This book is one man's story of descending into the lowest imaginable level of depression.
Specifically, it focuses on the unrecognized symptoms of the disease and its eventual diagnosis. The diagnosis led to several weeks of hospitalization. After being discharged from a psychiatric health care centre, my life in recovery was very much affected by depression.
The title refers to the positive ways in which my life has been changed by a physical illness, about which I knew nothing until it struck me in September 2002. A few weeks after my discharge, a very close friend, Gerry, made an insightful comment: "I think I finally understand that in order to recover as well as you did, you had to go down as far as you did."
Twelve years later, my life is very much back in order and I am a changed and better person because of my depression. I now have many better coping skills when life takes an unplanned turn. I feel I can adapt to change much more effectively. I have experienced greater personal growth since my depression, than I had in all my previous years combined. Obviously, I would not wish what I experienced on anyone but I have come to view my depression in a positive light.
This is the second version of my book updated to include some, not all, of the events of the past twelve years. The motivation for my writing remains to provide insights into depression that only are available to those encountering it. Only those events the last twelve years that I feel relate to my depression are described.
DEPRESSION: COULD IT HAPPEN TO YOU?
Can you answer these questions?
1. Do you realize that it is a physical illness?
What do you think of when you hear this word?
2. Do you think of it as a stigma, something not to be talked about?
3. Do you know the classic symptoms of the disease?
4. Do you know the classic symptoms of depression?
5. Has someone you love encountered depression?
Would you know how to help them?
6. Do you know the most important decision a depressed person can make?
7. Do you know it is considered highly treatable?
8. Do you know the most likely causes for relapses?
Read my story about being diagnosed with major clinical depression and you will find answers to these questions.
