Special Message: Enough!
You may have seen the news that actor and comedian Robin Williams reportedly took his own life on Monday. I was on a plane when I heard, and the guy next to me just kept saying over and over, “He was only 63!” That was my seatmate’s age and mine as well. One of the contributing factors was depression. I know it was severe depression and needed to be treated by physicians, but there’s plenty of mild to moderate depression going around.
We don’t know all the details, but I’ve had enough—enough of men, especially baby boomer men, who refuse to acknowledge they might be depressed. They certainly won’t bother to get an actual diagnosis. They walk around fatigued, tired, and unable to accomplish anything. Those are signs of depression? Yes!
I don’t want any more tragedies especially for men in my age group! I want them to become productive again and be able to have the vigor they used to have.
Many people, especially men, don’t want to address depression because they believe there’s a stigma attached. That’s why Paula talks about her battle with depression and urges me to talk about it, too: the more people open up about it, the less effective the stigma becomes.
My mother-in-law spent years living half a life. We always suspected she was depressed, but she refused to take that medication. When she moved into continuing care, she was given an antidepressant along with her other meds, and she came alive—more like the person Paula and Steve remembered from childhood. Her last few years were some of her best. If you suspect you may be depressed, don’t wait until you’re in a nursing home to treat it. I guess the other side of that coin is that it’s never too late to feel better.
Not everyone will need an antidepressant, but that’s getting ahead of the game. I don’t want any more tragedies but even more, I want men and women in my age group—baby boomers—and of all ages to really live every day they’re alive. If you have a friend or family member in trouble, speak up. I know you don’t want to meddle, and neither do I, but meddling is a whole lot better than watching people fritter their life away.
For men only: quit playing games. I always say you can’t walk off a heart attack. Well, you can’t walk off depression without some guidance. So get off it and get after it. Today!
What are you prepared to do today?
Dr. Chet
