Behavioral Health Articles

Help is Available for Depression

by Fran Pizzola

In recognition of May as Mental Health Month, I have been asked by the Stigma Task Force to share my experiences. Many people know that I have a disability which causes me to use a wheel-chair. Despite the fact that my legs are paralyzed and my arms and hands are not that strong, physically my body is in fair shape. I manage to work full-time, exercise and enjoy spending time with my family and friends. However there were times in my past where my mind and body was emotionally “paralyzed” with depression.

According to the National Mental Health Association, clinical depression affects more than 19 million Americans each year. The good news is that it is a real illness and can be treated. However, negative self perceptions and attitudes such as stigma cause fewer than half the people who have this illness to seek treatment.

In my case, depression occurred at several keys times in my life. The first time was when I was away from my family recuperating from my spinal cord injury. I was experiencing some of the five stages of grief made known by psychiatrist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross in her book on Death & Dying. It was no surprise that my spinal cord injury caused a traumatic life change. At first I was optimistic. I wanted to be strong for the sake of my parents. They looked so sad. I tried to think positive. Inside my mind I was “still me”, but my body had changed. People began to treat me differently, just because I was not able to walk or use my hands. I then became very angry—why did this happen to me! My parents stayed by my side for a few weeks but then had to get back to their jobs and my younger siblings. Even though they would visit me on the week-ends, all week long I became despondent. I would lie in my hospital room with the lights off, I did not want the television on, I did not want to know what was going on in the world, because I felt my life and plans were over. I became depressed, frustrated and wanted to die. One late evening I asked a nurse to cut my legs off. What difference did it make; I bargained with her…I can’t feel them anyway.

Looking back now I am thankful to God that help came to me in the form of the hospital pastoral care visitor. She became my “mom” away from home, visited me every day, held my hand, prayed for me and stayed by my side during my darkest days of physical and emotional recovery.

Depression was replaced with acceptance and hope. Hope for a new beginning. I soon became stronger and found out that my life was not over, it just was going to have to adapt and change. There have been other times in my life where I have been depressed, however I’ve learned where to turn for help. My faith, my family and talking with my peers, via various support groups have helped me.

If you have a family member or friend who has been diagnosed with a mental illness, your support is essential to their recovery. Here are some tips from: www.mentalhealthamerica.net --“Mind your Health”:

1. Accept the feelings-you may find yourself denying the warning signs or worrying what other people may think due to stigma.
2. Educate yourself-learn about the diagnosis and help available;
3. Be compassionate-recognize that your friend or family member may feel scared and confused.
4. Motivate & encourage your loved one to learn about treatments and services to promote recovery;
5. Practice “active listening”-acknowledge the feelings of the person and don’t discount them;
6. Understand the challenges of unusual behavior and medication, also understand that recovery takes more than medication;
7. Offer practical help-such as driving the person to the doctor and accompany them;
8. Give respect-for their right to privacy and treat them with dignity;
9. Establish a support network;
10.  Take time out—remember to take time for yourself, to help keep things in perspective;
11.  Maintain hope.

 

Fran Pizzola is a Program Educator at Access to Independence in Cortland.