Am I depressed? How many of us have had that thought but
never voiced it?
Depression affects nearly 19 million people a year
but only about one-third seeks medical help.
The stigma that depression is a personal weakness
couldn't be further from the truth. Since I was
hospitalized, I've had the hardest time of my life
getting back into my groove. At first I chalked it up to
simple recovery from a major medical event. But it has
been quite awhile now since I have truly felt good.
Looking back over the last three years, I discovered my
mental outlook on my future has been deteriorating
slowly.
There are many adjectives attached to depression:
major, mild, anxiety, clinical, postpartum and bipolar.
The list is long and confusing. I Googled just the word
depression and received over 169 million hits.
I clicked on a site offering informal depression
screening and took a simple test. My answers suggested I
seek medical help as soon as possible. Great.
I went to see my doctor, finally admitting I couldn't
cope like I used to. I was the strong one, the one
people came to for help, and I just couldn't admit that
I needed help. I honestly didn't think I could return to
my old self.
I'm fortunate to have a great doctor and good
insurance. He went over my chart notes for the last year
and we discussed several courses of treatment. He gave
me information on several medications that might be
helpful, and asked me to do some research on them,
especially online groups to get personal viewpoints.
Anyone can experience clinical depression, regardless
of age, gender, race, creed, sexual identity or income.
One of the most common myths about depression is that it
is "normal" for certain people to feel
depressed - such as women, older people, employees with
work-related stress or people with chronic illness. The
truth is clinical depression is never a normal part of
life.
The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) is the
nation's oldest organization dedicated to addressing all
aspects of mental health and illness. Established in
1909 by former psychiatric patient Clifford W. Beers,
NMHA works to promote mental health; prevent mental
disorders; and improve treatment, services and
understanding for adults and children with mental and
emotional disorders.
NMHA's mission "is symbolized by the Mental
Health Bell. Cast of iron chains and shackles that once
restrained people in asylums, the Bell is both a
powerful reminder of the harrowing care individuals
endured and a sign of hope for continued progress in
understanding mental illnesses and their
treatments."
I'm working to feel better. It isn't the easiest
thing to do, but I do feel some hope now that what I've
been experiencing has a name and a reason, not just a
phase that I should get over by myself.
For more information, visit
www.depression-screening.org
McKee, a wheelchair user, is a freelance writer
and producer. You can e-mail her at chairgrrl@chairgrrl.com.
