Defeating Devastating Depression
By Stephanie Anne Allen, NAMI Metro
Connections Recovery Support Group Facilitator
I could sit here and quote textbooks, but I want to write
this from a “real person” point of view.
Not only do I have a degree in psychology, but I also have much personal
experience with mental illness. I was a
victim, and then I became a warrior, and now I am proud to say that I am a
survivor.
Depression is a devastating mental illness that affects
millions of people worldwide. It does not
discriminate, affecting all ages, nationalities, social-economic statuses, and
both sexes. It can ruin a person’s life,
but only if they allow it too. There is
treatment, and there is hope of recovery.
The symptoms of depression range greatly among individuals. Most sufferers state that they “feel
extremely sad”. Others state loss of
interest in activities they used to enjoy.
Some comment that their sleep and diet are affected. Many times, those with depression will say
that all they want to do is cry.
Many of the depressed find it
difficult to do just the basics in life including taking care of themselves,
and often times holding a job becomes a great challenge. They lack the ability to concentrate. They explain that a “dark cloud” has extended
over their heads. They often lack
self-esteem and self-confidence. They
seem to approach life in a negative way.
They often are hopeless and helpless.
They see no purpose to their lives or a reason to be alive.
Depression can be life threatening,
because many people with depression become suicidal with ideations and
attempts. I never want to see it go that
far. I want people with depression to
reach out and ask for help. Most
depressed people do not really want to die.
What they do want is help, and many are afraid to ask for it, due partly
to the stigma attached with having a mental illness.
Depression is said to be caused by both environmental and
biological components. I honestly believe
that so much more research needs to be done on depression and other mental
illnesses. We seem to be in the “stone-age”
when it comes to the knowledge we have on mental conditions.
Please reach out for help if you think you many have this illness. Be not ashamed. It is like any other illness. It is a physical condition that just happens
to affect the brain. And remember that
you are not alone and that you can achieve resilience and recovery.
If
you suspect that someone you love suffers from depression, please encourage
them to seek treatment, but do not force it upon them. People with depression often feel like they
are not in control of their own lives and if you force them to get treatment
they will retaliate by resisting treatment.
Approach them with compassion, understanding, and unconditional
love. This is of the greatest importance. And if you yourself have been there you can
also use an empathetic approach. That is
the most effective way.
If
someone threatens suicide, please take them seriously. Maybe you don’t think they’d really ever do
it, but when someone says they are going to kill themselves, it is really a desperate
call out to you for help. We have lost
so many to this senseless act, and we don’t need to lose any more souls that
have purpose and worth in this world.
Treatment
consist of medication and various forms on therapy. Antidepressant meds are the most effective
medication for depression but if other mental conditions exist as well, a combination
of different medications can be used in treating the condition(s).
Therapy
can help a person get in touch with themselves and sort out their issues. It can offer a person to explore problem solving
techniques. A therapist is not there to
tell you what to do. They are there to
help guide you and help you to formulate
solutions for yourself.
Recovery
is definitely possible with meds and therapy.
Please also get involved with others who suffer from depression. This will help you to not feel so alone and
gives you the opportunity to form a reliable support system for when you are in
need.
I
hope you feel that I have been “real” with you.
I have been there, and I feel empathy for all those who suffer. But I also feel great hope that you can, and
you will, recover.
Stephanie
Anne Allen is the author of:
My Mental Madness Memoir
How to Survive Depression
How to Survive Bipolar Disorder
How to Survive Schizophrenia
www.amazon.com/author/allenstephanie
