Depression Hurts
Put forth on July 21, 2009 by XicanoPwr
Posted in Blogging, Misc
We all have seen the commercial for the anti-depressant medicine Cymbalta. Depression hurts,” said the popular television ads for Cymbalta. The point of the commercial, depression affects everyone around us: spouses, partners, children, parents, co-workers and friends.
Depression creates isolating behaviors, steals our energy and prevents us from being emotionally available to those around us. It creeps in and steals the very essence of a person so that the one you knew morphs slowly into somebody you’ve never met before.
It doesn’t care who you are, or where you come from. It is most indiscriminate in its selection of victims. Depression hurts.
The American culture so values individualism, asking for help is often viewed as a sign of weakness, perhaps more likely by those who need help the most. It’s almost as if the person attempts to punish himself into change. But the misery extends well beyond what is helpful in motivating change into a self-imposed purgatory.
I know there is plenty of advice out there for sufferers of depression, but this post is an inside look of it. I was fortunate enough I was able to recognize the symptoms, which included loss of interest, withdrawing from people, changes in eating and sleeping habits, trouble concentrating or making decisions, being angry, irritable or restless, lack of energy and feelings of sadness, worthlessness or guilt. Once I accepted that I needed help, I agreed to medication.
The biggest hurdles people face are their own mental stigma attached to anti-depressants and wondering how long they would be on them for. I am no different. But at the same time, it is important to realize, depression is a chemical imbalance and medication should be considered as an option in the treatment of depression.
If you had diabetes you would take medicine without a thought, so why are we so afraid of anti-depressants? For me, it was a choice between normalcy or falling into the dark abyss. I choose the former.
Sorry my friends about the absence, this road is slow, but I making my way back and little by little. Like me, this blog will also return to normalcy.
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This is the blog of Edmundo "XicanoPwr" Rocha, a social worker, an activist, freelance writer and founder and editor of The Sanctuary. My interests include: immigration reform, critical race theory and it's interaction with equality/inequality and freedom/oppression as they relate to the experiences of people of color in the Americas.
Para Justicia y Libertad is a Latino-centered political blog focusing on the humanistic perspective of politics, history, and society as they relate to the Latina/o community throughout Texas and the United States.
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Just know you’re not alone my friend. You have been constantly in my thoughts and prayers.
I, too, have struggled with depression for most of my adult life. I’ll keep you in my prayers, dear friend.
Sounds like you’re doing the right things. At Scholars & Rogues, we’re pulling for you.
This too shall pass. Be well.
I know that struggle all too well. Hang in there.
NP XP.
I see my own shrink once a month. In fact, I see him tomorrow.
Us Hispanic males seem to measure our self worth by our wallets. When the R.E. market took a dump in SoCal I thought it would be water off a duck’s back. But the bills kept coming and there was no work in sight. I was really in the doldrums. After about nine months I knew I was fighting depression. My eldest daughter suggested I see a psychiatrist. I do not drink so it was like I could just pop open a beer and take the edge off. Lord knows that usually makes things worse.
My psychiatrist put me on anti-anxiety first. Then he put me on an anti-depressant. Tomorrow I get to turn in my unused portion of my prescription. He’s been lowering my dosage for a few months now and tomorrow I’m a free man. I’ll still have to see him for about another year, but without the meds.
There is treatment, and it works. You don’t have to avoid your family; you don’t have to feel like you can play handball against the curb.
There is treatment, and it works.
-Daniel
Congratulations, daniel and xicanopower. Depression can be a hard battle
Congratulations, Daniel and xicanopower. Depression can be a hard battle.
Hector Chavana jr
The anti-depressants were like a jump start to my brain, but then I had a really bad mental crash and nothing was good anymore. Take it easy on the anti-depressants. Take care of yourself. The withdrawl symptoms can be scary.
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