Don’t Let Shame Keep You From Seeking Help
Depression Series
If you have been depressed for any length of time, seek help. I tried for so long to go it alone, and I tried to power through severe depression. Medication has helped me tremendously. It took away the persistent sadness that I could never shake.
Therapy has also helped reduce depression. I am doing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, along with talk therapy. (Yes, I have two therapists.) I know that as I continue processing the trauma and its effects, that score will decrease. Trauma recovery is a marathon and not a sprint.
In addition to medication, I practice mindfulness. I constantly remind myself to be in the moment. As I type this article, I pay attention to the feel of the keyboard and the wind from the fan. I also journal mindfully. I write about what I feel and where those feelings occur in my body. I also write about triggers and any insights I gain about myself.
My Medication Journey
In the spring of 2022, I realized that I needed help in the form of medication. I knew that the depression I live with wouldn’t go away completely without it. The problem is in my brain. I talked to my doctor and she prescribed Celexa, an antidepressant classified as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) prescribed for major depressive disorder (MDD). It works by boosting the brain’s serotonin levels.
Doctors also prescribe Celexa “off-label” for generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD. Perhaps that is why I felt less anxiety after a few weeks of taking it. I began sleeping better and could even nap. Napping is something I couldn’t do even as a small child. In December 2022, I started seeing a nurse practitioner at a well-known psychiatric clinic in Fresno (House Clinic). I am now taking the maximum dose.
I started taking another antidepressant called Wellbutrin, along with Celexa, three weeks ago. Wellbutrin is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). Both norepinephrine and dopamine are neurochemicals, meaning they impact the nervous system, which impacts mood. An antidepressant such as Wellbutrin helps prevent the two neurochemicals from being reabsorbed into the body. Doctors prescribe Wellbutrin for depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). That’s good news for me as someone who suffers from sadness on dreary winter days when the sun isn’t out.
It takes four to six weeks to experience the effects of Wellbutrin. It’s still too soon to tell if it will help with the depression. I may need another add-on medication. While I wait, I can continue practicing tapping, meditation, contemplative prayer, journaling, healthy eating, and exercise. Those practices help with depression and keep me from despair while I wait for medication to help.
Reach Out For Help
You are not alone, despite how isolated you feel. I have walked the same road. There is freedom from depression. I encourage you to take the online depression test. Then, find a psychiatrist or psychiatric clinic in your area. Check out the American Psychiatric Association’s directory. And if you are not in therapy, I encourage you to find a therapist at Psychology Today.
If you struggle with depression, whether it is dysthymia or major depressive disorder, don’t hesitate to seek help. There is no shame in taking medication. If you were diabetic, you would take insulin. You are not alone, and seeking help from a mental health professional might be your next step in recovery. I listed resources below that can help you make that decision.
If you need encouragement or have questions about my mental health journey that might help you, please reach out to me. Email me at thepossiblepath@gmail.com. You can also connect with me by sending a direct message.
Resources
Mental Health America’s Depression Test: Take the test and see if you might need help with depression.
National Alliance on Mental Illness: Use NAMI as a resource for education on mental illnesses, including depression.
American Psychiatric Association: Use the APA to find a mental health professional near you.
House Clinic: For anyone in the central San Joaquin Valley in California, this is one of the places to seek help.