Monday Coffee Talk
Our challenge today is to not give in to depression. Depression is REAL and it does destroy. WE can beat depression. For the last 3 years, I've had a mild case of it, but when we moved, it hit me hard. I wasn't at church doing the things I use to do. I wasn't "needed" or so I thought. This is a lie and so are all the other lies depression speaks to you and tells you. There are so many that have to deal with this subject. I know this challenge was for more people than just myself. I have NO DOUBT that you can BEAT depression. I'm praying for you! Get up! Snap yourself out of this! Go see a Dr. Get the help you need. There are so many support groups, prayer groups, churches, qualified counselors and others that are there for you. Reach out to your family and to anyone else you feel comfortable with. Don't let depression keep you in your box! BEAT THIS THING!! I KNOW YOU CAN!
So, who's sippin' this morning? What are you enjoying? I'm loving me some Boca Java Chocolate coffee this a.m. I sent Lucy off with a good cup and a kiss! HA! Just had to through that in.
Y'all have the best DEPRESSION FREE Monday you have ever had! I AM FREE FROM DEPRESSION!! I'm so happy this morning!!
When I first got depression about 30 years ago, I was treated for short-term depression and then taken off treatment when it seemed I was healed. Then, I'd eventually go through this again. I found out in 2005 that most people with recurring short-term depression are now treated like they have long term depression. Some people only have short-term depression that does not recur and it can usually be treated throug a combination of talk therapy and medication.
I resisted medication for a long time. I was finally referred to a Roman Catholic priest who is also a psychologist ( like Fth Groeschel on EWTN) whis is rare. Since I'm Catholic, I followed his instructions since he wouldn't treat me until I was on meds. They made a tremendous difference. Unfortunately, it would take about 10 years for the shrinks to realize that I'm manic-depressive and not just depressive. But, I blame part of that on my HMO which seemed to have a revolving door of getting new psychiatrists.
Anyway, my point is to accept the fact that you may need medication to treat this illness. If you can think of this mental illness like you think of heart disease, you can better appreciate how it affects different people in different ways. Whereas one person who has a seemingly minor heart problem may be incapacitated for quite a while and another with major heart surgery can get back to work soon, so too are the differences with people with depression and manic-depression or bi-polar disease. Past lifestyles probably will affect treatment and recovery. I know that I will never "recover" but I can live my life in a rational way. I have problems that prevent me from working, but many people with depression and manic depression are able to return to work. My brother began to suffer from depression within one year of me ( it runs in my father's family) and we both take similar anti-depressants in similar doses. Yet, he works full-time as a university research professor and has to teach a couple classes each year. Most of his friends are totally unaware of his affliction. Bob
