Giving Voice to Depression

In the podcast episode titled "Recovering from the Trauma of a Natural Disaster," hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz welcome Tara Pyfrom, who shares her harrowing experience during Hurricane Dorian in 2019, which devastated her family’s home in the Bahamas.

Tara recounts the terrifying moments when she and her family (she, her wife, their 6-year-old daughter and 5 dogs) sought refuge in their attic as rising floodwaters threatened their lives.

Tara has faced significant challenges in dealing with PTSD and depression in the aftermath. She emphasizes the importance of finding ways to process trauma, including writing and therapy, which played a critical role in her recovery.

While still grappling with the impacts of her experience, Tara shares that she has found happiness again, illustrating that healing from trauma is a gradual journey that requires patience and continuous steps forward.

The episode encourages listeners to acknowledge their struggles, seek help, and embrace creative outlets as tools for healing.to follow.

A link to Tara's website with information about her book: https://tarapyfrom.com/about-me

In this episode of Giving Voice to Depression, hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz revisit an interview with Bob, a suicide attempt survivor who shares his profound journey from despair to hope. The episode is particularly timely as it concludes Suicide Prevention Month.

Bob recounts his past struggles with depression and a suicide attempt. He describes how he felt like a burden to those around him and how his struggles seemed insurmountable. 

An impactful turning point came when he was unexpectedly touched by the compassion of a nurse who showed him genuine care and support during his recovery in the hospital. This experience made Bob reconsider his worth and helped lead him to a path of healing.

The episode highlights Bob’s commitment to recovery, including his intensive therapy regimen and personal growth. He emphasizes the importance of therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, and the value of maintaining a routine and reaching out for support when needed.

Bob's story underscores that recovery is possible and that even after a suicide attempt, one can find fulfillment and happiness. The episode concludes with Terry and Anita reflecting on Bob's journey and the crucial messages of hope, support, and self-worth that it conveys.

The podcast serves as a reminder of the importance of discussing mental health openly and seeking help, reinforcing that recovery is possible and that each person deserves to live a fulfilling life despite their struggles.

Post-Hospitalization Risks episode referenced: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2032100/13540572

The podcast episode "Recovery is Worth the Hard Work" from Giving Voice to Depression highlights Renee's personal journey of overcoming childhood trauma and depression through extensive emotional and psychological work. 

Co-hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz introduce the episode by emphasizing the importance of sharing lived experiences to offer hope for those suffering from depression.

Renee, who was first featured on this podcast five years prior, reflects on her transformation over the past decade, focusing on group therapy, art therapy, and the hard emotional labor of facing past trauma. She explains how group therapy, where participants share similar experiences, provided validation and support. Art therapy also allowed her to express emotions for which words were insufficient.

Renee candidly discusses how depression, especially in her younger years, led to suicidal ideation and an attempt that resulted in hospitalization. Today, however, she emphasizes that while recovery is difficult, it is possible through hard work. Renee explains how her life and mindset have dramatically shifted, moving from a place of passivity and masking her emotions to becoming confident and proactive in her mental health. 

She acknowledges that depression can make hope seem distant, but insists that change and healing are achievable if individuals commit to the necessary effort.

The episode stresses that recovery requires consistent work, whether through therapy, boundaries, or other forms of self-care. Renee uses the metaphor of cleaning out a messy closet—healing can be chaotic and painful, but the result is worth the effort. She also notes that her mental health improvements have positively impacted her physical health, highlighting the mind-body connection.

The hosts end by emphasizing that recovery isn't about simply overcoming depression but about actively working toward change. Through Renee’s story, they encourage listeners to recognize that while the journey is challenging, the reward is a better, healthier life.

Renee's earlier episode: 

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2032100/13540497

If you wrote a song, in the depths of depression -- about your depression-- what would it sound like?

Singer/songwriter Demetra Prochaska wrote a hauntingly beautiful song called "i am not okay," that is both a call for help and a musical tribute to the depths of depression's darkness.

Demetra shares her experience with depression, which began in her early teens, coinciding with her parents' divorce. She talks about her struggles, including a ten-month stay in a residential treatment center and the challenges she faced during the pandemic in 2020.

The episode highlights Demetra's coping mechanisms, such as seeking help from trusted adults and learning to check in with herself daily. Her journey is also expressed through her music, particularly the song she shares here, capturing her raw emotions during a dark period. 

Demetra's journey emphasizes the importance of reaching out for support, the power of feeling heard, and the therapeutic value of music. It concludes with a full play of "i am not okay," offering listeners a poignant reflection on the realities of living with depression.

To hear more of Demetra's music, check out her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCijatOUHQY9g-hjS4_mBzqQ

This episode of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast, titled "Dude, You're Depressed!" features Ted Perry, a television news anchor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, sharing his personal experience with depression. Ted initially hesitated to listen to this podcast, fearing it would be depressing. However, after researching it for a story, he began to reflect on his own struggles and the value of sharing our stories. 

Ted discusses his long battle with depression, which he believes began in his late teens. He shares how he resisted seeking help initially, despite encouragement from a friend, but eventually sought therapy after his father's death. Therapy and medication became crucial tools in his recovery, allowing him to manage his depression.

Ted emphasizes the importance of hope, protective factors like exercise, pets, and faith, and the need to build a personal toolbox of coping strategies. He also talks about the stigma surrounding depression and how it caused him to hide his struggles for years, leading to regrets about lost time and missed relationships.

Throughout the episode, Ted stresses that depression is not a character flaw, and he encourages others to seek help and maintain hope during their darkest times. The podcast aims to provide comfort, understanding, and hope to those affected by depression.

In this episode of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast, hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz explore the topic of postpartum depression (PPD) from the perspective of a partner, Justin, whose wife Kristen experienced PPD after the births of their two children. The discussion highlights how unrecognized PPD can go untreated, as was the case with Kristen’s first episode. The hosts emphasize that PPD is a common but often unspoken condition that can have severe impacts if not addressed.

Justin shares his journey of realizing something was wrong with his wife after their second child was born. Initially, neither of them recognized the signsof PPD, attributing Kristen's symptoms to "baby blues." However, when her symptoms persisted, Justin gently suggested that she seek help by first offering to be evaluated himself, which ultimately led to Kristen's diagnosis. Justin's approach is praised as sensitive and supportive, demonstrating how partners can play a crucial role in recognizing and addressing PPD.

The episode underscores the importance of awareness and education for partners and family members in identifying PPD symptoms, which often go unspoken due to stigma or lack of knowledge. Justin's experience is used to encourage others to ask the right questions and offer support without judgment.

The podcast also touches on the broader issue of women's mental health during hormonal transitions, such as menopause, and stresses the need for better communication and support systems. The episode concludes with practical advice for caregivers, including encouraging new mothers to get screened for PPD.

Related links: 
https://www.familyaware.org/EPDS/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9312-postpartum-depression

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/postpartum-mood-disorders-what-new-moms-need-to-know

A psychiatrist who has treated more than 3,000 people with depression, says it's time to re-frame how we characterize, treat and view people with depression.
The current way is not only stigmatizing and potentially dangerous, but flat-out wrong in his experience.

In fact, Dr. Tim Cantopher says he views depression as "the curse of the strong!"
Cantopher writes: "It's strong people who are most vulnerable to it (depression); people whose standards are high, whose ethics are powerful, who want their lives to be meaningful. Strong people, like you."

Learn more in this 19-minute episode.   

Link to Dr. Cantopher's book if you're interested in learning more:
Depressive Illness: The Curse Of The Strong: The Curse of the Strong (3rd Edition): Cantopher, Tim: 9781847092359: Amazon.com: Books

In this episode of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast, co-hosts Terry and Dr. Anita Sanz engage in a meaningful discussion with their guest, Sean, about his experiences with anxiety and depression. Sean shares his journey, starting with being diagnosed as a teenager and growing up in a household that openly acknowledged and addressed mental health issues. His candidness about his mental health struggles, including his use of medication and therapy, sets the stage for a broader conversation on how the younger generation handles mental health.

Sean's upbringing in a mental health-aware environment, particularly due to his mother's understanding and lived experiences with anxiety, allowed him to discuss his own struggles without shame. He emphasizes the importance of being honest about mental health with trusted individuals and how social media has facilitated more open conversations about these topics.

Sean's narrative also highlights the supportive dynamics within his friend group, where they accommodate each other's mental health needs and foster an environment of empathy and care. This approach contrasts with the experiences of previous generations and underscores a positive cultural shift towards greater acceptance and support for mental health issues.

Throughout the episode, Terry and Anita reflect on the evolving understanding of mental health, from stigma to education and empathy, and the importance of inclusion and support. The conversation with Sean serves as a hopeful example of how openly addressing mental health can lead to deeper connections and a more compassionate society.

People with heart problems do not wait for a heart attack to address them.
People with diabetes do not rely solely on an EpiPen to control their illness.
And people with mental health challenges cannot wait until suicidal thoughts necessitate emergency actions.
Self-care and depression-management involve tuning in with your changing thoughts/moods, establishing and using a safety plan and personalized tools that work for you.
No illness is easier to treat when it's an emergency.

https://988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/

https://qz.com/1381952/suicide-hotlines-really-do-save-lives-i-know-because-one-saved-mine/

Suicide prevention hotlines are available 24/7, ensuring there is always somewhere and someone you can turn to when in crisis.
That does not mean there is no one in your life who would help, though it may mean depression has convinced you that's the case.
 
Corinne Purtill credits the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline with saving her life, and she's speaking up so that we'll know the bottom does not need to mean the end.

That line, now called the 988 Lifeline, has changed from its former 800-number to the easier to remember 3-digit number, 9-8-8 in the U.S. and Canada. You can text or chat to the number, if you prefer that to calling.

https://988lifeline.org/

https://988lifeline.org/chat/

https://qz.com/1381952/suicide-hotlines-really-do-save-lives-i-know-because-one-saved-mine/