Brittany Ernsperger, a mom from Indiana, who struggles with anxiety and depression took to Facebook to share her experience. In the post, Ernsperger shared a photo of the dishes she recently cleaned and a message about how the pile of dirty dishes in the sink caused her to shut down for two weeks.
In the post Ernsperger says:
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.
The honest post went viral with over 200,000 shares and 87,000 likes. Numerous people reached out to Ernsperger to give support and tell her they understood and related to the post.
Ernsperger was overwhelmed by the responses and added an additional note, saying:
I wasn't expecting this to get as much love as it has gotten.
Ladies, if you're feeling this way, send me a friend request. I'll do my best to help you or get you the help you need. We'll figure it out together.
We can only help one another by lifting each other up. I'm here for you.💜
H/T: Today, Scary Mommy
@jimmyfallon/Instagram