Breaking free from depression
“I’d carried the guilt with me since 1964 when my friends were killed while we were out cycling and I hadn’t died. I realise now it wasn’t my time, but then I as a young girl, I couldn’t come to terms with their deaths. No one spoke about death then as they do now. It was a taboo subject and after their funerals I just had to get on with my life.”
A SUBJECT which isn’t often discussed or even spoken about, depression, was the topic of guest speaker Maureen Arnold’s talk at the February Eikenhof Women’s Institute meeting.
“Last year, when a child who was close to me died, I broke down and couldn’t cope. It was only later, after spending 21 days in a clinic, I realised I’d been carrying around guilt over the deaths of two of my friends which happened when we were 12 years old. I also came to understand just how many people out there suffer from health problems, such as bipolar and depression, from young to old. Some people have been on antidepressants for most of their adult lives and being with other people, from all walks of life, helped me get over my guilt and recover enough to carry on in the outside world,” Maureen told members of the WI.
“After attending 45-minute sessions four times a day, chatting to fellow patients and finding my place in the art room, I learnt how to be calm, relax and work through my anguish with the help of an amazing psychiatrist. I’d previously been talking to a psychologist but I’d never been really honest about my troubles until I was in the clinic.
“I’d carried the guilt with me since 1964 when my friends were killed while we were out cycling and I hadn’t died. I realise now it wasn’t my time, but then I as a young girl, I couldn’t come to terms with their deaths. No one spoke about death then as they do now. It was a taboo subject and after their funerals I just had to get on with my life,” said Maureen.
Now, since she came home from the clinic, she has slowly become better, although she admitted she still has her “down” days.
“Painting really helped me, so when I came home I decided I was an ‘artist’ of sorts,” Maureen laughed, “and I have since joined an art class. I’ve also written a story for my granddaughter, Ella, about fairies, and I’m beginning my second book now. My art teacher is assisting me with the illustrations and I’m feeling more confident than I have in years. The finished book I’ll have printed for Ella for her to keep.
“For those who read this, and if you are feeling you can’t cope or go on another day, don’t despair. Go and see your GP and be honest and ask for help. You need to know you don’t have to do it all alone – there is help out there.”
Also Read:
Eikenhof WI learns how to handle stress
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