My Holistic Approach to Depression

I usually don't respond to the harsh critiques of my blog, but I need to defend myself on this one because it echoes the bullying statements I hear very often from some family members and friends, especially those who embrace the philosphies of Rhonda Byrne and Abraham Hicks. On the combox of my post "Heath Ledger: He Was Ill":

I am considering canceling my subscription to this newsletter because of how it seems to give inordinate space to the Beyond Blue column, and how this column really annoys me because of its insistence on a pharmacological fix, in spite of the overwhelming evidence that meds are dangerously tricky and also disempowering.

Looking at Ledger's death through your lenses of "depression and medication" may turn out to be terribly inaccurate and I feel sickened that you felt entitled to make your assessment before the evidence is in.

Two days ago, at my doctor's visit, I ended up crying, again, as I talked about my resentment toward those people in my life who took advantage of my suicidal days as an opportunity to push their philosophies about the Law of Attraction. They scared me by saying "You are losing your personality to medication," and "Medicine is today's biggest industry--It's a conspiracy, and you are the guinea pig." They very strongly encouraged me to go off all of my meds, to center myself, and look to the light. They performed Reiki on me.

And they told me, as I sobbed: "You are a weak person if you have to rely on medication. It's a shame you weren't stronger."

I believed them for a very long time. Too long. And so whenever I hear someone sound like them, I have to put my hands in my ears and yell this message:

1.) Depression is a legitimate brain disease, as legitimate as cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and dementia. For the medical reports and explanations, read Peter Kramer's "Against Depression." Or read my post "Depression Is a Brain Disease."

2.) I have seen what happens when people who have mood disorders don't take accountability for their illnesses--what happens when they rely soley on positive thinking and visualization techniques: their family members have to pick up the pieces and do all of the responsibilities that the person has neglected because he/she won't take medication, or is in denial. Or they take their own lives. At the age of 16, I saw that too (my Godmother, a bipolar, took her life then.)

3.) I am holistic in my approach. I engage body, mind, and spirit in my recovery more than you know. I think about my brain at every meal, conversation, and work out.I pray. I meditate. I take fish-oil capsules. I exercise like Lance Armstrong. I get outside. I use a light lamp. I get regular sleep. I keep a gratitude journal. I try to do charity.

4.) The most irresponsible thing for me to do right now for my family would be for me to go off my meds. I have seen what happens when I do. So part of the reason I stay on, and not experiment with weaning is because I love them. I love them so much that I will take my meds, even if I don't want to.

Please. Don't say things like you just did. If you only knew how hurt I still am by those who utter similar words to my face, at my lowest point, you would take them back. At least I hope you would. Support those who face mental illness head on, and don't hide behind empty feel-good philosophies.

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