Healthy Habits: Breaking Free of Depression's Grip

Author Bruce R. Ross has written about what it's like to try to live quietly with depression and how he has managed it for over 45 years. The book provides:
• Information on what happened when he opened up about his depression
• His marathon of hope
• The impact depression had on his entire life
• Hope to anyone suffering from depression and/or major depressive disorder
Unlike other books written by doctors or therapists, Breaking Free of Depression's Grip: A Powerful Success Story is a story of survival and inspiration to live a healthy life despite depression's hold on him. This is a story of an average, middle-class man, that offers hope to anyone with depression, has a loved one with it, or anyone seeking to know more about the impact it has on one's life.

I had a chance to interview him to learn more.

Why did you write this book?
I initially started to write the book approximately ten years ago as one of many self-help measures I tried in order to combat depression. I had read that if you have ruminating, negative, and depressive thoughts occupying your mind, write them down which will help relieve the depression. The more I wrote, the more I appreciated that there could be a market in which to share my struggles, in particular since the onset of Covid in 2020 and the increased number of mental health issues it has brought with it.

Why is it important for people to be open about mental health issues like depression?
Being open to mental health issues such as depression is instrumental for the person suffering from the disease. One of the greatest burdens with depression is the crushing loneliness you feel. I kept inside how I felt for years - both before and after the disease was formally diagnosed. I felt great relief, like a liberated feeling, when I finally opened up to close friends and family about what I had been living with for so long. However, I didn't feel as if I could open up until fairly recently, after it was becoming more acceptable in our society to talk about such personal and sensitive health issues.

 
Where is a good first resource for people who are struggling with depression?
The first resource is to discuss your feelings with your family doctor since they are your primary caregiver. He or she has the formal training to diagnose your depression and start you on the path to recovery. As appropriate, they can prescribe medication and refer you to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other recognized therapist, for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or other measures necessary to counteract the depression. It is prudent to keep your spouse or other close confidant informed all along the way of your feelings and the steps you are taking.

How can people support those in their lives with mental health struggles?
Support for an individual dealing with depression is critical. Listen to the person; empathize but pass no judgment or feel pity. Unless you are a qualified social worker, do not offer "solutions"; instead tactfully steer them to get professional help. Let them know that you are concerned for their health and are there to talk. Become educated about the illness so you have a better understanding of what the person is dealing with; in this day of the internet and other media sources, there is no excuse not to know. Finally, follow up with them on a regular basis to see how they are progressing.