_____________________________________ BATTLING
DEPRESSION … AND WINNING!
by T. K. MARION I had never
been an underachiever. Despite a failed marriage, I climbed the corporate ladder
with much hard work and determination, eventually ending up in management in the
financial industry, my chosen field. I earned excellent wages from my employers,
won several awards, and was highly respected by peers and co-workers. Along the
way I purchased a new home, new car, had a wonderful girlfriend, and had even
begun a career as a novelist of historical fiction. I was, you might say, standing
on the peak of Mount Everest, primed to reach for the stars. Then it happened. It
started in July 2003 in the form of an avalanche. It was a horrifying journey,
during which I quit my job, lost my sports car, my home to bankruptcy, and ultimately
my lovely girlfriend. Perhaps worse, I lost my confidence and self-esteem. In
the blink of an eye, I had toppled from Mount Everest to the fiery pit of failure
and depression, with no ambition, no future, and little hope of recovering what
I had once had. I became so distraught, I had but three choices: seek proper medical
help; turn to a life of crime just to survive; or commit the ungodly act of suicide.
Sadly enough, I was leaning toward the latter. But why? Why does a happy,
successful man suddenly turn into a worthless human being with daily thoughts
of ending his life? A case of bad luck? Hardly. You see, the aforementioned scenario
had happened not once, not twice, but many times previous in my life. In fact,
it took me fifty-three years to come to grips with bipolar disorder, a medical
term that was as foreign to me as the back side of the moon. This strange mental
disease is defined as one of severe anxiety complicated by violent mood swings
of mania and depression. It can drop a person from a manic state to the bowels
of depression and recurring thoughts of self-harm. But I got lucky, very
lucky. Days, perhaps hours from taking that mortal plunge, a good friend implored
me to seek help. When my parents discovered what was happening, they took prompt
action and pointed me in the right direction—professional medical care. With
the help of two psychiatrists, four kinds of medication, and psychotherapy, from
which I am still benefiting, I am combating bipolar disorder on more favorable
terms. After more than two years of treatment, I am, God willing, on the
road to recovery. I have vowed to win the battle against this obscene mental disease
and go forward with my life. Because I know who and what I am, I continue to educate
myself about bipolar disorder and of the many ways of treatment and recovery that
go beyond the boundaries of therapy and prescription medicines. A national advocacy
organization, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), of which I am a member,
has helped me enormously in my ongoing journey to recovery. (I am currently serving
on the board of directors for NAMI Berks County, Pennsylvania.) NAMI has
many programs to assist people afflicted with mental illness. One which has helped
me significantly is WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan). NAMI also has excellent
educational programs for families to cope with loved ones who are saddled with
various mental illnesses. From everything I’ve learned in the past two years,
I am committed in helping to educate the public to understand the ramifications
of mental diseases and eradicate the stigmas associated with same. I am a bonafide
example that there is hope for people like me to return to a productive and meaningful
life. If I can promote my story in any way that would benefit people with mental
illness, I will consider it a victory, one which will allow me to reach for and
capture those elusive stars of success and happiness. Being the resilient, overachiever
I am, I know I will. _____________________________________
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