Patricia Stoll
December 14th, 2007
My story isn’t too dramatic, but it’s honest. I have dealt with numerous ailments, including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. While these things are difficult to deal with alone, I am also clinically depressed. And I’m proud to say I’m no longer embarrassed to talk about it.Talking about it has really been my key to happiness. I started feeling like I was losing control of my life when my mother passed away a few years ago. My husband and I had to move, and everything in my life seemed to be in this phase of change that I could not deal with. I had a breakdown and finally admitted that I couldn’t handle this alone. Admitting that you need help is just the hardest thing to do sometimes, I know. I finally admitted to my family that, yes, I needed some help to learn how to be happy again…I went to the doctor and told her I needed something to help me get through this difficult part of my life. She helped me get on the right medicine with the right dosage. I had to experiment before we got it just right, but patience is key — it usually takes about a month to adjust to the medicine and see it work the way it’s supposed to.
The thing is, doctors don’t always know you are unhappy or struggling unless you voice it to them. YOU have to say YOU NEED HELP. No one else will ever know or help you solve the problem if they are unaware of it in the first place. It’s hard to say that you need the help of others, but once you initially reach out, there will be someone to catch you. My advice to others would be to seek the help you need… and to always keep going, even when you feel you are ready to drop down and quit. I’m still going, and for that I’m proud.
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