Keep Fighting the Great Fight by Using the Power of Perspective

I am a part of many IBS communities on different social media platforms, and one common theme I keep noticing is many people with IBS having a hard time with their depression. Some are even considering suicide because they refuse to deal with the pain every day. Frankly, I can relate to that because it wasn’t long ago when I was on a similar dark and depressing path. I used to question the point of life if all my days were going to consist of suffering in pain most of the time. For those of you having a really hard time dealing with depression because of your IBS, please know you are not alone and keep fighting the great fight!

You are never alone with depression and IBS

I know what it’s like to have a chronic condition holding you back in life. I know what it’s like to have obstacles caused by your condition that get in your way of trying to achieve something. I know what it’s like to suddenly have limitations placed on your life that weren’t there before. I know what it’s like when no one close to you understands your pain and you just feel so alone. I’m here to say despite the dark cloud that is hovering over you, you are certainly not alone. Trying to recover from depression is a hard thing to do, especially on your own. Thus, it's important to surround yourself around positive-minded individuals who can help boost your morale.

The great thing about social media is that you can virtually meet people from all around the world, so there are high chances you’ll find an online community that truly understands your pain and can help you feel less alone in your suffering. When you realize you can’t do it all on your own, then you open yourself up to allowing others to be there for you, even when you feel like you don’t need or deserve it. No single historical war or battle has ever been won by an individual.

Cherishing my life despite IBS and depression

Keep fighting the great fight! This is one of my favorite sayings because I truly believe we all must find our way to keep pushing forward no matter how hard life is or gets. Living with IBS is hard, then adding depression and other chronic illnesses on top of that, it’s even more difficult to deal with. But I believe just as there are tougher days, there are also greater days, and therefore the sun will shine bright again. And when it does, we must take advantage of those moments or phases and cherish the heck out of them. Another thing to take into consideration is that pain and suffering are two different things. Pain doesn’t give us a choice of whether we want to experience it or not, but suffering does.

In other words, we may experience intense visceral hypersensitivity due to our IBS, but we don’t have to be miserable or depressed because of it. My way of fighting this great fight is by using the power of perspective. For instance, appreciating the things I do have and the things I am able to do versus dwelling on my shortcomings. Easier said than done I know, but I believe practice makes an improvement, so the more you use the power of perspective, the stronger you’ll become every time you face a challenge.

Recognizing my cycles

I’ve gone through so many down moments that I know and believe that better days are ahead. I just realize I can’t do it all on my own, and I also must empower myself with different views of life so that I don’t remain in a miserable cycle. Therefore, for those of you who feel alone and depressed, I have faith that better days are ahead for you as well. They can come sooner especially if you use the power of perspective. Keep fighting the great fight because I know and believe you’re strong enough to do so.