Comments on: Column: Time To ‘Come Out’ About Depression

By: Margaret Grant

Margaret Grant — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 00:08:47 +0000

Dr. Carolina Leaf is a doctor that can help you without you having to take meds. She teaches you how to treat yourself using God’s Word. It has been proven. Check out her website and get her DVD’s. It couldn’t hurt to listen to her and it maybe the answer for lots of people. Just trying to help. It’s great that you are there to help others! God bless you.

By: Margaret Grant

Margaret Grant — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 23:49:42 +0000

Mr Deacon, I though you maybe of interest to look up Dr. Carolina Leaf and read all about her study of the brain.

Her website is drleaf.com She is a doctor from South Africa

By: Keepin' it Real!...4Real!

Keepin' it Real!...4Real! — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 21:24:32 +0000

It’s the drugs…The addiction makes them adamant…If only they kept abreast of the true wonders of the human body… not just pharmaceutically but also bio-chemically…totally mind blowing knowledge…but the fear rages on.

By: marta

marta — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 21:47:23 +0000

It’s true. People mean well when they say snap out of it. See what you are thankful for. Try to make us feel guilty for not being happy when we ought to be. Depression is not a choice, unfortunately. We know we should be happy, but we are not.

By: hmmmmmmm

hmmmmmmm — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 13:19:24 +0000

I went to MAWI outpatient care they are great but remember it takes time to find the right therapist and the right medication if needed.

I now go to a great therapist. she is a christian which i am so she blends my spirituality with therapy.

you can also go to a pastor.

Womenrs resource center is alos great.

If you job pays for EAP they are good as well.

By: hmmmmmmm

hmmmmmmm — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:51:15 +0000

same anaology that the nurse at the hospital tols me. it is the same as diabetes.

I have a great support system.

God first, and he has put a wonderful group of people in my life.

By: jeremy deacon

jeremy deacon — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 12:23:32 +0000

I have been overwhelmed by the reaction to this column. I have been genuinely taken aback. I have had calls from strangers, strangers have stopped me in the street, I’ve had countless emails from people sharing their stories, there have been hundreds of Facebook and Twitter shares and messages …. I could go on.
What it shows is that there is a very real issue with mental illness in Bermuda and that people want and need help and support.
I want to thank all those who have left kind messages here and on other platforms – your support and understanding means an awful lot to me and I am sure to many others as well.

By: jeremy deacon

jeremy deacon — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 11:59:03 +0000

Totally agree SBDA. I saw him and immediately things got better. Really nice guy.

By: mj

mj — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 03:10:26 +0000

is that my mermaid from st. davids?:)

By: Black Dog

Black Dog — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 02:35:05 +0000

So honest, so open, and so brave:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/good-to-share/10568933/How-to-deal-with-the-black-dog-of-depression.html#disqus_thread

By: Really really Bettty

Really really Bettty — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 01:59:06 +0000

Thanks for sharing. It’s a big step forward. I would like to see more done in Bermuda for persons tgst suffer from mental illness.

By: SBDA

SBDA — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 01:07:30 +0000

Suffering in Silence – call Dr Anandagoda 295 1558 – he is just amazing. Compassionate, professional, highly knowledgable – he has a brilliant way of making you understand how your brain works and what depression is and how to help. I really urge you to give him a call – you can get help and live your life again!

By: SBDA

SBDA — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 01:04:21 +0000

I did not want to use medication for my depression or anxiety but I was in such a dark place that there was no way any sort of therapy was going to break the cycle. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain – if it is true depression – that cannot be fixed through counselling/therapy alone. I have a strong belief (from personal experience) that sometimes you need the medication to correct the imbalance whilst doing it in conjunction with therapy. A two pronged approach is the key if you ask me.
Sometimes, medication is the only way to get you out of it if you don’t want to end up in a mental hospital. I felt for me I had to take the meds for the sake of my family and my own sanity quite frankly. It’s very easy to make judgements about people taking medication if you have never experienced it yourself. Believe me, if you have been in the boat that I’ve been in and many others have been in, you would feel you had little choice.. I am a “natural” person who eats well, exercises and doesn’t like medication BUT I don’t believe I would have got to the other side without it quite frankly.

By: SBDA

SBDA — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 01:03:51 +0000

I did not want to use medication for my depression or anxiety but I was in such a dark place that there was no way any sort of therapy was going to break the cycle. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain – if it is true depression – that cannot be fixed through counselling/therapy alone. I have a strong belief (from personal experience) that sometimes you need the medication to correct the imbalance whilst doing it in conjunction with therapy. A two pronged approach is the key if you ask me.
Sometimes, medication is the only way to get you out of it if you don’t want to end up in a mental hospital. I felt for me I had to take the meds for the sake of my family and my own sanity quite frankly. It’s very easy to make judgements about people taking medication if you have never experienced it yourself. Believe me, if you have been in the boat that I’ve been in and many others have been in, you would feel you had little choice but to get your brain chemicals balanced again. I am a “natural” person who eats well, exercises and doesn’t like medication BUT I don’t believe I would have got to the other side without it quite frankly.

By: SBDA

SBDA — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:58:16 +0000

I really can’t believe Mr Orange’s comments. You clearly have no idea what depression is. It is an illness – something you cannot snap out of – it’s a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes it – it is not feeling sorry for yourself! Unfortunately it’s people like you that make people like Jeremy not want to speak up about depression or be ashamed of it. I would suggest that you do some reading on depression to educate yourself a bit. God forbid that you every experience it yourself…it’s debilitating, crippling, dangerous – you clearly have no idea…. If only it were that easy….I suffered myself, I had everything going for me and was at a loss as to how a person like me with EVERYTHING could be depressed. It can affect ANYONE, rich or poor, living in paradise or not, employed or unemployed ….. Please try and educate yourself and maybe you will see that it is not a case of just pulling yourself together! Yes, sometimes an event in your life will trigger it, but other times it just hits you for no reason – and it can quite often be hereditary (I have a family history of it unfortunately). That said, I do fully appreciate that it’s difficult to understand unless you have experienced it first hand or through a relative. I thought that about anxiety until it hit me like a tonne of bricks one day and I have suffered ever since…. Depression and anxiety are one of the most horrible things to experience in the world – I wouldn’t wish them on my worst enemy.

By: Susana Pimentel

Susana Pimentel — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:16:59 +0000

This comment is so insensitive! Depression is real and we do not know when depression or any other illness will coming knocking on our door.
Mr. Deacon, I have utmost respect for you and I applaud your decision to bring such an important topic to light.
Thank you!

By: Things that make you go hmmm

Things that make you go hmmm — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 23:44:26 +0000

And the award for the most idiotic comment of the day goes to…
Listen Einstein, I hope you never experience how absolutely paralysing depression can be. Like many physical illnesses, it doesn’t discriminate. I’m 36 and I’ve had three major depression episodes in my life. I wouldn’t wish it on my worse enemy. Aren’t you fortunate to not have experienced it? But don’t be condescending to the millions of people who are experiencing depression as we speak. You just don’t know what someone is going through. Jeremy, thank you opening this discussion.

By: .......

....... — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 23:40:02 +0000

Alvin isn’t a bully he’s jerk!

If Alvin thinks only “weak” people suffer from depression then I would love to sit down with him and swap our lives’ stories.

Even the string need help sometimes for no “man” is an island unto himself!

By: .......

....... — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 23:34:08 +0000

@ Suffering in Silence
You don’t have to suffer anymore! A great place to start is your family doctor. Have a talk with them to see if you are better off seeing a psychologist (talk therapy) or a psychiatrist (possibly medication). Or potentionally a combination. Your GP will write the referral and point you in the right direction. Also insurance companies here will cover a fair bit of the costs.

As you can see from this thread you are not alone!

By: No

No — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 23:10:04 +0000

Well I am glad you are better. You are missing the point though that as this is an illness, ones brain simply cannoy produce the correct chemical balanced recquired for happyness. No number of hugs and love can fix that, like a broken leg, they can ease the pain, but no solution.

By: Suffering In Silence

Suffering In Silence — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 22:59:00 +0000

I applaud you Jeremy for coming out publically and talking about your Depression ….. I too suffer from Depression and have been suffering from it for about 20/25 years now, Quietly! …I find myself withdrawn from my immediate family and I have no motivation or desire to do the things or hobbies which I love to do …… Just getting ready to go to work every morning is a major challenge for me and my coworkers have no idea what it takes for me to leave my house to get to work…… I fight through a lot of dark days sometimes and there are times when the darkness seems to win and times where I seem to win……Can you also please post places where someone like me can get help …. Thank You.

By: Jeremy Deacon

Jeremy Deacon — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 22:44:19 +0000

hi. please email me. i would be happy to meet

By: Tania Stafford

Tania Stafford — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 22:32:38 +0000

Great response Jeremy Deacon. Until you have either experienced depressive illness yourself or lived in close contact with someone who has, you can not understand it.

I hope Mr. Orange gets a chance to speak with you, or if that person knows me, you could also talk with me as I too am learning to live with depressive illness.

By: Happy Onion

Happy Onion — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 22:11:54 +0000

Completely agree, very insensitive of Alvin . . . He’s a the epitome of a bully.

By: Terry

Terry — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 21:00:32 +0000

Alvin are you having flashbacks?
Don’t ruin such a great thread.
Please.

By: jeremy deacon

jeremy deacon — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 20:18:16 +0000

It is a long journey for sure and to use a well worn phrase there are going to be a lot of struggles. But … the good thing is that you have recognized it and in so doing will learn to spot symptoms which will help deal with the issues enormously

By: MF87

MF87 — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 19:45:56 +0000

Alvin,

Please respect this man, and if you have nothing good to say, just dont say anything. you are typical of some narrow minded people.

please leave us alone.

By: Jonah

Jonah — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 19:38:20 +0000

Very brave and timely piece Jeremy.

I have a son that has a mental illness ( recently diagnosed ) and I can attest to the many challenges that he has faced and will face in the future. With the aid of medication I have noticed significant improvements, however this is the beginning of a long journey.

Thank you for your commentary … hopefully it will assist others to be more tolerant and accepting.

By: Jus' Askin'

Jus' Askin' — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 18:51:08 +0000

If at 40 You know all You need to know about Yourself, YOU are truly BLESSED

The message is not ‘Hugs’ solve everything but I guess that was missed as No One can tell You anything

By: Food for thought

Food for thought — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 18:49:10 +0000

In certain cases mental illness can be the result of a genetic mutation of MTHFR gene. Please have your doctor test you. And if they don’t know what you are talking about you may have to find another doctor as this falls more under specialized training a physician does called functional medicine. There are at least two of them on the island. This genetic mutation is rather common in the Caucasian population. This mutation doesn’t allow folic acid to be converted into its methylated form so it can enter the cell. Therefore, it causes the body to be deficient in folic acid even if you take in a lot through your diet. Also, some research points to deficiencies of the omega 3fatty acids in the diet so supplementing with a fish oil can greatly improve symptoms. I am not saying everyone can get off medication but what I am most certainly saying is if you don’t want to be on meds forever and have the dangerous side effects that can come with their long term use then you need to dig a little deeper.

By: jeremy deacon

jeremy deacon — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 18:44:25 +0000

Sorry, but I don’t understand the relevance of this, Alvin?

By: Sickofantz

Sickofantz — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 18:38:35 +0000

Huh?

By: Sickofantz

Sickofantz — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 18:36:42 +0000

You sound like one of those people that probably tell people with cancer that they can conquer it by having a positive mental outlook.

Just as many people experience depression when external things are going well in their lives as those that experience it as a result of an external trigger.

I’m afraid I am still getting over the death of a great close friend who guided by well meaning people such as yourself stopped taking his meds.

By: ALVIN WILLIAMS

ALVIN WILLIAMS — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 18:30:42 +0000

A depression or an economic down turn seems to be part and parcel of the capitalist system. there is really nothing that can be done about it. I remember the former chairman of the fed Allan Greenslade when he appeared before congress and was asked to explain what had happen in the most recent down turn; the one Bermuda was caught in and blame for it. Like a deer caught in a car’s head lights; he had no answer. So even if Bermuda gets out of this one more will ne coming down the road,

By: Jus' Askin'

Jus' Askin' — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 18:27:47 +0000

“hugs not Drugs” is about surrounding Yourself with Loving and Caring People.
A Broken Leg is a Broken Leg and no a hug can not fix it but it sure can take away from the Pain.
For Me, LOVE was the Answer and is MY long term Answer.

By: susan

susan — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 18:23:05 +0000

educate myself? Im 40. I know me. I understand mental illness. You dont. May you never require more than a hug along life journey.

By: Jus' Askin'

Jus' Askin' — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 18:19:03 +0000

Point out where I was judging please m8

By: jeremy deacon

jeremy deacon — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 18:07:12 +0000

It’s funny, the first question I asked was ‘why me, I’m a tough old bugger’ … it really can affect anyone …

By: Mermaid

Mermaid — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 18:00:03 +0000

Thank you for this Jeremy.

There are different types of depression. The ‘blues’ or ‘melancholy’ are what everyone pretty much experiences in life at some time. That is far different from sever anxiety, clinical depression, bi-polar disorder etc. They are illnesses. Why is it so hard for some to understand that our brain, which is an organ in our body just like any other organ, can become ill, because of chemical imbalances, and faulty neuro-transmitters. That mental illness can run in families, just like cancer or diabetes. These same people do not hesitate to pop a pill for a headache! Many people’s lives have been saved by medicine. Everyone responds to treatment differently.Some benefit from meditation, lifestyle changes, cognitive therapy. Some need that AND medication. Education is so important and the more people share their experience with depression, the better others will understand.When I was younger, I had the same viewpoint…..that people were weak of mind and will. I know better now, as I have experienced it myself, as have loved ones.

By: Sickofantz

Sickofantz — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:56:52 +0000

I am very glad for Jeremy that he has been brave enough to take medication. It is not the easy way but it can work. It is no failure to discover that due to chemical/hormonal imbalances (which are often genetic) medication can lift a sufferer from the churning pit of darkness which this illness can illicit. Depression can happen to the wealthiest and most talented it is not neccessarily caused by an event (Ie, there is often not a ‘root cause’ but it can be triggered by an event.

I don’t think it does anything constructive to look for a root cause and end up blaming something when actually this illness can descend for no reason.

A further factor is that Mr Deacon has a close and loving family that he wishes to cherish and enjoy. If medication allows him to do that and function as a great Dad then why would you do anything else?

By: Sickofantz

Sickofantz — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:49:35 +0000

Mr Orange your comment is almost triumphantly ignorant and illustrates the need for brave people like Jeremy to ‘come out’ and explain more about this terrible (and sadly in many cases TERMINAL illness).

By: alsys

alsys — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:49:18 +0000

And yes, thanks Jeremy for broaching this subject. I would invite anyone who considers mental illness something that is emotional alone to research the GABA protein.

By: jeremy deacon

jeremy deacon — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:41:39 +0000

Thank you Terry

By: colibm

colibm — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:41:39 +0000

Thanks Jeremy. I’m an advocate for not hiding my depression in the dark. Everyone’s depression is different. Great column, thank you for sharing your journey.

By: jeremy deacon

jeremy deacon — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:39:49 +0000

Your comment is interesting. There can clearly be no comparison with what life is like in Palestine but that is point – there is no comparison, so your comment misses the issue …. next time you bump into me please introduce yourself and we can have a chat about this.

By: Hoodie

Hoodie — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:25:32 +0000

That is true for some people but not for everyone. You may disagree and that is your opinion. Doesn’t mean you are correct so please stop judging those among us for whom this is a lifelong thing. You said it yourself – your way has proven to work for YOU.

By: Hoodie

Hoodie — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:23:06 +0000

Mr. Orange
It is very clear you have never suffered from this illness so congratulations, hopefully you never will. In the meantime, you have no idea what you are talking about.

By: Baygrapes

Baygrapes — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:19:55 +0000

To all of you (Slsys, Susan, No and others) I say well done to you and Mr. Deacon for bringing this to the fore. Depression is not something you can “snap out of”. Believe me, if you could you would ! It is very much a chemical imbalance and in some cases does not need a life altering event to trigger an episode. Again, you would never tell a person with broken legs to just get up and walk. Learn before you speak and/or make judgements.

By: No

No — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:01:48 +0000

I used medication to treat my anxiety. I am no longer on medication for it. It was a complete success. You don’t see someone with a broken leg and say go get a hug… no we get medication and a cast. Mental illness needs to start being treated like a REAL illness and with the same respect.

By: No

No — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 17:00:18 +0000

Depression isn’t rational. You cannot rationalize it by simply saying cheer up. In fact that’s rude and insensitive. As if Mr Deacon is making a conscious choice. I suffer from Panic attacks and anxiety. This is treated in the same way as depression and fortunately I have had very successful results through treatment (2 years no panic attacks).

Jeremy is trying to change (your kind) of behaviors and thought process on mental illness. We don’t see someone in a wheelchair and say stand up lazy toes…. so don’t say cheer up to a person suffering from depression.