I had a black dog, his name was depression

I had a black dog - his name was _______________

I had a black dog - his name was _____________. Whenever the black dog made an _____________, I felt empty and life just seemed to slow down. He could surprise me with the visit for no reason or _____________. The back dog could made me _____________ and _____________ older than my years.
When the rest of the world seemed to be enjoying life, I could only see it through the black dog. Activities that usually brought me _____________ suddenly ceased to. He liked to ruin my _____________. He chewed up my _____________ and my ability to _____________. Doing anything or going anywhere with he black dog required _____________ strength.
At _____________ occasions, he would sniff out what confidence I had and chase it away. My biggest _____________ was being found out; I worried that people might _____________ me. Because of the _____________ and stigma of the black dog, I was constantly _____________ that I would be found out.
So I invested vast amounts of _____________ into covering him up. Keeping up an emotional life is _____________! Black dog could make me _____________ or say negative things. He could make me _____________ and difficult to be around. He would take my _____________ and bury my intimacy. He loved nothing more than to wake me with highly repetitive negative _____________. He also liked to remind me how _____________ I was going to be the next day.
Having a black dog in your life isn’t so much about feeling a bit down, sad or _____________; at its worst, it is about being devoid of feeling altogether. As I got  older the black dog got _____________ and he started hanging around all the time. I chased them off with whatever I thought might send him running. But more often than not, he’d come out on top. Going down became _____________ than getting up again.
So I became rather good at self _____________ which never really helped. Eventually I felt totally _____________ from everything and _____________. The black dog had finally succeeded in _____________ my life. When you lose all joy in life you can begin to question what the point of it is. Thankfully this was time when I sought professional _____________. This was my first step towards recovery and was a major turning point in my life.
I learnt that it doesn’t matter who you are, the black dog affects millions and millions of _____________. It is an equal opportunity mongrel. I also learnt that there was no silver bullet or magic _____________. Medication can help some and others might need different approach altogether.
I also learnt that being emotionally _____________ or authentic to those who are close to you can be an absolute game changer. Most importantly I learnt not to be _____________ of the black dog and taught him a few _____________ of my own. The more tired or stressed you get, the louder he barks, so it’s important to learn how to quiet your mind.
It’s been clinically proven that regular exercise can be as effective for treating mild to moderate depression as antidepressants. So go for a _____________ or run and leave the mutt behind. Keep a mood _____________, getting your thoughts on paper can be cathartic and often insightful. Also keep track of the things you have to be _____________ for.
The most important thing to remember is that no matter how bad it _____________, if you take the right steps, talk to the right people, black dog days _____________ and _____________ pass.
I wouldn't say that I am grateful for the black dog. But he’s been an incredible _____________. He forced me to re-evaluate and _____________ my life. I learnt that rather than running away from my _____________, it’s better to embrace them.
The black dog may always be a part of my life. But he would never be the _____________ that it was. We have an _____________. I've learnt through knowledge, _____________, discipline and humour, the worst black dog can be made to heal.
If you’re in difficulty, never be afraid to ask for help. There is absolutely no _____________ in doing so; the only shame is missing out _____________ life.