A support forum for writers dealing with mental illness |
Hi, Charlie ~ . I'm Elizabeth and have been diagnosed with major depression and have been on medication for eighteen years. I have been depressed most of my life. I remember attempting suicide twice in my teens. I remember thinking that I even failed at that. But, today I'm glad that I wasn't successful. I've been married for twenty-eight years and we have two beautiful girls. We were married for ten years before we had children, by choice. We decided we needed to grow up a little, first. (I was nineteen when I got married.) I see a psychologist once every three months to make sure I'm still doing okay on the medication. I've seen plenty of therapists over the years and make sure I seek one out when I need it. I'm very open about my illness. I've met people who hide it from everyone, including their spouses. I can't imagine how they don't tell their spouses. My spouse has been so supportive. I also think he has depression but he won't go to see a doctor. How do you live with someone with mental illness for as long as he has and not have some repercussion? I don't care if people "label" me anymore. When I was first diagnosed people weren't so open about it. But I'm honest and feel good about it. I've met others who have depression and we talk. It amazes me how many people decide to not take their medication. I am not a nice person when I don't take my medicine. Actually, I get physically ill when I forget to take my medicine. I often wonder how I would be taken off my medicine if I was ever able to. Obviously it would be a gradual process and not outright stopping. I asked my psychologist once about if I would ever not have to take medicine and she told me no. I will be on medication for the rest of my life. It sometimes gets on my nerves, but I like who I am when I'm on it, so I'll keep taking it. I'm glad that you started this group. Excellent idea. It's a safe place we can come to and vent, rant, or whatever. Thank you. ~Elizabeth |