Hi there. How are you?
Today's blog is a very special one.
Jenipher Lyn, an artist friend of mine, has written a fabulous book for teens/young women. As part of Jenipher's book launch, I was asked to write/doodle on the topic of depression. As you may or may not know, I have some experience on the topic.
I dealt with a bought of depression, that started in the summer of 2005 and lasted a whole year. I had trouble getting out of bed, trouble eating, and lost my desire to do just about anything but sit on the couch and cry. I thought it would pass. I'd get over it. But I didn't. I needed help.
I couldn't fix it on my own.
But I still didn't want to admit that.
I knew things were bad when my Dad came over unannounced one afternoon. My Dad is not the most talkative or emotional of men I know, so when he sat me down that day, I knew it was important. My Dad proceeded to tell me about his own battle with depression. I had no idea that he battled the same demons I was. I had always known that we had a family history of depression, but I had never known that Dad himself had dealt with it. This visit and this talk convinced me that it was time to seek some help.
The next day, I called my doctor, got hooked up with a counselor and started weekly therapy. Therapy helped, but it wasn't enough. I was still imbalanced, chemically imbalanced and all the therapy in the world wasn't going to change that. I was prescribed an anti-depressant, but didn't fill the prescription right away. I didn't want to have to take a pill everyday to make myself feel better. There's such a social stigma to taking "happy pills."
After some encouragement from my parents I started taking a daily low-dose antidepressant.
As time went on, things got better. I still had setbacks, depressed times, but overall I was feeling better. Feeling like myself.
I caught some flack for taking antidepressants......A friend of mine couldn't believe I would think of taking them. They would change me. Make me crazy. It's quite the opposite my friends. Not being on antidepressants makes me crazy! After taking antidepresants for about a year, I tried to wean myself off (under a doctor's supervision of course.) After the pills had totally left my system, I was right back to where I started, in my black hole. I went right back on the antidepressants and haven't looked back.
I am a better version of myself on antidepressants. I still have emotions. I still have low points, I still have high points. I'm just a heck of a lot more even and more able to enjoy life. I have been on antidepressants for close to 10 years now and will most likely be on them for life. And there is nothing wrong with that!
I know that antidepressants don't work for everyone, but they work for me. If you are depressed and need help. REACH OUT! And take the meds if they help!
If you are physically sick, you go to the doctor and might go home with a prescription. Why is a chemical imbalance any different?
Its OK to ask for help. Its OK to take medication.
Thank you to Jenipher for asking me to be a part of this event. Ta-Ta for now!
“How Being Stubborn, Depressed and Unpopular SAVED My Life”
offers an honest and encouraging view on topics such as depression and body image. The book explores the many issues that can start in childhood and follow us into adult life.
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