Living in Darkness, dealing with depression interview #2
Editor’s note: The person responding to this interview requested to be anonymous.
What was your experience with depression before you began travel?
Since I now have years of 20/20 hindsight, I can say that I have probably been depressed since I was a child. A seemingly charmed upper middle class American life was fraught with turmoil, and sexual abuse at the hands of my father. However, it wasn’t until I was in my late 20’s that clinical depression became a “thing” and was acknowledged and addressed by the medical community on a large scale, but the stigma still existed and I did much to ignore it. I always tried to convince myself that it was situational, and if I changed this or that the depression would cure itself.
How has living with depression impacted your life?
It impacted every moment of my life. From the ability to stay on top of bills, to the university classes I was trying to complete, to the ability to maintain a relationship with my daughter, as well as relationships with friends and significant others. I found myself becoming increasingly selfish, although I am, by nature, a very giving person. I lost a great deal before I was able to recognize the situation for what it was, an illness.
What types of medications or medication alternatives have you used to try to treat it?
I was prescribed a multitude of antidepressants, but the side effects made it very difficult to maintain the daily dose. I couldn’t deal with the spaced-out feeling, the drowsiness, and the sense of absolute numbness. It was almost as if I had traded feeling sad and hopeless for feeling nothing at all. I was also prescribed, and over prescribed, Xanax for anxiety, but that was a slippery slope I wasn’t prepared to go down, and I found myself addicted. Because I was under the care of a county mental health system, my medications and my reactions to them weren’t monitored very closely, and I found myself in worse shape than when I started. I had to self-wean from Xanax, which is a dangerous undertaking even with medical supervision. Luckily, I survived.
Was it hard to consider travel during depressive episodes?
For me, travel was the thing that kept me treading water. Just the thought of seeing, doing and experiencing something new allowed me to escape when I had those moments when I was stuck in my head. When I finally did begin my long-term travel quest I found myself in a country whose medical community doesn’t subscribe to the US method of tossing antidepressant prescriptions around like candy. With the help of a kind and knowledgeable psychiatrist, I became drug free in a matter of months.
What have you noticed about how depression has affected you during your travels?
Honestly, in the two and a half years that I have been traveling, my symptoms have lessened dramatically. When I do have “those” moments, I feel like my own self-coping skills have increased to the point that I have no problem handling my situation. I also have the support of a very kind, grounded and rational person who has helped me in more ways than I can count.
If you have long time periods when you don’t travel, do you tend to experience a relapse?
Not so much anymore. Again, I think the coping skills I’ve learned as well as the support I receive have helped me maintain through all types of situations.
Does living with depression change how frequently you travel?
Not in the slightest. There will never be a time that I turn down a travel opportunity because I’m depressed. Just like many other people who have found that their passion is bigger than the disease, I have mine, and it has worked well so far!
Have you found any non-travel-related activities that have a similar impact for you?
Exercise always helps, as does eating well
What advice do you have for other people who are dealing with depression?
Listen to your doctors, but listen to yourself more. Investigate alternative therapies that don’t involve pharmaceuticals. Get involved in an activity that takes you outside of yourself.
January 15, 2013
I am enjoying the series Talon, and thank those willing to open up and share. Although I don’t suffer from depression myself, close family members do. This helps provide more insight into what they are going through.
January 15, 2013
I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying it and finding it helpful!
January 14, 2013
I’m with Dani — just love this series. Very moved by this person’s interview and the strength they have found pursuing their passion!!
January 14, 2013
I was quite moved, too. I’m so happy they shared their story.
January 14, 2013
I love this series. As someone who is bi-polar, and who has learned how to make it work for my benefit (and deal with it when it doesn’t), it’s great to hear about how other people deal too. Especially listening to someone who also doesn’t take meds, or much meds. (All i have, is what i stock-piled last year before I lost insurance…so I can only afford to take my meds when i really, really need them).
This is an amazing series. Depression and related illnesses don’t define someone, and hearing about people who still have full lives, and aren’t confined to the couch (like our society thinks we are destined to be) is uplifting. Everyone has something they have to deal with in life. This is just one of them.
January 14, 2013
So very true, Dani. And I’m glad you’re enjoying the series!