So, if you are thinking that maybe the topic of mental
illness is somewhat complicated…you are absolutely correct. It is complicated. And nowhere is that more evident than when
you look at depression as your focus of interest. Depression is a somewhat generic term. There are many kinds of depression. There is: major depression, chronic
depression, atypical depression, postpartum depression, bipolar depression,
seasonal depression, psychotic depression, and serotonin syndrome. (Phew….that’s quite a bit. I had to take a
mental breath after typing it. LOL!) I
obtained this list from WebMD, which is an Internet website that provides a
wide range of health related information.
http://bit.ly/PZohnP On this site, they provide you with a list of
symptoms, potential complications, and medication information. And that is just ONE site. If you Google the term depression, you will
be provided with a long list of sites that talk about depression. Long and informative. So, I am not here to talk with you about the
medical details of what is and isn’t depression. Nor am I here to explain other
types of mental illness. THAT is truly
not something that I am qualified to discuss. I am not here to provide you with
a diagnosis. I am not a doctor. Or a mental health professional qualified to
diagnose you. (Or even myself.) If you
are a person who doesn’t really believe in labeling, the diagnosis isn’t even the
issue. What is the issue is the solution
to the problem. What medications can be
used. Whether medication is the right
approach. In other words, the solution
is what is important.
Here is what I am: I
am a survivor of a family experience. I
had a mother with a severe and chronic case of mental illness. And I am a former social service professional
with a background working with the mentally ill. I am also a person who has dealt with
depression for many years. Finally, I am
the Mom of an adult-child (J.), who has an anxiety disorder. So my knowledge of mental illness is
experiential…so to speak. I talk to you
about what I know from living my life. I
talk to you about what I think and feel about mental illness. I talk to you about what I have learned. The good, the bad, and the truly
beautiful. I share what I have in my
heart. Some of this sharing is extremely
uncomfortable for me. You see me…warts
and all. But for some reason, sharing
with you in this way is important to me.
In 12-Step programs, they ask addicts/alcoholics to share their
“experience, strength and hope” with other people who are similarly ill. And for many human beings, this sharing has
led to recovery. So, the reason that I
share is because I want to contribute to YOUR understanding. I want you to know that you are not
alone. I want you to see something in
what I write that leads to YOUR recovery.
And I simply want to be a resource for you. I want to be that someone
who is willing to talk to you about what your experience is. If you are not mentally ill, or don’t have
much experience with mentally ill people…my goal is to educate you. And for all people reading my words, my
primary goal is to bring you in touch with your compassion. In order to interact with mentally ill
people, it takes compassion and patience.
And much openness.
What do I get out of it?
I have told you some of what I get.
I have a forum to talk about what I am going through. The ups and the downs of life. I share my thoughts and feelings, which
sometimes actually decreases the power of the negative. And I reach out to people. That is something that I find extremely
moving and fulfilling. So, this blog is
truly me. All of me. And all I ask of you in return is that you
share a little bit of yourself. I
encourage you to reach out. If you want
to talk to me privately with no chance of it becoming public…email me. My email address is: judy.schwartznaber@gmail.com I hope to hear from you soon. In the
meantime, thanks for your readership. I
value you more than you know.
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