One Step Away: Relief by treating depression

By Eric

There are many forms of mental illness. Some forms have been described as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar and anxiety disorders as well as addictive behaviors. These types of mental illnesses can give a person self-esteem issues. Sadness and loss of interest are other signs of illness. These disorders can also lead to paranoia and even suicide as the world saw in the case of Robin Williams. It was reported that Robin suffered from depression and also had a history of addictive tendencies. This great actor allegedly hanged himself as a result of his mental illness, depression, on Aug. 11 of last year.

There is hope for anyone suffering from mental illness. There are psychological experts and prescription drugs that can help some of the afflicted people. There is a lot of speculation and research involved in what causes this mental illness that affects me and other Americans.

Yes, I, too, suffer from the illness called depression. It is reported that people with depression may have biological differences in their brain, that mental illnesses such as depression may be the result of a chemical imbalance. Hormonal changes have also been attributed to depression. Finally, there are other doctors from the Mayo Clinic that believe that mental illnesses can be attributed to childhood traumas or traumatic events such as the loss of a loved one.

I was diagnosed with depression in 2008. I had lived most of my life hiding the traumas that permeated my existence as a child. In the 1960s and 1970s, when most of my trauma took place, it was unheard of, in my family, to talk openly about the abuse that was going on. Children were hurt and were also afraid to mention atrocities that may have taken place at that time. I could not understand why this abuse was happening to me and did not feel comfortable talking to anyone about these horrific experiences. The abuse came from men and women and came frequently in the form of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. For many years, I kept these torments to myself, my own dirty little secrets. The nightmares came frequently as I constantly relived the horrors of my past. The depressive state eventually led me to drugs and alcohol as a way to kill the pain.

In 2008, I finally sought closure to this disease. I opened up to the professionals about my past. It was like lifting a huge rock off of my back. I was prescribed medications and therapy and still follow this regimen of help today. The drugs and alcohol left and my sanity returned. I am certain, because of the help that I am receiving, that I was not responsible for the torment that I experienced as a child. The people who were doing those horrible things to me were the sickos.

Today, children are taught at an early age about what adults should and should not do to them. These teachings have helped to catch pedophiles and other child abusers. This recognition by the children, from the teachings of their parents have stopped some abuse from happening or recurring.

Why does the death of a great actor like Robin Williams have to take place in order for people to take a deeper look into these types of diseases? There are a lot of homeless people in the City of Philadelphia who are experiencing problems with depression and other mental illnesses. Some are getting treatment and some are not. To my readers: Please forgive them if they have done anything to you or your loved ones that wasn't right. They know not what they do. For some homeless people, there may not be any excuses for what they do. For others, such as me, we have found help and are getting better.

Eric is a One Step Away vendor who is currently working to earn a college degree.