How to Kill A Monster

You may not believe me, that it can happen to you. But, you really can snap out of depression. You may say you've read all about it, tried everything. I know where you're at. It's not fun and it's not funny. Give this article a chance. Make it your penultimate last try. (Penultimate: Second to last) And make all of your tries penultimate last tries, because you must never give up. The world needs you.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. 
   "Open This Box, Right Here!"

   1. Admit you have a medical problem. As with all medical problems, there are always new developments. Moreover, your particular case is unique to you. This means doctors must be given the chance to try different combinations of things to determine which ones are working for you. In my case, a combination of fluoxetine and doxepin produced the magic of the light at the end of the tunnel. And this dark tunnel was mine for 34 years!

2. 
   Open Me

   2. You must find yourself a psychiatrist. Preferably, one who has a lot of experience with mental illness. I wasn't diagnosed with clinical depression until the age of 35. Prozac worked for me until I started premenopause at the age of 47. Then I landed in a mental hospital. There, I was diagnosed Bipolar 1. Life was easy there, no stress, people who care, funny stories, knowlege, good food, and I got the help I needed. I found out people needed me, and I needed them. Including the people who worked there. They needed me too.

3. 
   Open Me

   3. Don't be surprised if doctors are confused with you. Misdiagnosis is fairly common. That is not their fault. They only have a few minutes and a few tools to work with. And your problems will change over time. This is why you need to visit your psychiatrist at least once every 3-5 months. (That way, if you find yourself applying for disability, there will be an adequate record of medical need. Your chances of getting approved will be much greater with a history of ongoing treatment).

4. 
   Nobody Knows Me Like I Do!

   4. Use your search engine to find new developments you can talk to your doctor about. The more you read about other people's stories, the more you realise that you are a part of the war on depression. You have stories and experiments of your own to accomplish. Share them with the world. Be a part of it. We need to hear your piece of the puzzle! Caring for pets and teaching children can give you a peaceful, purposeful feeling.

5. 
   Click On Me Too

   5. Use the emergency or walk-in clinic whenever you are contemplating suicide. You are not alone. The doctor is likely to ask you if you would like to be taken to a stress center. Take him up on it. It's free for those who cannot pay, based on income of course. Hey, you'll probably see me there some time. We can be friends!

6. 
   Can You Find the Depressive Person?

   6. Do not take your own life. It is not yours to take. More people than you think will be deeply affected by this reckless action. You are part of the universe. The marvelous, intricate, confounding universe. You must protect yourself as all other humans and God's creatures naturally do. Your true worth on this planet has yet to be discovered. Don't take that away from us!

7. 
   After Meds, The New Judy

   7. Seek out anything that makes you feel alive again! Do you need a list? Make one. It's your list. Here's mine: God, the 7-Steps, Meditation, Walking the Dog, Assembling Puzzles, Taking Pictures, Laughing, Sports, Juggling, Experimental Cooking, Reading True Stories, Writing for eHow, Meditation, Tennis, Cutting My Hair, Hugging A Kid (we're all kids), Busting Out A Conversation With A Stranger, Reading Up On Science, Marveling At History, Traveling By Hitchhiking (the good old days), Flying Commercial Airlines, Hearing our President Obama say, "Fire It Up!!" .... Must I go on? Yes, I must!!

Tips & Warnings

• Drugs and Alcohol, YeeeeHaaaah!!... pick you up, take you to a new crazy place, and then slam dunk you right into the old bummer can!! Maybe take down a few people with you along the way. Ask yourself if it's what you really do want. Then hear this voice in your head, saying, "Hey man, WE like you JUST the way you are!!" :) :)

[mazong]

on 11/11/2009 This IS a great article! YOU CAN write and i see some humor mixed in there with it! Do Not stop here...we have all have those moments where we "think" we cannot go one more step and feel as if we are prisoners of our own mind! THX so much for your honesty and enthusiasm to Help Others! Me included! 5* reccmd