No Fear Or Shame

Depression has many symptoms and characteristics that also match other illnesses.  It’s easy to overlook or even deny the possibility of a depressive episode or emotional problem.  Many people are ashamed to admit or even consider depression playing a factor in their health.  I have heard the phrase used to describe an undiagnosed illness as, “it’s all in their head.”  Actually, that could be exact.  The problem is that depression doesn’t only stay in your head.  Depression is more than just a feeling of hopelessness, lack of energy, or general feeling of sadness.  It is a medical crisis and untreated can affect multiple parts of your body.

Medical professionals have stated many times that a physical illness can cause a person to become depressed, so is it truly feasible that manic depression can result in physical ailments?  Yes.  I have suffered from depression for at least 35 years and for approximately 30 of those I have also been diagnosed with multiple digestive and intestinal illnesses.  In my opinion, your mind dumps everything on your stomach.  Nerves play a major factor in how well a person can recover from any illness.  Physicians always encourage their families to keep a positive attitude, because it is a factor in the body healing itself.  We send get well cards to our friends and loved ones to encourage them during an illness.  The purpose, obviously, is to motivate them to keep a positive attitude about getting well.

I am currently seeing a chiropractor for degenerative disc disease, some chronic low back pain, and carpal tunnel.  We discussed my depression at length.  As a health and wellness advocate, Dr. Wade believes that my depression increases the tension in my muscles causing aches and pains, poor posture, and sedentary behavior.  Depression clearly compounds any genetic problems I may already possess.  The body is a wonderful creation by God and it is designed to heal itself from many ailments, however, the brain can interrupt that natural healing process.

Over the last few months I have struggled again with weight gain.  This is typical behavior for me in the late fall and winter months.  Shorter days give way to long dark nights.  Colder temperatures and dreary skies interrupt the abundance of sunshine our bodies need.  The holidays bring about a combination of joy and misery.  It’s a loving and beautiful season, but as a person gets older they have lost more loved ones and therefore can dwell on grief.  For an individual like me who suffers from Bipolar Disorder, this is a recipe for disaster.  It’s a roller coaster ride every day. 

Every person in the world has problems.  Everyone loses loved ones.  We all face our own levels of stress and no person is burdened more than another, it’s simply the way we handle it.  This is the nature of the disease.  A person with a chemical imbalance is not capable of recovering as fast as someone who had a stronger chemical makeup.  This is a fact.  Talents are unique to each person.  We are all different.  Some have an ear for music, an eye for design, a brain for business.  No two people handle the same situation alike, therefore no two people will handle their own different situations alike. 

A person who suffers from depression and related illnesses must not hold themselves to some standard set by society which prevents them from seeking the care they need.  Also, it doesn’t have to be hidden or covered up.  Thankfully, we are making great strides in society and even in the Church in dealing with each other.  I still have a family member who calls my disease, “your other little problem,” but I have learned not to let that stop me from seeking the help that I need or reaching out to others who may need me.  If you believe that God leads you down a path in life so that you can achieve goals in your heart and in His plan, then you understand that path may not always be lined with roses.  Sharing our setbacks, hardships, and trials with one another is just part of life’s healing process.  Imagine keeping dark secrets packed away so deep inside…will the body be able to heal itself in that condition? 

My great friend, Jean Chappell who recently left this world for her final reward had the best advice for sharing feelings.  “Depression feels like being trapped underneath a wet blanket,” she explained.  “You tear your way out from under that wet blanket however you can.  Once you get out, don’t give one thought to how your hair looks!”  This is sage advice on how to deal with public judgment.

Love to you all.