Depression

Often I find myself wondering what can I possibly write about on this site.  It seems appropriate today to just send out a reminder that no one is alone.  After hearing of the death of one of my favorite actors and comedians, it reminded me of depression in MS patients.  When I was first diagnosed, I thought my world had ended.  Despite everything I read, and my normal half glass full attitude, as the days passed by and the doctors appointments increased in numbers, depression ensued. I went from being a healthcare provider who supported patients and encouraged them daily, to a nurse who didn't want to wake up each and every day.  A mother who only thought of how bad life was and who didn't want to participate in anything.  I couldn't get motivated for anything.  I became withdrawn and recluse, feeling so alone.  Finally, I reached out to a nurse practitioner at my physicians office.  She used the exact words I had been telling my patients for years.  If you break a leg,you go to the doctor for X-rays and a cast.  Depression is just another condition that affects the brain and is treatable.  As much as I fought the treatment, once I began anti depressant, the fog finally began to lift.  I began to enjoy life again.  Depression is very common as we all know.  I needed the drugs for around a year and once I became more educated about MS, participated in therapy,  I found that I could accept my illness and come off the drugs.  Don't despair.  If you find yourself feeling alone even when you have family and friends in your life, get help. This feeling of being alone and wanting it to go away is temporary.  Reach out to so done.  Don't do anything permanent to end a temporary bump in the road.

-Susan, RN

---