Getting out of the cycle.
There is no worse 'Catch 22" situation than the one you encounter when you suffer from depression. It is an illness that feeds on itself . Depressives are, by wont of their illness (and because it is a causative factor), anxious, highly strung worriers who, without being aware of it, make their situation worse by worrying about their illness. This is a natural progression, or cycle and it can lead to serious consequences.
In this , the first of a series of articles on this most disabling of illnesses, I hope to be able to help others who are afflicted by depression. I say this, not because I am a psychiatrist or any kind of medical man, but I have suffered from the illness for 25 years and I have managed to keep it under control. I must have learnt something and I hope I can share it with you.
I am sure many people have had a little blood coming from the bowel now and then. It is a frightening sight and it causes immediate anxiety. Do I have cancer? Do I have a blockage or an ulcer? You ask all these questions and, although you probably just have strained yourself, or have piles, you rush to your medical book or the internet. What you read is likely to worry you more than if you had just shrugged the whole thing off and gone on with your life. But you have to be responsible.
You should go and see your doctor. A quick checkup and you will have most fears allayed (in most cases). Anyone with a depressive illness needs to avoid reading up on the condition--at all costs. Visiting your doctor is the most important thing you can do. Don't go reading articles on depressive illness which might scare the hell out of you and, worse, increase your anxiety.
So that is step 1: See your doctor as soon as possible. If you are the wife (or a loved one), to a person who you think may be depressed, get help soon. Don't listen to excuses or try to talk yourself into delaying because it could be better tomorrow. It probably won't be.
I'll talk about the types of depression next time.
"