Depression and money, part I
Easier said than done — statement, that best describes all elements that I’ve described in the post about treatment. And if organizing your food, sleep and activity requires time OR money (both are always better), then the treatment itself often requires money. Unless you are lucky to live in a country with excellent universal healthcare. Country of my origin is not like that.
If you experience troubles with your mental health, you’ll find yourself somewhere in 2x2 matrix: “have money vs don’t have money” and “ready to spend on mental health/not ready to spend”. Let’s talk a bit about situations where one has money, but is not ready to spend. The treatment gets delayed and then delayed.
Mental health is tricky here: one can find a lot of “reasons” to postpone. When you are in a mental hell, you rarely are able to drag yourself to a doctor. When it gets better — it gets postponed, because it is ok. And then you are again in hell and…
Also, you cannot really put your finger on what is wrong. You come to a doctor… and what? What are you going to say? All these other people, they look well, they find willpower to do everything needed. So that, and you should… Look at Sara, her husband is sick, but she does not give anything away. What’s your problem then? And spending all these money on yourself — does it worth it? The flat requires some stuff, and the car…
So, let’s make it clear. If anything bothers you long enough, basically more than two weeks, does not disappear with change of the environment, and affects quality of your life, it is worth consulting someone. If they say you are fine — hooray!
If this is cyclical, go to a professional when you are ok. And tell them everything you’ve felt when you were not ok. Good, if you can write it down. You also can scan through Beck Depression Inventory or WHO’s recommendations or any other materials in case you have difficulties expressing what bothers you. Don’t get in self-diagnosis mode though — this is a professional’s job.
More people go to therapy or take medication than you think. More people struggle with mental health. And does not matter whether your problems are “smaller” than theirs — there is no place for comparison there. Everyone has different sensitivity level. And you have the right to feel what you feel at the moment, even if you feel lonely surrounded by loving relatives, desperate on an excellent job or wiped out after holidays.
If you don’t feel well — go to a specialist. Treat it as a medical expense. This is what it is. If you are safe, and have a place to sleep, food on the table — take care about yourself and your future.
I learned about my father’s condition too late. He was already in a very scary state: severe insomnia, suicidal thoughts, difficulties even moving. It was very hard to convince him to get help — too expensive. And when he needed to go to a hospital, he did not let us pay for a better treatment (with our local healthcare paid services often are kinder to patients). And I was ready to pay for this without any questions.
When he died it appeared that he could pay for treatment for the whole our family and still have money to retire with a glass of wine. Mo mom inherited these money and still cannot find will to do anything with them — it works as a reminder of those times.
So, don’t do shit like that. Please.
