Depression Poem

Loved Ones Not Understanding Your Depression

I've struggled with severe depression and anxiety for years. Most people tell you it will all be fine and you will be okay, but that doesn't make it better, and that is what this poem is expressing.

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This poem is so relatable. I grew up with a drug addict father who abused my mom. Now that I have gotten older and I understand what addiction is, all it does is break my heart. I always put...

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The Darkness

©

Published by Family Friend Poems July 2018 with permission of the Author.

You would never know it,
The constant pain I feel,
Because in the light of day
It almost isn't real.

Sure, I'll play, I'll laugh,
I'll sing some songs,
But that pain is always lurking
Because it's been here all along.

And when the darkness comes
With its all-consuming power,
It slowly takes my soul
Hour by dreadful hour.

But they tell me that I'm strong enough.
They swear that it gets better.
They say, "If you can just hold out
and bear this stormy weather."

They tell me, "You will be happy one day.
All you need do is fight."
But what they seem to forget
Is after each day comes the night.

And so I act along.
I play my part
While this crushing darkness
Slowly breaks my heart.

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!
  • Anonnymus by Anonnymus
  • 4 months ago

My classmate passed away last month in a accident. He was only 15 years old, same age as me. Nobody understands me and my friends get annoyed at me when I talk about him. Nobody understands the hurt I feel and my heart cries every day for him but I cannot cry because I have no tears left. I will never forget him and I can't tell anyone that I loved him so much. I never realized that I loved him until now that he is gone. He was so kind to everybody. and now he's gone. Nobody understands me, and I don't know what to do, because I am very depressed and I don't think anyone in my family realizes it. I just have to walk around, pretending that everything is ok and I'm fine, but I'm not. I'm so broken inside. I feel so weak because I can't fight against my depression. I've had it since I was 8 and it's just getting worse. But I don't dare tell anyone because they will think that I've gone crazy, because nobody knows what my real self is. They think I am the happiest person in the world.

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  • Dallas E. Krystof by Dallas E. Krystof Poet
  • 1 month ago

When my mom found out I had depression because I ended up hospitalized, she said stuff like this isn't you, you were always so happy. What people don't realize is that those who hurt the most often put on the biggest smile. We don't want people to feel any amount of what we feel, so we prioritize their happiness above all else. I'm so sorry for what you're going through. I wish I could tell you I've figured out how to cope with the crushing darkness. Unfortunately, I still battle with it myself. Even on my best days, it's there, lurking in the corner of my mind. Just know you're not alone, and many people like us go on day by day, just trying to survive.

  • Alli Faye Bushong by Alli Faye Bushong
  • 2 years ago

This poem is so relatable. I grew up with a drug addict father who abused my mom. Now that I have gotten older and I understand what addiction is, all it does is break my heart. I always put on sort of a mask. I wear makeup and a fake smile...until I get home. After I get home that's when the Darkness creeps in. All the built up feelings and emotions just let out, especially at night time. I honestly, as a 13 year old girl, will say that anyone who can relate to this is so, so, so strong and beautiful on the inside and out. Most people say that teens my age can't be depressed, that they don't know what depression is, but I can assure you that depression in kids my age is REAL. But I love this poem. Keep up with the amazing work. Sorry to anyone who can relate to this.

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  • J_ by J_
  • 3 years ago

For me, depression starts at teenage times. I am 14 years old, and yes, I struggled from it too, but I believe there is a reason in everything. You change a lot once you get really hurt, and my family realized that I really changed. My physical health, mental, and even my emotional is getting weaker, and I can tell that this isn't really me or my old self anymore. Really everything drives me crazy, and I don't really tell people about my condition, even my own parents. I'm pretty sure everyone goes through their own struggles.
Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want."

I'm just telling my experience, and I hope we all learn from our own mistakes. I love you even if I don't know you, but you're an amazing person, and I believe we can all work things out. We may not fight in physical battles like wars or something, but we are also warriors who fight our own battles that no one knows. I know that you can win this battle, and I know you're strong enough to face it. You can do this!

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  • Siena by Siena
  • 3 years ago

This really explains exactly how it's like living with depression. I'm 14 years old and have struggled with my mental health for years now, even though last year was when it started to get extremely bad. It's true what you say...when night slowly creeps in, so does that dark feeling in my chest, the feeling that makes me feel as if giving up may just be the better option. It's sad when people think you're okay or you'll be okay just because they don't understand it, but one day I really hope all of us struggling will be okay because even though we seem "okay'' during the day, it doesn't mean we are and this battle we have to fight truly is one of the hardest things in the world.

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  • Arizona Ice Grey by Arizona Ice Grey
  • 4 years ago

Hi, I am a 14-year-old tomboy, but I don't really have friends. I like this poem because it really sounds like me somehow. I get how you feel. I was tricked by fake friends all the time. My family just says, "It gets better, just hold on." But how can I hold on when I am in a tornado of my thoughts? No one really gets how I feel. I just have to act happy and sing when they want me to so it doesn't show. Thank you for making this, and I really get how you feel.

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  • Tracy L Sherman by Tracy L Sherman
  • 4 years ago

I have been where you are, so trust me when I say this. When your parents tell you it will get better, they are partly right. Life is like a rollercoaster. You have your up days, and you have your down days. You just have to learn how to deal with them and with help from really good friends...not fake ones. Go to church and join a Bible group and see if you can find real friends there. God loves you. I am bipolar and I have cancer. I have struggles and stress in my life, and I have 1 really good friend. We have been friends for 21 years and she and I are like sisters. You need to find someone like that to stand by you and help you through the hard stuff. Hun, I get you, okay I really do. God bless you and hang in there!

  • Althea B Carter by Althea B Carter
  • 5 years ago

As the day passes by, I go away smiling, but when night falls, I go away crying. I hide my pain because I feel ashamed. Through my eyes I flow a dry river, but in my heart, I feel wet drips. Day and Night are different in color but a human fear is color blind.

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  • Tania Perez by Tania Perez
  • 5 years ago

The following lines really hit me:

They tell me, "You will be happy one day.
All you need do is fight."
But what they seem to forget
Is after each day comes the night.

I am crying out loud because of the recognition. Thank you so much, you beautiful soul. I feel so much love because of reading these poems, and I feel less alone. Thank you so much!

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  • Anonymous by Anonymous
  • 5 years ago

This poem describes how I feel constantly on the inside and how I handle the fog of depression that threatens to swallow me whole. I know I'm not alone, but it helps to have a reminder of who I am. Others think that I'm perfect when the truth is I'm just me. I'm only human, and I know it's not an excuse, but I wish I could be decisive about what I want; I try to stay hopeful, but when a problem arises, I feel great doubt and dejection in my heart. It's a horrible way to feel...

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  • Grace Mugisha by Grace Mugisha
  • 6 years ago

People always say that in life we have a choice and all we need is to choose what we want. But for me in life, there is no choice. No matter how hard life can be, no one seems to understand us. They think our sadness and pain is a choice. So for me, I choose to keep quiet and pretend everything is fine.

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  • Marilyn Barbour by Marilyn Barbour
  • 6 years ago

It's a beautiful poem and it's so true. You have touched my heart with your poem because no one understands, so we go along pretending we are ok and wait as the burdens get heavier.

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  • Chantel by Chantel
  • 6 years ago

During the day everything seems fine, like l can fight this. I listen to all those inspirational and motivational quotes, and a spark of hope ignites in me. Yet when night comes, everything falls apart. I just sit all alone, crying. I'm not strong enough, and I just want to end it now. The worst part is that I can't rid myself of this darkness; it just sits there waiting for nightfall to swallow me whole.

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  • Amber M. Scholtec by Amber M. Scholtec
  • 7 years ago

This poem, as I was reading it...it felt as though I was looking in the mirror. I have much more than just depression, which I fight through every day. You are right as how you put it. In the light it doesn't show, but when night falls, you always know! I'm sorry.

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