things I have that don't define me as a person. For example, I have black hair, but I am not black hair. I have headaches, but I am not a headache. I have debt, but I am not debt.

You Are Not Your Depression Diagnosis

I also have more than one diagnosis of mental illness. In addition to having depression, I have social anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. I have had eating disorders and I have self-harmed in the past through self-injury and suicide attempts. All of those diagnoses and problems are a part of my life and my history, but they do not define me as a whole person.

[caption id="attachment_2850" align="alignright" width="275" caption="Art by Erin Schulthies"][/caption]

If you have a hard time seeing yourself outside of your depression, ask a friend to describe what they see in you besides your diagnosis. Honor their positive opinions of you, even if you can't see those same good things in yourself.

I used to argue against compliments from others since I couldn't see good things in myself. Now I realize that I'm not always right. Other people have opinions too, and they are often much kinder and realistic that our own biased opinions of ourselves.

Next time you tell someone about your diagnosis of depression, make sure you emphasize the diagnosis by saying, "I have depression" instead of, "I'm depressed." Be aware of how that simple change in language can change how you feel for the better. It works!

You can also find Erin Schulthies on Twitter, Google+, Facebook and her blog, Daisies and Bruises: The Art of Living with Depression.