Let's Get Real!

Let’s get real sistuhs!
We don’t like to talk about depression. We avoid dealing with it by eating and drinking too much; smoking weed or crack; working too many hours; and engaging in promiscuous or unsafe sex –to ease our pain, anxiety, frustration, and rage.
The stressors –
Hostile environments on the job, raising children, keeping our husbands or partners happy, and paying bills.
And yet we suffer.
From diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep disorders. We need to start dealing with this silent epidemic that is killing us. Because, depression doesn’t go away on its own. It might let up for a minute. It may temporarily go away, but when it comes back-it comes back with a vengeance.
Get help!
Find a therapist. Some therapists take insurance, others work on a sliding fee scale. Try a teaching hospital. I received excellent care from resident doctors at an outpatient clinic of a teaching hospital.
You may have to go on medication. That’s ok too! The combination of therapy and medication is best for getting yourself stabilized. We also need to get past the shame and guilt our community has put on us for seeking help. Unfortunately, too many of us have equated depression as a white man’s disease. It’s a human disease! It crosses all races, ages, cultures, and socioeconomic lines. Give yourself permission to get healthy –physically, psychologically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
It’s your life!

Carmen