Men Get Depression Too

Life is hard and it doesn't matter what sex you are... male or female... it's hard! Yes, a lot of men may handle things differently than most women. I know some men who won't even go to the doctor when they're sick.... they think they're too much of a man to seek help. So if some men won't even seek help for a cold, virus, etc.... do you think they're going to seek help for depression? Probably not. I'm afraid that's been going on... men not getting the help they need for depression because of the taboo topic in our society, especially for men. Why is that? I don't know but I was like that too.... until it got so bad and I had to ask for help or else. Unfortunately, not all men come to the point where they say, "OK I need help now," but rather take it into their own hands with devastating results. The ones I knew that took their own life this year were all men... grown, adult, well-educated men. So if you're a man dealing with depression... you are not alone!! If you know of a man who you think may be going through depression... let them know they are not alone! Let them know it's okay to seek help! Man or woman... depression doesn't care! Believe me, men get depression too!

Could They Have Been Saved?

As the year comes to a close, I think about the ones we've lost. I've lost more friends this year than any other year. Some to cancer, heart attacks, and yes, suicide. Just from my small town, there were 3 people I knew that took their own lives this year. Now, I don't know their stories... when it comes down to it, they're the only ones who knew what they were dealing with and what led them to that point. But I believe depression definitely played a part! Depression is a killer! No, we don't like to talk about suicide. But if a small town can have that many suicides, think about the rest of the world. Just this morning I read online that a musician died Christmas day of suicide. It's real... it seems to be happening more and more. So could they have been saved? Did they feel like they couldn't talk to anyone about it? Is depression such a taboo subject that they were ashamed to let anyone know they were dealing with it? If they were able to talk to someone about it, would it have made a difference? If they did talk to someone about it, why didn't it make a difference? I don't know the answers to these questions. I just know that I'm dealing with it and I'm trying to fight this killer... and I don't want anyone asking about me... "Could he have been saved?"

It's Still There!

OK, so I'm either brave or stupid for doing this. I guess that's yet to be determined. It does get frustrated feeling like you have to defend yourself. A lot of people think you're just down like everybody gets once in a while and that you should do like Cher says in Moonstruck and "Snap Out of It!" If it were only that easy. Do they think I I would choose this? It's not as simple as pinpointing something that's bothering you and taking care of it. Sure, there are factors that arise that may make the depression more severe but with or without those factors, the depression is still there. It's a disease! I didn't ask for it. And yes, I did seek treatment for it... just like if someone had diabetes or other illnesses ... but it's still there. It doesn't magically go away. I would like to think that one day it will disappear... never to be heard from again... but in the meantime, it's still there!

I Ain't In The Dirt Yet: First Post

Well, I'm still here! No, life has not gone as I would have hoped. I have had ups and downs in my life and have recently experienced more than my fair share of downs. What happened to all my dreams? Where is the old Danny that was so energetic, excited, and motivated easily? Well, I want the old Danny back... I don't care for this new Danny very much. So what do I do? I'm a smart, educated professional. I love my job and do my job well. As a friend pointed out last night, I have achieved many accomplishments in my life that I should be proud of. He feels there is more to come. I said I wasn't so sure. So what happened? Depression happened. Yep, I said it... that word that nobody wants to talk about... those commercials that you feel uncomfortable watching on TV... yep, that depression! It's real and it can affect anybody... and I'm one of them! Yes, I've done everything I'm supposed to do... counseling, doctors, medication... but it's still there. So how do you overcome something you can't control? I DON'T KNOW! I know I can't be alone... but what do you do next? How do you get your old self back? Will I ever get the old Danny back? Maybe not... but you know what, I'm gonna try! I'm gonna fight this thing! Maybe I can still achieve my dreams... maybe I can turn something bad into something good... maybe I can help others who are going through something similar... Maybe I can get the old Danny back. Cause you know what... I Ain't In The Dirt Yet!!