Do you ever get depressed? If you answered no, well, I envy you. Unfortunately, I’ve dealt with depression and anxiety most of my life. I can psychoanalyze aspects of my childhood, or perhaps blame it on PTSD from my time in Iraq; but the thing is, it’s as much a part of my genetic make-up as my eye color and height. I firmly believe it’s both nature and nurture that contribute to my mental maladies. I guess in the moments of darkness, that doesn’t really matter. It just sometimes helps me to feel less inadequate and broken when I realize it’s not entirely my fault. What is my fault is how I react to it and how long I decide to dwell in this space.
Thanks for sharing and writing what you did. I see a lot of my own story in your words. I’m glad you were able to put it down for others to see. I have been in some of those places myself. We as vets and as humans are all in this together. Thanks for adding light to what can be a tough topic.
Thanks a ton for reading it and yea I think the key is showing we aren’t alone in this thing and being honest and vulnerable because I’ve found over and over it helps more than it hurts and my own pride just gets in my way sometimes
I do think that we need more wisdom from people who have navigated the darkness successfully. I see a lot of my own story and perspective in what you wrote. After years of failing to make any progress at a therapist, I started to look inward and upward for guidance. I don’t want to undermine the value some people are apparently getting through the therapy/antidepressants angle, but I think this problem in the vet community needs innovation to solve it. We’ve got to start trying new ways. The typical way is obviously insufficient. Among the 10 people I served with who have died, only 3 of those were at the hands of the enemy. We need innovation and wisdom teachers. Gathering success stories is valuable.
I couldn’t agree more. My biggest pet peeve in our community is the broken veteran narrative. There’s a fine line between owning our shortcomings and using them as excuses. Like you, the therapist/pill route for me just didn’t work like it has for some. I don’t devalue it, but for me it hasn’t worked. One thing that did work was a narrative therapy program that taught me to write about my issues or see it from multiple angles and it helped put a few things in perspective. I also believe as far as the vet community that we both eat our own and suppress the reality of our darkness. It’s a weird dichotomy. I am a firm believer in all ships rise with the tide and building community so we can heal together. Thanks a ton for reading.
The only advice I have to give you is no matter what be yourself!!! You are uniquely & wonderfully made!
God is not surprised that you go through dark times, as you stated he was in a dark place also.
Navigating depression & anxiety is hard. We just have to be careful not to give power to them. Sometimes the quickest way for me to get out of my head (funk) is to read prayer request on FB. There are so many people hurting in this world & living in conditions so much worse than mine.
Thanks Glenna, yea the best way to snap out of that cycle is to look out vs look in and you’re so right, helping others and considering their troubles surely refocuses me too.
Stan. Finally figured out how to leave a comment! As a not so tech savvy guy, that’s a victory. I read your article this week and was so impressed with the honesty that came forth. Please don’t ever loose that. Your faith will pull you through those valleys in life that we all go through. Please continue to reach out. Glenna and I are always here for you. Know that you are loved! God bless you brother!
Thank you so much Rick. I love you guys, and always appreciate the support. And yea, some of this stuff is tricky to navigate online haha I’m figuring it out as I go too. Sincerely thank you and Glenna. It means a lot knowing you guys are reading these.
That to me --is a very balanced, piece, honest, and transparent. you mentioned if we had any recommendations to offer h them . I have little to offer to someone who’s already a gifted writer but here goes. imagine what you’re writing going east west north and south-falling on whatever ears whether they respond or not. God Almighty sees every word that you write -every pain you feel -the roller coaster you ride and he is for you and not against you. He is using your work. in places that you may never know about and that doesn’t change the fact. that nothing is wasted! Go and do and be and continue to continue-the work he has gifted you to do
Stan
Thanks for sharing and writing what you did. I see a lot of my own story in your words. I’m glad you were able to put it down for others to see. I have been in some of those places myself. We as vets and as humans are all in this together. Thanks for adding light to what can be a tough topic.
Thanks a ton for reading it and yea I think the key is showing we aren’t alone in this thing and being honest and vulnerable because I’ve found over and over it helps more than it hurts and my own pride just gets in my way sometimes
I do think that we need more wisdom from people who have navigated the darkness successfully. I see a lot of my own story and perspective in what you wrote. After years of failing to make any progress at a therapist, I started to look inward and upward for guidance. I don’t want to undermine the value some people are apparently getting through the therapy/antidepressants angle, but I think this problem in the vet community needs innovation to solve it. We’ve got to start trying new ways. The typical way is obviously insufficient. Among the 10 people I served with who have died, only 3 of those were at the hands of the enemy. We need innovation and wisdom teachers. Gathering success stories is valuable.
I couldn’t agree more. My biggest pet peeve in our community is the broken veteran narrative. There’s a fine line between owning our shortcomings and using them as excuses. Like you, the therapist/pill route for me just didn’t work like it has for some. I don’t devalue it, but for me it hasn’t worked. One thing that did work was a narrative therapy program that taught me to write about my issues or see it from multiple angles and it helped put a few things in perspective. I also believe as far as the vet community that we both eat our own and suppress the reality of our darkness. It’s a weird dichotomy. I am a firm believer in all ships rise with the tide and building community so we can heal together. Thanks a ton for reading.
The only advice I have to give you is no matter what be yourself!!! You are uniquely & wonderfully made!
God is not surprised that you go through dark times, as you stated he was in a dark place also.
Navigating depression & anxiety is hard. We just have to be careful not to give power to them. Sometimes the quickest way for me to get out of my head (funk) is to read prayer request on FB. There are so many people hurting in this world & living in conditions so much worse than mine.
I love your writings! Always here for you!!!
Thanks Glenna, yea the best way to snap out of that cycle is to look out vs look in and you’re so right, helping others and considering their troubles surely refocuses me too.
Love this article!!!
Thanks Rada!
Excellent article Stan! Look forward to what else you bring to this platform. I just subscribed. 👍🏻
I really appreciate that, and likewise!
Stan. Finally figured out how to leave a comment! As a not so tech savvy guy, that’s a victory. I read your article this week and was so impressed with the honesty that came forth. Please don’t ever loose that. Your faith will pull you through those valleys in life that we all go through. Please continue to reach out. Glenna and I are always here for you. Know that you are loved! God bless you brother!
Thank you so much Rick. I love you guys, and always appreciate the support. And yea, some of this stuff is tricky to navigate online haha I’m figuring it out as I go too. Sincerely thank you and Glenna. It means a lot knowing you guys are reading these.
That to me --is a very balanced, piece, honest, and transparent. you mentioned if we had any recommendations to offer h them . I have little to offer to someone who’s already a gifted writer but here goes. imagine what you’re writing going east west north and south-falling on whatever ears whether they respond or not. God Almighty sees every word that you write -every pain you feel -the roller coaster you ride and he is for you and not against you. He is using your work. in places that you may never know about and that doesn’t change the fact. that nothing is wasted! Go and do and be and continue to continue-the work he has gifted you to do
Thank you Barry. Sometimes it’s easy to lose focus but you’re right.