Interview with author Brent Williams on his comic-style memoir Out of the Woods -
A Journey through Depression and Anxiety.
An "invisible beast constantly clawing at your back" is how Larry Meyler describes his depression.
The 38-year-old Irishman first fell into its grip after the death of his mother when he was a young boy, and has since suffered bouts of low mood and anxiety. Losing his beloved father a few years ago was also a huge knock.
Now he has written his first book, Being Brave, sharing his experience of having made the decision to leave everything behind and travel across the world in a bid to conquer his demons, reports the Daily Mail.
It has won praise from a host of celebrities and social media users, with actress Joanna Lumley describing it as 'utterly gripping' while reality TV star Vicky Pattison said his memoir is 'incredibly inspiring & I suggest you give it a look!'
According to statistics depression will affect one in five of at some point in their lives.
Anyone can get low, but someone is said to be suffering from depression when these feelings don't go away quickly or become so bad they interfere with their everyday life.
Mr Meyler's mother Joan died suddenly when he was just six years old from a pulmonary embolism. Then in 2014, dad Tommy suffered a stroke and heart attack.
He says he knew that he had to "change his life before it slips away" – and refused to allow the condition to take over his life any more.
His book is billed as "one boy's brave journey across the globe to save himself, with nothing but a broken heart, a backpack and balls of steel".
"It has engulfed me at times,' he said. 'It's sting is never far off."
Speaking to The Sun, he reveals what living with depression is really like and how he "kicked this monster right in the balls".
Depression makes you feel like life is a curse
"It's as if an invisible and unrelenting monster is constantly clawing at your back," said Mr Meyler.
He admits that depression has made him feel "totally and utterly exhausted".
He added: "It's like trying to walk forward in a blasting blizzard of wind and hailstones, unable to see straight, being pushed and dragged backwards."
Explaining that at it's worst, it can make you feel like "the gift of life is a curse" and you'd be better off out of it, he says he put a plan in place to deal with this feeling.
He says he didn't see it as running away from his problems, more so finding the time and space to get to the root of them and understand his feelings.
Larry Meyler has struggled with depression since his mother died when he was six. Photo / Instagram
Alarm bells should ring if your loved one goes quiet
Mr Meyler points out that he is not medically trained – but speaking from his own experience, warns that silence is a sign that something isn't quite right.
They may be shying away from social situations and he explains how such behaviour can be misinterpreted as people can become offended and think they've done something to offend the person.
Thinking of depression in that way can reduce its negative effects on you, he advises.
Loneliness and depression can be a killer combination
Mr Meyler says that depression makes people feel that they don't have anybody.
"But there is always somebody, whether it be a stranger at the end of a helpline, a work colleague, an online forum, it doesn't matter, what matters is that you reach out and know you deserve better," he said.
He also urges sufferers that if they are struggling in a job, a relationship, a situation that is making them worse, to remove themselves from the situation to give themselves a chance.
Mr Meyler's book Being Brave: My Journey Through The Chaos Of Loss And Depression is available on Amazon for £9.91 (NZD $18.87).
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call 111.
