Show 270 Bad News But We Can Deal With It

This podcast has always talked about treatment options and resources. I always will. 

And sometimes that includes talking about uncomfortable things. Or boring things, things so boring they make your eyes glaze over.  

This is definitely true cuz I have been known to go long winded. But if this helps you in your treatment process or understand possible resources process, I'll do it. 

Because that episode that you cut off after four minutes might be the one you come back to a year from now. It happens.

My intent is to be respectful. I might slip up on that. If I don't catch it in the editing process then I will have to own up to it. I have my own opinions and biases.  

My intent is to be informative with viable, and authoritative sources. You can agree with them or disagree. That is your choice.

I need to do this because someone I don't know needs to know this information. If you don't need it or think it is a waste of time, then tune out. 

In this episode, some news items about accessing treatment. It isn't good news but you do need to know why trying to find help is even harder than before the pandemic.

Resources Mentioned: 

Column from the Washington Post called The pandemic could drive another national health crisis, GAO warns: Anxiety. For our oversees folks, the GAO is the Government Accountability Office. 

The actual report from GAO Highlights GAO-22-104437 goes deep into who and what populations are affected.

The New Your Times Well section "We Surveyed 1,320 Therapists, and the News Isn’t Good" The story is behind a paywall. 

From California Take Action 4 Mental Health site, downloadable Understanding the Spectrum of Mental Health PDF about how to have a better idea if you are in trouble or in the danger zone.


If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 269 - You Don't Choose Depression

No sane or crazy person would.  But that doesn't stop the market place and the uninformed from saying stupid stuff. 

This is a pebble in the road about what is depression. I'm thinking if I make enough pebbles, I'll get an episode out. It is hard when you have to fight for every single word. 

There are people writing articles, books and podcasts. Many of those people want you to spend money on thinking yourself out of the diagnosed version of depression. 

It doesn't work like that. 

One way to think about depression is being enveloped into a fog life of no highs, no lows just gray. 

Everything is gray. And that voice in the head that is telling you it will never get better because you aren't worth getting better.

And you have to fight through that fog and that awful voice just to stay alive and prove it wrong. 

There are people you don't know who are doing wonderful things but they are fighting through the fog too. Some of them have stated they have the condition. Others keep it on the down low. Either way, it is a struggle.

One of the resources that I mention in the episode is for the National Institute of Mental Health booklet on Depression. You can read it on their website or download the PDF version.

Resources Mentioned: 

Helpguide.org post on Depression Symptoms and Warning Signs

National Institute of Mental Health booklet on Depression. 

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.