One student’s struggle with depression

by Logan Laszczyk LAS01001@BYUI.EDU Scroll Staff

It was a good life; the Lord was blessing her. So, why was she so miserable?

“I came to the conclusion that it must be my fault. I wasn’t praying or reading my scriptures enough or something. I must have deserved to be punished. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t fix it,” Jane said.

Jane, a student at BYU-Idaho, suffers from depression.

Depression is a common biochemical disorder that affects over 17 million American adults annually, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

“I feel uncomfortable talking to others about my depression because there is a tendency to treat those with depressive disorders differently, and I don’t want people to walk on pins and needles around me,” Jane said.

“You can’t tell a person has depression just by looking at them; you have to be close to them.”

Depression is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Last month scientists at Myriad Genetics Inc. in Salt Lake City claimed to have identified a gene called DEP1 which may be linked to depression.

“The DEP1 discovery suggests there also are other neurological chemicals, some produced by the gene itself, involved in the onset of depression,” according to the Wall Street Journal.

Environmental factors increase the likelihood of depression manifesting itself. “An external event often seems to initiate an episode of depression. Thus, a serious loss, chronic illness, difficult relationship, financial problem, or any unwelcome change in life patterns can trigger a depressive episode,” Peter J. Panzarino, Jr., M.D. on www.medicinenet.com said.

Jane said the new pressures of marriage and children helped trigger her depression. She was a newlywed, pregnant and living far away from friends and family. However, the disorder wasn’t diagnosed until almost two years later.

“I don’t think my depression would have been diagnosed at all, except my doctor was also my cousin. It was about six months after having my second child and I was seeing her for a routine checkup. She asked how things were going and I told her about a ‘bad day.’ She was quick to realize it was more than just a bad day,” Jane said.

Women, especially younger women, are the most susceptible to depression.

“Depression has been called the most significant mental health risk for women, especially younger women of childbearing and childrearing age,” according to www.medicinenet.com.

Everybody experiences occasional “down” moments. Soon though, life is back to normal and they are able to cope with life. But a person with major depression generally experiences a depressed mood for longer than two weeks while losing interest or pleasure in nearly everything, according to www.medicinenet.com.

“When you’re down, prayer or deciding to change your attitude is enough. But with depression you can’t just will it away. You need help,” Jane said.

Jane found help in taking medication and receiving therapy.

“It took me a long time to realize that taking medication and seeing a counselor was necessary. My counselor told me, ‘If you were diabetic you wouldn’t be ashamed you needed insulin. Try to think of your medication the same way.’”

Jane still battles with depression, but with the help of her medication and therapy she is able to live her life.

“The Savior has taken upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people. He knows how to succor us. For me, it was being diagnosed and receiving help from the medication and therapy. The complete despair is gone; the misery is gone. Hope and the ability to experience joy has returned,” she said.