Sarah's story is a real on lessons depression. Depression feels like living through death while still alive, a struggle to justify existence when it feels unbearable. Understanding this can help bring awareness and compassion to those suffering silently. You will be clear about this uqote by the following story.
What does it mean to feel like you're accounting for your death while alive in the context of depression?
It refers to the overwhelming burden of depression, where individuals feel forced to justify their existence despite battling internal emotional pain, making life feel like a never-ending struggle.
Sarah had always been the cheerful one in her group, the friend everyone relied on. Her laughter lit up rooms, and her advice was sought after in times of trouble. But beneath the surface, a silent storm raged. Every day was a battle to get out of bed, to push through the hours, to simply exist. Behind her bright smile, she was falling apart. Depression weighed heavily on her chest, a relentless presence that made breathing feel like a chore. It drained her of energy and made every task seem insurmountable. In her darkest moments, she found herself wondering how people would remember her if she disappeared—her life felt devoid of meaning, her efforts invisible.
Overwhelming burden of depression, where individuals feel forced to justify their existence despite battling internal emotional pain
At work, things started to unravel. Once known for her diligence and precision, Sarah now struggled to focus. Simple tasks took hours, and her motivation had withered. One afternoon, her manager called her in for a performance review. “Sarah, we’ve noticed your work hasn’t been the same lately. Is everything okay?” Though the question was meant to be supportive, Sarah felt an overwhelming pressure to explain why she was failing. It felt like her entire existence was under scrutiny, not just her work. The conversation was a stark reminder of how disconnected she felt from her own life, as though she was being asked to justify her place in the world when, inside, she was barely holding on.
Leaving the office that day, Sarah sat in her car, unable to hold back the tears. The pressure to pretend everything was fine had been crushing, and now it felt like depression had consumed every part of her. She realized that for months, she had been trying to account for her own existence as if she was already gone. She was living through her death, emotionally buried while the world around her kept moving.
The pressure to pretend everything was fine had been crushing, and now it felt like depression
But as the tears subsided, Sarah made a decision. She wasn’t ready to keep silent anymore. The burden of justifying her pain to the world was too much to bear alone. She decided to reach out—to seek help, to share her story, and to stop trying to explain her struggles in silence. That day marked the beginning of her journey to reclaim her life, to stop apologizing for her suffering, and to start healing from the inside.
