Let me clarify; by getting on a medicine to regulate my sleep (I have delayed sleep phase, and of course I was depressed not sleeping) and getting on an ADHD med to help me with... all this, after a few years of working with my doctor and providing monthly feedback, I was able to fix the things that caused my depression.

I like to warn people it's not overnight. And it's a process. And it takes time. But I went from constant, high-key, wish I was dead, tried to die a couple times... to happy. Capable. Well-rested. Looking forward to the rest of my life. Because even if some things are hard, making myself get up in the morning isn't anymore. I find joy in things. Even small things. I can do the fucking laundry. And I only rarely get so overwhelmed with the idea of doing all the stupid stuff I have to do to live!

When you're as depressed as I was, just the thought that maybe, one day, even if it's years away, it wouldn't suck every single moment felt so close to something like hope that I needed that. I know I'm not alone. I know other people need that now.

So I try and tell people every single day (I do most of it in person but I try to do it online), if you're willing to put in the effort just a bit... things already suck right? May as well suck with an option they might not later.

But if I could go back in time I would absolutely tell myself, prioritize the sleep first. Make sure you get something that helps you sleep, but doesn't make you sleep too long, and you can wake up without being a zombie. Everything else went much better and faster for me after that one thing was figured out.