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JCE · #12 07-20-2002, 01:01 PM

Hi David:

We have spent some time together at GTGs and occasionally working on our cars, and you know what? My wife and I think you are pretty bright, and have a great personality, and have a lot of things going for you. Such as parents who really do care, financial means to get medical treatment for the depression, nearby schools and educational opportunities, etc. (Your mom probably cares for you a lot, you know. Sometimes when a parent is hurt, they hurt back - then would cut off an arm if only they could take it back!).

Depression can happen to any one of us without notice, even (especially?) if we think we are immune. Life has all manner of challenges, and it can get overwhelming. But drugs are not the answer. If used properly and under medical suppervision, they can help you get your feet on the ground and overcome the depression. But all of them have side effects, and they all can be abused. Substance abuse cost my daughter's husband his life, leaving my daughter and grandson a tough uphill battle to try and support themselves, let alone even thinking about college. Don't go there.

Something I would urge you to investigate is a career guidance counselor (No, not like in schools!). I put both my kids through a good program. In eight 1-2 hour sessions of testing and evaluations, they learned a lot about their personalities, aptitudes, interests, etc. This group never tried to change anything about them, just guided them through the process of finding out what their personalities were like, where there interests were, what they had the apparent aptitude to do more easily than others, and the career choices where others with their profiles had done well. It gave them a place to stand and some life paths to explore that would likely be easier than other choices. After my kids were done, Leise and I went through the program, and learned a lot about ourselves as well.

Remember, despite our culture's fascination with labels and appearances, that isn't what life is really about. It is all about what you do with what you have been given. It took courage to openly defy the labels. So I think you probably have the strength to stop the misuse of medications, and to move on from here with your life.

All our best,

John and Leise