Depression Treatments - Depression and Anxiety - Good news and a brighter future.

When I was a teenager, I would seek out on one of my favorite spots on the local Golf Links (after hours). The links were located on top of a mountain and the views spectacular . From there you could see other mountains all around and peek down into the valley below as if you were an Eagle. I used to lay on my back and ask the universe to take me back. The sadness in my heart was both unstoppable and unwelcome and its unexplained nature also made me anxious and afraid. 'Was I nuts?' I used to ask myself. I would compensate for these feelings by drinking and hurtling around the roads on fast motorbikes. I was self destructive and lucky to live through this reckless period in my life. How many times have we heard about teenage boys killing themselves or developing drug problems with Depression at the root of it.

Anxiety.....I lived with that in varying degrees every day of my life. I suffered quite badly from agrophobia (fear of going into crowded places..big buildings, that sort of thing. I saw a Phychiatrist who did not help, but a Phychologist who did. I learn relaxation techniques which helped a lot. None of this stopped me from going to University, playing in a band in front of hundreds of people five nights a year for 6 years. You see I was beginning another adult technique of dealing with depression and anxiety.... bury yourself  with career, family, house, hobbies, writing, teaching.....you name it I did it, finally becoming a highly stressed manager in a job I no longer liked and had no connection with. Its like running away from something that will always catch you up the moment you stop.

Finally after 'burning out' and going through a period of re-assessment 'I found myself' ...Oh yes that's me right there. I removed the stress and began doing the things that made me ME. I moved with my wife to a wonderful new home in the country, by the coast and set in the mountains. I had already began to paint again, and play music...oh and ride motorbikes..very important that.

Well guess what, I was in my early 50's fit, had a wonderful wife, home , kids and was literally living in Paradise when 'IT' happened again. The Depression came back, like a black cloud of nothingness that sucked the life out of me. Unless you suffer from Depression you can't really explain it to someone. People actually get annoyed with you. "Snap out of it" stuff like that. But it doesn't work like that, you just sit there sighing, feeling so very sad....no joy....nothingness.

Finally I stumbled across a Web site about Depression and realized what I had, so I went to the doctor. He was both understanding and supportive and even better he told me of a new drug called Efexor-XR. Depression is a chemical unbalance in the brain, Efexor-XR supplies a resource of the missing chemical. It does not have any bad side effects, does not Zonk you out or turn you into a dope. You are just you with one major difference. The 'nothing' has gone along with anxiety and fear. I was suddenly free and able to look back at my 50 odd years of depressed life objectively. I literally have had 2 lives, my life before treatment, and my life after treatment.

If you suffer from Depression please don't be afraid to go and speak to a Doctor and get help. More importantly don't give up on life. Even in the bad times I would set myself tasks and force myself to keep going. Get up early, keep a routine and walk the dog. If you don't have one then get one. Animals have a calming effect and can help in many ways that really don't need explanation. You can talk to them without them telling you off for feeling bad. They look up at you and seem somehow to understand, they will sit close by and lick your face if need be.

Here's a little poem I wrote on the subject:

A small gray man
and a dog called 'piston'
went out to cross the Solar System
said Piston when their walk had ended
"You're looking great and I feel splendid"
and though they only crossed the street
both felt their lives were more complete.......

The poem is an excerpt from my book 'Morris the Ogre' a fantasy fairy tale full of hope and humor.

If you suffer from Depression you are not alone, my thoughts are with you and through the darkness of the 'nothing' there is light. Please don't give up I'll send you a hug right now....There.

Cheers and go pat a dog.