Depression is a serious problem and should be taken seriously by online writers.
When you read something, be it in a blog or an article do you take it seriously? Do you believe that the author/writer has some expertise in the area of the particular subject? Do you believe there is merit to any comments or suggestions that the author/writer makes? I think it depends on where you are reading at but also the content. If you are reading a blog on myspace then probably you will be more likely to be suspect about advice. However, if you are reading an article on a website that has at least some credibility there is a good chance that you will consider the information to have substance. This leads us down a slippery slope when it comes to certain issues. I know that everyone has an opinion and everyone has the right to express their opinion but where does accountability play into all of this.
I am a blogger, of sorts. I have a myspace page where I do blog about very serious topics on occasion. But mostly I blog about the silliness in the world around me and what is sometimes my humorous take on it. However, I write about things that I am well versed in. I write about life, love, family, teenagers and emotions. I write about these because I have a life I am living maybe not as wel as I should be. I have been in love, and it has worked out and then again not. I have a family, dysfunctional as they may be. I have raised teenagers and lived to tell about it and I have and have studied as well as understand emotions. I also have a back injury and am well versed in my own condition along with the problems and pitfalls that go with it. When I write about it however I write from the perspective of what works or doesn’t work, for me. I would never have the audacity to tell someone else they should or should not do this or that. For example; I have a low back injury with nerve damage to one leg and foot. I chose to have injections put into my spine on a weekly basis rather than surgery. That was an informed choice I made with my doctor. I would never tell someone with the same injury, or worse yet. a similar injury to elect to have or not have surgery. These are decisions that should be made between a patient and a doctor. We all know it is foolhardiness to make decisions about your health based on web opinions. Why then would it be any different if it were a mental health concern
There is still a stigma attached to having a mental health issue. Therefore, people don’t seek treatment from professionals when they should. Instead we talk about it in dark alleys and behind closed doors. It is almost like anyone who admits they have a mental disorder or condition is somehow saying; hey watch out I could be on the next episode of To Catch A Predator. Admitting you have a problem in this area is almost like admitting you are a failure at your own life. So we, out of fear of having that stigma attached to us don’t seek treatment. We instead deny it for as long as we can and then when we do finally get to a place where we feel as though we have to do something often we turn to the internet and attempt to self diagnose and then self medicate. If you have never had a mental evaluation you have no earthly idea what is wrong with you. It could be depression ranging from mild to major, it could be a personality disorder, it could even be a chemical imbalance or a whole host of other issues. The point is that you don’t know until you have the tests run to find out. However, I think most people when we feel like something is off kilter decide it must be depression. We then turn to the net to research it and find very little in the way of actual help.
Many people who write blogs and articles on the subject of depression and mental health issues have absolutely no experience in dealing with mental health. What one person believes is depression might only be a couple bad days or weeks to a person diagnosed with clinical depression. And yet we can search any decent search engine and find article after article about holistic approaches to mental illness. I am a firm believer that holistic medicine has its place in our society and is extremely beneficial. However I also am a believer that knowledge is power. How can we medicate holistically if we do not understand the psychological and physiological aspect of the condition we have?
The responsibility of writers to readers is one that is not taken as seriously as I believe it should be. I have been doing some research on depression and mental disorders over the past several weeks with absolutely appalling results. Specifically how people try to manage this on their own by utilizing the “cure your depression without meds” approach. I find it egregious that we as writers of blogs and online articles do not take into consideration when people are reading our material, we in fact may very well be hurting them. We may have a reader who is at the end of their rope and is indeed suicidal and willing to give it one last shot. They search the internet and find articles on vitamins, exercise, community service, self talk, diet and a whole host of other “ideas” . All of them touting that you can turn your depression around on your own. They, due to the stigma of having a mental health issue decide this is the approach they will take and then it doesn’t work. To the person with the depression that says I must be to far gone and there is no help for me. At this point suicide becomes a viable option as most people don’t want to be a burden to their families and the pain is just to much to bear.
Holistic medicine has its place. For the person who is not actually depressed but simply having some issues in their life all of the aforementioned approaches work. But until you have a physician run some tests to see if it is a chemical imbalance and talk with a professional about the issues both present and past, you don’t know what is wrong and therefore self medicating is a horrible idea. Seek professional help first and arm yourself with knowledge, then make an informed powerful choice about your next move.
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I agree with you.
Pro help is better than self help.
-One thing, however needs addressed.
The fear of stigma and honesty with doctors and counselors.
and financial concerns…
self help , self reliance, and also;
quick fixes…
and I want to get back to the money.
That kills all kinds of everything.
Fund, Advertise, Coax into help from pro’s.
June 2nd, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Very informaitive article and well written. It shows you truly care about the work you are doing and that you are very good and caring at your job……….
Will read your other articles.
Marie
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:53 am
Well written, it is an area that needs careful handling, this article is a good guide to the sufferer, carer and sound advice for the writer.
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Namaste Great article and very true.I will be looking at more of you articles as they’re very informative. Keep up the great work.Creator’s Blessings.
June 6th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Joe, Marie, Glynis and Quail, Thank you all so much for your kind and caring words of support and encouragement. I can not fully express what they mean to me with mere words. So I am sending you all good vibes and beautiful karma. Peace and Love, Crystal
June 7th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
What about when therepy and medication are un-affordable. How does one get pro help then? My medicine didn’t do anything for me, in fact it made my anxiety worse, and now I am in debt to the pro’s. Just another thing on my list of things to be depressed about. I also have two other conditions. Please respond to me: wonder@inbox.com
June 8th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Good article Crystal. Very well written and thought out and very genuine. Early on in my life I used to think about people with depression, like “just get over it” I also thought they were trying to punish their families by committing suicide. Now that I am more mature and have seen a bit of life, I realize people can’t “just get over it”. Some people (I think most) need pro help; meds therapy….and I realize – now – that what I thought was just a “get back at them” attitude on a suicide victim’s part only meant that they were in a deep dark hole and didn’t know how to get out. So they got out the only way they could. I have only been depressed a few times in my life, I hope I never have to go through what a lot of people do, it’s horrible.
I am married to a wonderful man who has chronic depression (runs in his family) I love him dearly.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Chad, although I am going to respond to you personally I felt your questions have merit and need answers. So I will be publishing an article just on this topic. Be well and take care of your Self.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:43 am
Anna, I think most people have the same ideas about people who are depressed and people who commit suicide run through their head at least once. Fortunately for those of us who battle with diseases and disorders be they health or mental health related there is a shift in the wind as these mental health issues are becoming more mainstream and acceptable. After all a man can have Erectile Dysfunction now and smile about it!! Thank you for your comment it really means a lot to me. I hope your husband is well and as a person living with someone who has bouts of depression I hope you are remembering to always take care of your self.
June 24th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Wonderfully written and I totally agree with your about depression. It needs to be taken seriously. I write alot about despressing things as a way to get them out. I am mostly upbeat in my life and writing helps keeps me this way.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:21 pm
You are absolutely right, raising those points..They need to be taken into account when reading any article.
Self-help solutions/suggestions work for one, but may not for others!
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:49 am
Deepbluesea, thank you for your kind words. I am so glad that you have found writing as an outlet for the depressing feelings we all experience in life’s situations. Some people take a lifetime to figure out how to compartmentalize those thoughts and feelings and some never get it. Crystal
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:55 am
Icy, thank you so much for your kind words of support and encouragement. They truly do mean the world to me. I have had a few people write to me, not in comment section, and say that God is the only real answer to depression and mental illness and therefore it is not irresponsible to write articles of that nature. So I am very glad someone else brought the point up of what works for one may not for the other because really how would I argue against God except to say that God expects us not to be stupid and help ourselves. Thank you again for your commment. Peace and Love, Crystal