Depression is the “cancer of mental health”. Ever increasing numbers of sufferers are forcing the medical profession to look at new forms of treatment but the problem is likely to get much worse before it gets any better. Stressful lifestyles, job pressure, the breakdown of family values and the rise of fast-food eating all have brought their influences to bear. As I read blog posts (and I read many), I have the strong feeling that mental health systems are at breaking point, leaving therapists overworked, bogged down in paperwork and having little time to care for clients in the way they want. On the positive side, there are also many people out there who have come through this hell to lead lives of public service, devotion and happiness. Often it is the work of dedicated therapists who have triggered this but more than that, the sufferers showed determination to do what was needed to recover.
As a therapist, I can relate to depression. I was brought up in a family where mental health issues and abuse were daily occurrences. This is what ultimately drove me with a passion to become a psychologist and help other people. By doing this, I helped myself. For I am one of those lucky people who have come through and I now stand on the other side. It was a long, hard and very painful journey and as I approach 50 at the end of March, I can say I am in a good place in my life. I could not say this about my 20,’s or 30′s.
About a year ago, I decided to think about a project where depression sufferers could tell their story and at the same time, give hope to others. I decided to write a book. A well-worn cliché, I know. Every second person wants to be a writer but I felt and still feel that the project can make a difference. Below is my pitch to you for your story. Your own painful journey and the steps you have taken and are taking to lead a fruitful life. Like me, I hope you can find “The Other Side”
As you can imagine, my book is a long-term project. I am gathering information from volunteers in order to write a journal of personal stories from sufferers and their journey through life with and without depression The basis of the book will be the destruction of peoples’ lives through depression. I would greatly appreciate your participation. The kind of information that would be useful is as follows :
I would need some factual information about:
You and a little about your life to date, your job,your family circumstances, your take on your relationship with your parents
Then the flesh on the bones would be saying something about how depression has affected you. Maybe you could give me some idea of how depression has affected your life and the lives of the people around you, what restrictions it has placed on you and how it has changed the view of the world that you hold. Maybe you could say something about what treatments you have tried and what ultimately got you out of depression (if you are). If you would like to go a stage further, please fill in the depression survey on my website and mail it to me.
Depression Survey : http://www.therapy-for-leaders.com/depression-facts-and-figures/
Of course, when the book eventually comes out, all names and locations will be changed for confidentiality reasons.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Dr. Nicholas Jenner is a Counseling psychologist in private practice working with individuals, couples, groups and companies. Apart from seeing clients face-to-face, Dr Jenner also runs a thriving online therapy business bringing help to those who are housebound or located in rural locations where therapy is difficult to find.
Online Therapy details : http://www.therapy-for-leaders.com/buy-online-therapy/
March 11, 2012 at 8:58 am
I think it’s a perfect fit. Don’t feel it would need to be anonymous or changed for me, though. I understand why it is important for many, but for me, I’m putting it all out there for everyone to read.
Such an important step, take away the veil of shame, let’s talk about depression in a real way.
I’ll take the survey, etc. when I have a moment. Big week for me, if you’ve been reading.
March 11, 2012 at 9:03 am
Thank you. Yes, I noticed what is happening this week. I can only wish you all the best in your new project. In my experience, the best coaches or therapists are the ones that have their clients best interests at heart. Reading your blog, you certainly fit the bill and I have no doubt that you will be a great success!
March 11, 2012 at 10:40 am
how are you nicholas???,…i just read what you had written about “depression being the “cancer” of mental health”….
the following in except from something i have written about being molested as a five year old boy….it “may” sound familiar to you,……
anyway,…i had previously said that little boys don’t always know how to explain to their fathers…their heroes…their champions, what the monster really was…nor what the monster did exactly…the hows and whys were too blurry,…so, what does a child do when they don’t know what to do,….much less,….how to do it???
what about something that has no tangible form to describe???…for a picture to paint a thousand words,….you have to be able to see the colors,…and the pieces clearly…as the days passed,…i was trying to dispose of evidence in my heart and mind and soul,…but, i also had only the “same” evidence to use to paint the image of the beast. i had to be the one to do this. i knew this.
still,…i tried to conceal my wounds, and, all the while, i had to try to heal them too,…alone,…i was weak,…it’s venom was taking it’s toll on me,…i was sick,…..very sick,……i was just a little kid…….a scared kid. a scarred kid. scarred? no,…my wounds were still open, and badly infected,….festering,…..
as an adult,…i have no fear of rusty nails,…as i am immune to such petty wounding……….i make sure that my fears choose their battles wisely……….as a child though,…those wounds,….my wounds,…..the dragon fed on them, as a maggot feeds on the infection of a normally infected physical wound. gaining strength, insuring it’s survival….awaiting it’s transformation to become whatever it may,….and it will transform,….growing stronger,….if it has a food source. much as any other cancer does to a person. malignant. benign. it’s still cancer.
as it continues to transform, or metastasize,…it’s hard to focus on clearly,…(i feel that it’s aware of this fact, and uses it to it’s advantage?!)…and in not being able to be focused on, it is also much harder to describe,…..when it’s form is ever changing,…..it is then like a chameleon of torment,…using tricks of the light,…and tricks of the shadows to play cat and mouse with it’s enemy. it cunningly uses psychological warfare……which is the most powerful weapon,….ever,…period.
tormenting and purpose. when one has powerful purpose,….it’s will to live, or at least “not to die”,…..is hard to break….especially when it’s purpose “is” to torment!….one is just as real as the other…
i knew that i must paint a picture so that my father could recognize the dragon…….maybe i was afraid if i couldn’t describe my dragon clearly,…that my father may have ended up killing the “wrong” dragon?….or, worse,……it killing him???…….i was responsible…….if “my” dragon killed him,…then he wouldn’t be there for me…he couldn’t…because of me………..i knew that much about life…
i told no one about the dragon………….for twenty one years…………….dragons aren’t real,…….everyone knows that.
March 11, 2012 at 10:44 am
You have a real skill in descriptive writing. I enjoy your replies immensely…thank you.
March 11, 2012 at 12:45 pm
It is wonderful to read about a mental health professional who can really see what is going on in terms of a depression epidemic and the care provided. In the uk resources and professionals are at breaking point. My thinking behind it has always been that more exploration of complementary therapies would be very welcome. I’ve always felt so much better after massages or reiki. Relaxation in the form of yoga and meditation has also been valuable. Society needs to slow down, we spend too much time rushing around, trying to be superhuman, because we think this is what other people expect.
Sorry, rant over! Loving your blog and attitude. You give me hope.
Thanks for visiting my blog too.
March 12, 2012 at 7:05 am
Hi Rachel…Thanks for the comment. Here in Germany, the situation is the same. People rushing here and there, working longer hours, under more and more pressure. The companies (and the people themselves) create this and expect mental health systems to pick up the bill. I work in private practice so I am spared the horrors of keeping the insurance paper-mill going but some of my peers here are considering giving up because the conditions they work under are becoming ever more intolerable. There needs to be a global change in thinking before it gets any better. Thanks also for your kind words.
March 11, 2012 at 2:29 pm
I can absolutely attest to this: depression had a hold of my life – for way too long. Thanks to tai chi/qigong/meditation/kung-fu, all those emotional issues – that I once had – have all dissipated
)) Great post and I look forward to sharing more with you:))
March 12, 2012 at 6:59 am
Hi…Thanks for the comment. So you truly stand on the Other Side!
March 11, 2012 at 4:38 pm
What’s our cut?
lol
March 11, 2012 at 5:05 pm
Secret fame
March 11, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Hello Dr. Jenner:
I don’t believe there is such a thing as having too many books out there, especially about mental illness! (Although, perhaps I’m bias because I’m a writer. LOL.) You are doing a wonderful service to people; to the people that need to tell there story and to the people that need to hear it most. When it comes to mental illness, I think people need as much hope as they can get. My life constantly changes for the better when I read someone’s story about their depression journey. It doesn’t matter whether they’re on the road or on “The Other Side”–it all makes a positive impact.
By the way, thank you for following my blog. You may know a little of my story if you read the second post. (I gave only the “short” version, though.) I would love to share more of my experience, if you’re interested.
Either way, I agree with you; depression is a cancer. My grandmother died almost a year ago this month of cancer. I saw what it did to her, from beginning to end. The end was the hardest to watch her go through. She wasn’t that vibrant, active woman anymore. Yet she fought with such grace until the end. (Why not? She had lived with grace!)
Like cancer, some depression sufferers win The Fight, and some don’t. And like cancer, depression changes people so much–physically and emotionally. They’re not the same person they use to be; sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. Either way, I wish there were a magic pill to cure both.
Yet, strength and grace come when you’re challenged by an illness. Despite all of the pain, I wouldn’t change the last 10 years at all. At least now, I have a story to tell that can potentially help others.
March 12, 2012 at 6:58 am
Hi Lisa-Ann. Thank you for the comment. I would love to hear more of your story if you feel like telling it.
March 11, 2012 at 11:24 pm
I’ll help, I’ll help.
March 12, 2012 at 6:56 am
Thank you, thank you
March 12, 2012 at 1:02 am
are you allowed to make up terms, like,…well,..???….”secret fame”, for example?????…..anastasia,….all you have to do is change your name to “jane e doe”…..and all will be fine…….lol,…….at least it works for me,……jus sayin
March 12, 2012 at 6:55 am
Secret fame? A paradox…just as life is!!
March 12, 2012 at 7:03 am
insert smile emoticon here (the best i could come up with for now,..lol)