MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Overcoming Depression by T erry N ugent
M any, if not most, people are fortunate enough not to relate to those suffering from depression. That’s no offense against them. With all due respect to veterans, depression is a little like combat in this and perhaps only this respect: If you know, you know. If you’ve been there, you understand. If you haven’t, you can’t possibly imagine what it’s like. I wouldn’t wish that understanding on my worst enemy. I’ve been fortunate not to have any serious physical
Phase 1 The first step to surviving depression is to give yourself a break. Depression is not your fault. It’s a tragic genetic legacy passed down like original sin. One of the worst parts of being depressed is the shame that comes with it, which makes you more depressed – a doom loop. Bail yourself out of it. The truth is, you’re probably the only one blaming yourself. Everybody else knows and wants you back. Help them help you. Phase 2
illnesses (yet). But someday I will, and I’ll be curious to see how it compares to mental illness in gen- eral – and depression in particular. TWO WAYS OUT – AND ONE IS REALLY BAD There are two ways out of depression, and one is really bad – not so much for the person suffer- ing, but for those left behind. So, the first challenge is avoid- ing the easy way out. Lots of people don’t make it past Option 1, to
The next step is to hang in there until it ends, like COVID or the Great Depression. Many of us in pharma know about depression’s connection to serotonin – a chemical that keeps us content. Stress or setbacks can deplete serotonin, shutting the brain down, like a Tesla with a drained battery. From an evolu- tionary perspective, this may have
coin a euphemism. Almost every suicide is a depression case. You may recall the song Suicide is Painless , the theme song from M*A*S*H. Depression isn’t. To survive, the depressed must resist the temptation to end the pain and live to be delivered from the disease. My family has a history of depression. I had two great uncles kill themselves and many others who self-medicat- ed to death. Certain professions tend to have higher suicide rates – dentists, veterans, police officers. What ties them together? Chronic stress, trauma, emotional burnout, and isolation. These professions demand emotional toughness, leading to stigma around seeking help. PTSD, substance abuse, and access to lethal means further increase risks. Dentists face perfectionism and isolation. Veterans struggle with reinte- gration and combat trauma. Police officers endure violence and scrutiny. Addressing these issues requires improved mental health programs, peer networks, and stress-re- lief training. We all have lessons to learn from their struggles. OPTION 2 – STAYING ALIVE IN 3 PHASES Now that we’ve ruled out Option 1, let’s talk about Option 2. It’s a lot more fun. Okay, not a lot, but definite- ly more fun. I’ve divided it into 3 phases.
been protective. If early humans failed to hunt repeatedly, they might have needed to retreat to avoid further danger. Similarly, depression forces us to stop and reset. Let serotonin levels replenish until you get back to yourself. Modern pharmaceuticals, especially SSRIs (Selec- tive Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), can help. Get a referral and see a psychiatrist. Today’s psychiatrists rarely do talk therapy. You may only meet via telemedicine. After an initial visit, you’ll likely get a prescription – often generic, so don’t stress about finances. If the first one doesn’t work, supplements like Abilify (now generic) may be added. Caveat: These drugs take weeks to work, and things may get worse before they get better. Suicidal thoughts can increase initially. Be aware of that. However, these drugs can also work miracles. If depres- sion returns, novel therapies may be needed, but the pipe- line is robust. This is a well-served area, as many of you know from marketing. Phase 3 What else can be done? • Keep slogging through. Fake it until you make it back to the land of the living. Keep up daily activities as best you can. • Do the simple things. Take cold showers, walk in the woods or by water. Commune with nature.
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MARCH 2025
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