A US mother’s Facebook post has gone viral, after sharing her battle against depression.

Brittany Ernsperger, from the US state of Indiana, shared a picture on Facebook of her kitchen sink piled high with freshly-washed dishes.

She wrote, “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.”

Her post has been shared over 163,000 times and attracted over 130,000 reactions.

In a follow up post Brittany shared, “I am so humbled by all of the messages and friend requests!

“I am working to respond to all of you!

“I am so blessed to have been able to touch so many people. I am so proud of every single one of you! ”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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