June 21st, 2006
“Life is suffering. Life is also joy.�
Thus begins a profoundly moving and honest essay from Sarah Byam over on the Tuppenceworth blog about her battle with depression. It particularly struck a chord with me because last week a friend went to a funeral of one of her friends who had taken his own life. In the same week, I read a chunk of Emily Cox’s book Suicide: Ireland’s Story which examines various aspects of the issue, with lots of very personal interviews and case studies.
Sarah’s essay is heart-breaking but hopeful and I’d urge people to read it.
June 22nd, 2006 at 1:50 am
Dear Sinead,
Thank you so much for your kind words. The struggle continues, as my doctor is increasing my antidepressant by 75 mg’s every week until we have a break through. Every day something keeps me going. Today it was you.
You never know who your life is going to affect.
Warmest Wishes,
Sarah Byam
June 22nd, 2006 at 5:13 pm
Sarah, in case you check back on comments here, I thought I’d leave mine. I read your blog today and it struck a chord as someone in my family has suffered from depression for a long time. I am a firm believer in breaking down taboos and I think that the mystery and ignorance surrounding this illness will only be dispelled by brave people such as you sharing their experiences. Thanks for being honest - you have provided an articulate and much needed insight which I, for one, very much appreciate.
June 22nd, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Dear Alex,
There is are two very good books your family member might want to read, one is “An Unquiet Mind” by a psychiastrist with manic depression, and the other one is “A Circle of Stones” which is about the value of depression in the life of women.
I, too, believe very strongly in being open about mental illness. I own a small design firm with my business partner, and we have discussed the appropriateness of me being public about my disease. His point of view is that if people Google me and find out I’m bi-polar and that prejudices them, then it is their loss. Some of the most creative people, some of the world’s greatest leaders were bi-polar or suffered from depression. Abraham Lincoln for one.
A friend of mine with a wheel chair disability was recently fired because she simply was not able to fit herself into the “good old boy” southern culture. I think they hired her to fill a quota and then found an excuse to get rid of her as soon as they could. She has had nothing but stellar work reports elsewhere.
But disabled people need to stand up for each other! So here’s to your family member - much courage, strength, compassion, warmth and support.
Sarah
January 6th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
I did a search for sites that might help me not feel so alone in my depression and hopelessness. This one came up so I figured I would comment. You know what they say, the older you get, the less you are invited to weddings, and the more you go to funerals. On that positive note, I invite you to come to my blog, http://lazyfathead.blogspot.com, and join me in my delightful spiral into death depression and nothingness.
Thanks for your time. Remain happy ?