Depressed? There is Hope

Thursday, May 30th, 2019     by Debra DuPree Williams     Start the Conversation

By Debra DuPree Williams @DDuPreeWilliams
I did something for the first time yesterday that I should have done years ago. I had an appointment with my GP and I spoke to him about my bouts of depression. Now, I’ve never been diagnosed with clinical depression, but I am well-aware of those feelings. In me, they come and go like hills and valleys. They are not long in endurance, but they do affect the way I see and react to the world around me when they show their ugly heads. 

My GP informed me that his office has at my disposal, a psychologist on staff. I was able to speak with him yesterday for about twenty minutes, just for a short evaluation. He asked a few pertinent questions, family history, etc. things of that nature. Let me insert here that I am in no way suggesting that you do the things I am outlining here, but if you feel you have any form of depression, do speak with your health care provider about it. Depression is nothing to ignore and help is readily available.
It’s in My Genes

Many members of my family have battled some level of depression for as long as I can remember. My father was one, but other members of my family have also battled this off and on. The psychologist and I determined that which I’ve thought for many years—in part, my depression is genetic.

After a few more questions, we began to talk about what I could do to help alleviate or to lessen the effects of these waves as I call them. The first line of defense is to get a good night’s sleep. In fact, that was one of his first questions, “How do you sleep?” 

The answer to that is that I am not a good sleeper. As a writer, I am often up in the middle of the night when an idea or thought is keeping me awake. Those middle-of-the-night awakenings are often my most productive moments. He suggested something they call sleep hygiene. Confused by the term? I was, too. It is a list of things to do to get you into a more regular sleeping pattern. Some things are just common sense, like no caffeine, especially close to bedtime. I know, I know. Perhaps, like me, you’re a writer, how can anyone ask you to give up your caffeine? But if, in the long run, it makes you more productive, wouldn’t it be worth a try?
Learn to Sleep Well

Now, this one will be difficult for me—get up at the same time every day. Bedtime can vary, but you must arise each morning, 24/7 at the same time. This is training your body to sleep when it is time to sleep. He said this one could take some time to become your routine, like two to three weeks. Ugh!

Here are others on the list: keep your room cool; no screens for at least an hour before bedtime; use your bed for sleep only (other than the other obvious one, if you’re married); don’t nap; exercise daily. Some will likely be more difficult than others. I like to read in bed, so that one will be hard for me, but I’m willing to try. 

At this point, the psychologist thinks that I can manage my depression episodes with these lifestyle changes along with a couple of other things, but he feels I don’t need medications. I’m happy about that, but only because I hate taking pills and I’m already on four that I must take daily. If and when he thinks that I need meds to control my bouts, I will readily take them.

One last thing he told me about is how psychotherapy has changed in recent years. One key factor they can help you with is how you think about things. I don’t know a lot about this one at this point, other than there are exercises or devices you can put into use, but it has me intrigued. I plan to make a few more appointments with the psychologist so that I am equipped with the things I need to make my life happier, more controlled, rather than those bouts of depression controlling me.
Armed for Battle

I know that I already have this defeated because Christ did it for me when he went to the cross. But in his infinite wisdom, he created people whose mission it is to help us through those times. We are, after all, mere mortals with flaws and limitations. I am thankful for those who will be helping me on my journey to the best mental health I have ever known. 

I’m not going to ask you to share your experiences with us here on a public site, but if you’d like to contact me privately, I’ll gladly become your greatest cheerleader and prayer warrior. I wish I had told my doctor about this many years ago. I can’t wait to feel like I have put on my armor and gone to battle against the enemy and won.

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