Depression Poem by Teens

The Monster Called Depression

I struggle with depression, and I tried to see a way that would give it justice. I didn't want to give this disease power, but I need to write it down, so this is how I feel.

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I love this poem. It touches every emotion you feel when you’re depressed. I have suffered from depression for a long time and have been hiding behind a mask. I go to school every day with a...

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The Monster

Published by Family Friend Poems November 2017 with permission of the Author.

If I showed my true colors, what would society think?
Would they laugh, show pity, or read the ink?

I'm exhausted from smiling every single day
When I know the pain won't just go away.

Every night I cannot sleep
Because my thoughts run so deep.

They went out for a stroll
But got sucked into a black hole.

My focus is no longer there, anywhere.
I don't know why I'm like this, I swear.

It seems like I'm just well-dressed.
That just means how much I'm stressed.

My friends all laugh and hang around.
You don't need water to be drowned.

This darkness beneath consumes my mind.
It's like I'm living my life blind.

On the outside I'm holding it together,
But it's as unpredictable as the weather.

"How are you?" "I'm fine."
But the truth lies between the lines.

It's like being on Mars and trying to breathe air.
When they talk about the future, I don't really care.

You say to suck it up and to be strong,
But little do you know what exactly is wrong.

My life is forever altered because of this.
That cheerful 5 year old is who I miss.

This is war; you either win or die trying.
You speak the truth or continue lying.

The changes were all so very subtle; I don't blame you for not seeing,
But what you don't understand is that I'm a human being.

The truth is you wouldn't last if this was in your brain,
But I've found a way to numb the pain.

I have to fight my mind every single second,
But that's only because this thing had beckoned.

I wouldn't ever choose to feel this way; these were the cards I was dealt.
My only wish is that more people would understand how we felt.

Sometimes a glimpse of wonder wanders on over,
But it's as rare as finding a four leaf clover.

Monsters don't live under our beds.
They scream inside of our heads.

Still I live with hope that one day I will win.
I will defeat the monster that's under my skin.

more by Katie Q. McKee

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Read More Depression Poems by Teens

Has this poem touched you? Share your story!

by Akshit Tiwari
5 years ago

I loved your poem. It was really a piece of feelings for everyone who has been depressed. We all need hope and to spend a bit of time with that hope. I have hope in God, so every day I spend time telling myself that God is always with me and God will help me.

by Cierra Butler
5 years ago

I love this poem. It touches every emotion you feel when you’re depressed. I have suffered from depression for a long time and have been hiding behind a mask. I go to school every day with a smile on my face, attempting to be like everyone else. There are some days I can’t hide it, so I just hide from everyone and try to be invisible. It was really bad one day because my anxiety and depression hit at the exact same time because my boyfriend dumped me the night before, and I couldn’t handle it. So I went to school, no fake smile, no fake friends, and I just sat alone all day and was invisible. I kind of liked that no one looked at me and judged me. I stayed invisible. Not even the people I thought were my friends stayed with me.

by Till Death Do Use Us Part
5 years ago

This poem really hit home for me. I struggle with depression, too, and I haven't told anyone. I am afraid of what they will do and how they react. In essence, I'm afraid of revealing all of me. So thank you for writing his poem.

by Montanna
5 years ago

That's how I was. I told one person who was my best friend. He told me every day that I need to tell my parents. I told him no because I was terrified of how they would take it. I took his advice finally, and when he betrayed me and ruined my heart, my parents were there for me to cry. They helped me through it all. It sucks sitting inside pretending to be all happy, when the truth is that you're dying. Reading these poems and all the comments have saved me so many times.

by S.Ramadani
5 years ago

This poem really makes sense for me. It's great to read words that can express this kind of feeling.

by GeorgeH4rt
5 years ago

Hey, I loved your poem. I've suffered from Depression and OCD in the past. I've even written a poem on it, which led me here. Your poem is perfect and touches the very thoughts of mental health to a tee. I was suicidal for 2 years before I finally took hold of it, and although it still lives in the back of my mind, it doesn't have a grip on me anymore. What I wanted to say and give hope to people is that even though it means being vulnerable, tell someone your thoughts and be open, and though perhaps not every case, what you'll find is that you free yourself from its grip on your mind!! I really hope this helps people on this thread. I've only got love for people, and I hope you find peace. Don't stop fighting!

by Jacob
5 years ago

I've suffered from depression for several years now. I spend my time feeling like I'm about to drown with only a waterlogged life-jacket keeping me up. I feel that eventually that jacket will fail. For now, I wait, hoping someone finds me before it's too late. I send signals, but they seem lost on those who receive them. I keep this facade up around others, even my family. This poem has helped me realize no matter how hopeless I feel, even the word hopeless has hope in it.

by Katie Q. McKee Poet
5 years ago

Thank you very much for saying this, I hope that your battle with soon get a little bit easier. I'm so glad that I could make you see that no matter how hopeless you might feel there's always something to keep you going. Good luck!

by YinApolloYang
6 years ago

I hope you have been doing better with your depression. I've had many friends with depression, and it is such a difficult thing.

by Izak J
6 years ago

Thank you for this wonderful poem. I hope one day we all get through it, and I believe we will.

by Pingkan I. Sari
6 years ago

This poem is beautiful, the content is so deep. This poem represents what we feel every day and what we struggle with. For us who suffer from mental illness, we will win. I don't know when it's gonna be, but we will. Hoping soon.

by Katie Q. McKee Poet
6 years ago

Yes, we will win! It might take months, years, or a lifetime, but we will never stop fighting. Thank you for your comment.

by Aimee
6 years ago

This poem conveyed the feeling of being depressed. I feel bad for this sad, lonely person.

by Von
6 years ago

Deeper than my life. I'm crying, and I don't know if it's because of your problems or mine.