D is for Depression

I am disabled, I have a mental health diagnosis of major (aka: clinical) depression. I have had severe episodes of Depression since my teens, but it was not officially diagnosed as such until 1997, when I was hospitalized for suicidal thoughts.

What is Major Depression?**
Major depression is a brain disorder that is much more than temporarily feeling sad or blue. It is a serious medical illness that affects one's thoughts, feelings, behavior, and physical health. It is a biologically based brain disease, not a weakness....Some people have one episode of depression in a lifetime, but many have recurrent episodes. Others have ongoing, chronic symptoms. Gee, I'm doubly blessed. I get it both ways!! Seriously, the chronic symptoms are managed through medication, and I usually (but not always) realize when things start to slide into a more major episode, at which time I seek psychotherapy/counseling Since 1990 I have had three major episodes which have ultimately resulted in job loss. It is because of this I receive Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). As I mentioned in the "B is for BVHE" post, I like my current part-time position. But if something should occur on my part or theirs, I have SSDI to fall back on.

Symptoms**
The onset of the first episode of major depression may not be obvious if it is brief or mild. Unrecognized or left untreated, however, it may recur with greater seriousness or progress to a syndrome that includes a profoundly sad or irritable mood lasting at least two weeks and accompanied by pronounced changes in sleep, appetite, energy, ability to concentrate and remember, interest in usual activities, and capacity to experience pleasure.

Treatment
Of all the mental disorders, depressive illnesses are among the most responsive to treatment. With available treatment, 80% of people with serious depression can improve and return to their normal daily activities and feelings, usually in a matter of weeks. But if an individual's depression tends to recur once treatment is discontinued--a significant number of people have recurrent depression--the the illness can be handled with ongoing treatment....Major depression is a medical illness that produces emotional symptoms, so both medication and psychotherapy mat be needed to treat it. The objective of treatment is to lessen the duration and intensity of the episodes of illness and to prevent their recurrence. I currently take three medications to help control my depression: Seroquel (minimum dosage at night to assist with normal sleep), Effexor XR, and Wellbutrin. I am not currently in therapy of any kind, a psychiatrist oversees my medications quarterly. The most troublesome side-effect I have is excessive sweating and being prone to overheating. Both Effexor and Seroquel can cause this. I have come close to heat stroke only once, and never want to do so again. I know to carry water and/or sports drinks with me when I walk, ride a bike, and expect to be out in the sun. I always have a container of fluid in the cup holder in my car. I have permission of the stores I service to carry and consume water while working, as long as I am discreet about it.

**taken from Understanding Major Depression: what you need to know about this medical illness, published by National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)

B is for:

BVHE (the distribution arm of Disney Studios). I am working part-time foe Mosaic Sales Solutions, they are a marketing firm. One of their major contracts is BVHE, and that is the division I work for. I have four 'big box' stores locally that I maintain/display/reorder BVHE DVD movies for. BVHE also includes: Hollywood Pictures, Touchstone, Miramax and now Pixar. It is part time. I work most Tuesdays when one of the above studios is releasing a new movie in DVD. Those days I may have to visit all 4 stores on 'Blitz'--to make sure the new title and all the promotional material is displayed properly. Other then these Tuesdays, I will usually be scheduled to visit each store several times a month to check proper placement of BVHE titles on the planogramed (POG) movie shelves, and re-order low and out of stock titles. These merchandising visits can usually be done any time during the week, just as long as they are transmitted before Friday evening. I enjoy my work, and the people I work with.
The only problem I have with this position is it can be sort of 'feast or famine' with hours at various times of the year; although there has been opportunity for extra hours working with the Movie Crews at Best Buy, and other short-term assignments.
I don't consider this to be my primary source of income. I am on SSDI--for a mental health diagnosis-- I have Major (aka Clinical) Depression. The government wants me to work! They allow me to make up to like, $650/month with out it affecting my benefits. They have a lot of support programs to help people get back to work. I have been able to take care of a lot of debt I have had for several years... I looked for work for almost a year before deciding, with a job coach's encouragement, to apply for SSDI. I have always intended to work at least part time. SSDI is my primary income. If by some miracle I find a position to work full-time in, SSDI will (I hope) still be there for me to fall back on--if something should happen (condition tends to re-occur do to stress). I will not have to go through and reapply, or have a waiting period.