Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Depression

Have you ever been in a room full of people and felt alone? Have you ever felt as if you wanted to, just scream but for no particular reason. Besides, why bother, who would care or even hear you anyway? Does what seems to be the silliest little reason put you into tears? Does your bed or your living room ever seem like it is the easiest or safest place to deal with “today”?

Sound familiar? You may be depressed! I looked up in the dictionary and among many definitions on “depression”; I would like to share these few:

A depressed or sunken place- sadness; gloom; dejection. A condition of general emotion dejection and withdrawal; sadness greater and more prolonged than that warranted by any objective reason

Suffering from depression or being depressed… in the past has been an embarrassment and almost like having some terrible social disease.

Times have changed and the time is now and is time to “Get over that”!

Depression is not something to be ashamed of nor is it something to be ignored and “shoved under the carpet”, with hopes it will go away on its own Depression is something that needs to be fought, on every level with everything you got!

This is a time in history, when we as human beings acknowledge whatever is not working and then do what is needed to be done and make it all work for the better!

There is nothing wrong with depression or being depressed except “Staying Depressed”!

I have dealt with depression on many levels throughout my battle and during my re-discovery.

All I do know is, depression is not pretty. It could be very painful, draining and at times destructive. Destructive meaning: non-productive; harmful to relationships; hurtful to oneself; and on many different levels.

In my particular case, I would often find myself asking…

“Do I overeat because I am depressed or “Am I depressed because I overeat”?

This is the “million dollar” question but either way the results of the overeating in the past have not been good for me.

That is why I and I hope anyone who reads this must be willing to take the “Bull by the horns”.
Recognize the enemy! Notice the signs and if you are depressed, then do whatever it may take to get yourself back on track.

I am no professional nor do I pretend to be one but I am a person who knows about depression. I have seen it in its ugliest states.

Besides, I personally like millions of human beings fight to stay positive. Sometimes you may be feeling a little blue and just a new hair do may be the “Pick you up” that you might need. Maybe a phone call to an old friend and a few laughs is just “What the doctor has ordered”.

Sometimes it may take a little more than just that. It may take some professional help…and why not? Are you not worth it? I ask you, is not your life working well, worth anything and everything? If you had a bad cold that you could not “shake” with some over-the-counter medication, you would look to a professional.

So, I ask, why not in this case too?

I know I would do anything, rather than be confined to a bed again for three years or homebound for fifteen years. If it means me admitting, I might need a little extra help and that I am not the one who can fix everything in the world and in my life. That I might need some help. Than let it be!

Depression is an ugly thing! Yet with work, it can be made better. Maybe it will not be cured forever, but for now, you do what you have to. Later, then you do what needs to be done, then too!

As long as you remember at all times, your life is meant to be lived, to the fullest and at the highest quality possible. You must remember that you do whatever needs to be done to make you smile inside your heart. To have peace, within your being.

You must make the effort, to get up out of that bed, if you physically can (so many of our friends physically cannot), get up out of that chair; open up that door or window, take a deep breathe and smile. Smile, then make some good healthy choices today and always remember these four simple but very important words….say them to yourself daily and as often as necessary during the day. Repeat them now…with meaning

I AM WORTH IT! One more time I AM WORTH IT!

Have a great day and do whatever you need to do to make this day, your day!

Love
Mike

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mike
Once again you have hit the nail on the head. What a blog and one that was needed. Thank you for bringing this topoic to light ans sharing your feelings. I hope we hear from others. I have had a major depression problem for years and I keep it to myself. You have made me realize to talk about it.
My name is Harriet Newsome

Anonymous said...

This is a deep one. Mike you hit home, thank you for sharing.
Iona T

Anonymous said...

Michael how do you come up with your topics. Depression is the center of so much of the problem. I suffer from this for years and I want ou to know I will be searching for help.
Rob

Anonymous said...

Depression how i know it all to well.... we became good friends over the years then it would fade away into the background but peek its head out every so often .. You asked the question eat over depression or depressed because we eat.. personally i think it is yes to both..how do we handle the depression....whet i do now is i write and i write alot .. i try not to hold the feelings inside...it does not always work but it helps and i refuse to give into the depression even with all that is gong on in my life right now....
I have learned a lot of things over the years about my depression .. medication wont help it ... but dealing with my past and present issues will help it ... being true to me will help it and that is what i need to do
Mike thank you again for a wonderful blog and for opening my eyes to so many things....and for being the supporter that you have always been
ps.. i will beat you in farkle
huggs and love Carol

Anonymous said...

I have fought depression all of my life and my best tool is to get my mind off of myself and go and do something for someone else. It never fails! Might take awhile, but it never fails.....

Carole

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Hi Michael
You are so real when you write. This touches me and I bet so many others. I want to thank you for all you offer to all of us. You have made a difference in my world. I am a friend of yours forever
Sandi Bateman

Anonymous said...

Just a wonderful blog and what a great place to come. I love the thought for the day. It reminds me that even in bad thee is some good. Mike you are really a sincere, smart person.
L.J.

Anonymous said...

Mike
Read your blog and I enjoyed very much. It helped me to realize some things.
S.R. Thomas

Anonymous said...

You have an exceptional way of seeing things and thank you for sharing them...
Lyndsey G

Anonymous said...

Mike
I have suffered depression for a very long time and I appreciate this message
Tonya

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael
I have followed your story for so long now I feel as if I know you personally. You have been an inspiration in the fact that you are not perfect nor do you pretend to be. You put the truth of your struggle out there and in your daily life you help many of us who go through what you are going through. Keep us informed it really helps me and I know of others who you have helped.
Sophia H

Anonymous said...

I am a follower of this blog for quite a few months and this last one on depression has been the one to hit me the most. It has mde me think of getting some real professional help.
Tom G

Anonymous said...

I am not a depressed person but I still have an eating problem. Now my husband is depressed and he is thin as a rail but drinks like a fish. Depression effects everyone involved.
Rhonda Laurie

Unknown said...

Hi Mike!

I just wanted to say 'hi', and let you know that I'm glad you're hanging in there, and congratulations on becoming a grandfather!

I worked for you, many moons ago, in your pharmaceutical outfit back in Brooklyn; and I've followed your story since then with concern and warm wishes.

I'm so pleased to have found your blog, so that I can personally thank you for the job back then, and to commend you for the messages that you are bringing to the many with whom your story and insights clearly resonate now.

Warm regards,

Anne

Anne P. Mitchell, Esq
CEO/President
Institute for Social Internet Public Policy
http://www.ISIPP.com 
Member, Cal. Bar Cyberspace Law Committee
Professor of Law, Lincoln Law School of SJ
Author, "The Email Deliverability Handbook"

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
You have been such a help to me just by sharing your own plights and feelings. I am working on getting well and I thank you so much
Iris Pearl

Anonymous said...

Mike
That girl Anne said she worked for you. What did you do? You were able to work? How? I wish you would tell us more of your past and how you survived.
Jessie W Ohio

Anonymous said...

Michael
I heard you were going to be on the Oprah show on Monday, is that true? I can not wai to see you.
Ruby

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to seeing you on Oprah. I missed the original but I heard it was worth seeing. I am already ready to TIVO it.
Gena NY

Kathy said...

Oprah Rebroadcast.

There you were again, that smiling, joyful face. It makes me wish I could reach through the screen and give you a huge hug. All of us who suffer from this disorder feel such a connection to you. We have learned from your good times and from your bad times as well. I did not post about depression because I did not even know where to start. I have been literally on my knees to the point where I could not even form words in my mind or my voice to pray. I just WAS. But just as you stared into the camera and said, "If you just don't give up hope, there is light at the end of the tunnel." I am so glad that so many people got to hear that message from you, and I am so glad I got to see you again today. I wish there was a Michael Hebranko show! Then we could all get our fix every day. :)
We have to remember that you are a family man and that you are busy with your life. You have helped me and countless others, and you continue to give me hope, comfort and inspiration. I am getting better. My best days are still ahead of me, and I thank God for keeping you alive so that you can help all of us along this path.

Anonymous said...

I don't know who this Kathy is but Kathy I agree with you too. That part of the show got to me also. Just don't give up hope.
Mike you were talking right to me and I guess Kathy. I too need that daily Michael Hebranko fix too.
Great Show Great Blog
Joan T Va.

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael
I saw you yesterday and foundyour blog today. You are an inspiration to me in so many ways. Besides I enjoy seeing you on the screen. You have helped me want to do well for myself.
I need to tell you how important you are.
Nina Roberts

Anonymous said...

Mike
It has been wondeferful to follow your life over the years? What was before the public life. We all know you were thousand pounds but why? How? What were the early years?
The teen years? Young Adult? We the public almost have the right to know these are missing pieces. I need to know. I am twenty-seven and weigh almost 480 pounds and I need to know how you felt and feel. What you went through and go through. I need to learn, not about dieting. I know that stuff. I need to learn from someone who has been there and done that and still lives it and willing to share it.
Please Mike heelp me, help others out there. We need more information.
I want to live
Ira T.

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
This has been a wonderful experience both your appearance on Oprah and then this blog. What a man you are. Please continue to share with us.
Helen B.