Growing up, I was surrounded by a younger brother who was diagnosed as “bipolar” and battled with depression for years after. (I think that may have to do with an incident during a summer where he stayed with some monks to study or because his older siblings of four sisters all left the house and he had no support or anyone close he could confide in. Anyway, there’s not a single person or thing to blame; it could have been a lot of little things that added up.)

My second sister was on Zoloft and other medications for years.

I had social anxiety disorder and still struggle with it to an extent today. My blog is my release; a way for me to “connect” with others without being in a “live” social situation. I think my anxiety developed out of depression; I had no one in my life at that time (no family or close friends; I worked full-time and was in college full-time. Probably to keep myself busy) and when I had allowed myself to get so withdrawn from life, I didn’t want to reach out because I didn’t think anyone would understand. So I was on Paxil for treatment … until I moved to CA and I think what worked for me was the sunshine and the relaxed attitudes of the people in the beach cities. I could just be myself and with the help of my husband, my self-confidence increased.

Anyway, I think each case is different. Every person is special and unique. There’s no single cause or solution. I think all I can do is be open and supportive because I think only they (those affected) can figure out what works best for them; what they want and need, especially with a little help and guidance (whatever it may be, drugs, family, or sunshine).

I would like to commend you for all the work you have done for many issues, especially like this one which you have brought to the forefront.

You really are making a difference in many peoples lives. Thank you for that Rose.

Many Blessings,
Merriam

Looking back now, I can see when I fist developed depression I was about three. I remember so clearly what went through my mind just before I tried to end it all. I was so little I didn’t know what suicide was, but I did know that death meant you go back to heaven. And thats what i wanted more than anything so I jumped off a building.

I never tried anything like that again, nor will I.

I was diagnosed with all sorts of things – including epilepsy -then undiagnosed, then re diagnosed and so on.

I’ve spent a lifetime working on my ‘issues’ and I have to say its a full time freaking job.

I will also admit, I was very anti meds. My father had mental illness and he took pills and when he took the pills, he was no longer himself, and he hated it. There are also serious issues in my family history of drug abuse, and I really didn’t want to tempt the fates.

I’m very suspicious of big pharma and I’d rather do yoga, eat well and sleep right. But does anyone really know how hard it is to get out of bed to do the downward facing dog when all you really want to do is sleep?

I was finally faced with a choice, take the high road and stay pill free and possibly die, or take the easy way out, pop a pill a day and slowly re learn what its like to have a brain that is happy, fed, and firing properly.

I’ve read a few comments here from people who don’t believe in medication. I used to be one of them. But since I began my low dose anti anxiety medication : the anorexic tendancies are gone! The brain farts are less and less, the crushing anxiety that triggered my depression is managed. I can sleep through the night, the PTSD flashbacks and intrusive thoughts are still a pain, but I can live through them now.

I don’t know what we can do to help children who show signs of mental stress, but I can make a few suggestions:

Treat every child you have, or deal with- with respect and gentleness. Children need to know they have a place and purpose in the world beyond being a punching bag for someone elses rage issues.

Re think the whole _Oh they are just after attention – thing. Of course kids are after attention, they were created to need our attention in order to develop properly.

Remember an angry kid isn’t necessarily a bad kid. They may actually have good reason’s to be angry.

And finally – help them develop a vocabulary so they can express their inner thoughts. High violence and low vocabulary skills have been linked. Its something to do with frustration.

Thanks Rose, for caring.

Hazel.