'Felt Like Cancer’: Bengaluru Man Opens Up About His Battle With Depression, Post Goes Viral

A Bengaluru man opened up about his long battle with depression and his journey toward recovery. Sharing his story on X, he inspired countless people online, offering a message of strength, courage, and hope to those facing similar struggles. Sharing a post, Varun Agarwal revealed he was diagnosed with clinical depression and struggled with it for almost half a decade.

He explained how he lost everything, going into isolation, and how it even felt impossible to get out of bed at times.

“The last 4-5 years have been hard. I was diagnosed with clinical depression. In a very short span of time, I lost my work, my name, my identity, my network. And guess what, this continued for 4-5 years. And on top that I lost my younger brother to Covid,” he wrote.

He further said that it was one of the hardest battles of his life. “Depression was one of the hardest things I’ve ever battled in my life. Couldn’t get out of bed, didn’t feel like doing anything, had suicidal thoughts. It’s like being in hell. Now imagine this every second, every hour, every day and every week for 4 years,” he recalled.

“This was specially hard for me because pre depression I was everywhere. Literally everywhere. And for 4 years I had to endure that constant question – “what is Varun doing?” That’s what going to helll and back feels like,” he saif.

Highlighting the fact that he fought back, Agarwal expressed optimism and hope about the future.

“But I’m still alive. I didn’t die. Im back to work. I look forward to life and everything it has to offer. I know it’s not the same but it almost felt like having a life threatening cancer and coming back to life. But life finds a way. Always,” he wrote.

Hello everyone, I’m back 🙂

The last 4-5 years have been hard. I was diagnosed with clinical depression. In a very short span of time I lost my work, my name, my identity, my network. And guess what this continued for 4-5 years. And on top that I lost my younger brother to Covid…

— Varun Agarwal (@varun067) October 11, 2025

Social Media Reaction

His post did not just go viral, but several social media users took to the comment section to share their own journeys.

“I don’t know who you are, but your post showed up on my timeline. So, dear stranger, I just want you to know I’m rooting for you. You’ve already shown so much courage by speaking up. May the days ahead bring you peace, strength, and healing,” one user wrote.

“Hi Varun thank you for sharing this. I was diagnosed with persistent depression and generalized anxiety disorder. Managing it for last 10 to 12 years now. Life will not be easy and many will not understand. Happy that you are fighting and overcoming it. Wish you the very best!!,” wrote a second user.