Someone Is Willing To Talk About It

From Thea M. Kellogg:

"Sometimes we take "things" for granted in life. It is just the way life is and can't be changed. At times we don't even know these "things" are unusual or abnormal in our families environment. Or JUST MAYBE we really do know, through instinct, that something is wrong. We STUFF it in a far-a-way place, in the back of our mind, and cover it with behavior that makes us feel "acceptable" to ourselves and others. We each deal with the happenings of life differently as to how we are conditioned and carry on the pattern to the next generation. When I discovered, through medication and therapy, a list of items from my past and present that caused me great stress, it was time to deal with them. There were issues to deal with that I could not rectify, but still needed peace of mind. There were problems that I could correct with the help of others and at times as a famous prayer says I needed "wisdom to know the difference." We each have our own list to confront and no two lists are identical. No one else has had all of my experiences and no one else has had yours. I encourage you or anyone you may know that suffers with depression to check the items off the list on the way to recovery. With God's help, we are never alone on the journey."

Any single element would "do in" the average person. Thea Kellogg grew up with all of these, and yet she survived, until one day, forty years later her system shut down. She had become incapacitated and was told by her doctor that she was clinically depressed.

Not knowing where to turn or what to do
At first she did not know where to turn or what to do. Depression is a very personal thing. It is more than just a bad day or a blue mood. And it is not an easy subject to talk about with people who have never experienced it. They don't understand, nor can they know what it feels like. The subject of depression and mental illness, still, is an awkward subject in our culture; but it doesn't have to be that way.

Doing the tough stuff
Kellogg chose to do the tough stuff. She chose then to live a life of peace instead of pain - at all costs. She followed her doctor's advice and got professional help. Along the way she made some startling discoveries, and she got better.

Support and acceptance
Now, Kellogg wants to help others who suffer silently from this illness. She is willing to talk about it, and has published her journal of thoughts, memories, and the dreams she had as she triumphed over her darkest days. Her published journal is a book titled "Visions of Sunsets." This book is a vehicle to help others recognize what depression feels like, and to lend support and acceptance to seek all available avenues of help.

Better for others
Kellogg lives in the heart of Leelanau County, a northern Michigan agricultural and resort community where neighbors have known each other for generations. Because of those families, Kellogg realized we have to stop and do what's best for us, so it can be better for others. She wants those who have suffered from being victims to know opportunities exist for a peaceful life by knowing they can face the worst of yesterday to have the best of tomorrow's.

More Information

1. Also by Thea M. Kellogg
2. About the Author
3. An Excerpt from Visions of Sunsets
4. What Others are Saying About This Book
5. Symptoms of Depression
6. Sources of Help for Depression
7. Helping Others With Depression

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