Approximately seven weeks ago I met a twenty-five-year-old woman named Rachael who is bipolar and who is also dependent on alcohol and drugs.  I remember hearing that under such circumstances, a person needs to get counseling for both medical problems and that mental health problems and chemical dependency commonly occur in the same person.  What is more, I recollect hearing that a history of hazardous and abusive drinking, drug addiction, and/or mental health issues quite often take place in the same family.

Obviously, Rachael is so overwhelmed by both of her medical problems that she in effect has no ambition to complete much of anything.  What is particularly sad about this is that earlier in her life, Rachael managed to complete one-and-a-half years of college.  Rachael’s condition makes me wonder if she is an example of an individual who has to hit life’s bottom before he or she gets alcohol and drug dependency treatment that results in lasting sobriety.

The Need For a Healthcare Professional She Trusts and a Counseling Protocol She Can Believe In

If I were in communication with Rachael I could advise her about a number of websites that could possibly help her learn more about addiction and alcoholic behavior, relevant chemical dependency information, facts about alcoholism and drugs, and more information about addiction symptoms and alcoholism warning signs.  From where I stand, however, Rachael needs to locate a psychologist she trusts and a rehab regimen she can believe in and follow through over the long haul.  I could be in the wrong but it seems to make sense that Rachael more likely than not needs to accept the fact that she cannot drink in moderation or use drugs if she wants to get sober, remain sober, and start on the road to long-term recovery.

I am aware that there are more than a few newly produced doctor-prescribed medications that can help Rachael avoid a drug and an alcohol drug relapse, help her through the drug and alcohol detoxification process, and help her through her withdrawal symptoms.  Clearly it would be in Rachael’s best interests if she became familiar with these drugs.

It is apparent that Rachael needs to accept the fact that there is absolutely nothing positive about hazardous drinking and chemical dependency and that engaging in one or both situations is the path to financial difficulties, shattered relationships, poor work and school performance, legal problems, deteriorating health, and a premature death.

The Relevance of Support Groups Such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous

There are feasibly several persons such as family members, other people, and friends who would love to help Rachael but she more likely than not would experience greater sympathy from a support group such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous rather than listening to individuals who drink responsibly or who have never taken drugs.

When Individuals Do Things They Love and About Which They Are Fervent

There’s a philosophical outlook that states that people who accomplish things they love and something about which they are fervent reach a fantastic place in life.  Stated more specifically, when people do what they love, they rarely if ever go through an uneventful life or boredom.  If they get involved in something that is gratifying, what is more, they become more whole and experience more happiness and delight in life.

To me, this sounds like the exact opposite of a life that is centered in drug and alcohol addiction because such a lifestyle removes the satisfaction and delight that life offers.

Because Rachael lacks the grit to succeed at doing much of anything in her life, it is evident that she badly needs a little hope for a better life.  And the unfortunate thing is that hope is all around Rachael if she could only get to the place in life to get the counseling she needs for her mental illness and drug addiction and alcoholism and stick with her treatment protocol.

A Wonderful Life, Self Respect, and Beneficial Change Are Possibilities

Rachael is clearly too young to be defeated in life.  She doesn’t understand this at this time in her life but if she can learn how to refrain from drugs and alcohol through alcohol and drug rehab and get the counseling she needs for her manic depression issue, she can reorient her life and start living with self-respect, passion, and direction.

Productive change, self esteem, and a wonderful life are certainly a reality for Rachael if only she could get motivated to get the medical treatment she needs, follow through with her treatment regimen, live her life in a drug and alcohol-free and healthy manner, and acquire a more positive attitude about her life.

You have to understand depression before you can treat it. Depression is no laughing matter because about 15 million people in America suffer from it. The alarming dilemma is that over a third of those Americans will not seek any type of treatment. The most important is that adolescent depression should be treated as soon as possible. Too many Americans are still tarnished by the age-old stereotype associated with any mental illness.  Their character is so important that they don’t want a label like “crazy” to tarnish it.  In order to treat depression it must be diagnosed. To be diagnosed, those that suffer have to seek assistance. That’s the terrible merry go round of depression.

Depression has many causes. Biological, emotional, environmental and physical factors can result in depression. The genetic link cannot be ignored as well. Many diseases are passed on through a family. It’s not just family history but also family dynamics. Living comes along with a lot of stress. Some undergo a daily fight just to make ends meet. For others the stress comes from making it in the world. Despair can stem from people having been sexually abused, or even emotionally scarred. It’s a long list. 

The worst part about depression is that in the early stages it is sometimes hard to diagnose. Someone you love may be suffering from this illness and you would find it hard to see obvious symptoms. Sadness on occasion is part of life. This is natural. Depression is more than just temporary sadness. Early detection is no longer an option when your whole life begins changing. Those suffering from depression tend to feel all alone and disgusted with life. That is why they need depression help immediately before it grows too late. Signs of hope in their lives are gone. Sleep habits and enjoyment from life no longer exist. Treatment is now needed before the illness worsens. 

In treating depression you have to reinstall hope and purpose into those that are suffering. This stage of treatment comes through talking. It’s effective after months and sometimes years of treatment. The medical professional also has the option of prescribing anti-depressants like Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celex, or Luvox. These medicines are effective but they come with some side effects. Fortunately, there are other safer techniques to overcome depression. Depression treatment with natural herbs has also proven to work well. Another effective solution is a depression support group. Medical professionals should be consulted if you or someone you know shows symptoms of depression.

Dysthymia is another name for chronic depression.  This disease can be serious, although not as serious as attacks with major depression.  Someone you know may have chronic depression and you would not know it. Typically someone with this illness can live a regular life. They go to work or school and go about their day to day lives without as much as creating a ripple in the water.  Of course it’s invisible to the outside world because the effects from this illness are on the inside. There are both physical and mental results from this disease. 

Chronic Depression will not cause you to cough, sneeze or run a fever. A rash won’t break out on your body. However, a victim of this illness may suffer from feelings of helplessness, worthlessness and hopelessness. Those affected may experience problems with sleep and insomnia. This illness can leave the victim with a constant sad or empty feeling that seems to consume them. Usually those affected by the disease may also experience episodes of thinking about death or suicide. Chronic depression isn’t always apparent. With mental illness it requires a close look and a lot of experience to recognize the symptoms because victims work hard to conceal the problem. Fighting depression this way is to avoid questioning from friends and family.

When you are dealing with depression there are a few major options for treatment.  One of the most popular approaches is Psychotherapy. You deal with mental illness with a mental approach. Through Psychotherapy the Doctor can attempt to find the cause of the depression and work towards infusing a positive outlook for the patient.  The other option is to prescribe antidepressants to help in controlling the disease.  Both Psychotherapy and drugs are generally combined to treat chronic depression.  Major Depression is often a result of Chronic Depression. Therefore, as in with any illness, early detection of the illness cannot be underestimated. 

When Chronic Depression cause problems in day to day life, it has become a problem. When your employment or social life begins to feel the impact of the change in your personality then action must be taken.  Those who suffer from Chronic Depression are not crazy or mentally insane. They have problems that need to be addressed and approached with care and support. Everyone is vulnerable to the possibility of confronting this illness. Knowing about it can help you or a loved on in the future.