An honest, forthright take on depression. Thanks, James. A few comments and a question. Start with the question: 1) How can you tell the difference between real depression, or just temporary sadness, a case of what we might call "the blues?"
Now the comments. I lived with two people who suffered extended bouts of acute depression ... my wife and oldest son. Both ended up spiraling into drug addiction, both pain-killers and psyche drugs. Theirs were lives of constant pain, physically and mentally. In and out of rehab countless times.
Their biggest challenges in life were how to procure their monthly round of prescriptions and who to get them from. It worsened for both ... until Jan., 2020, when we found my wife dead on the bathroom floor. Overdose of Oxy. Six months later my son, grossly overweight and barely functioning, died at age 35 of what was phrased as Cardiomegaly, commonly known as an enlarged heart. I simply believe he died of a broken heart.
I've often thought about writing about my experience, but have been hesitant because of sensitivity to other members of my family. But personally, I moved on quickly. My grieving happened while both were still alive as I watched the deterioration first hand.
No particular lesson here other than this: You cannot help a person who refuses to help themselves.
An honest, forthright take on depression. Thanks, James. A few comments and a question. Start with the question: 1) How can you tell the difference between real depression, or just temporary sadness, a case of what we might call "the blues?"
Now the comments. I lived with two people who suffered extended bouts of acute depression ... my wife and oldest son. Both ended up spiraling into drug addiction, both pain-killers and psyche drugs. Theirs were lives of constant pain, physically and mentally. In and out of rehab countless times.
Their biggest challenges in life were how to procure their monthly round of prescriptions and who to get them from. It worsened for both ... until Jan., 2020, when we found my wife dead on the bathroom floor. Overdose of Oxy. Six months later my son, grossly overweight and barely functioning, died at age 35 of what was phrased as Cardiomegaly, commonly known as an enlarged heart. I simply believe he died of a broken heart.
I've often thought about writing about my experience, but have been hesitant because of sensitivity to other members of my family. But personally, I moved on quickly. My grieving happened while both were still alive as I watched the deterioration first hand.
No particular lesson here other than this: You cannot help a person who refuses to help themselves.
Email me, if you might enjoy a more personal chat about this. Or don’t, if you wouldn’t 🤓