Depression and suicide

Suicide rates in our country are staggeringly high, and keep getting higher. In the last 40 years, suicides are up by 60%, tragically, one death every 20 seconds.

. It is such a sad epidemic. in the military. It is so tragic that soldiers put their lives on the line, only to return home, and then take their own lives. We all are all too aware of how the military has drug their feet in accepting blame, especially in regard to their recognition of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, for example.

One of the saddest facts is that suicide is the second highest killer of teen males. Female teenagers also have high suicide rates, but their suicide completions are not as successful due to the fact that they are much less likely than males to use a more lethal method like a gun. .

I have a very weird addiction to reading the Sunday obituaries. One reason that I like to read them is that I am always checking for folks that I might know, hopefully not me !! I also check for young people that have died, and the cause. of death. When they have passed away, and no cause is mentioned, I question whether it might be suicide? Other times a family might choose to share that their loved one suffered from mental illness, and consequently, ended their life. I always admire the families that choose to share this information with the readers, if in fact that was the case.. That takes so much courage in this day and time. Unfortunately, we still live in a time where a family with mental illness;; i.e. depression, may be judged negatively-they're just "crazy", they just need "to get over it'" I am a Christian; but sometimes, some church members can be the most harsh critics. I do see that changing, but it still attitudes and beliefs that have a long way to go, in my opinion.

It is probably a pipe dream that someday mental illness would be viewed in similar lights as physical illness! Just like an individual may need to take heart medication, he may need to take depression medication. That became my passion after suffering from Post Partum Depression after the birth of our first son. This was one of the main reasons that I became a therapist, and wanted to work with people with depression. I had suffered from major, clinical depression when I was 27 years old, and the lady that worked with me was wonderful! I apologize if I have already shared that fact, but I guess that I cannot share it enough!

I heard such heart breaking stories when I was a therapist. How an only child took their life.

I remember how sad that I felt when I heard that Robin Williams had taken his own life- the ultimate clown!. I still will always picture the crying clown when I think sadly of him.

I heard stories of how families could be so judgemental in their own family.

There is so much misunderstanding about the negative thinking of deep, dark depression.

That is depression where one might describe that, "their family would be better off without them."

"That they are just a ball and chain for their family."

There are other similar statements that express this hopelessness and misery.

An individual should be taken very seriously when they are making statements of this nature. There are also behaviors that go along with the types of statements such as, i.e. giving away their personal belongings...Sometimes people that have decided to end their lives suddenly act happier and more peaceful, which could be suspicious.

I remember reading once in Dear Abby, where someone wrote in regarding a recent suicide. They were talking about the person that killed themselves "acted in such a horrific, selfish way." They most likely had been affected in their family and were writing of their personal heartbreak. On the other hand, I definitely hear their side, but I was thinking when I read the column that it might make someone on that precarious edge feel even worse, and possibly take action. But of course, it is all so sad..

But on both sides there is no doubt tragedy.

Chronic pain and depression can take a toll on people. So can anxiety and insomnia! Insomnia has been the hardest and scariest problem for me in this journey!. It can get so hard to deal with everything, all of the changes, losses, isolation, shame, guilt, financial strain, that sometimes it can just feel too overwhelming and hopeless.

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Some of my most difficult times have been with medication changes, and also dosage changes. This can take a lot of time sometimes, and a patient needs to stay in close touch with their physician. Even then, it can feel very scarey and out of control. For me, it helped a great deal to also talk constantly with my friends that also suffered from depression, pain etc. But even then it can be very hard. Lots of praying..............

Those suffering from debilitating pain every day may find it all so unbearable that they decide to take their own lives. So Sad

More than 25 million U.S. adults have some level of daily pain, and 10.5 million have considerable pain every day. Opiods also played a big part in the statistics.

It is a tragic, vicious cycle.

But as I mentioned early in my blog, my story is one of dark depression, with excruciating pain. But I look back now, and cannot believe it! I still struggle with depression on a daily basis, but I know so well the choices that I need to make in order to break that cycle. Somedays I do not do so well. My pain is a 2 on a 1 - 10 scale or even lower. I take lots of medicine. I wish that I did not. But thank God for doctors and science...

How are you doing? With your pain, depression, anxiety, etc.? Are you using your support system as needed? I hope so You are not alone! Please reach out to someone, anyone! Friends, friends that also suffer, support groups, church, pastor, Sunday school teacher, Bible study teacher, the list goes on and on.....................................................

And if you know someone that is making these sort of statements or acting in accordance, please reach out to them.

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We are all in this together!

From me to U!

God Bless You