by Jarrette Wright-Booker MA, LPC-S, CAADC
There are some people who wake up every day and function. They go to work, care for others, manage their responsibilities, and keep life moving forward. From the outside, everything seems fine. But underneath, there is a quiet heaviness that never really lifts. It is not dramatic or loud. It just lingers.
This is what life can look like for someone living with Persistent Depressive Disorder, also known as dysthymia. It is a form of long term depression that can last for years, often so subtle and constant that it begins to feel like a part of your personality. You might say, “I have always been like this,” or “That’s just how I am.” But what feels like your normal might actually be untreated, long standing depression.
When Sadness Becomes Routine
Persistent Depressive Disorder does not always look like the deep despair we often associate with major depression. It can be quieter and more functional. You might get through your days, meet deadlines, take care of family, and even laugh at times. But deep down, there is a steady sense of emptiness or hopelessness that never fully goes away.
Over time, that sadness starts to blend into daily life. It becomes routine. You stop questioning it because it has been with you for so long. You may not remember what it feels like to wake up with genuine energy or to feel excitement about the future. You have simply adapted.
Many people with persistent depression describe themselves as tired all the time. Not just physically, but emotionally. Life feels muted, like you are moving through it on autopilot. It is not that you do not care. It is that caring feels like too much effort.
Why It Often Goes Unrecognized
Persistent depression can be especially hard to recognize in communities where resilience and strength are praised. Black men and women, in particular, often grow up learning how to “push through” hard times, even when it hurts. The message is clear: be strong, be grateful, and keep going.
Because of this, long term depression often goes unnoticed or misinterpreted. People assume it is just stress, burnout, or personality. But when the emotional weight never lifts, when your baseline is constant fatigue or emotional numbness, it may be something more.
It can also be difficult to seek help when you have learned that emotional pain should be handled privately. You might tell yourself it is not “that bad,” especially if you are still able to function. But functioning is not the same as feeling fulfilled.
What Healing Can Look Like
Healing from persistent depression starts with awareness. It means noticing the patterns you have accepted as normal and asking yourself if they truly have to be.
You might begin therapy and realize that what you thought was just “who you are” is actually the result of carrying sadness and self neglect for too long. With support, you can begin to rebuild connection to joy, rest, and purpose.
Treatment can include talk therapy, mindfulness, and sometimes medication, but it also involves compassion and patience. You are learning to feel again, to experience life with softness instead of survival mode. That takes time. But it is possible.
You Deserve More Than Survival
If you have lived in a fog of sadness for years, it can be hard to imagine life any other way. But you deserve more than survival. You deserve to experience peace and contentment, not just function from one day to the next.
Therapy offers a space to unpack what you have been holding, without judgment or pressure to be strong. It is where you can begin to recognize that “normal” does not have to mean “numb.”
At Introspective Counseling in Southfield, MI, our compassionate and knowledgeable therapists are here to help you rediscover the parts of yourself that have been quiet for too long. Reach out today to begin your journey toward healing, ease, and emotional clarity.