Anyone who has struggled with depression knows the condition can make the most menial task seem like an insurmountable obstacle.
Jonna Roslund, a 26-year-old woman from Sweden, posted two photos on the social sharing site Imgur that perfectly capture this truth. Roslund shared two images of her bedroom ― before she cleaned it and after ― to celebrate how meaningful it was that she found the strength to accomplish a chore.
“I suffer from severe depression and have a really hard time with cleaning and doing other kinds of household work,” she wrote in the caption. “My room have been this messy for several months because I can’t push myself to take care of it. But this Friday I decided to finally do it!”
(Click through the album to see the photos. Story continues below the images.)
In addition to a lack of motivation, depression also can result in sleep loss, changes in appetite, headaches and more.
“When you’re depressed, it’s a struggle to just get out of bed,” Roslund told Upworthy. “It makes other things that other, healthy people do, so overwhelming. It’s like trying to run a marathon when you’ve been in a coma for years.”
Despite this, there’s still a large stigma surrounding depression, which can prevent individuals living with the condition from seeking professional support. Many people who don’t understand the disorder often equate it with “feeling sad” and something a person can just “get over.”
Roslund’s post is proof that depression is anything but these misconceptions. And, even further, the photos are also the perfect example that success in treating depression can be in the little victories, too.
If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.
Related
Before You Go
