Depression A Cry for Help-Part 1

There are 20 million Americans each year who are afflicted with a major depressive disorder. This depressive disorder is a disease that anyone regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status is at risk. As a disease depression is misunderstood and most people are afraid to get help because of the stigma attached with this illness. Most families refuse to discuss the reality of a family member who is struggling with the challenges of the disease. There is definitely a connection with the pace and stress of trying to be successful in a society that is not spiritually grounded.

People are not content with their living and life arrangements and turn to drugs, sex and alcohol as a replacement. Depression many times is triggered by a traumatic event that the person had no idea was coming. I am a stroke survivor and I knew I was at risk. I lived my life in a reckless manner but I still had no idea, that I was going to have a stroke. Eventually the poor health choices that I made accelerated my stroke. Once I had my stroke it triggered a depression, that forced me to think of death and suicide. During this low period of my recovery, I learn the truth about depression.

No one told me that depression is common for a patient that has a life changing event that will alter the rest of their life. I learnt that at times a person can get so low that they feel it is no point in moving forward. I felt that it was no use in me trying to get better, because my condition was never going to improve. These are the thoughts that were crystallized in my mind, and I refused to communicate my most intimate revelations. As this cloak of secret thoughts of suicide consumed my thinking, I was lost on my own private island. I never remember anyone asking me or telling me that I was going through a period of depression.

The problem that I was confronted with, was I did not know how to ask for help. All my life I was thought of as a successful individual. As a successful individual, I was successful because I was independent. Problems were hurdles that I either went over or around. Eventually I was confronted with a stroke and this was something that I could not circumvent. I was stuck with this condition for the rest of my life, and I was depressed. Depression is a cry for help and I would like to explore the fundamental causes of depression. Hopefully together we can move to a better understanding of why so many people are clinically depressed.

In the greatest country in the world there is a lack of motivation and drive to excel. A large percentage of the average American citizen prefer to use drugs, sex, and alcohol to resolve their problems. When these solutions don't work they result to violence and crime. Depression continues to increase each year and now the younger generation is being affected. What is wrong with our lifestyle? There is a cry for help, but who is listening?
Roger