A Brand New Start - Ode To Depression
By Brian
@wolfie34 (26771)
United Kingdom
February 5, 2007 4:07pm CST
I was diagnosed with depression in 2003, I have struggled through and have not so much dealt, but learnt to live with the past, to help me through I used to write down my feelings through poetry. I stopped taking the anti-depressants, they didn't work for me, for me anti-depressants were like a plaster which you put on a festering wound, you come off anti-depressants and the the plaster came off, and there, low and behold the wound was still there.
This is one of the poems that I wrote that has kept me going and I always read it when I'm feeling down. I hope you like it.
A Brand New Start
A brand new start,
with hand on my heart,
I do declare,
this time I will care,
past is past,
what's happened, happened,
As a new life enfolds
I shall be whole,
To love, to trust, to care, to hold,
For life does go on and on,
I shall sing a song,
Happiness is mine to keep,
Rewards and treasures and such to reap,
The sun, the stars, the moon and the sky,
Oh Lord, I no longer want to die,
You've at last given me a reason why,
To build, to create,
The bricks of foundation, the bricks of life,
No longer do I want to deal with the troubles and strife
And build a home,
Where the future lies,
And the past for me thankfully dies.
31st August, 2003
8 people like this
33 responses
@ukchriss (2097)
•
5 Feb 07
writing down your feelings is a very good thing to do,
it helps to sort out your emotions and how you are feeling.
I think i told you i write a bit as well?
Heres one of mine... Although its Not as good as your poem
I get this funny feeling,
it comes from deep inside.
I get all mad and angry,
I just want to go and hide.
My doctor calls it depression,
my mum says it's just me.
But these thoughts and feelings,
inside me no one can ever see.
Some say I've gone psycho,
Some say I'm just weird.
It's like I'm a new different person,
and the old me just disappeared.
I get edgy, sad and down
All I ever do now is frown
Then I get this headache,
and I cannot explain why.
But suddenly I decided
To give life one more try
and so I now wear this smile
And I no longer Cry.
2 people like this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
5 Feb 07
Thank you for sharing, that was very profound and meaningful to you. I have a book of poems and I was able to get out my emotions through writing, I also keep a daily diary too, which helps immensely, writing down my thoughts and feelings, sometimes I am my own worst enemy and most of the cr*p that has caused the depression is my own doing if that makes sense.
2 people like this
@blakky (137)
• Australia
6 Feb 07
anti depressants by themself are never a solution to the problem so of course once you stop taking them the problem will come back. you need to use the time you are on medication to work through the issues and heal youself so that you can be meds free and still feel good. i feel for you because i have been through it more than once over the years and each time the therapy is what helps you to heal and move on, the medication is supposed to be an emergency stop gap to stop you doing something foolish until you feel better - ie so nobody kills themself. keep fighting!
2 people like this
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
5 Feb 07
That's really nice poem. I'll print it for my friend. She has been avoiding me for the last 2 years, but I can still mail it to her. I guess I have to step back and give her time alone. Hope the best for you in the future.
2 people like this
@stateroad (730)
• United States
5 Feb 07
That poem is beautiful and ever so touching. It encouraged me more then I can say. I am going to print it out and put it by my computer. Each day when I get up I will get encouragement from it. I am having a horrible day today with my illness and that poem made my day more then I can ever tell you. Thanks again for sharing and helping me through a difficult day.
1 person likes this
@questionthis (143)
• Netherlands
5 Feb 07
That is beautiful! Congrats on getting a handle on your depression, it's a hard thing to do. I have suffered minor depression, and I admire your strength...keep it up, and thanks for sharing!
2 people like this
@nilzerous1 (2434)
• India
6 Feb 07
Wow, what a motivating poem, I get depressed from time to time and then I have developed a self-acting mechanism to suppress it and work afresh. I set new target and try to follow it. Planning has been a good motivator for me all along.
1 person likes this
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
6 Feb 07
Its a very nice poem and Im glad to hear your doing so well now. You sound like your a very stong person keep the good work and you will be rewarded.
@Lil_miz_ice_x (614)
•
6 Feb 07
You can generally tell if someone's depressed -- unless they have bi-polar -- that can be quite hard to diagnose, as you could just be like 10% depressed, right?
@xfallenxlostx (2074)
• United States
6 Feb 07
They can give you a blood test to check your ceratonin levels...
@mnksmommy (301)
• United States
6 Feb 07
I really like your poem. I can relate to you on the pills as my own eventually stopped working for me. I went right back to how I felt. Just day to day living is affected by depression and it affects my whole family. I am still working through issues--anyone suffering from depression always has issues! I am glad that you are obviously doing well. It is encouragement to see! Keep it up!
@edgecrusher (42)
• Philippines
6 Feb 07
You have a great talent! A lot of people are dying to have what you've got! Go on man, show the world the talent you have! Stop wallowing with the past and look forward to where your talent will lead you...
Your talent is a blessing and you've been blessed very much!
1 person likes this
@silver1beans (281)
• United States
6 Feb 07
That was the best poem i have read in along long time and i feel alittle better about some of my old friends i have. Have been depressed and now i might go to my old town just to cheer them up with this poem
@car0811 (184)
• Philippines
6 Feb 07
Can you pls tell me the manifestations of depression? Is it somewhat similar with anxiety disorder? I was prescribed the last time I went to the doctor with anti-anxiety meds but I didn't buy it because I don't think I need to take them.
By the way, I really like your poem. It's like I feel what you have felt then and I congratulate you for successfully overcoming depression. Having a positive outlook in life helps a lot and writing poetry as an outlet is therapeutic indeed on your part.
@Lil_miz_ice_x (614)
•
6 Feb 07
That's a really beautiful poem.
I myself have struggled with depression for a few years, and I hate to be this way at such a young age...
I'm not sure anti-depressents work either...
@bodkerlo47 (104)
• United States
6 Feb 07
That's a great poem. I have also suffered with major depression. I didn't realize it until a few years ago that I have been depressed most of my life. I have taken Wellbutrin for three years now and it's helped me. I will probably have to take it all my life. It also helped me not to think about the past. Just let it go. I have a new life and a great husband and I try to focus on that as much as I can. I'm glad you can deal with yours without a antidepressant. Good luck to you.
@agassi536 (39)
• Bahrain
6 Feb 07
I salute you for picking up the pieces and moving on. You are certainly doing a good job. Keep writing down your thoughts. It helps! And you could pass for a poet :) I have a brother who suffers from depression occasionally and it is a pathetic situation. He needs a lot of family support to be able to literally 'come out of it alive'. We have always been there to support him and now he has stabilized, thank God! He is living a normal life again with his wife and two kids.
