Disability, Denial, Depression, Doctors & Dealing:  I suppose it was a
natural progression in our discussion.  Feelings of Denial/Anger are often a
precursor to depression.  It came as no surprise when the flood gates were
opened by Asdis' question, ".. how many of us have depression due to our
disabilities and take medicin?"

Whether you currently take medicine or not many of us like Anee's " ...
depression was not caused so much by my disability as other things."  Or Mag,
".. i'm not sure my entire depression is caused by being disabled."

Betty's inquiry on ".. society's response to our disabilities," and if the
health profession has matured enough to adequately treat a disabled patient
really got me thinking.  I've had bad experiences with the mental health
professionals ignorance of issue which affect the disabled, but in their
defense we must also remember one  thing.  Logic would dictate that at no
other time were there so many PWD's.  Advances in medicine have helped many
of us survive birth into adult hood, when 100 years ago we never would have
made it.  Psychology itself is a realitvely young science, so maybe we just
need to stay aware and try to have patience :D

Personally, my bouts of depression are nearly identical to Betty's.  She
said, "Part of my disability experience is knowing that physical change is
the constant.  As soon as I become accustomed to one "level" of disability, I
have an exacerbation and have to adjust to more loss. ... I have noticed that
a temporary bout of depression accompanies each change.  It's a stark
reminder of an uncertain future."

The only difference being I was raised with the unshakeable belief my
disability was not going to get any worse. In fact, I'd been led to believe
with enough hard work and effort on my part I would actually improve.   If
I'd known from the start there would be loss, whether great or small,  I
might have had an easier time preparing and easing into acceptance.

Something else Betty said hit me hard, "Being part of the 'other world'"
"getting on with facing the challenge to get that "I win" feeling, ..."
It's taken a few years to find different ways to get my "atta boys."  Once I
figured a few ways to get that "I win " feeling, it helped tremendously.

Betty also said, "I was just fortunate enough to stumble into the office of a
competent psychiatrist who was able to recognize when treatment was no longer
necessary ..."  After years of "on again/off again" counseling, including
being told repressed memories were responsible for the numbness in my hands,
I also stumbled across a cousoling center headed by someone with MS.  After
giving my counsler my history, on my second visit she floored me by saying,
"Has anyone ever discussed with you that many of the problems you are having
are part of disability?"  - I literally sat there slack jawed.  Not once did
any counsler EVER say anything about how my disability affected my state of
mind.  The informed doctor told me most of my problems were physical, and I
needed to find a medical doctor for the physical problems.  I did, and most
of my "mental" problems disappeared once I started treating the physcial
side.  (pain management, etc)

Anee has the right idea!  "You learn to deal with what you have and move on
with life and adapt to what ever comes your way as best you can.  But that
dosen;t meen that you won't be pushed over the edge by something at some
point.  And if you do get pushed over th edge at some point than you can
eventually find your way back--at least I did."

Bill Hyatt said, "Her doctor said that it is unusual for someone with CP not
to have depression.  This statement bothers me a little in that it's almost
as if you are "required" to be depressed when you have CP."  I don't think
you are "required" to be depressed, but the raw truth is when you have
physical limitations, it can lead to fustration, to anger, and to depression.
 This isn't to say that your entire existance is a dense forest of
depression.  I just think disability is a fertile ground in which depression
has a better chance to take root and grow.   If you stay on top of it, and
sometimes even just knowing why you feel a certain way, (instead of feeling
like you are losing it for no reason), you can clear a path out of the
thickets and find tremendous relief.    Anyway- those are my 2 cents on the
five D's.  - Take Care:  Denise.