Hello!

12 Comments

A US mother’s Facebook post has gone viral, after sharing her battle against depression.

Brittany Ernsperger, from the US state of Indiana, shared a picture on Facebook of her kitchen sink piled high with freshly-washed dishes.

She wrote, “This is what depression looks like.

“No. Not the clean dishes.

“But that there were that many dishes in the first place; that I’ve gone 2 weeks without doing them.

3 days ago I sat on the kitchen floor and stared at them while I cried. I knew they needed to be done. I wanted to do them so bad.

“But depression pulled me under. It sucked me in. Like a black hole. Rapidly, sinking quick-sand.

“I walked by them morning and night and all day long. And just looked at them. Telling myself that I could do them. Telling myself that I would. And feeling defeated everyday that I didn’t. Making the depression only that much worse because not accomplishing something that needs to be done is failure.

“Worthless. Failure. Piece of shit. Incompetent. Stupid. Lazy.

“All things that roll through the mind of someone with depression. All. Day. Long.

“Throw anxiety on top of it, and you’ve got yourself a real treat.

“Being scared your husband will leave because he thinks you’re lazy. Being scared to let people into your home because they’ll think you’re nasty. Feeling like you’re failing your kids because for the 3rd night in a row you don’t have any clean dishes to cook dinner on.. so pizza it is. Again.
And the worst part of it all, it’s not just with the dishes. The laundry, cleaning, dressing yourself, taking a shower, dressing your kids, brushing your and their teeth, normal everyday tasks. It all becomes a nightmare. A very daunting task. Somedays it doesn’t get done at all.

“Depression is something that “strong” people don’t talk about because they don’t want people to think they’re “weak”.

“You’re not weak. You’ve been strong for so long and through so many things, that your body needs a break.

“I don’t even care if the only thing you did today, was put deodorant on. I’m proud of you for it. Good job. I’m in your corner. I’m on your side.

“I’m not looking for sympathy, not in the slightest.

“But I am letting everyone know that I’m here for you. I get it. If you need someone to talk to, I’m always here to help.”

Her post has been shared over 163,000 times and attracted over 130,000 reactions.

In a follow up post Brittany shared, “I am so humbled by all of the messages and friend requests!

“I am working to respond to all of you!

“I am so blessed to have been able to touch so many people. I am so proud of every single one of you! ”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Share your comments below

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
  • How awesome and good for her for making the post.

    Reply

  • There is times when I leave the housework, then don’t want to face it so it builds up.
    I don’t think being alone part of the time helps. I hate the cold weather. I would rather curl up with a book.

    Reply

  • It is an awful thing to go through, thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  • Depression needs to be talked about. It is real, and all-consuming, and dark. There is a way out, but we need to talk about it and share our experiences of depression so we don’t feel so alone.

    Reply

  • Depression is when the colour in your world turns to black and white. Hope she gets the help she needs.

    Reply

  • Thanks for telling it like it is. I never let anyone know how bad I’m feeling and just let them think I’m lazy at home. It’s much easier than them finding out I suffer with depression.

    Reply

  • Amazing to read. It’s hard to find help and doing so makes you that much stronger

    Reply

  • I can so understand it. It just explains it. You can’t do it but then you feel so bad for not doing it. You feel inside how people will look at you for not doing it even though you can;t do it even though you are physically capable. It is such a headf@DK. Everything little normal thing is an effort. She just explains it

    Reply

  • Getting help for depression is hard and so is coping with it. Everything gets too much and then you do not want to leave your bedroom . Leave your room and it means facing the real world, staying in bed is so much easier to do.

    Reply

  • Oh dear hope she gets support and help

    Reply

  • Depression I have felt on and off it is true,
    Makes one feel useless and hopeless no joy in view,
    Hide away when I felt so sad and blue
    And know it is the worsed thing to do
    Thank goodness can now tell people who know
    Helped me to eventually when I dared to show
    Realise I am not alone and from it I grow..
    Thank you for sharing how it felt for you,
    It is by writing or telling what depression can do
    Still misunderstood and carries guilt and shame
    Have to be kind to ourself we are not to blame
    Wrote this after I read your article in words and pictures, I hope you continue to heal an grow.I see already we are not alone in our darkness and pain, talking about it we all relief gain.

    Reply

  • Yup I know this struggle with depression all too well. It’s very hard and then with housework piling up on you to make it even more of a struggle. Im getting by though.

    Reply

Post a comment
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your comment and join MoM:

You May Like

Loading…

Looks like this may be blocked by your browser or content filtering.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join