Reflection on Depression

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die

Here's a link to Steve Jobs's 2005 Stanford commencement address. I stumbled on it last night while watching TED talks (I guess it has been posted as a sort of honorary TED talk).  It's worth a look, and it's only 15 minutes--not like the painfully long commencement address at my college graduation. Although not directly related to depression, it provides great advice about how to live life -- both life before illness, as well as life after survival. 

Jobs talks about following his gut even when it means veering off the well-worn path, handling loss and rejection after being fired from Apple, and his effort to keep in mind that any day could be his last. From how he describes his reaction to being (mis)diagnosed with terminal cancer, it seems like the experience didn't radically alter the way he lives like it does for some people. Instead, it confirmed his approach. That's a sign of a life well-lived.

Ron Artest: Children's Mental Health Hero

A lot of kids need help with emotional regulation--whether it's to control aggression, anger, depression, or anxiety.  Ron Artest is a role model for them all.  He's a major champion of counseling and mental health services, especially in public schools where mental health resources are scarce. 

Artest even auctioned off his championship ring and pledged most of his $7 million 2011 salary to help put more psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists in schools.  That's a lot of money, but Artest noted that he's lost that much money before--namely, in 2004 when he received the longest suspension in NBA history after a brawl at a Pacers-Pistons game that spilled over into the stands. Last year he credited his therapist with getting him back on track, and he wants to make sure all kids have access to the same type of help.

Ron Artest and Children's Mental Health Care

Howie Mandel comments on Charlie Sheen

Last night I saw Piers Morgan interview Howie Mandel on CNN.  Mandel described his OCD as "torture" and explained that he doesn't consider it a laughing matter, even though the popular media makes OCD jokes at his expense. Voicing concern over the entertainment value the media has found in Charlie Sheen's breakdown, he noted that addiction and mania are serious mental illnesses like OCD and should be treated accordingly.   

Madel's story inspires me. Living with irrational thoughts (whether manic, paranoid, depressive, or germ-phobic) is not an easy road to hoe, but he copes. His approach to OCD reminds of Montel Williams' approach to MS. Although Williams admits he is in nearly constant pain, especially in his legs, he doesn't let the pain overshadow all else. He embraces the imperfection that comes with chronic illness, putting illness in its place and preventing it from taking over his life.

Update on a father's journey

See a father's journey for updates on the progress of Guy Fessenden, who is running cross country to raise money for NARSAD (National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression -- although NARSAD funds research into a lot of different disorders, not just schizophrenia and depression) in honor of his daughter who suffers from schizophrenia and depression.

Guy is now in Arizona (after starting in Georgia). He runs a marathon a day and has "only" 650 miles to go, after already running 2,000.  On his website you can donate to NARSAD.

How thoughtful!

Starbucks' non-fat miso is my favorite morning beverage (I have no idea why it's called a miso--it has nothing to do with miso soup. Plus, everywhere else the drink is called a cafe au lait).  [Jan. 5 update:  someone explained that it's actually called a "misto," the Italian word for "mixed".]

Anyway, I overheard a barista talking with another customer while I waited for my misto on New Year's Eve.  The customer commented that she came to Starbucks on Christmas day and was surprised the store had been so busy.  "Maybe it's because there are so many people here from other cultures--cultures that don't celebrate Christmas."  (Not that there's anything wrong to going to Starbucks on Christmas even if you do celebrate it--I did :) ). 

The Barista agreed and added "It's good people come in. You know, there're a lot of suicides around the holidays. It's better people come here than stay at home." 

Next he called my name because my drink was ready. And as I approached the counter to grab my miso he looked into my eyes and said "Happy New Year. Have a great day."  He said it in a way that was more engaging that the normal exchange between employees and customers. His eyes said he cared and they gave me the impression that I could remain and talk to him if I needed someone to listen. His friendliness wasn't over the top or creepy. It was genuine and uplifting.

I got the impression that his behavior was tied to his prior comment about suicide--he wanted to touch every life and every path he crossed during the holidays. He was attuned to the pain that the holidays bring to some people, but still able to spread the joy that's at the heart of the season. Most of all, he was aware of the impact he could have on his customers. And he knew that, in rare instances, his kindness could be lifesaving.

To someone suffering from depression, that outreach, resulting in a very real and genuine positive interaction, is a much needed moment of recognition that warms the soul enough to survive the cold and sometimes unrelenting loneliness of the winter holidays. 

This man epitomized the holiday spirit. He didn't have much--being a barista is a pretty low-paying job--but he offered his customers what he could, and it was no doubt more valuable than money to some.

An inspiring story of how one soldier saved a friend from suicide

The Army can finally point to a concrete win in its battle against suicide. Read how a solider in Iraq saved a friend's life.  

Army Spc. Albert Godding received a medal this April for preventing the suicide of his friend, Spc. Joseph Sanders, while both were deployed in Iraq in 2008. Sanders was depressed over the breakup of his marriage, and confided to Godding that he was thinking about suicide. Worried that he might try to shoot himself, Godding removed the firing pin from Sanders' rifle. The next morning, when Sanders pulled the trigger, nothing happened.

The army's suicide prevention training seems to be working. Godding credits it with preparing him to save his friend's life. In this case, the army also did a good job providing follow up mental health services. After his suicide attempt Sanders was taken to a combat stress center where he was able to meet with a mental health professional while he recovered. Both Godding and Sanders are now participating in the Army's upcoming suicide-prevention video. 

Kendra Wilkinson acknowledges postpartum depression

I was encouraged to see reality star and former Playboy Playmate Kendra Wilkinson open up about her postpartum depression recently. She even admits to one of the more embarrassing but least talked about symptoms of depression--failure to complete those basic personal hygiene tasks that seem so difficult when depressed. 

In the weeks after delivering her first child, she admits she couldn't even brush her teeth or shower. It's comforting to know that someone as glamorous as Wilkinson has struggled with the same personal hygiene issues that plague many depression sufferers. I know that when I'm depressed I feel like a total failure when I can't even get out of bed to brush my teeth. But knowing Wilkinson was able to bounce back and recapture her glamour gives me hope.

Wilkinson credits husband Hank Baskett III and her family for getting her through the struggle. Hopefully her openness will inspire more new moms who suffer from postpartum depression to acknowledge the problem and reach out for help. 

In true playmate fashion, Kendra also credits having sex as helping her recover from her depression (although in this case, it was against doctor's orders because she had just given birth). 

Go Kendra! Both mom and baby seem to be healthy and happy now. 

Starplus - Kendra Wilkinson's depression

Great blogs about PPD:  

Postpartum Progress

Make mommy go something something

TED Talk: A Surgeon Beats Depression with Electroshock Therapy

TED's website has a fascinating collection of 20-minute speeches on "ideas worth spreading." The issues discussed range from technology and design to healthcare and the human condition. In this talk, Sherwin Nuland recounts his battle with severe depression, his close-call with lobotomy, and the electroshock therapy that saved his life. Ultimately able to return to his surgery practice and rebuild his life, his story is inspiring.

Sherwin Nuland on Electroshock Therapy