Depression
18 Best Depression Blogs of 2012
Depression affects millions of individuals in any given year. Because of its social stigma and its variable symptoms, however, depression often goes undiagnosed. These brave bloggers have wrestled with the disease, tackled the stigma, and shared their experiences with the world.
Not every depressed individual has the mettle to do what these bloggers have done, and they deserve thanks for their hard work. Together, they are building a visible and diverse community of mental health advocates, depression survivors, treatment specialists, and support networks for themselves and millions of others.
Lawyers With Depression
This helpful and resource-filled blog offers law students, lawyers, and their families a host of information on the impact of depression on those in the legal profession. Perhaps particularly at risk due to the stressful and competitive nature of their jobs, lawyers may also feel compelled to hide or dismiss their illness.
The Lawyers With Depression blog, founded by Dan Lukasik (a lawyer who has battled depression), is on a mission to change the stigma and silence surrounding depression in the legal profession. The blog is a must-see for anyone involved in the legal profession or law school.
Pick The Brain
Examining mental health from a wide-angle lens, Pick The Brain offers suggestions and guidance for self-improvement, motivation, productivity, and education with a focus on the philosophy and psychology behind decision-making and life choices.
Classy, inspiring, and endlessly optimistic, Pick The Brain is like an energy drink for the apathetic, confused, or soul-searching individuals among us. Their high-quality articles make the journey to self-help and discovery more manageable and less aimless. All in all, this is the perfect mental health blog for readers of any mental health status.
Fighting the Darkness
Jamie, a loving wife and mother of two, has struggled with depression since she was only 12. Her blog is a tribute to the uphill battle fought by the many individuals in her situation: fighting to make sure that depression is just a part of life – not the defining factor.
Raw, honest, and emotional, Jamie’s blog shares her own experiences Fighting The Darkness as well as stories of readers who have lived through the suffocating silence of hiding their depression. This blog combines heartfelt personal revelations with uplifting motivational pieces and reader encouragement – a must-read!
Dr. Deborah Serani's Depression Blog
Dr. Deborah Serani, a psychologist and practicing psychoanalyst, has crafted a fabulous resource for individuals suffering from depression or trauma. Her blog collects the latest news, research, advocacy and awareness promotions, and treatment information.
This fact-filled, fun site takes an upbeat look at breaking down barriers for individuals with mental health problems, and offers myriad solutions for learning about and fighting mental illness and its stigma. Kudos to Dr. Deb for her hard work addressing depression above and beyond her clinical responsibilities!
The Pursuit of Happiness
The Pursuit of Happiness is the everyman’s guide to working through the emotional turmoil of chronic depression and the host of purported cures for it. Aimed at wading through self-help and alternative therapy options, this award-winning blog details one man’s struggle with the weight of the world.
Frank, tragic, and utterly compelling, The Pursuit of Happiness makes its readers yearn for an end to the writer’s depression as much as to their own. With each attempt at self-treatment, readers get a taste of life in this talented blogger’s head, and learn how easy it is to root for an underdog.
Storied Mind
Blogger John Folk-Williams has risen like a phoenix from the ashes of his depression, and his work on Storied Mind is written proof. Devoted to helping others beat depression, John writes about living with and recovering from this terrible illness. Storied Mind offers a newsletter, an admirable collection of resources, and a wealth of info on everything to salvaging relationships to selecting a treatment.
John’s personal success is both inspiring and appealing; his blog communicates to readers with the empathy and understanding that only someone with depression could convey.
Mayo Clinic's Expert Depression Blog
The world-famous Mayo Clinic has developed a host of expert blogs, including one for depression that makes reliable and understandable information a cinch to find. Filled with useful and digestible information on medications, therapies, research, and keeping a positive outlook on life, expert Mayo Clinic psychologist Dr. David Mrazek keeps the blog down-to-earth and reader-friendly.
Submit questions, search the Mayo Clinic site for additional symptom or treatment information, and enjoy all the expertise and responsiveness this top-notch blog has to offer.
A Splintered Mind
A laugh a minute, Douglas Cootey’s blog, A Splintered Mind, walks its readers (or perhaps takes them running frantically) through life with ADHD and depression. Clever and cheeky, this blog pokes fun at the serious bits of mental health while working to heal and conquer these challenging conditions.
Appealing for its upbeat and determined attack on mental illness, A Splintered Mind will win its readers over from the get-go. After all, self-deprecation and a great sense of humor make just about any health problem more bearable – or at least more entertaining for readers!
Beyond Blue
Therese Borchard, author and blogger extraordinaire, is also a survivor of depression and anxiety. Her blog, Beyond Blue, takes a look at depression and life in general in an uplifting and inspiring way. She advocates for hope, positive thinking, effective treatment, mindful prayer, and an active support network for her depressed readers.
Beyond Blue’s message is as timeless as it is genuine and healing, and its articles help readers dive into their own spiritual journeys through depression and mental health roadblocks. Tackling depression with this resource is a much more pleasant task.
If You're Going Through Hell Keep Going
Susan, founder of If You’re Going Through Hell Keep Going, suffers from Bipolar I Disorder and all of its trappings. Despite her struggles with depression and agoraphobia, she has turned her blog into a haven – a mecca, even – for others with mental health issues.
Susan’s blog captures all of the ups and downs of life with mental illness in an honest and visually enthralling way, bearing her soul and sharing jokes. Her combination of wit, humor, and sass keeps things upbeat and makes reading this blog a true pleasure.
Una Vita Bella
Una Vita Bella – A Beautiful Life – makes life with mental illness much less daunting and much more hopeful. This blogger and believer has turned her “never say die” attitude into an award-winning and inspiring resource for individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, fibromyalgia, and any other chronic condition.
On this courageous and uplifting blog, talented writing mixes seamlessly with passionate devotion to improving the lives of others with similar struggles. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will find hope at Una Vita Bella.
Postpartum Progress
An award-winning blog and the brain-child of mental health advocate Katherine Stone, Postpartum Progress offers a world of information for women suffering from postpartum depression and other mental health issues after childbirth. A survivor of postpartum mental illness herself, Katherine weaves empathy and understanding into her nitty-gritty analysis of life in the wake of a new baby and new illness.
This spectacular blog also boasts a wealth of highly-qualified contributors who help keep Postpartum Progress as accurate and up-to-date as it is engaging.
Too Depressed
Blogger Martin on Too Depressed walks a narrow and difficult path, working to battle his depression while helping others combat their own. Packed with resources, news, and tips for fighting depression, Too Depressed helps make research, community, and hope a mere stone’s throw away for depressed readers.
This polished and professional – yet passionate and very personal – blog contains the best the web has to offer for mental health needs, particularly for men. Start by exploring the causes of depression, and read on to find information on personal experiences and self-help techniques.
My Postpartum Voice
Lauren Hale has experienced a host of postpartum mood disorders, and lucky for her readers, she is happy to talk about them. My Postpartum Voice takes a comforting light into the darkness many women face after childbirth, and Lauren’s good humor and witty writing make this personal blog a joy to read.
Mothers facing postpartum depression or other mood disorders will rejoice in the companionship, understanding, and insightful work on My Postpartum Voice. Clever, conscientious, and candid, this powerhouse blogger is making a miracle out of her former melancholy.
Draw That Beast
A unique and inspiring site, Draw That Beast brings depression into a whole new light for the blogosphere: that of art. Dedicated to exploring the emotions, meaning, and stigma of depression through imagery and visualization, Draw That Beast has helped readers and artists alike make a masterpiece out of misery.
The creativity, depth of feeling, community connection, and exploration of sensitive mental health topics makes this blog a fascinating and inventive tribute to the beauty and significance of individuals’ struggles to understand depression and their place in the world. A fabulous find.
Depression Marathon
Depression Marathon catalogues the personal journey through depression, self-improvement, and reinvention of blogger Etta. A determined runner, dog-lover, and talented writer, Etta shares her experiences with this debilitating illness and breathes hope into the life of her readers.
Etta has worked hard to recreate her life from the ruins of mental illness and substance abuse, though she continues to suffer from severe and persistent depression. Unafraid to bare the depths of her soul, Etta’s blog weaves a touching portrait of her admirable efforts to live the life she wants and deserves.
Vicarious Therapy
For those readers not blessed with a supportive therapist or formal treatment program, blogger AQUA is spreading the healing around. Diagnosed with chronic Major Depressive Disorder, this talented writer shares her ups and downs, insights and inanities, and fears and revelations.
Courtesy of her psychiatry sessions, Vicarious Therapy’s author uses her blog to contemplate her journey toward freedom from mental illness and reflect on the lessons she is trying to incorporate into her life. Her own soul-searching is a welcome catharsis for her readers, so here’s to great therapists!
Depression Getaway
Wendy Love offers readers of Depression Getaway an opportunity to grow and learn about their illnesses from someone who has walked the walk. Diagnosed first with depression and later with bipolar disorder, Wendy uses Depression Getaway to reach out to others in the same mental quagmire she has waded through for nearly two decades.
Having learned to manage her illness sans medication, Depression Getaway offers suggestions for escapes from the stress and pain of mental illness. Filled with powerful self-help techniques and useful tidbits, this blog is a true retreat from the world of depression.
Learn More About Depression
It takes a lot of hard work to build sites like these Top Blogs, especially when depression rears its ugly head. Show your appreciation for these talented bloggers by checking out their sites, dropping them a line, or joining their subscriber lists.
Living with depression can be a challenge even on the best days. With these top blogs and a growing online community of kindred souls, however, life with depression can be less lonely. Make use of these excellent sites for the education, personal connections, relief, and entertainment they provide, and join them in the fight to beat depression!
